Blustery day

I love the word blustery, first of all. I think it conveys what autumnal weather can be like, and also reminds me of Winnie The Pooh stories from when I was little. And boy have we had some blustery days recently!

On Sunday I woke up early, (just after 8am)- I was quite pleased with that time but then I realised that the clocks had gone back so it was just past 7am. The weather was windy but sunny, so I decided to head out for a 10K, as I was expecting torrential rain and gales later. The run was great, although it was tough because of the wind. I decided on an out and back (and very specifically out for 3.1 miles) as then I got to repeat my favourite parts of the run. The wind was behind me on the way out, which meant the hill coming home was even tougher than usual with the wind trying to push me back down.

I was home before 9am, so I had a delicious Rude Health pumpkin bar, had a shower and then got back into bed to read. It was bliss.

Later on I had some porridge- I treated myself to some Dorset cereals Gingerbread porridge (I have made my own using molasses and spices, but this is a treat) topped with some apple (my final garden apple) cooked in coconut oil and sugar. So comforting and warming.

I spent some of Sunday afternoon baking in the kitchen (more on that later this week) before we went for dinner at Andy’s parents. We were considering the cinema late on Sunday night but the cold windy weather put us off- we came home and had the heating on instead!

On Monday I woke up super early due to all the wind. Thankfully we have only had a tiny bit of damage (a fence fallen down, although it is down to our neighbours to fix/ replace it). I had planned a rest day, so pottered about before walking to the post office.

Photo: A bit of damage around from the wind

There was a bit of damage to see on the way.

Photo: Big tree broken

A few telegraph wires had been pulled down too.

At least the weather stayed good for my walk (it is just over a mile away)- it poured with rain just after I was back home!

Then I did some baking- I was going to a friends house for afternoon tea and I had offered to make macaroons- they seemed afternoon-tea-like. I made up one batch, then divided it in half. I added yellow colouring and lemon extract to half, and green colouring and mint extract to the other half. For some reason the yellow ones came so easily off the paper, but the mint ones stuck. I sandwiched the lemon ones with lemon curd, and the mint once with dark chocolate spread. I think I should have used more green colouring too, as once they were cooked they lost the colour quite a bit.

I was quite pleased with how they turned out anyway, and I liked these more than when I tried them before- they seemed to have a better chewy texture and a nicer flavour.

This morning the sun was again shining so for my run I headed to the fields, as now it is dark in the evenings so it is not an option then. It was wonderful, but hard work as it was muddy and the grass was slippery. Maybe I need to look into some trail shoes? Would they be OK for the pavement sections too I wonder? Although I need new normal ones too (maybe that will be done on Thursday).

I had a lot of work to do so tried to get on and power through, and included a lovely tea break, using some of the Marie Antoinette tea I bought at the Cake and Bake show- it looked so pretty. It is black tea with roses, other petals, vanilla and cardamom (and some other bits I think).

Also, I am very excited because I got an email from Popchips this week saying that they are going to bring the sweet potato flavour to the UK! No time line yet, but that makes me happy!

Runners- do you have separate shoes for road and trail? 

How did you spend the blustery weekend?

Halloween baking

Ah, half term is here.

This first half term is always crazily busy, and the final week was just exhausting with two parents evenings on top of “normal” stuff, so I was ready to collapse on Friday evening. I was very pleased to see that the posts I had scheduled appeared through the magic of technology!

I really fancied doing some sort of Halloween baking, but could not decide what- make little pumpkins to top cupcakes? Gingerbread skeletons? Then I saw on The Pink Whisk caramel shortbread spiderwebs.

My decision was made. My project for Friday evening was sorted. The recipe was easy enough to follow (even for a very tired person) and the effect is brilliant I think!

Took the photo without the flash too for ultra spooky webs!

There is one where it is more of a splodge, as a lump of un-melted white chocolate got stuck in the tip of the piping bag. On the website Ruth says to only top a couple at a time as the chocolate needs to be liquid, but I did them all at once and they were fine-the chocolate takes a long time to firm up again after.

Today I have had a relaxing day. I picked up my brother and we headed to Parkrun. Even though I had not run since Tuesday (I managed two short runs on Monday and Tuesday) I didn’t feel on top form so wasn’t going to chase down a pb. The rain held off until I was on the final stretch, but it was quite heavy by the time I had scanned my chip.

