Running - Maria Runs

Focusing on the positive

Hey peeps

I hope you all enjoyed the weekend- it has flown by!

Friday night we walked to the allotment and ended up spending at least an hour digging up weeds. At least now I can actually see the raspberry canes again (yes it was that bad!). I was so hot and bothered, so needed to cool down. We had some of this amazing ice cream in the freezer- peanut butter ice cream with raspberry sauce, and I had made an iced tea earlier using Twinings Gingersnap peach tea, mixed with a little grape juice and a tray of ice.

Saturday morning we were up bright and early, wanting to get our run in before it got too hot (according to the weather)- luckily it stayed cool and overcast the whole time. Andy ran with me, but I was finding it so tough. After a couple of miles my right foot went totally numb- I tried loosening my shoe laces but that didn’t seem to help. I was also getting tight calves, which is not like me. We kept up a good pace, but Andy kept needing to stop and wait for me, which was making me feel (at the time) quite demoralised (silly when I look back now, but at the time I felt like crying at one point because I was so annoyed with myself for not being able to keep up, when recently I have been keeping up with him OK). I love running with him- it does make me go faster, plus it is nice to chat. But I was feeling bad as I was slowing him down (even though he kept saying it was OK)- and then because my legs were hurting it was making me more worried about the half next weekend. Then, going up the horrible hill at just over 7 miles, my Garmin ran out of battery. This wouldn’t usually bother me so much but I wanted to get up to ten miles, and I hadn’t measured out a route beforehand, I was just going to run around the block at the end to make up the distance. Anyway, a bit after that Andy left me, as he was going to do 12 miles (crazy!) so was adding on a different bit at the end of his run, so I was then trying to work out how far I had been since the Garmin stopped (Andy uses km’s on his Garmin so that was no use to me, as any regular readers will know that my maths goes out of the window when I start running), and trying to work out what I needed to add on to the run. I also wanted to know how long it had taken me, so I had to look at the time when I got home, as the Garmin website would tell me when my run started. Complicated!

On Friday evening I made the batter for post run pancakes, and that was just what I fancied. I had some almonds and a nuun drink as soon as I got in, then showered and made breakfast. This batter was made with 1 mashed banana, 20g peanut flour and 20g wholegrain spelt, and a little baking powder. Simple. I cooked them gently in the pan, and then had them with a nectarine, some vanilla alpro yoghurt and cocoa nibs (I am getting a bit of an obsession with them). Plus a lovely Tea India masala chai tea.

Andy has been reassuring me about my run, which is very sweet of him. I did some maths, and I think that in the end my run was 9.98 miles (I’ll take that!) and took me just over 1 hour 40 mins, so basically 10 minute miles. Again, not bad, although once he was gone my pace was much slower. But when I did the Great South Run (which is a 10 mile race) I did it in 1 hr 50, so I am quicker than that. Also, the half marathon is a hilly one, and I don’t expect to get a pb, my main aim is to beat my time from the last time I did that (although the course has changed slightly)- that was 2.19. I think I should be OK to make that, and I suppose at the end of the day even if I don’t make that time, it will still be another half marathon completed. Saturday afternoon I was shattered, but then on reflection I had a hard Sweatshop run on Wednesday, ran Thursday and Friday morning, walked on Friday afternoon and tired myself out digging on Friday evening. So no wonder I was tired I suppose.

We have been enjoying my new blender to have some refreshing summer smoothies. This one was made with frozen mango and pineapple, plus Koko coconut milk.

Saturday evening we had lovely black bean and avocado wraps for dinner (this was basically a red onion cooked in paprika, then a chopped red pepper added in, a small tin of sweetcorn + black beans mixed in, served on a wrap with a chopped avocado and some lime juice)- the original recipe was with wenslydale cheese but we didn’t have any so just left that out.

