Running - Maria Runs

Flexibility

Is that a word? My brain is tired!

Anyway, I am having it as my title today!

My teapot was calling to me today! “Maria, why have I been stuck in the cupboard for the last few days? Maria, you have used me every day for the last 2 weeks. Are you mad at me Maria? What happened? Is it me?”

Work was super busy (blah blah I won’t bore you all!) and I had originally planned a 6 mile run after work, which for me is about an hour. But I had totally forgotten how dark it gets, and also what time I actually get home. Plus I was actually still very tired after aerobics last night. It was one of those times when I could not decided if I was too tired and really needed some tea and a sit down, or just a bit lethargic and going out would do me good. So in the end I braved the rain (it was only drizzle by the time I got out there) and decided to do a shorter run with some intervals instead of the longer steady run. I warmed up for a mile, but during the first interval my shins started hurting, so in the end I decided to slow it down to normal pace and make it a bit shorter. I want to do 3 runs a week and so if I run this saturday (no reason why I won’t) then I will have done my 3. So in the end I got back after 38 mins, 3.8 miles, just as the rain got really heavy- perfect timing! My poor teapot had to stay in the cupboard though- maybe tomorrow!

I have been thinking about being flexible recently, especially with regards to goals. When I first signed up to the marathon I used a few different calculators to estimate my finish time, and they all come up at around 5 hours. But then I was listening to an old marathon talk podcast, I think it was the Edinburgh marathon, and they had people which they interviewed before they ran, and then after, to see their goal times and then how the race actually went. Quite a few people had finished slower than they would have liked- it was very hot that day. I was glad that most people were able to see the achievement of finishing, even if they did not get a PB. It is something I want to keep to the forefront of my mind, because if I finish then I want to be really proud of myself. Does that make sense? I suppose with a marathon being that much longer, there is more time to go wrong, and also if you slow down by a few seconds, over 26 miles they add up more than they would over a 10k. But I don’t want that to take over from the overall experience. I do want to challenge myself (and I have no chance of walking as I think the course has a 6 hour time limit which makes me nervous every now and then!), but I also want to enjoy the experience and not get hung up on finishing times so much. One person I heard was gutted as they wanted to get in under 4 hours and managed 4.01 or something like that- you know it is still an amazing time. Anyway, my point to this is that I am going to be flexible in my training- I don’t mean I am going to cancel half my training sessions, but I want to be sensible and listen to myself and if I am having a very busy week or are really tired then I will cut back. And I want to be flexible, even during the race- so if I am aiming for a particular time and I slow down then I am not going to get upset. Although I can actually picture myself crying as I run it- I find running really emotional- I cried as I crossed the finish line to my first half marathon, and got teary during my first 10k (it was my first “real” race, not a race for life, so I was doing it for me and only me, not to raise money or anything like that). I might need to write that on a post it note and stick it on my water bottle!

On a different note, I was given yet another box of chocolates today at work, and I popped them in my cupboard. At lunch I was rushing about, had not had lunch and was so hungry, and I was so close to opening the box (and probably eating far too many while I did my marking)- it was actually the thought of writing it on here this evening that put me off them! The box is still closed phew!

Post run was some freezer chilli and a sweet jacket potato- yum. My freezer is stocked at the mo- I did a lot of batch cooking (as much as the little freezer can take) and so in there I have some squash soup, veggie chilli, pumpkin tofu pasta and chickpea stew. I love easy meals 🙂

Off for some more star gazing now- night 🙂

Slow start

Evening all

Today I had another run planned, but ended up having a rather lazy morning. I did not even have breakfast until nearly 11, so then I had to wait for another hour before I went out. I used my waist pack again and it was brilliant (this time with the bottle that came with it- even less bounce)-it also has a handy little pocket which is my fave thing (pockets in running gear)- so handy! I have pockets in my shorts, tights, even in my top!

It is so hard to take a picture like this! (Where is Andy when I need him? Well, off watching football!)

I could not decide how far to go (the marathon training plan is still being sorted) – in the end I did my “normal” long run of 8.5 ish miles- 90 minutes, and I felt pretty good throughout. I am pleased that I have managed to maintain this level of fitness during the autumn and winter.

I logged on to Nike+ when I got back and as it was the first one for 2011 it had some stats for the past year. It must have been a bit skewed because I only started using it in May, but it averages out over the year. My stats were; 510 mile run, 2 runs per week on average, 10 miles a week on average, fastest mile of 8.35 (perhaps during my 28.10 5k race for life?), 49,630 calories burned (I think it overestimates but you do enter your age and weight into the website), with 77 miles in september being the month with the most miles.

It was pretty good to see this, especially as I was not expecting it!

