Running - Maria Runs

Signs of spring and pink rainbows!

On Sunday morning I had a lovely 8 mile run. It started off in the sunshine but by the end it was quite cloudy. I saw loads of crocus flowers and some daffodils and blossom- it was starting to feel very spring-like. I had pancakes once home- I’d not made them for ages so it felt like a lovely treat.

I then made the mistake of suggesting the new West Side Story as an afternoon movie, as I’d seen it was on Disney Plus. Let’s just say, it turns out that Muppets Most Wanted is more my style of musical I thought (wrongly) it was going to be modernised- and I thought that a modern twist on the story (immigration etc) would be interesting, but no, it was just a remake. I had bought a cinnamon bun from the coffee shop in town, and it was cold enough to have the fire on, so it wasn’t all bad!

Pret granola and Aldi chocolate chip yoghurt was a delicious snack after yoga

My early morning runs were also seeing the signs of spring, as the sunrise it about to appear at times.

One morning I had the most amazing run. I started to see this pink line in the sky, and wondered if it was the trail from a plane being lit up by the sunrise, but it appeared stronger as I ran, and got more and more arched. I realised after a while that it was a rainbow- it wasn’t raining at that point but there were a few drops as I got closer to home. I just kept taking photos of it and stopping as it was so beautiful. It set my day up so well.

Have you ever seen a pink rainbow? I’ve seen the upside down rainbows before (something to do with ice crystals I think).

IWD parkrun! And “two’s day” running to plant trees.

The week following on from our trip to Brighton was fairly standard.

Andy had bought me one of the amazing vegan chocolate coconut almond croissants from the Flour Pot bakery- I was going to have it for breakfast on Monday morning but I felt a bit rubbish in the morning so saved it for Tuesday- I went for a short run to ease my achy legs and then watched the latest With Me Now video and enjoyed it with some tea.

One of my new year goals was to sign up to Earth Runs- they are virtual runs and they use your entry money to plant trees. The previous Tuesday was “two’s day”- 22.2.22, and they did a special run where they would plant 22 trees if you ran a 5k. I didn’t need much persuading to sign up for that! My medal arrived (you can pay extra to have a medal and they are compostable and filled with wildflower seeds).

Christmas cake, slightly lighter skies at the end of a run and my medal for 22 trees

On the Wednesday I had an all day training course (online), followed by a staff meeting (online) and then a local cluster meeting (online)- I knew I’d be sat looking at my laptop from 8.30-5.30, so I went for a run in the morning to stretch my legs. It poured with rain but in the lunch break I decided to have a quick walk too, just to give my eyes a break from the screen. I really do not know how people manage to look at computers all day!

A rainy lunch time walk, cookies and tea to help with the training, plus sweets from my vegan box (just took the photo as they matched my nail varnish) and lemon loaf from a new baking book.

We did an order from the Vegan Kind supermarket, and happily it coincided with their doughnuts being in stock (they only have them on certain days)- these were shared over the weekend and so good. We started to watch The Afterparty, and I really enjoyed it (we’ve finished it now)- it had similar vibes to Only Murders in the Building, so if you liked that then I’d recommend seeking this out.

And then it was finally Saturday! As it was IWD the week after, parkrun was encouraging women to take part/ volunteer etc. We headed to Jersey Farm along with lots of OH ladies. I thought they might make a bit more of IWD, but literally the RD went “and, international women’s day”, and then did the countdown.

I’d not been there since January, and it was much drier with a few big muddy puddles. Quite good going but I still got lots of mud splattered up my legs. I could have worn a marathon top as it was parkrun 262 (26.2) for me, but I only thought about it after!

Did your parkrun do anything for IWD?

Preston Park parkrun and Brighton Half 2022

Since I’ve been running half marathons, most years I’ve run the Brighton half. The 2021 one was postponed to October, so it felt like I had only recently run it. I always love a weekend in Brighton though, and the weather was set to be beautiful for this time of year too.

We drove down on the Friday night, parked near Preston park station, and then had to get a rail replacement bus to the centre, where we were staying for the weekend.

Pavilion in the sunshine, the end of parkrun and a person dressed as a traffic cone!

I’d decided to go to Preston Park parkrun, partly because it was away from the coast and would be a change from the half route (you run along the Hove Prom parkrun route in the half marathon) but also it would increase my p index to 6, as I’d been to 5 parkruns at least 6 times, and Preston Park 5 times. It was a beautiful day as I ran there, with blue skies and the feeling of spring on the way. I got quite warm running, although there was a chilly wind so as soon as I stopped I got quite cold. I picked up my free Caffe Nero on the way back as I really wanted a tea to warm up.

I noticed that next to our hotel, a new version of the Wolfox café had opened, so we popped there for breakfast. Going to a place to eat in still feels quite alien, but it was nice and spacious with the door open the whole time, and so it felt OK. They did vegan French toast which was delicious, but their pancakes are also vegan and looked amazing so I am sure we will be back to sample some other delights.

