Running - Maria Runs

Hoodies for the win

So, when is the summer coming? Or, was that it over the bank holiday weekend? I was feeling optimistic and prepared a breakfast of lovely overnight muesli (soak muesli, chia seeds, almonds, cinnamon and strawberries in soya milk overnight in the fridge and serve with a little drizzle of peanut butter and some puffins in the morning).

Very tasty, but cold! I was back to porridge after that!

This week we have even had the heating on in the evenings- only for an hour to take the chill off, but still. Right, where have I been?

On Monday after work I decided to go out on a short run and test the waters. My shoulder is loads better, and by then it was all properly dry so I thought it would be OK. I wore a t-shirt to give it some extra protection. During the first half a mile I was wishing I had worn a long sleeved top or a jumper, as it was so cold! The wind was very strong, but once I had warmed up I was fine. I felt like I was taking extra care to look very carefully at where I was treading. What I actually need is a sort of zimmer frame with wheels that I can run with, and will catch me if I fall. No?

Anyway, I only did a short route, just under 3 miles, as I wanted to check I was OK before going out with other people on Wednesday. I was really nervous! Silly me.

My little belt arrived (thanks to Lara for the recommendation I got right on Wiggle to order one) and my phone fits, so I shall be trying it out tomorrow. On Tuesday after work I went to see my parents, and then on Wednesday it was time for my sweatshop run (again I was really nervous). I wore my new 30 runs t-shirt (partly to cover up my shoulder) and made sure I got there nice and early. We had a new (to me) route along some country lanes and an old railway line, which was lovely, although there were little flies everywhere! I have been trying to breathe through my nose when I run, but once I speed up I find that hard.

Anyway, the run was good, and we all spent time after chatting about forthcoming events, and general training/ running chat. I could have stayed for hours, but I had to rush back as we were going out for dinner after. I have too much hair to be able to dry it all in a short space of time! At least I could wear comfy clothes (well jeans and a nice cardi- who sees the jeans when I am sat down anyway?) to the dinner as we went to Prezzo (I love that they sell peach iced tea, and also the most amazing salad with goats cheese and all sorts of veggies). It was lovely- although it was a rush to get there it was nice going out in the week, although it has meant I have been more tired today.

Today I didn’t go to pump (I know I keep going on about my shoulder!!) because I didn’t want to be resting the bar on it, or lifting my arm above my head. Turned out that they have suddenly limited the class to 10, and I couldn’t have booked on even if I had wanted to, plus I had a long staff meeting so I came home and did some work, and later we went out for a walk.

Usually as soon as I get home from work I change into comfy clothes, which for me means jeans and a hoody of some sort. I have a drawer full of them, but I always get tempted with different colours, some with zips, some without.

Blue (Blue) Brave Soul Blue Panthers Sweater | 279379140 | New Look

I am loving this style at the moment (which I suppose is not technically a hoody seeing as it does not have a hood..). I have a similar one and it has been fab with my bad shoulder, as the neck opening is wide so I could have it sort of off the shoulder( blah blah blah- sorry!) -I tried sitting around in a vest but I was too chilly. Honestly I don’t even want to count how many I have- I bought a nice blue one on holiday, and a stripy one from Fat Face in the sale just before then. But they are so comfy! And warm! Plus (my favourite reason) they don’t have to match the top you have on underneath because it is all covered up.

I am trying to have a policy of one in, one out with clothes which turns into more like, when the drawer can’t shut any more/ when I run out of hangers, sort some out for the charity pile (more on that another day)! Anyone else like that? What do you get easily tempted with? I am worse with tea though!

*Post contains a sponsored link, but of course all rambles are of my own making

30 runs and a fall

Hey peeps,

I hope you are all doing well. Last night was time for the weekly Sweatshop run, I was most excited to be given my “30 runs” t-shirt. When I saw them on the wall I thought they were thick cotton, but it is actually really light polyester, so I think it will be good for running it. (On the little yellow tab at the bottom it says “30”)

We were doing the route across the fields again (I did that on my own on Monday evening too) which I was looking forward to. All was going well until about a mile and a half in. There is a short downhill section, not that steep, but the ground is very rutted where tractors have driven over and then the ground had hardened. Suddenly I was falling.

This has happened to me once before when running (I think 5 years ago- luckily that time I was only half a km from home, although people waiting at the bus stop didn’t even stop to see if I was OK when blood was pouring from my wrists and I ended up having to have them cleaned and bandaged at the hospital because so much grit got in the wounds from the pavements- I still have a scar on one wrist).