I had a hot chocolate and a peanut clif bar when I got back- for the hot chocolate I heated 250ml Kara coconut milk in the microwave for a couple of mins, then stirred in 15g nesquick. This was delicious and just what I fancied as I got quite cold on my run.

Then after my shower I pottered for ages (this means dusting, washing, reading blogs and procrastinating) and did not manage lunch intil half 3. Not so good.

I made a kick-ass snack this afternoon- some defrosted cherries with some dark chocolate alpro and some delicious pecan and cranberry granola- yum 🙂 Alongside some tea (I felt very stupid in the shop as I could not work out how the individual teapots worked- wouldn’t all the tea pour out the crack? Silly me).

I am also in the process of using up a Terry’s chocolate orange by making it into brownies to take into work tomorrow. I love chocolate orange but Andy doesn’t, and once it is opened I could eat it in a couple of days (and it would be just me too, not anyone else helping!). So I decided to put it to better use. Maybe some pictures later!

Last night we could not decide what to have for dinner, so we had another soup, bean and sweet potato combo. It’s so easy! (I should actually make the soup but to be honest I could not be bothered!).

So in a pan we cooked a couple of peppers that were past their best, added a tub of spicy tomato soup (this time it was Waitrose tomato and pepper soup with chipotle chilli) and a tin of kidney beans. We served it with baked sweet potato (sped up by microwaving first) and some salad. Delish- no cheese or salad dressing needed either! It is currently my fave quick and easy speedy meal!

Tomorrow it is back to work, and we are having a training day which means I should be home a bit earlier. My plan is to clear out my wardrobe a bit and get a bag of clothes to give to charity- I came across some jumpers today which I have not worn for a couple of years- they were in my pile of “don’t get rid of just yet, hang on for another year in case I start wearing them again”- well, I think it is time they went! I also have some tops which I think will be sent to the “duster” pile as they are so tatty now! I love a good clear out- it’s all very theraputic so I am looking forward to it. Anyone else planning an early spring clean or clear out?

The year of the half

So it’s that time of year when we all start thinking about the year that is ending. When I started looking back I was quite amazed to see how many running goals I managed to achieve.

2010 began with me signing up to a half marathon (my first) which seemed like an impossible goal at times . It was such a hilly course, but I ran the entire way and was ecstatic to finish in 2.32 🙂 I think that was the point that I began to see myself as a runner. Even though I had been running for a couple of years (since my first race for life), and had run 10k races, I still could not match up the “me” with a runner. That was way back in March, and I went on to get a pb for my 10k in (on such a hot day), a 5k pb for my race for life in June, a faster half marathon, close to the hour mark in another 10k, volunteered at a race (this reminds me I should do that again) and had unexpected fun at a surprise cross country race in November!

I also started this blog! I could ramble on for hours; this year has had it’s ups and downs as most years do, but I am feeling optimistic about the year ahead. I have signed up to my first Marathon, so I am looking forward to that challenge.

How are you feeling about the year ahead? Any goals you are aiming for?

Bargains!

So here is me thinking I have not bought anything in the sales. Well, it turns out I have bought more than I thought! Online shopping means it is easy to order things quickly, without a 3 hour battle for a car parking space, or a long queue at the checkout. Today the door went twice- first of all were my new trainers from Sweatshop;

They are too pretty and clean to wear outside in the grey slush and mud!

Then it was my parcel from Wiggle;

My waist pack for water and some clif bars.

Also I took a picture of the bargains I picked up yesterday;

A silver sparkly scarf and a trio of measuring cups from Waitrose (I saw them in M&S but didn’t get them)- there is a 1cup, 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup that all fit inside each other.

I have also ordered a dress from Animal which has yet to come, so in fact I have bought quite a lot of things!

This morning after breakfast I was off on a long run. I decided to try out my new waist pack, and was pleased that my old bottle (which even though I wash it in the dishwasher still smells slightly of squash due to me having Nuun in it) fitted in the bottle holder. I could not decide where to wear it- I started off with the bottle in the small of my back, and kept on needing to tighten the straps as I ran as I had made it too loose at home. This was not really uncomfortable, but it was great either, so I ended up sliding it around so the bottle rested on the back of my left hip- that seemed to make it bounce less and also meant it was easier to get the bottle in and out. Andy told me before I set off (in a sarcastic tone) “you look cool- how far are you going?”- I feel I would like a sign that says “I am running 8 miles” so people do not think I am out for a 20 minute jog with all the gear! Anyway, it was much better than getting an aching shoulder after carrying a bottle in my hand the whole way. My run was a steady 8.5 miles, in 93 minutes (with a few stops to cross the roads)- around the park and back while listening to the marathon talk podcast review of the year- I was again laughing out loud at points. If you have not listened to one yet then I really recommend it- it’s informative, funny, light-hearted, interesting, inspiring, and helps the miles fly by.