We then wandered around to Hove, got a drink from Bird and Blend, and generally enjoyed the sunshine.

I did have some admin that needed to be done however. I needed to renew my driving licence with a new photo, and even though it says you can do it online, I can’t, because my passport is too new (3 years old) or too old, or something ridiculous. I’d tried in half term many times, I’d tried the online chat but that was just a bot, tried calling but you just had a message saying “we’re too busy, try again later”, and had emailed but had no reply. Very frustrating, so the options left were to go to the Post Office, or do it by post. There were no post offices where I live that did it, but 2 in Brighton, so we popped to one, only to be told that their photo booths had been switched off the day before, and the tablets that had ben sent in place didn’t yet work. We tried a second one but it was the same story. So frustrating!

We ended the day with pizza from Fatto A Mano, as they do a really good vegan pizza, although I think I prefer the vegan cheese from Purezza so would probably choose that next time. I did well over 30,000 steps which probably isn’t the best prep?

Our hotel was very central, so I didn’t have to get up that early which was a bonus. I could not decide what to wear- vest, vest over long sleeved top or t-shirt. In the end I went for the t-shirt as I knew I’d heat up once I started running. As Andy walked with me to the start, he could take my long sleeved top back for me so I didn’t have to tie it around my waist while running.

It felt windier than the previous day, and I was initially worried about being cold, but really I should have worried more about how hard the wind would make it!

It didn’t take long for us to start- my pen was the 2-2.15 pen, but I couldn’t find a way to get into that one, so I ended up at the back of the 1.45-2.00 pen, which was nicely spaced out. Like last time, I ran on feel, barely checking my watch at all. I noticed a few of the mile markers but mainly just enjoyed the route, listening to other runners, reading signs in the crowds etc. I think one thing I need to remember with this is that the turnaround points are always further than you think! The first bit is uphill and isn’t usually too bad, but this time we were running into the wind so it felt tough from the outset.

After 3 miles we turned away from the wind and the relief was amazing! You can see from my splits that I got a bit quicker- downhill and with the wind behind me it’s not surprising. At this point (and for the whole loop into the town and back) I was just behind a runner in a Vegan Runners vest (I had my buff with me) who took her role very seriously. She was constantly shouting “you can’t love animals if you eat them”, over and over again. Now, while I agree with her sentiment (the weird disconnect people have that they love their dogs or cats but happily eat chickens or pigs or cows), I am not sure anyone is going to change their mind hearing someone shout it at them from a race, and probably does more to make people annoyed with people being all preachy than it will actually help anything. I’m not sure if she went past me or if I managed to speed up, but I was quite relieved when somewhere along the seafront we were not together any more.

There are a few sections where you head into a little square of streets before going back to the seafront, and each time you got a taste of the wind and the final few miles as turning back onto the main road you’d get battered by the wind. Those final 3 miles were going to be fun…

As you can see, as we turned and ran into the wind, everyone slowed. It felt as if I was barely moving, and even though that was my slowest mile it was still a pretty good speed. I like the 10 mile point as you can tell yourself that it’s just a parkrun to go, and in Brighton you reach the Hove Prom parkrun course along this section. The i360 tower just seems so small when you turn at first, but soon you get closer and the crowds get even bigger- it really does help having people cheer you on.

I was so glad when the finish gantry came into view as battling the wind for those final 30 minutes was tough, even with the beautiful sea views! I crossed the line in 2:07:37, again feeling pleased to be in front of the 2.15 pacer. I have mixed feelings about the times, because on the one hand I tried for ages to get a sub 2, I achieved it once in Brighton but then the course was short. I worked out that if I had continued at the same speed, it still would have been under 2, but it isn’t the same a actually running it. But then running at that speed is hard. I enjoy running by the sea, and love the race atmosphere, so shall I just continue to enjoy it and not worry about the times? But then if I finish sooner then it’s less of a rush to check out…

The goodie bag was terrible! Not that I do a race for the bag, but other than a can of water (love that it’s easier to recycle and that there are actually recycling bins along the seafront), look at what you got! Some energy gels, a tab filled with artificial sweeteners (bleurgh to both of those)- the only saving grace was the Bird and Blend teabag sample- chocolate digestives tea woohoo! No banana or cereal bar or anything to have- I’m not sure many people are clamouring to eat (drink?) an energy gel when they finish running.

I couldn’t hang about as we had to check out from the hotel at 12.00, and as this was around 11.15 and it takes ages to battle through the crowds (I love Brighton but they have a weird set up with the toilets in the way and it’s always so congested). I did have a selfie by the sea with the medal, of course. I made it back just in time to have a speedy shower, gulp down the tea that Andy had made for me in the room, and then head out to get some lunch.