This morning I defrosted a slice of our Christmas pannetone and had it with some peanut butter on one half and passion fruit curd on the other half (from the Bath Christmas markets), plus a mango, Tesco lemon soya yoghurt and those cocoa nibs.

We lazed around for a bit, I did some baking (more on that another day!) and then went to Crews Hill which is basically a row of garden centres. We got a few bargain plants for our garden and the allotment.

We were pretty thirsty when we got home, so made another smoothie- this one was frozen cherries, fresh raspberries and almond milk.

My plan for this week is to take it a bit easier than last week! I am going to have a run tomorrow- probably 4 miles. Tuesday will be a rest day as I have a lot of work to be doing. On Wednesday I shall go to Sweatshop, but not go as hard as I did last week. On Thursday pump is not on, which is probably a good thing, so I am having my hair cut. I might do a gentle run on Friday as I have found that works well for me before a race, and Saturday shall be a rest day. I think that sounds OK. I shall also be focusing on all the positive training I have had, and hopefully just looking forward to enjoying a run in the countryside next Sunday.

What are you looking forward to this week? What are you feeling positive about?

Here comes the sun (glasses)

I hope! It has been a bit dreary here the last couple of days, but I am hoping the weather forecast is right and some sunshine will be coming back. Although we were talking at the Sweatshop run last night (at that point it had stopped drizzling) and saying that this type of weather is good for running in. It ended up being a super tough run- we did “the hill” and as it was on pavements I decided to push it a bit (a lot). 3.7 miles in 34 mins (the hill really slowed me down at two of my miles were 8.50 ones, but the first one was 10.16- shows the difference!)- I was so tired after that (especially as I run up there and run home after too).

I had a freezer meal of sort of moussaka (lentils in tomato sauce, peppers, courgettes, grilled aubergines and a tofu/ sun-dried tomato sauce), plus an avocado.

And later on some lovely vanilla alpro with trail mix- delicious.

This morning I had a little recovery run- 3.1 miles in the drizzle, but I thought it would help my legs (it did) before going out for lunch with some friends.

Anyway, I would love the sun to come out as I the other week I found my sunglasses- they have not been worn that much!

I wear prescription glasses (and could not even face the idea of contact lenses) so I normally get a pair of prescription sunglasses at the same time. This time I kept them as I felt I had not worn them that much (one of my eyes got better, and one stayed the same, so I figured I would be OK to keep wearing them)- I got buy one get one free with actual glasses, although I have done this a few times and always end up favouring one pair over the other- anyone else do this?

I sometimes look at proper funky/ trendy sunglasses (like these ones from Cutler and Gross) as sometimes it would be nice to try a different look. Also I look at super cheap sunglasses in places like Accessorize as then it would not matter if I squashed them etc. But mainly I would like “real” sunglasses for when I am running. I prefer to keep my glasses on, as I can see without them, but not as well (who knows how many times I would fall over if I couldn’t see properly!). In the summer it would be good to have some proper wrap around sunglasses that didn’t keep sliding down my face! I gave some to my brother for his birthday last year (they were for when he goes cycling- from Wiggle- but they would be perfect for running in too)- his were so fancy they came with 3 different lenses to choose from!

Fellow glasses- wearers; what do you do about the sunglasses dilemma? Do you wear glasses/ sunglasses when you workout? I keep mine on for pump so I can see the instructor properly, but during aerobics I leave them off as I worry they will bounce off. This leads to me never knowing if the instructor is asking me to count, or someone else, as I can see her face, but not where her eyes are looking!

*Post contains a sponsored link but all opinions are my own

Running and rocking

So, where did I leave off last time? On Tuesday my legs were feeling better, so I went for a 3.1 mile run after work (I chose a new route which I thought would be about 3 miles, so I was very pleased when it ended up being a 5k)-I thought I was going slow, but I actually wasn’t that slow, and it helped my legs big time.