I did not try the new shoes as they were too pretty to get covered in goose poo (I ran to the park if you didn’t guess). I logged into Nike+ the other day and it was so funny- I have the sound off on the laptop and suddenly a video of Paula Radcliffe popped up. I put on the sound and played it again and it was because I had run 500 miles! I had not even noticed. But those 500 miles have been in the same pair of shoes, so no wonder I needed some new ones!

This afternoon I am mainly relaxing- watching Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, and maybe making some spiced nuts. By the way, I had the easiest meal the other day- (for 2 of us) we cooked 2 sweet potatoes (in microwave and then finished in the oven), heated a pot of Sainsburys fresh 3 bean soup (it is tomato soup with beans and veggies but it is thick, like chilli)- had this on the sweet potato with some salad. Amazing, so lazy but much nicer than a ready meal!

Later, dudes 🙂

Kitchen creativity

Evening all

So I keep seeing cinnamon buns on people’s blogs at the mo, and I keep being tempted to make them. I have also been loving stollen, and have seen some “mini bites” which I was tempted to attempt. So in the end I combined them, and have made stollen whirls! I was impressed by my kitchen creation!

I based them on the stollen recipe in Bake , but I think I have made enough changes to make it my own. I think it is worth doing- there are lots of steps so you have to do a bit,then do something else and come back to it a bit later, but the finished article is well worth it.

Begin by putting 150g mixed dried fruit and 50g cranberries in a bowl with 50g ground almonds and 25ml rum/ whisky (or apple juice). Leave thiswhile you make the dough.

Warm 60ml milk (I do it for 25 secs in a microwave in a little cup) and add 1tsp quick yeast. Leave this for a bit.

In a big bowl put 250g plain flour (I used white spelt) with 1tsp cinnamon, 1tsp mixed spice, 1tsp ground cardamon, 1tsp ground cloves, some grated nutmeg (basically whatever you love)….

Use a big wooden spoon to make a well in the flour, and pour in the milk/yeast mixture in, mixing it up until it loosely forms a dough.Leave it covered for ten minutes.

Then add in 60g butter (I use pure dairyfree) and 50g caster sugar and mix it in. At this stage it might look like breadcrumbs, but if you firmly push it together it will form a stiff dough. Leave again to rise (for 2 hours).

To prepare for the last bit, roll out 100g marzipan into a rectangle, and also grease a square tin.

Tip the dough out (I put it onto a board “floured” with icing sugar as it was the one I did the marzipan on!) and mix in approx half the dried fruit mixture and knead this into the dough. Then roll the dough into a rectangle. Spread the rest of the fruit mixture over the dough (as evenly as possible) and push it down a bit. Place the rectangle of marzipan over the top, then roll it up along the long side, so you get a long log. Cut into 9 slices (although you could make more, 9 fitted into my square tin) and place in the tin. Any left over fruit can be squashed in too!

Cover with a tea towel and leave to rise for about an hour, then preheat the oven to 200C and bake. These took just under 40 minutes- I kept checking after 30.

Dust with icing sugar to get the authentic stollen look!

They go perfectly with a cup of tea!

Aside from that, I managed a 5 mile run today- it was so damp and dreary and drizzly outside that it was hard to motivate myself, but I decided I should make the most of the clear pavements! Plus I felt much better once I got out in the fresh air.

Thank you by the way to everyone who replied on my post yesterday- I have decided that whatever plan I choose (well, I think it will be a mixture of a few) that I will only do one 20 mile run. That will be enough for me 🙂

I was also excited to recieve a parcel in the post!

Some yummy cereals from Natures Path. I emailed them ages ago after using their gluten free cereal in some baking for my coeliac friend, and they emailed back to say they were launching in the UK and so would send some samples to me! My fave thing was that the address label said “Running Cupcake” on it! I wonder what the delivery guy thought?

The range of cereals looks yummy (and cute names too) and I look forward to trying them all (and so does Andy!).

I also managed a pop to the local shops and got a pretty silver sparkly scarf from Accessorize. I was after a black coat but I only managed to find size 6 or size 22. Oh well I can wait! I did also find Whitards Christmas Tea for £2.50 in Waitrose- what a bargain!

Now I have a random question- I watched Fantastic Mr Fox this afternoon, and it was nothing like the story I remembered. Now, I don’t have a great memory (I have a tendancy to remember dreams and think they happened) but I thought the story was all about Mr Fox burrowing under the farms to get to the chickens etc? So am I remembering it wrong or is it actually a totally different story from the book?