Running - Maria Runs

A productive weekend

Hello all

I hope you all had lovely weekends. I managed to fit loads into the 2 days which is the best way I think. After the rainy run on Saturday morning, I needed to go shopping as I have a wedding over 2 days this week, so needed 2 outfits (nightmare- finding one is hard enough!). Andy agreed to go with me, and we treated ourselves to a Starbucks (well my treat for not getting too grumpy in the shops)- we shared a cinnamon roll for a late lunch- mmm. I managed to find some shoes, but no nice dresses. I picked a massive pile of blackcurrants from our garden and made a cheesecake for Sunday.

This is a massive pasta bowl and it is full of currants!

Not sure why it went to red in the picture!

I used a recipe that I had used before, (base of ginger biscuits and butter, middle of light cream cheese and light condensed milk- not sure why either of them are called light but anyway) and for the topping I heated 1/2 cup water, added some agar flakes, and then added the berries. I left it to cool a bit before I put it on the cheesecake, but it set really well. I still have loads of berries left though so I might make some jam or something.

Saturday evening we watched a film and shared some treats we had picked up at the shops- I had a little M&S voucher so we bought some chocolate pretzels, and some giant salted chocolate coated peanuts- yum!

Sunday morning I was up bright and early doing some work, and once I had made some progress I made us some pancakes- Andy requested banana and chocolate, so I put some chocolate chips in the batter (the batter was super easy- 1 egg, 75ml almond milk, 75g wholegrain spelt flour, 40g apple sauce, almond extract, baking powder and bicarb)- and while they were cooking I sliced a massive banana and cooked it in a pan with a tsp spread and a tbs coconut sugar. Yum. The banana was huge but it really cooked down- does not look like much compared to the big pile of pancakes!

I made some fudge (more fudge as end of term gifts for people)- this one was peanut butter fudge with white chocolate and freeze dried strawberries- instead of putting the chocolate as a layer in the middle, I sprinkled on chocolate chips (they melt as the fudge is hot) and then poured some strawberries on.

Then I went shopping again (this time on my own) and found a dress, although now I think I might need something for my hair? That might be a job for tomorrow! I then made the mistake of going to the allotment- my this wet weather has encouraged the weeds! I felt like crying- and what is the deal?? Something has been eating the onions but left all the other weeds that are growing around them- I don’t get it! Anyway, I did about an hour of weeding, but at least once I break up from work I can go up a bit more.

Then we had a lovely chilled out afternoon.evening at Andy’s parents- lots of wedding talk as it is his brother who gets married on Friday (and the Reception on Saturday)- it seems to have come along very quickly.

I was planning on doing some more work when we got home, but (shh) I didn’t because we got in at about half 9.

Today when I got home I went on a run, but again it was hard work. Not as hard work as last Monday’s run, but still my legs were stiff. I am not sure whether it is the longer runs on Saturday that are doing it, or whether I am not moving about enough on Sunday (although I think I was), or something else? Anyway the weather didn’t help- I know I prefer the cooler weather but it was windy and the rain was sideways at times (not too heavy just annoying). I did see some rabbits though 🙂

Right, off to watch The Newsroom- night 🙂

Green brownies and a surprise!

Hey peeps

I hope everyone had a fab week- I am glad that the weekend is finally here.

Earlier in the week I was sent some cake mixes and ingredients to try out, and so I decided to make the walnut brownies to take to work. On the packet there was an option to make them lower in fat, by using apple sauce instead of oil. It was so easy to make them- put apple sauce and egg in a bowl (and a little almond milk to thin because it seemed quite thick) and then pour on the dry ingredients.

Super easy.

I reduced the baking time by about 10 mins because it seemed long compared to most brownies that I make, but I suppose every oven is different.

At work we were having an Eco-day, so I decided that minty green icing was the way to go.

I used the recipe from the mint slices in Sweet vegan, which is pure spread, icing sugar and mint extract. I added the green colouring when I was beating the spread up, before I added in the icing sugar.

You can see the lovely chunks of walnuts in them.

And then sliced them up and put them into coloured cases to match 🙂

All ready for work- and they disappeared pretty quickly (and I was worried that the green colour would put people off).

A bit of running talk:

On Wednesday I went to Sweatshop for a run- it was fantastic! For the last few weeks I have been running with another girl as we seem to have a similar pace. We tend to be near the back, but not last, but we generally can’t see the people at the front by the time we get back. Anyway, this time we managed to keep up- about half a mile in there is a road crossing and we caught them up while they were waiting for the lights to change. We pushed the pace pretty hard (being encouraged by the guys who work there- two of them came on the run and took turns being at the front and back)- and we managed to do the whole route (just over 3 miles) in about 30 minutes- that is so fast, especially for me recently, and we kept the leaders in sight the whole time. I jogged home and luckily got in just before the rain got really hard, but my hamstrings were very sore the next day- a sign I had pushed it I suppose (but in a good way).