Breakfast was pumpkin pancakes which turned out to be a bit of a disaster- but I was hungry so I didn’t care! Later on I got the text from Parkrun saying my time was 59.59. Basically there was a technical glitch so everyone was given the same time- the results are quite funny to see but at least they kept the order of everyone finishing. They have offered to remove the time if people don’t like the way it messes with their average time, but I don’t mind that. It also means I (probably) won’t ever run a personal worst! So I finished 174/253 runners, and 47/89 girls- love those stats!

Normally on a Saturday I have work to catch up on, but the bonus of half term means I can save it to next week, so I have had a proper day off- I watched some of the Bake off, and then popped into town to pick up a few bits and get my glasses adjusted. I have some John Lewis vouchers and really want to buy a nice blanket for the sofa, and had seen a nice one online but wanted to feel it to check it would not be itchy. Anyway, the John Lewis in Welwyn is just a nightmare for someone with no sense of direction and it took me about 20 minutes of going up and down stairs, following signs, getting stuck behind all the slow Saturday shoppers, and nearly going out the emergency exit before I found the right section, only to find out they didn’t carry it in stock! Grr! I needed a Starbucks after that 🙂

Later on I walked up to Aldi to pick up some whisky for making Christmas cakes- one of my favourite half term jobs!

That is all soaking away now ready for my midweek bake.

And now I am going to make something with a pumpkin. Possibly roast it, and then maybe turn it into soup? I have not decided yet.

Anyone else making their Christmas cakes now? The recipe I use is here.

Anyone else doing some Halloween baking? I might have time on my hands next week to make something else too and always love ideas.

 

Guest post- how to care for running feet

Hi everyone.

I have a guest post for you all today on caring for your feet:

How to Care for Running Feet

Runner’s feet take a beating, if you’re a regular runner you will be quite familiar with the pains and aches that running can put your foot through. Foot pain caused by running can impact your training plans should it not be effectively remedied.

Whether you simply have achy feet after a long run, or you find that you are suffering with continual foot pain or injury, here are some tried and tested ways of combating foot pain and caring for those running feet…

1) The perfect post run treat for feet is massaging the feet with a tennis ball. Roll your foot over the tennis ball, paying particular attention to any areas that hurt the most. The massaging motion of the ball will help to ease stiff muscles as well as any tension in the arch of the foot.

2) Are you an over pronator, regular pronator or under pronator? Any frequent runner generally knows the answer to this, but pronation relates to the inward rolling motion of your foot as you run – caused by the distributed force of impact when your foot hits a surface. Those with flat feet usually overpronate while anyone with high arches is likely to under pronate. It is important to choose running shoes that cater to high arches, regular arches or flat arches, choosing the wrong running shoes can lead to painful running associative conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis or shin splints.

3) Orthotics are also recommended to care for runners’ feet. If you’re not wearing the correct running shoes, pronation can affect heel alignment – causing us foot pain as well as discomfort when we walk or run. Specialists in all things feet, Simply Feet recommend orthotic insoles as well as orthotic footwear to runners. One of the brands that they sell, Vionic, use innovative Foot Motion Technology to provide the foot with cushioning support and stability while Vionic FMT also works to improve heel alignment – allowing you to step or run with confidence!

4) Trimming toenails is a part of any basic beauty routine but it is of particular importance to runners. If your toenails are a little too long they can rub against the inside of your shoe or even cut other toes – causing great discomfort when you’re running. Remember to make sure you cut or file your toenails straight as toenails with rounded edges are susceptible to painful ingrown toenails – any runner’s nightmare! If you’ve just completed a running challenge, why not treat you and your feet to a luxury pedicure.

 

How do you care for your feet? I must admit it is something I don’t pay as much attention to as I probably should. I do pay attention to trimming my nails properly as I had to have operations on ingrown toenails when I was younger- never again! I have foot cream that I apply sporadically, and I really must get myself some new running trainers! A job for half term I feel.

*This post is courtesy of Simply Feet

10 muddy miles and a cow!

The rain was pouring and the wind was howling, and as I set off this morning I did wonder why on earth I was going to this race. What a contrast to last week in so many ways. The race was about 25 minutes away, and there was no traffic, and lovely clear signposts to the car park, which was right by the start.

I arrived about 40 minutes before the start, so I ran out of the car to pick up my race number and timer chip, and then ran back to the car to shelter from the rain until the last possible moment.

View from the car- does not really show just how much it was raining!