On Wednesday I went for the Sweatshop run, and found out we were doing the route through the fields. I didn’t want to go too hard as it is off road so generally tougher, and then a girl came along who hasn’t been since about November, so we ended up chatting for most of the run (she did so well seeing as she has done no running since then- we averaged 9.45 minute miles and didn’t stop to walk at all). I felt like I could have pushed harder, and I know she wouldn’t have minded me going ahead of her, but it was nice to have a social run for a change.

I was sent some lovely tea this week from the folks at Tea India. At the moment they are running a facebook campaign where they are giving away free tea.

Thursday was body pump- I had not been for 2 weeks so I found it pretty tough, During the jumps bit of the lunges track (you have to stand with your legs either side of a step, jump up and then land in a squat) I could not even keep up with the music by the end!

I made the batter for my post-run pancakes the night before- spelt flour, peanut flour, egg replacer, baking powder. I had them with coconut peanut butter, mango and coconut. Plus a cup of chai.

On Friday I had a rest day, and went to see my Nan after work. Then on Saturday we were up early for a run. Andy was coming with me, and I was worried I would slow him down as he has been running longer at the weekends while I was getting ready for the 10K last weekend. But it actually turned out really well- we averaged about 10 minute miles overall, and I did 8.7 miles in 1 hour 26 mins. Plus I looked back on the Garmin stats and my average time for a slightly shorter loop was around 90 minutes, so I am still doing OK for speed over longer distances. I felt pretty good- we went out before breakfast as I feel I run better then, and after about 6 miles I started to feel a bit hungry, but I still felt as if I could have carried on and run further. Although I did feel very tired later on.

I made us some chai banana milkshakes – one frozen banana, almond milk, some ice and a little chai syrup- so refreshing.

I did some housework and bits, but then spent some time chilling out in front of the TV, as we were then off to the Emirates stadium to see Muse!

Photo: Bonkers support "band"!

Dizzee Rascal was the support – I would not have put them together! We just enjoyed being outside as the weather was lovely. We could have stood on the pitch but we found some empty seats which had a better view (I can never usually see at gigs), plus we were both tired from our morning run!

Photo: I learnt 3 things tonight- Muse love fire, they hate bankers, and they have not seen Zoolander

Muse were amazing, as usual. Way back in 2000 I went to Reading festival, and Oasis (who I quite like) were headlining, but Muse were headlining in the tent, and I went to the Muse show, and it was just amazing (although back then I was right in the mosh pit! Now now!). We have seen them a few times since, and each time they are fab because they rock up their music, whereas some bands live their music is just like it is on the CD, only louder. They also utilised the open air aspect- those fire balls kept on going off. Some of it was a bit weird- there was one bit where a female actor (I think she was meant to be a banker?) came on to the stage and a petrol pump was raised up onto the stage, and she sprayed herself with petrol. Now, if I ever see that all that comes to mind is the bit in Zoolander where the models all do that and then die (also I end up with “Wake me up before you go (go?)” in my head, so I can only assume that no-one who planned the show had ever seen that film? Gave me a laugh anyway! It was a fantastic show anyway.

Today we have been taking it easy- I walked up to the shops in the afternoon, and did a bit of baking (more on that another day though), and spent time at both our parents’ houses. Tomorrow I am off to Wembley with my Mum, to cheer on the Golden Boys in the playoff final. I want to fit in a run before I go. I am feeling OK about the half marathon now (it is 2 weeks away)- I think I want to do a few 6 mile runs as my medium distance runs, and next weekend I want to do 10 miles minimum, and maybe a little more if I feel OK. I am sure I will manage the distance, but I don’t think I will break my Brighton time as it is a hilly course, and might well be a hot day. But I want to enjoy it and I feel that with some longer runs under my belt I will be able to do that.

Any Bank Holiday Monday plans? Any other Zoolander fans?

Wheathampstead 10K done!

Hey peeps!