What a perfect post-run evening snack of a peanut butter pretzel mojo bar (what a lot of lovely words) and some chocolate almond milk.

It made body pump tough on Thursday! Friday morning I got up early to go on a short run before work- I find this helps me to stop being stiff after body pump, and I could not go after work because we were going into London to see The Sunshine Boys with Danny Devito. I think he is so funny (I love It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and I was not disappointed, although you could tell we got the £10 tickets because we were in the very top/back row- it was a long way down!

This morning I decided to not set the alarm, as the last 2 weekends we have had to set it, and I like to wake up naturally (plus we had a late night). I got up at 9am, had half a clif bar and then headed out on a run. The plan was 8 miles, so I had to check on the computer first because I have not done those long routes for ages, but I ended up doing one of my favourite routes- I think the last time I did that was the weekend before I went into hospital so that was a bit strange. Anyway, it was only raining lightly when I left, but after about 4 miles (typical- when I am half way and no chance of cutting it short!) it started to rain very heavily. Luckily I had chosen to wear my tennis visor which helps a little bit (especially with my glasses). I was running along quite a straight road, and as I turned to check before I crossed a side road, I could see another runner coming along behind me. When I stopped to cross the next side road, they had caught up, and stopped beside me at the same time. I did wonder why they were not overtaking me, and had a moment of panic- then I looked and saw that it was Andy! Phew! It was such a surprise because on Friday when we got back we checked the weather, and it is not meant to rain on Sunday, so he was going to go out then (he is a fair-weather runner!) so I was not expecting him to be out in it! I thought he would run on as he is faster, but he stayed with me for the last 3 miles (well at some points he would run on ahead, and then run back a bit to meet me)- it was really nice to have someone to chat to, although because the rain was hard I did keep telling him to go on and meet me at home. A nice surprise anyway 🙂

I was soaked through when I got home, but I managed the 8 miles in 1 hour 35, so not too bad. I got an email from the GNR saying 9 weeks this weekend- crazy! I was also so cold, but a hot shower, breakfast and a cup of tea has helped. I should not complain because I find running easier when the weather is cooler.

Right, well as it is a rainy Saturday I have some indoor plans- popping to the shops (urgh, I have to go shoe shopping for a wedding next Friday) and then making a cheesecake with the blackcurrants from my garden- we have had a bumper harvest this year!

Have a lovely weekend 🙂

WIAW- early start

I feel so organised actually sorting out a WIAW post- first time in months.

This is Saturday- it was an early start (6.30am) as Andy was off to Silverstone for the qualifying.

So, early morning snack:

Half a Clif bar (enjoying the last few 50g bars before we get the supersized 68g US ones over here!).

Then I was off for a 7 mile run- I usually have breakfast before a longer run, but then I have to wait hours, and I had to be at work at 11.30 so didn’t want to leave it too late, so I thought I would have something small for a bit of an energy boost.

Post-run snack- the rest of the Clif bar and a nuun tab in water.

Breakfast:

Lovely overnight muesli- this was 80g frozen cherries, 40g Dorset muesli, a handful of almonds and dried cherries all soaked overnight in almond milk. In the morning I topped it with some super drippy PB&Co PB. Yum.

Then I was off doing jobs- housework, going to the market, post office, helping at the summer fayre, popping to the shops.

Lunch:

No photo (fail!)- but I had 2 crumpets with pb on one, and lime curd on the other, plus a persimmon and some fresh cherries.

Afternoon snack:

A Graze afternoon tea box! Carrot cake and tea-what a fab idea 🙂

Dinner:

Andy was back late so we had a picnic tea:

I picked up some sourdough rye with walnuts and sultanas at the market, so we had that (more than one slice don’t worry!) with some cheese (strong cheddar with caramelised onions) and some salad. Plus I had a smoothie with chocolate almond milk and strawberries which ended up being very lumpy- I think my blender is on it’s last legs.

A lot of cherries that day!

As for the fitness aspect- well as I have previously rambled, I did a 7 mile run that day. Training for the GNR is going well – I am gradually upping the distance for my long runs, and at least now I am half way there. Are you training for anything at the moment?

Running through treacle

Weirdly that is what my run felt like today. I have no idea why because I had a rest day yesterday, but perhaps my legs got stiff with all the travelling?

Yesterday the Grand Prix was fab, and we were lucky with no rain (although we were hoping for some rain to help some of the British drivers)- our seats were great- we got a fab spot to see Webber overtaking Alonso (and trying several times before that), and the McLaren drivers waving to all the fans at the end too. Plus our seats were near to the park and ride, so by 3pm we were back on the bus, and 4pm back on the road (whereas last year we got stuck in a massive queue for the buses, and then the bus got stuck on the way back to the car, and then we got stuck on the motorway!)- so we got home in time to see the final 2 sets of the tennis.

