Clean and mean

That title describes my diet rather than any activity I might (or might not) be doing at the moment.

I am following the nutrition plan to the letter. Now I have no issue with the food, after all who can complain about meals comprising Bircher muesli, scrambled eggs with baked beans, roast pumpkin & feta salad, beef stroganoff and tonight’s meal of sweet potato & roast capsicum pizza.

I think it’s the stop to the snacking ie picking at food throughout the day. You know, when I’m bored, tired, stressed, sad, happy, angry…well name the emotion and it was a reason to snack. Now I have 2 planned snacks during the day and if I have the calories, a hot chocolate at night. You wouldn’t believe how ridiculously and deliriously happy I can be if I can have that hot choc! Last night I couldn’t .

Of course it doesn’t help when Mr CJ sits down with a plate of just-made hot buttered toast, mid-afternoon. Omg, I didn’t realise how good hot toast smells! Then he polished off the remainder of a packet snack mix from the pantry. He even offered me some. Yes, that’s the sharing and caring person he can be, not!

However I have stuck to my plan. I’m waiting for the day that my stomach has shrunk and doesn’t emit that ominous, very audible rumble between meals. Health experts say that many of us have forgotten what it’s like to experience true hunger given our constant and easily accessible supply of food. Trust me, I am we’ll acquainted with the feeling!

One more day and I will have completed week one of 12WBT. The exercise component hasn’t quite gone to plan this week but the food has been spot on.

Sweet potato & roasted capsicum pizza

Happy Mothers Day!

8.34am: Mothers Day Classic, Lake Burley Griffin
Distance: 10km
Time: 50.58min
Pace: 5.02min/km
Cals: 350
Place: 265 (3rd in 50-59 age group)
Weather: 6.2*c, wind – calm; foggy, followed by blue skies

As we were driving to LBG this morning in thick fog I wondered why on earth I was doing this. After all, this was Mothers Day. You know, the day you get to sleep in and have breakfast in bed or get taken out for breakfast. And this is what I’ve done in previous years. So what on earth possessed me to enter the 10km event and voluntarily get up early to participate?

The reasons aren’t important now – the fact is I did get up and did run the event and did enjoy the morning. The fog never really disappeared entirely for the run but other than that, it was perfect running conditions. The only thing I would do differently is where I place myself at the start. We started in the middle to back of the pack and that was a huuuuuge mistake. Crossing the bridge was hilarious – I felt like I was out for a Sunday stroll as I couldn’t go any faster than a very slow jog. So for the second lap I tried to make up some ground on my time.

Following the run we had to race home so I could have a shower so we could collect sons #1 and #2 for brunch at a local cafe. Gotta love boy talk – the conversation was all footy, weights training and protein shakes! Still it was great to catch up with them. Home again after grocery shopping and sitting at the front door was a huge box of beautiful pink roses, from son #3. This was a complete surprise as I’ve never had flowers before from the boys. Wow, they can still surprise me!

So, chocolates, brunch and roses – what more could I ask for. It was a lovely Mothers Day, as I hope it was for my mum, my sister and great niece, and all the mothers out there.

And tomorrow…it’s the start of 12WBT. Bring it on!

The promise of coffee for the caffeinista sistas!

7.49am: Gindy parkrun
Distance: 6km (inc 1km warm up)
Time: 31.49min
Pace: 5.15min/km
Cals: 350

Parkrun results:
49th across the line, 1st in age group
Time: 25.39min (this included stopping to tie up shoe laces)

Weather: 6*c, wind – calm; a chilly start but a gorgeous sunny morning

It seemed really strange driving to the start of parkrun this morning as I usually run down and then run home afterwards. But not today. Why? Well there is the Mothers Day Classic 10km tomorrow so I’m saving myself(!), and Gary was shouting the caffeinista sistas aka CJ and Ruth, a coffee for doing the marathon last month. Just quietly – that was the real reason I showed up for parkrun today!Thank you Gary!