With 5 minutes to go, I walked over to the start to listen to the announcements. I love races like this- it was organised by a local running club, to raise money for the Herts Air Ambulance. I love that the car park was right by the start, the person on the tannoy was so friendly. I have also never seen so many marshals before. They warned us that most of the run was off road (uh-oh- I had some flashbacks of when I did the Autumn challenge which I thought would be 5 road miles but ended up being cross country…), to watch out for tree roots, that some of the mud was very slippery, to not fall in the river (and if we did, be aware it contains Weils’ disease) and also there is a cow on the towpath. Lots to remember.

Then we were off!

I had decided to keep my waterproof jacket on as it was quite cold too, and that turned out to be fine. I knew I could tie it around my waist if I got too hot, but that didn’t happen!

My tennis visor was as low to my face as I could take, trying to keep the rain off my glasses (seriously, people without glasses do not know how annoying water covered ones are)- I had tissues in my pocket to wipe them with, although they got wet too.

Last week at the 10 mile mark I looked at my watch to gauge the time I should aim for this week, as the only time I have run a 10 mile race was the Great South Run (which was not so great…)- I did that in 1.49 something so I knew I should beat that. Anyway last weekend it was 1.42 something, so I wanted to aim for 10 minute miles and see how I got on.

The race began around a field (slippery long grass, mud), then was two loops, before coming back to the field again. The first half of each loop was tough- especially the first lap as it was very congested. They had painted the tree roots bright red- what great preparation! But some bits the mud was so deep and squelchy (we can’t go over, we can’t go under it, oh no, we’ve got to go through it, squelch squerch squelch squerch)- I had to stop and walk/ clamber up some bits while holding on to the fence. My shoes are not off road in the slightest!

We then ran through some residential streets- some very steep uphill bits, then lovely downhills with speedbumps. All the marshals were so cheerful- shouting everyone on, telling us to watch out for the speed humps, telling us how good we looked (yeah, totally). I didn’t look at my Garmin at all and just tried to run on feel- in my head the 10 minute mile thing had long gone as the terrain was tough- at one point I said to a marshal that I could do with ski poles to keep upright- the mud was awful and I was just trying to stay upright.

The second half of the loop was much nicer- flatter, but also more picturesque- along by a river, through some parks/fields, and along a tow path. I saw people playing football, people kayaking (there is always someone wetter than you), people cycling and walking.

Some of the tow path was good to run on and I felt like I got into a good rhythm-  But some was tough as there were huge puddles- at one point it was ankle deep so I clambered over a wall instead. You had to concentrate to avoid the huge puddles- I had trodden in one just past mile 2 (just 3/4 of the race to go…) so had squelchy shoes and cold wet feet, but I didn’t want to make it any worse.

Then I saw the cow! I thought it would be long gone by the time I got there- there was a marshal stood by it who said “keep moooving”- get it? It was only later when I thought of the reply “how amoosing”- too late!

We had to run over a bridge, and then we were back to start the second lap- and I had not got lapped by any of the front runners. Hooray!

The second lap felt better, although the first half again was tough with those hills- I was tired by that point, and getting pretty cold and damp.

For the final stretch along the flatter fields and tow paths I decided to try and overtake people, and I managed quite a few (and the cow was still there!). One lot of people (maybe 4 of them?) overtook me back while I was deciding which way to go around a huge puddle, but then they stopped to walk up the bridge on the final stretch.

Andy had said he might come and watch, although I didn’t think he would as standing around in this weather is even worse than running in it. As I ran into the field there was a 400m to go sign, and a big group of people cheering, but he wasn’t there. Fair enough I thought, and managed to overtake 2 more people.

But then I came around the corner and saw him! He even snapped a photo.

The rain had eased right off then.

The clock said 1.41 something, so I am really pleased. I did have a chip so shall wait for my official time, but it is a pb anyway 🙂

EDIT– chip time was 1.40.58 🙂

There were people to cut the timer chips off your laces (love this because my hamstrings do not like bending down right after I have stopped running, plus my fingers were very cold), water right there, and attractive technical running t-shirts. Embarrassingly as I crossed the line a man lifted his arm to indicate where I should go, and I went to high five him- I did explain “sorry- everyone is so friendly here and I thought you were going to high five me”- turned out Andy saw this too so I can’t pretend it didn’t happen!

No small ones left, of course (unisex sizes)- I need to run a lot faster to get one! But it can go over a long sleeved top- it is the right colour for winter running anyway. It only cost ÂŁ17 to enter so was a right bargain. A shame about the weather but seriously I have never seen that many marshals, and they were all so enthusiastic and friendly.