Anyway, today the plan was 5 miles, but I ended up cutting it short. I had to stop and walk a few times because my calves felt so stiff- I stretched a few times but it didn’t help. 4.65 miles, so I was close, and at least I am upping my distances in the midweek runs too.

Look what came in the post the other day! The Butter London website was having a 30% off, so I treated myself to a summery colour, and a cuticle care kit too.

I was also sent a package from the lovely people at American Soda. They have all sorts of American goodies on their site (including pumpkin puree, how exciting, and pretzel flipz) and they sent me some goodies to use in my baking- brownie mix, cookie mix, butterscotch chips and peanut butter chips 🙂 I look forward to baking with them.

Also thanks for all the comments about my training for the GNR. I am feeling really positive about it. I have wanted to run it for years, as I always watch it on TV and it looks like such a great event. I will be running it for charity (and it is a charity that has close links to my family), and not for a pb (even though I can call it a “come-back pb” whatever time I get). I think we get back from holiday 2 weeks before, so that is playing on my mind a bit, but for the first time ever I am going to take a running kit with me, and even if I run once or twice a week I am hoping that will help.

Plus when I look back even a few months I can see how far I have come. I was only allowed to start running at the end of April, and so I have really been back training for a couple of months. I did start with the 1 min walk, 1 min run intervals, and built up really slowly. I must credit the Sweatshop runs (I know I keep on, but they are fab) because they have helped me see what I am capable of- because people run at different paces of course I can go at my own speed, but there is the incentive to try and not be too far behind, and of course they got me out of needing walk breaks too so helped with that psychological barrier.

So if you fancy signing up, then have a look at the SRC webpage and see if they are near you. And I promise you they have not even paid me to write that! 🙂

What is the last thing you received in the post? It is coming up to the end of term so most things that have come have been presents that I have ordered, but I love anything in the post! 🙂

Half way!

Yup, I am half way to the half marathon distance- woo!

I am getting used to these early morning runs too. Andy got weekend tickets to the British Grand Prix, so on Friday the alarm went off super early as he had to drive up there. I did body pump on Thursday, and I always find that a run on Friday (just a gentle one) helps me to be less stiff, so I went out before breakfast. Plus because I was meeting friends for a waffle after work, I knew I would not fit one in in the evening.

Saturday morning was another early start- a bit later at 6.30.

I had half a clif bar as a pre-run boost, and then headed out (Exciting news- there are going to be new clif bar flavours in the UK!! And the bars are going to be 68g, not 50g- which I don’t think is so good as I like the smaller size, but I will cut them up I suppose- and for the same price). I would normally have breakfast, but then I have to leave it for ages before I go out. I have been teaching myself to run on empty (you know what I mean) as before my limit was about 3 miles. I had a 7 mile run planned, so I decided to have something just to give me a little bit of new energy.

The run went really well. It was very very slow (but it is called a long slow run after all)- I felt quite stiff so I was quite cautious, plus I didn’t want to struggle. In the end I felt like I could have continued further, which is a good thing and gives me a mental boost too. I did the 7 miles (well a fraction under) in 80 mins (although when I got home I thought I had only done 6 miles so I was worrying about my lack of speed!)- not too bad. And half way to half marathon distance- I think I can make the GNR!

I took some water with me and had a few sips on the way around, but when I got home I was thirsty so had a nuun tab and the rest of the bar.

Then the most delicious breakfast: frozen cherries, Dorset muesli, almond milk (I found out that £1 is the intro price as the St Albans Waitrose had the “offer” signs out), almonds, dried cherries- all soaked overnight, then topped with a little drippy pb. Yum.

All this was before 9am! Getting up early meant I was so productive! I did some cleaning, vacuumed, sorted out the recycling, packaged up some parcels, went to the post office, went to the market.

I bought some strawberries (which sadly are already going mushy) and some amazing looking sourdough with walnuts and sultanas.

Then I was off to the summer fayre at work to help out, then to the shops, and then home to watch the ladies final- my Dad found out on Friday that he was selected to be in the line judge team, so I wanted to make sure I saw it.

They all get to line up at the end, and he is right over her shoulder!

I got a quick text from him after, but then he was back on doing the men’s doubles final too- busy day!

I got a Graze box today for the first time in months, and it came with an afternoon tea punnet! A teabag and carrot cake, so of course I had to have some. Very tasty indeed.

Then my productivity slowed right down! I had a snooze in front of the TV (oops), and sorted out a drawer which I have been meaning to tackle for ages, but that is about it.

Tomorrow we are off to the Grand Prix, so I am hoping that the rain does not continue. I will be wearing my wellies for sure. This year Andy splashed out on a covered grandstand which will be well worth it I think!

Hope everyone else is staying away from all the flooding. Have a lovely Sunday.