Anyway, it is surprising when you are not running that fast that you skid along the ground at an awfully fast speed. I think I mis-stepped and tried to catch my balance (to stop myself twisting my ankle) and fell sort of sideways and forwards. I hit my head on the floor, and immediately sat up and checked my glasses were not broken (weird that they were my first concern). My knee and hands hurt, but it was only when someone else pointed out my shoulder that I saw the worst wound. Ouchy. A couple of girls were right behind me so they stopped for a few minutes (so nice of them) and then the guy from the shop caught up with me and checked me (so embarrassing asking me what was the date/ what did I have for breakfast…). We walked for a little bit, but I felt OK so we jogged the last mile and a bit back to the shop. They were so good about it- honestly I felt like such an idiot. I knew the ground was uneven and thought I was concentrating on it, but I must have misjudged it. They gave me a wipe to clean my shoulder, but it was so sore so I decided to leave it until I got home, someone also noticed that my head was bleeding a little bit- dearie me. Luckily my brother was there so he gave me a lift home as I normally run home but wanted to get home as quick as possible (although another runner offered me a lift too, how kind).

I managed to clean it in the shower, although today it is still rather weepy, I think it is deeper than I first thought. So no body pump this evening 🙁

Apologies in advance for the gross photo!

It has also made me think about what would happen if I was on my own or further from home. I have my ID on my shoe, but I don’t routinely carry a phone, especially in the summer as I have no pockets. I think I need to get a pouch that it will fit in to make sure I take it with me.

Look at the bruise/ cuts on my head. It has been sore today and I think there is a little lump too. I took some painkillers when I got home and that has helped. I am still not sure how I managed to scrape there and not get my glasses damaged at all as I kept them on and they didn’t fall off.

Anyway, by the end of the day my arm was so sore as I think I have been holding it in a very tense way as every movement is sore, so when I got home I took time out from work to sit with it resting on a cushion.

Night!

3 is a magic number

Or it could be called Run by numbers (did anyone else used to love painting by numbers?)

So now I have the Embrace song in my head.

Anyway, I love numbers. I love it when a digital clock is symmetrical (e.g. 21.15), or when the odometer on my car makes a good pattern, so I was very excited when I got back from my run this evening to see basically all 4’s and 3’s. 4.43 miles in 43.34. Not bad. I went around the fields (the same as the Sweatshop run) although it ends up being slightly shorter due to no tiny detour to and from the shop. It was lovely going through the fields again, and I was worried about getting lost, (but decided that worst case I could just turn around and re-trace my steps), but I found the way and just loved it- being away from traffic is super. Plus the 10K I am doing in 2 weeks time is all on country lanes and fields so I think it is good practise.

It was sooo hot out there though- I didn’t go out until about 5pm I think, but the sun was still going strong. Again, all good practise for the race as last time I did the race it was on a very very hot day indeed. Last year it was overcast (and actually pretty cold)-Andy and his brother did the race, but I was just getting back into running again after my op, so I was a spectator instead. So who knows what it will be like- I am ready for anything!

This weekend we went to Dorset, but I have not sorted any photos yet, so you can look forward to those on another day! We had a run together along the seafront in Bournemouth on Saturday morning- we set off and almost immediately there was a steep uphill section, which wore me out right at the start. We ran along the top for just over 2 miles, then came down some steps and back along the seafront. That was super tough as suddenly we were running into a strong headwind, and sand from the beach was blowing right at us (I was feeling smug earlier when I saw a lady running in full length tights- there I was in my capris thinking I would nice and cool- but no, I think I had harsh exfoliation on my legs and sand micro-dermabrasion (is that a word?) on my face from the stinging sand)- I really struggled although I think in the end we averaged 10 minute miles so not too bad.

Earlier in the week I was sent some food from the Boots Shapers range (Shapers for Later)- they are launching evening meals to go alongside their lunch meal deals. This links with numbers as the Shapers meal are all calorie counted- the main meals are under 500 calories, and the side dishes/ desserts are under 100 calories.

Unfortunately the main meal they sent me was a chicken meal (I did ask for vegetarian things, but there was a little mix up somewhere)- Andy had it but it reminded me of an Innocent Veg pot- lots of veggies in there, and you just microwaved it so it was ready quickly. I think it would be a good option for a lunch if I knew I was working late (well the veggie ones). They also sent me some fresh fruit with a passion fruit dip. I did try the dip but the fruit was so sweet I didn’t want to cover up the fresh taste. Finally I was sent some jelly and fruit- (the jelly was veggie)- that was a nice snack- I especially loved the pomegranate in there- I hardly ever have it but it was delicious.

