Maria Runs

Hey

So I think you are going to see a lot of this panic from me over the coming weeks, so be warned!

I must say thanks for the good advice from Alison, Jessica and Rob regarding the running. I know that I have done all the training so far (well, pretty much) and that I can’t change anything now. I was going to do an 8 miler, and even mapped out a route, but then when I read the comments I cut it back- I ended up doing the 6.7 mile route from last week. I did do some tempo in the middle- when I was looking at my watch when running I was around 9.40 ish pace, but then I had to stop so many times to cross roads that the recorded pace is slower. But anyway, it keeps the legs ticking over. So I promise to be sensible and stick to my plan. If not you can all come around and bop me on the head, rabbit foo foo style.

Also thanks Lara- you are right about body pump- I will cut back on the weights for these next couple of weeks (and I am not going on the Thursday before as often I still ache on a Saturday and I don’t want to be sore for the actual run).

Great advice peeps!

I have booked my next massage for this Wednesday- they said to have one 2 weeks before, but she is away then, so it was either this week (2 1/2 weeks before) or in the final week, only a few days before. So I went for this week. Not long to get nervous for it!

Other news;

More scrummy yoghurt and muesli and apple for brekkie- getting a bit obsessed at the moment 🙂

Also I think I am about to give up on reading a book. I borrowed the book “Too big to Fail” about the banking crisis on Wall Street, and it is taking me so long to read- seriously I read about 2 pages a night and I am not finding it interesting. The subject is interesting, but the book just goes on about how different people got to be CEO’s and stuff, and I am 200 pages in and not at the interesting bits! Anyone read it? How do you feel about not finishing a book? It irritates me so much- normally I read books quickly as I love to read. I am defeated.

Also, can I ask a question for Andy? He needs to change his trainers- I kind of feel he needs to wait until the marathon is done now, as I think it is too close (no more long runs left to try them out- he is doing 13 miles this weekend)- but then I also have heard that trainers should not need breaking in, and they should be comfy right away. So, ideas? Cheers me dears 🙂

First of all, thanks for all the comments about the run last weekend and so on. Each time I read a new one it really helps with my confidence, and also makes me smile.

So I keep meaning to say on here- you know a while back I got that lovely parcel from Meridian? Well the guy who sent it also let me know about a race, and I said I would put a link on here. It is called the cake race (great name to start with, yes?) and it is a 5k multi-terrain race. It is on the 22nd May, in the Bristol area, and is in aid of a local school. I would love to do it, but the timing does not quite fit with my training, and Bristol is a bit of a way to travel for a 5K. But anyway, if anyone fancies checking it out, look here.

So, back to the usual. I have been a bit busy these last few days. Thursday was body pump- again kept higher weights- hooray. Friday I had a lovely day after work- visited my Nan, went to the Waffle house with some friends (for belated birthday celebrations) and then out for dinner with some other friends (more birthday stuff). So no posts. I did have a lovely breakfast on Friday-

An apple, some rude health muesli and some apple and elderflower yoghurt (which is totally gorgeous). This was just so summery and perfect for a sunny morning.

Today my plan was 15 miles. I actually was really delaying my departure this morning- partly due to the weather (we had a few bouts of torrential rain and I did not fancy ruining my shoes) and partly due to being tired. Anyway, I planned my route (a boring out and back in the end as I could not work out another one, plus I wanted to avoid the lakes as they would be muddy and sometimes get underwater). It did not rain, and after a bit the sun came out, and it was just so muggy and hot. There was an occasional breeze, but it was warm and damp air so I was just so sticky. It was very slow (took me 2 hours 53) but there was stopping, and by the end my toe was hurting. I think I might need to get some kind of padded plaster thing as there is definitely something on the bottom. Once home I was in need of more liquid!

2 glasses of water and some lovely coconut water with pineapple- I had forgotten how lovely this is! I had loads of it last year when I was training for my half, but chocolate milk got in the way this year. I should have had an ice bath, but I forgot to make any ice, so made do with a cold shower.

My lunch was my take on a bakewell pitta (we never had a bakewell tart last weekend, and I never liked them when I was little, but now I do like almonds, although not pastry still, anyway, get off this tangent)- food doctor pitta with lovely meridian almond butter and cherry spread.

Yum it was so good! I am loving the almond butter, and the sweet cherry spread went very well indeed.

This afternoon was set aside for report writing, although I did pause in the middle for a toffee rice pudding.

Yum! I do like the plain one as you can then add pb, chocolate, or other stuff (I like dried figs in it) but this toffee one was good.

Then things went downhill- basically I was waiting for the shopping to be delivered (5-6) and was then going to stop work and make dinner. I had a call to say they were running late, so decided to keep on with the work. Bad idea, as then I got very tired and a bit shaky. Also I got very stiff from sitting down all afternoon, so my legs are more sore now. When the shopping finally came, I was starving, so made a cup of tea to drink while I cooked (not easy)- and in the end had a shortcut dinner.

Some carrot pancakes turned into carrot mix being cooked in a tray in the oven and topped with meridian tahini, and I used the other packet of Food Doctor easy grains (these ones are made of quinoa, lentils, spelt, kidney beans) with some tinned tomatoes, spinach, and topped with some Food Doctor seeds.

This was good, but I could have done with it an hour earlier! I love the way the tahini melts over hot things, and those seeds add such a good crunch to any meal. I am getting a bit obsessed 🙂

Right, I am off to elevate my legs! I have not washed my compression socks after last weekend, so we shall see if that adds to the after effects too. Night 🙂

Evening all

Today started off fab- with some porridge and delicious smooth meridian pb.

And at work someone made me chuckle as I was saying how much I love pb, and they went “is it just peanuts and butter mixed together?” Hmm. I did correct them!

Before my run I had an Eat Natural bar- normally I don’t go for these, but I had it in a Boots meal deal (from the day I flew to Italy- it is well travelled) and decided it might give me a boost.

It was delicious anyway. Then I went for my run. I measured out a 6.7 mile route (was supposed to be 6 miles with some tempo in there) and headed out. I managed some decent speeds at times, but my leg is still a bit sore, when going down steep hills, and as the route has some underpasses and things like that, I had to take those slowly. I had a couple of miles at 9.52 and 9.54, but the rest was rather slower. Plus I had loads of waiting as I was running at rush hour (you know, to cross roads).

Dinner was rather random- some chickpea stew with extra veg and sprinkled with some Food Doctor seeds.

The seeds added a lovely crunch, and they are great for protein- 28% (so a little 15g serving has 4.2g which is pretty good.

So my toe nail has not fallen off, and now I think maybe there is some kind of blister/ hard patch thing on the bottom. But who knows. I am sure it is something to do with the pressure- maybe I did my shoes up too tight or something. But anyway, until my actual toe falls off I don’t need to worry!

Bye