Before the race, after, the pier and a delicious burger for lunch

We went to Leon for lunch and then headed to the station (via Bird and Blend for an amazing strawberry and nutella pancakes tea latte). This was probably a mistake, as the rail replacement buses were not frequent, and when we finally got on one, the streets around the station were gridlocked so we definitely could have walked back much quicker. Ah well. A fab weekend as always.

Also, can we appreciate how well I did with my nail varnish? I like to paint my nails before a race, and it just so happened that the colour I picked matches perfectly with the medal ribbon!

Best or worst goodie bag item?

Running in the rain and other half term bits

With our trip to DLP coming up, I knew I wouldn’t run much while I was there so I squeezed in an extra run at the start- I’d usually rest on Monday but I had 5 mile run that day and then a 4 mile run on the Tuesday before we set off for the station.

Pink skies, matcha and the best snack

One run was lovely weather with pink skies leftover from the sunrise, but one was rainy and cold- more like typical February! A matcha to warm up when I got home, plus the best snack of pb and dates.

Fast forward to the end of half term. We got back to Kings Cross on Saturday afternoon, and had tickets for a gig (Wolf Alice) in the evening so had booked a hotel rather than going home and coming back into London again.

We got a deliveroo for dinner, although that didn’t turn out so well as the poor cyclist’s bike broke, so we had to ring up and cancel and they had to send it out again, so it was a bit rushed in the end.

Pancakes from Mildred’s, Crosstown and a soggy run!

On the Sunday we headed to Mildred’s for breakfast. We were worried it would be busy but we were there fairly early so there were only a few tables at that point. I had their delicious pancakes but I was very tempted by the toasted coconut bread- we shall have to go back. On our way back to the hotel we walked to Crosstown to get some doughnuts to take home, and as we passed the Veggie Pret I popped in to get some lunch for later too. We had rushed to the station and just made the time for the train, only for that one to be cancelled, but luckily they were fairly frequent so we weren’t waiting for too long.

Once home I had to head out on my long run, as the weather was getting worse and I didn’t want to leave it until the evening. I ended up doing 9 miles as my final long run before the half. I’d prefer to go for longer but I have run longer runs recently so I figured it would be OK. It’s not as if I was aiming for a particular time, and probably the wind and rain helped make it seem harder. I had to stop mid-run as a couple stopped me and asked me where their car was- they’d taken a photo of the street sign but had no idea where it was and didn’t have maps on their phone. My hands were so cold and the screen didn’t like the rain, but eventually I found it and sent them on their way (we were on a road parallel to where they’d parked so close by at least). By the time I got home I was pretty soaked and freezing cold.

Chai latte and movie time

After a shower and a late lunch I sat under a blanket in front of the TV and that was the end of half term! We watched Last Night in Soho, and started on the doughnuts!

Do you mind running in the rain? I don’t so long as it isn’t cold. I think it’s so hard to get the temperature right as so often you can feel too hot in a rain jacket but then too cold if you actually get wet.

Pink tea and an alpaca

Pink tea, tea club artwork and gorgeous hazelnut chocolate drops

Rewinding back to the week before half term, I received my tea club and just absolutely loved the artwork this month- check out how cute it is! One of the teas is called Whole Lotta Love, and is basically a fruity tea that you can add milk to. It turns a beautiful pink, and tastes a bit fruity and nutty. It was my morning tea of choice until it ran out.

Totoro hoodie for “express yourself day”, face mask in the evening, tiffin and a bluetit visiting our doorbell.

It was a busy week (aren’t they all?) with parents evenings and a training course after school which meant that for 3 of the days I was home much later than usual. I did manage to keep my morning runs (4 miles on Tues and Thurs, including a hint of a sunrise on the Thursday run!!), I attended the online yoga class and also managed a few more of the Yoga With Adriene January challenge- doing days 25, 26 and 27 on Monday, Friday and Sunday. Andy was out on the Wednesday, so after yoga I treated myself to a face mask and watching some TV under a blanket. I started Around the World in 80 Days (bit disappointed about the theme tune..). I also enjoyed some tiffin which I’d picked up on my long run (from the little plant based coffee trailer in Panshanger park).

On the Sunday following our trip to Bartley Park, it was of course long run time. I ran along Cole Green Way to Hertford, into Panshanger Park, then back home through the little villages. It’s nice to have a loop rather than an out and back. I bought a brownie from the coffee van for us to share later, and even saw an alpaca in a garden! I used to see it on my way back from Panshanger parkrun, but even when I’ve been that way I’ve not seen it for ages.

I then had a lot of jobs to get done, including sewing holes in socks (not too bad) and sewing on my vegan runners patch to my club vest. This was very fiddling and I am not good at this sort of thing. I was very glad when I’d finally finished!