Very summery.

They also have side dishes, although I am not sure if they are going to be priced like the lunchtime Meal Deals (where you get main, side and drink for £3.50 I think?).

Do you ever get ready meals? Most of the meals I cook (or should I say Andy, as he does most of our cooking at home) are pretty much from scratch, but on occasion I do like the Innocent Veg pots- if I have Parents Evening or something then it is great to just put something in the microwave instead of having to wait for another half an hour for an even later dinner. Or if we are out we might pop to Boots or M&S for a nice sandwich or salad for lunch. And we do sometimes treat ourselves to a nice Waitrose pizza for dinner.

Are you a fan of seeing number patterns?

5 miles + waffles

= a pretty good Sunday indeed!

I am so excited by all the comments on my Parkrun post- I really think it is great- for beginners or the super speedy runners too. I hope some of you decide to give it a go- and think about it, if you don’t like it you can stop half way and not take a chip at the end- and it is less time than going to a new fitness class or something.

This morning I woke up early and headed out for a 5 mile run. I have a 10k in a couple of weeks and I really want an official sub 60 min time (I think the closest I have got is 61 mins, and I have managed it on a training run but there is something official about the chip timing) so I am trying to make my weekend runs that sort of distance so I can go a bit faster. I ran up to the local lake, around in a loop, and when I got to 2.5 miles I turned around and re-traced my steps. The sun was shining, there was a cool breeze, but once I got going I was fine in my vest. There were rabbits to be seen, herons on the lake, and quite a few people out jogging and walking.

I kept up a pretty good pace, around 10 min miles (I was trying to take a photo of the time but it was not that clear, and also trying to multi-task as I keep the nuun tabs with the camera)- just over 5 miles done in 50.29. I know I need to go a bit faster as of course a 10k is 6.2 miles, but I ran hard yesterday so I think with some rest beforehand I should manage it (and of course there was stopping to cross roads).

Like my new socks? I love the Hilly twinskin socks, and when I bought myself a couple of new pairs before Easter I was most excited to see they now have left and right foot shaping. What I really wanted to do after that run was lay on the sofa, but I had to get showered and changed (and dry my hair- takes sooooooo long) as we were meeting friends for brunch at The Waffle House. I had a lovely breakfast one with dried fruits in the waffle, topped with bananas and cinnamon sugar. Delicious.

We have spent the rest of the day pottering around and are going to head out to the cinema later.

Last night I made a chickpea stew- I love meals like this as they cook away while I can get on with other things. First I chopped and roasted a red onion, an orange pepper, some butternut squash, half an aubergine and a courgette- I added a little olive oil and some paprika. I think I roasted them for about 35 mins. Then I put them in a pan with a tin of tomatoes, half a tin of water (swish it around to get all the tomato juice), a drained tin of chickpeas, a little lazy chilli and a tablespoon of ground almonds. I just left it cooking for ages. Then I served it with some avocado- delicious. Also I have 2 more portions of it for the freezer now- you can’t beat meals like that!

Happy Sunday everyone 🙂

Persuading you to Parkrun!

Hey! Now I may have only been to Parkrun twice, but I love it! And I hope that other people might share my enthusiasm.

I love the fact that Parkruns are free- compared to a lot of timed runs/ races which can be really expensive (they are not officially races, just timed runs), and they have a great community feel. To join all you have to do it go to the Parkrun website, register, and print out your personal barcode. Then you turn up at whichever one you want to go to (they mostly seem to be 9am on a Saturday), making sure you bring your barcode with you (you need it after you have finished so if someone comes to watch they can hold it for you, but it is only small so fits in a pocket). This morning I picked up my brother, and parked up at about ten to 9. We walked up to the start line (along with nearly 200 other runners!) and the person starting the race went through the route, congratulated people who had anniversaries (it was hard to hear as I was near the back)- we all gave them a round of applause anyway. The bells on the local church began to chime for 9 o’clock, and then we were off!