I saw a couple of runners from the Sweatshop group, so chatted to them for a few minutes, but then headed back to the car. I was freezing. My top (underneath my jacket) was damp, I think from sweat but also I think water was running in from the neckline. I usually hate even shared changing rooms but I was so cold I took my running top off in the car park and put on a warmer top, then my coat, to drive home in. I had the heating up in the car, but my running tights were soaked so just cold, and my wet hair was dripping water all over me too. Cold cold cold.

Andy was home a bit before me and put the kettle on, so by the time I was out the shower I had tea waiting for me. Perfect.

I spent the rest of the afternoon foam rolling in front of Strictly, and then round to Andy’s parent’s for dinner. Fab.

How did you spend this rainy Sunday?  Anyone else feel like sharing an embarrassing moment? Go on, you will make me feel better!

Happy Birthday Parkrun!

So this week the Parkrun newsletter popped into my inbox and I saw that they are celebrating their 9th birthday. When it started they had 13 runners, and now they have over 630,000 runners registered. That is some impressive growth. They are all over the UK (check the website to find one near you) and they have spread into Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America and South Africa.

I am a relative newcomer to Parkrun- my first one was in March this year- and I don’t manage to go every week (in fact today was my 8th one, plus 3 times volunteering) but I love it and now really look forward to it starting my Saturday.

Just why do I love it so much? When my Dad first mentioned it to me, I mentioned it to Andy who basically said “I could have run a 5K and be home and showered before you have even got to the start”. Which is a good point. But then I started running with Sweatshop and found that I loved running with other people- it helped me speed up a lot, and helped me to run without a podcast or music. My Dad mentioned it to me again, and it came at the perfect time as I was all signed up to marathon talk’s Jantastic, and the third challenge was to predict a time- I had chosen a 5K time of 27.00 (although I had somehow entered 27 hours not minutes as my prediction)- so I went with my Dad and brother in the pouring rain– I managed 27.12 so I was pretty close to my prediction, and got a 5K pb to boot!

I love the whole ethos of Parkrun. Run by runners and volunteers. It is free to enter, welcomes club runners, joggers, people new to exercising, families, children, some courses are wheelchair /running buggy accessible… basically it is inclusive to all.

I love that it is a run and not a race. The people who come at the front are the first finishers and not the winners.

I think that runners are really friendly, and I love that the volunteers (and fast finishers) cheer everyone on. My local one is a large event, and when I have helped there is some community aspect there as there is a core of people who know each other well, and from what I have heard, smaller events are really friendly and everyone gets to know everyone else.

I love the feeling of starting Saturday off with short sharp exercise- it is done in half an hour and by 10am I can be home and out of the shower, full of energy for the rest of the day.

I love that there are children involved- some of them run, some of them stand by the side and cheer the runners on- it is great for them to see some positive role models, and enjoy being out in the fresh air.

I also really love the timing system and all the stats. The timing is so clever, and later in the day/ over the weekend, you get a text (or email, or both, or just check the website) with your placing, time, whether it was a pb, how many Parkruns you have completed and more!

I was not sure that I would continue to go, because I tend to like having a long run on a Saturday morning, but I have managed to fit it into my running routine. I find that I need a rest day after a long run, but I am OK to run the day before, so some weeks I have been to Parkrun on Saturday, and then done a long run on the Sunday. I have not run the day before a race (although I did today, as tomorrow the 10 miles are the same distance to some of my half marathon training runs), but then if I am around those days are a good day to be a volunteer.

I would love to get my 5K pb down even further. A few weeks ago I managed 26.50, which I was so exited by! But I want to go faster and would like to go at least once a month.

I also want to earn my 50 t-shirt. It will take me a few years, but it is the sort of thing that has no shortcut. Paul who blogs at Father Fitness recently completed his 50th Parkrun, which is a fantastic achievement.

Some other bloggers who have bitten the Parkrun bug are Lara, Lauren, Anna, Mary, Catherine, Claire and Steph to name quite a few (apologies if I missed you off)- check them out if you want to be enthused further with the whole concept!

Post Parkrun pumpkin pancakes (love some alliteration) are the best too. I used the last of my Orgran Buckwheat pancake mix, some egg replacer and a big tbs pumpkin puree, plus soya milk. I cooked the apples in gingerbread syrup, and added some cinnamon at the end, and then topped the pancakes with a few Beyond Dark chocolate chips.

So happy birthday to Parkrun, long may it continue.

If you go to Parkrun, what do you love most about it?

If not, would you be tempted?