Thanks for all the well wishes from yesterday. I was ready this morning to aim high and push for a sub 60 min 10k. My fastest time (from 2010, and on an easier course) was 1.01.28, so I wanted to beat that. I went to the lucozade website and copied down the split times I needed per mile (9.29 per mile basically) and then I wrote down the km splits too as it suddenly occured to me that there would be km markers and not mile markers. They ended up being 5.54 per km, but seeing as I never pay attention to km times it was just for me to check at each marker.

The course starts off on a small country lane (I lined up at the back of the 55-60 mins time section, along with my brother who was also running), and then right after you cross the start mat you go along an old railway line (basically a muddy and stony path), a very steep uphill section, and then through a lot of fields, some woods, and finally back along some of the first section, across some playing fields to the finish. It has always been seen as a tough course, and they had changed the route this year to make it a little easier. There were supposedly no bottle necks (there used to be a style, and a few cow gates, steep downhill steps and a few other countryside things), but there was one where you had to go through a narrow gap in a hedge row to get onto some fields.

I kept checking my watch, and I kept the little bit of paper in my hand so I could check it at each km marker. For the first few kms, I was ahead by about a minute, but then I lost that time as I had to queue to get through the gap in the hedge (I met one of the Sweatshop runners there, and she said she had seen my brother a bit further back too). After that there was a long uphill section through some fields and I found that very tough indeed- the sun came out and it suddenly got very hot (I only had on a t-shirt and capris, but no visor or anything)- there was no shade and the mud was hard and rutted which seemed to make it tougher still. I was still doing OK for the times, although I am not sure that the markers were in the exact right places (which I am not complaining about, but the 5k marker for example was before I got to 3 miles on my watch- even allowing for a bit of weaving they are probably out by a bit)- I think I had around 30 seconds of leeway. I gave the water station a miss at around 7 kms as by that point I decided I would just wait until the end. There were some very narrow sections across fields and I could feel myself being very put off by the people overtaking as they were breathing very hard and sounded so close! I tried to move over when I could, but at some points the path was barely wide enough for one person to run across. At one point we ran across a field (of wheat perhaps?) and I found that off putting as the leaves kept brushing on my legs and I was convinced I was going to tread on one long leaf with one leg, and then trip over it with the other foot. Anyway, one thing I find hard at races is controlling the adrenaline. When we got to the 8km marker there were a few more people out, and I get that surge, which then leaves my legs feeling a bit wobbly. I am not sure how to deal with that really. There was a very steep downhill section (very stony too!!) and I did try to speed up, as I think my then I was cutting it fine, but I think I was being a bit cautious still.

Finally we reached the path near the fields, ran over a little bridge and then I could see the end! Just the edge of the playing fields to go. I think I had a minute to go on my watch and didn’t think I could make it, but I pushed as hard as I could!

Photo: Wheato 10K !

I stopped my watch as I crossed the chip mats, and I was amazed to see I had made it in one hour (and about 30 seconds I think it says- very blurry pic!). I walked around for a bit, put on my medal and had some water, and waited for my brother as I knew he was a bit behind me.

There is the finish line! Excuse my finger in the way- I didn’t notice that when I took it! I really like the race as they have a 2k kids race earlier on, and a few stalls on the field and a bouncy castle too! A nice family morning out.

The medal has the race name and year engraved on the back. My Mum picked us up (Andy had dropped us off) and dropped me off at home as the parking can be very busy there.

Yes, I am awful at taking my own photo, but Andy has gone to the football today (otherwise he would have run the race too) so no-one around to do it for me. My face was all salty- I have not had that feeling in a while. I think it is actually quite warm out there, despite the cloudy weather.

I had some mango coconut water (my fave), a cereal bar and a little chocolate (we brought this back from Nice last May- I had forgotten all about it!) before a shower, and then had some lovely sourdough toast and an apple.