I didn’t think I would be as fast as last time, as my Dad was a pretty great pacer, plus I have missed 2 weeks due to going on holiday so don’t think I am quite back to normal. But after the first half a mile I glanced down and noticed the pace began with an 8. What??? The weather was perfect- cool and overcast. I had opted for capris and a vest, although a lot of people had jumpers or jackets. A little later the sun came out and it suddenly got very warm. I glanced down again and saw I was still going at 8 something minute miles. A little later (running into the wind, which was not that strong) I noticed a 9 which was what I expected more- I knew I was slowing. After 2 miles my brother caught up with me, and I told him I was slowing down whereas he told me he was speeding up! I told him I would see him at the finish line, and off he went. The St Albans route goes along a path, around a small lake 3 times, and then back along the path again. It is pretty flat, but when you leave the lake there is a short but quite steep section to get back up to the path, and I found that tough. My brother told me he tries to speed up on the final lap of the lake and then take the hill a little slower. Anyway, at that point I saw my watch was on 24 mins, and the first time I ran it, my time was 27.12. I could see the finish but I was not sure how far it was. I decided to go flat out to try and get as close to my last time as possible. My brother was just ahead of me and I went past him, and then I heard someone thundering past me- I thought it was him but it was a girl who got there a split second ahead of me! When you reach the finish you go through a little “chute”, someone has a timer, and someone else hands you a little plastic chip with a barcode on it. It is a very clever system. My brother was seconds behind me, and I think the first thing I said was “I feel sick”- I really did, although as I wait until after for breakfast I told myself I would not be. I had pushed myself hard though. Anyway, after a minute I was fine. Then we joined the queue, and this is when you need your paper barcode. You hand that and the little plastic chip to some other volunteers, and they scan them. By then it was raining a little, and I was getting cold, so we headed back to the car (I had left my jumper in there), but there were lots of people cheering in the runners- it is all very encouraging.

The other thing that I love is the email (although mine doesn’t seem to come through, which does not matter as you also get sent your links which you can click on to see the results, in fact I think you can just look for them for any Parkrun if you know people running them/ just feel nosy!)- it lists all the people who took part, their time, their pb, age grading, overall position and gender position. I could go on for hours about that! Today there were 197 people running (crazy!)- the first person finished in 17.34, and the last finisher was 40.16. There were children, serious club runners, older people; a huge mixture really. I was the 130th person to finish, and the 26th girl out of 71. Not bad really!

Also I love it that they are all over the place. Next weekend we are going to Dorset for the weekend, and I was quite tempted by the idea of going to Poole Parkrun, although we are staying in a different hotel on the Friday night so I am not sure if it will be practical. But my Dad did the Wimbledon one when he was working there for the tennis and I am sure a lot of people go to different ones. I think you would have to look on a map at the route just to check you know it, but there are marshals (volunteers- they do ask you do help out at a couple of runs per year if you can) on the routes too.

So, if you are tempted I say go for it! I probably won’t go every week as I do prefer to do my long run on Saturday morning, and it is too far for me to run there and combine it with a long run. But I think once a month or so will be good. I think I got really into the plodding along on longer runs, and I think a short sharp run is good for me too.

I looked on my Garmin when I got home and my miles were 8.46, 8.54, 8.56 (slowing all the way!) and then 8.08 for the last little bit- I did try to sprint! Not bad, but I looked back at my last one and I sped up each mile for that one- I think that is the better way to go.

After that I dropped my brother off and headed home for shower and breakfast.

Yummy! Mango coconut water, some mango, pineapple and melon, and a bowl of muesli and puffins (we bought them on holiday- we tried them in the summer and both loved them!). Delicious (and I have just found they are on i-herb too, I might be tempted…).

I have a lot of work to do this weekend, so I did some of that (partly why the Parkrun is so good is because I was home and out the shower by 10am so had a lot of the morning left), did some cleaning, had some lunch and then popped out to the shops for a break.

I needed a few bits in Boots, and saw the Naked hair conditioner (I think I have seen this on a couple of blogs) so decided to give it a go. Debenhams were having a sale so I picked up a bargain top (£6!) and that summery peachy/ pink cardi.I treated myself to an ice chai latte (in my cup- saved 25p!!) and then got myself and my Mum some flowers in Waitrose. Also, the free paper this weekend has a voucher for the posh Twinings tea- I have had my eye on the Gingersnap peach tea for ages, so I am going to use the voucher for that- I love a good freebie!

Then I popped to see my Mum, and then came home for more cleaning, and more work. I am making a chickpea stew for dinner, which can cook while I do my work (ahem, this is a little brain break for me!).

I feel like it has been a productive and enjoyable Saturday 🙂

Would you be tempted to go to a Parkrun? Or if you go already what do you love about it? Did you have a good Saturday?