It was a chilly start this morning but we soon warmed up on the 5km run – those tricky little hills just pop up when you least expect them! That first one up to the bridge can be particularly nasty – very short and sharp. Deek’s female Indigenous squad were marshalling today as they are running tomorrow. They are training to run New York marathon later this year, as we are!

Then it was off to Birrigai Cafe for a coffee that Gary promised us for running the Canberra marathon. Trust me it was a well earned coffee! And as a special treat, Ruth also had a choccie biscuit and I had a Jaffa slice – very delicious and totally negated any calories I may have earned today from the run! Oh well, the countdown is on – only 2 more sleeps and the challenge is on (deep breath CJ).

This afternoon I baked my first ever sponge so wasn’t sure how this would turn out. I used a recipe from the Cooks Companion – my Stephanie Alexander cooking bible. I remember my nana used to make a sponge using a recipe that didn’t have the usual plain or SR flour but instead used cornflour. This is what this recipe had – cornflour, custard powder, cream of tartar, carb soda, caster sugar and eggs. It baked perfectly and, apart from a tricky situation where it stuck to the wire rack while cooling, there were no dramas. It has now been sliced horizontally and sandwiched with strawberry jam and cream.

Tomorrow its Mothers Day. So why am I getting up early to run 10km? I’m still wondering that myself!

Legs like lead

12.03pm: slow run along cycle path through Turner and Lyneham
Distance: 8.9km
Time: 50.36min
Pace: 5.41min/km
Cals: 518
Weather: 19.1*c, wind – NNW, 9kph; sunny day, blue skies

I definitely did not have legs of steel today, it was more like legs of lead. After last night’s 800m efforts at Dickson oval my legs were complaining about moving any faster than walking pace today. Well, initially anyway. However, I gradually settled into a reasonably comfortable pace and just enjoyed being out in the fresh air. It was a gorgeous sunny autumn day in the nation’s capital. It’s a shame that I spend most of it indoors.

Today’s run took in a loop that started on Barry Drive, headed along the cycle path through Turner, crossing Macarthur Avenue, going past the ponds that were constructed from an existing stormwater drain, then along Wattle St, then turning off just before Lyneham shops (stopping for a coffee a Tilley’s was a tempting thought!), heading along Brigalow St, then back along the cycle path past Brindabella Christian College and Lyneham High ovals, past the ponds again, across Macarthur Ave, past Turner Primary, through Haigh Park, and back to work.

And since the run I have been hungry…despite having lunch…and afternoon tea…

And yes, I succumbed and had a packet of chips.

Good morning!

Down at the coast

The boardwalk

A long weekend at the coast. Beautiful weather, gorgeous beaches, great walks, even better food. Unfortunately it didn’t last – three days goes so quickly and before we knew it, we were making that return trip over Brown Mountain back to Canberra.

Had the best fish and chips on Friday night – the best! It was from Hungry’s Takeaway. They cater really well for those who are gluten intolerant. They have a separate frying vat and work area for gluten free fish and chips. My battered flathead was light and crisp and was not in the slightest bit oily or greasy. I believe my fish and chips were even better than the standard fish and chips that Mr N had. And I don’t think the fact that it must be at least 5 years since I’d had fish and chips affected my opinion at all. It was that good!

Saltwater Organics on the boardwalk in town serves delicious fresh, organic and vegetarian snacks and meals. I had a delicious gluten free carrot cake muffin Friday afternoon, after a long walk. And for breakfast on Saturday morning at the same place Mr N had poached eggs on sourdough toast, while I had breakfast trifle – gluten free granola, rhubarb and berry compote with organic natural yoghurt.

Poppy’s Cafe also catered really well in the gluten-free department. I had a gluten-free ham and cheese toastie there for lunch on Saturday, and then for breakfast this morning before we left, I had perfectly scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, and a serve of gluten free toast. They even do a really nice cappuccino.