I checked the official results- 1 hour and 34 seconds! I will take that! It is a pb for me, and as Rose pointed out to me on facebook, it was an off road course so it was tougher than the same distance on roads. The last time I did that course was back in 2010 where I finished in 1.03.55, and my most recent 10K was the one in Nottingham in 2011 (1.01.33- that was on a gentler course too), so I am really pleased to beat all those times and get myself a new 10k pb!

I need to pop to the shops now, and then I have some work to do but at least I can do that sat down! Happy Sunday folks! 🙂

Getting 10K ready

Hey peeps!

Happy Saturday!

Look what came in the post yesterday:

Eeek! Only a few weeks until the half marathon! Although I have realised I have an extra weekend- for some reason I thought all I had was next weekend, but I have the weekend after that too. So, 10K race tomorrow, 8 miles next weekend and 9 or 10 miles the weekend after. It’s all going to be fine folks!

On Friday after work I went on a run. I could not decide what route to do, but when I got up near the fields I decided to go on that loop as it is about 4.5 miles which is what I fancied.

I took my phone with me in that new belt (which by the way I got on really well with- it is basically like an elasticated belt, so I didn’t adjust it. I wore it more around my hips with the little compartment on my lower back, and I basically forgot I was wearing it) so I could take some photos. A grey day, but still the fields are so relaxing.

Pretty bluebells along the way.

That is where I fell over the other week. It does not look that bad but it is downhill and the ground is very solid and rutted. I walked that bit just to be on the safe side!

After that we had some dinner and chilled out in front of a film (In Bruges, which I found very funny, except for the gory bits)- I painted my nails which takes a while. I have found that if I use the base coat it stops my fingers from getting stained, then on top of the polish I use that top coat which not only means they dry quickly, but also means that the polish lasts for about a week before chips start appearing. (Also I got my next free drink voucher from Starbucks through, how exciting).

This morning I was up early as my brother and I were helping out at Parkrun. I was originally going to be scanning the barcodes at the end,but my brother got that job, then I was going to be handing out the chips as the person hadn’t turned up, but then they did, so I ended up collecting in the chips and writing down the barcode numbers of any ones that would not scan.

I really enjoyed it- seeing the people at the front charge back to the finish line after about 16/17 minutes was amazing. There was a man who had turned 65 and finished in about 20 minutes- so amazing. All the people watching clapped and cheered the runners over the line; there were kids running who were urged to sprint finish, there were first timers who had managed to run much faster than usual, and there was a teenage volunteer who ran as a back marker. One of the volunteers (who had a pb of 21 mins or something) had made her child come and help out even though he usually runs, because she felt that the community aspect of it was important for him to learn. The time whizzed by- suddenly we were collecting the chips from the last runners- it felt like ten minutes but it was forty minutes after the run had started. One of the marshals was chatting and it turned out that he wasn’t even a runner- he had just signed up to help. I just think that is wonderful that people will give up their time each week (the runners helping out is one thing as they ask you to help out three times a year, but the people who don’t even run it are the ones who really make the event a proper community one).

When I got home I needed to warm up a bit so had a big cup of black tea with mint (not that minty though).

I has to wait for Andy to get back from his run (he did 8 miles as he is not doing the 10k tomorrow) and then made us some breakfast.

I used my new blender for the first time! It has been a bit chilly, but I wanted to use it, and Andy wanted something refreshing after his run. I blended a couple of cups of frozen cherries, a few chunks of frozen mango with some almond milk, a little cocoa powder and vanilla extract. We had that in a bowl with chopped banana, papaya and strawberries, and added some muesli in too.

Super tasty.

I have quite a chilled out day planned- a bit of housework, maybe planting some fruit bushes later, maybe a bit of baking.

Tomorrow I am hoping to get that sub 60 min 10K. The route has changed from previous years, so who knows if that is realistic, but I think I am capable of it- I’m going to look at the pacer bands on the lucozade website (I need to do 9.29 miles which I think I should be able to do)- I might look at the km splits too as I am not sure whether they have mile or km signs or both.

What are you up to this Saturday?