So the weekend away was great while it lasted. I managed to do lots of walking – the boardwalk, the Merimbula-Pambula cycle path, the Djirringanj People’s walk, along the beach, etc. I only took one set of running gear so needed to pick my time when I was going to run and it ended up being this morning, before we left.

6.55am: easy run on Merimbula-Pambula cycle path
Distance: 10.5km
Time: 59.52min
Pace: 5.41min/km
Cals: 608
Weather: 15.5*c, wind – NNW, 11kph; overcast but warm

The run starts off relatively flat but once past the airport there is a gradual and steady incline. I just kept thinking that at least the return trip would be easier! It was lovely running along the tree-shaded path listening to a multitude of bird sounds – there was so much bird life. There was also the occasional other runner plus cyclists. Finally I had arrived at Pambula and it was time to turn and head back to our accommodation. Yes, there was downhill but there was also more uphills than I had expected! There was a runner far off in the distance and I made it my goal to see how close I could get to them before Merimbula. I’m sure I would’ve caught them if they hadn’t turned before reaching Merimbula and was now making tracks back to Pambula! Still the challenge had made me lift my pace and so I continued at this pace for the remainder of the run back to our accommodation.

Pelican sculpture

A hoodoo no more!

7am: Canberra marathon 42.2km
Time: 3hr 50.51min
Pace: 5.28min/km
1st lap (10.5km): 1hr 42sec; 5.46min/km
2nd lap (15.4km): 1hr 22.55; 5.23min/km
3rd lap (16.3km): 1hr 27.13; 5.21min/km
Weather: (7am) 6.9*c, wind – calm; I was freezing before the start!
(9am) 12.4*c, wind – calm; not so cold now – funny that!
(11am) 20.8*c, wind – WSW, 9kph – it was quite warm out there

Well, I feel so much better now! Why? I’ve got that hoodoo off my back. I’ve been trying to do my 9th marathon since 2010 (my last one was in 2009) but injury or returning from injury has hampered me since then. But today….well it was the sweetest victory. I beat that hoodoo and had an awesome run.

Not awesome in time I admit. I’ve run faster marathons. But today it just came together and for the last 10km I had a big smile on my face because I recalled why I love running marathons. I was in my element out there.

I started very slowly but that’s my style. I ran the first 4km with Ruth before slowly increasing my speed, but not too much. I was experiencing tummy problems and wasn’t sure how long I could go before having to search for a toilet. As it was it was at the 12km mark on Parkes Way when I had to make a detour to the toilets. At this stage I had passed the 4hour purple balloons but unfortunately they passed me while I was otherwise occupied. And it seemed to take forever before I caught them again – not long after the Glenloch Interchange turnaround. Once they were behind me I could relax.

Looking at my splits I gradually increased my pace over the distance and negative split. I felt strong and comfortable the further I ran. I kept waiting for the wheels to fall off but it never happened. Tummy problems hit again in the last kilometre and required another dash to toilets once I crossed the finish line.

So I achieved my goals!
Making it to the start line
Making it to the finish line
Running it under 4 hours

Some things I learnt today:
Blackberry Gu is disgusting. I picked one up from an aid station and wished I hadn’t.
Blackberry electrolyte drink isn’t much better.
Fairfax need to cater better with their post-run refreshments – electrolyte drink and a small pile of rock hard pears is pretty pathetic. Where were the bananas? Or at least something edible.

Lunch afterwards at Cream with Nikki and Dave, Ewen and Keren was awesome. A glass of bubbly never goes astray!

Dinner tonight with Ruth, Mr B, Keren, Mr N and other good friends is eagerly anticipated!

Number 9….finally!

Last chance training

6.01am: easy run
Distance: 6.2km
Time: 35.21min
Pace: 5.41min/km
Cals: 361
Weather: 11.9*c, wind – N, 7kph; some fog

Last run before the marathon! An easy 6km run before breakfast this morning. Everything seems to be holding together okay so deep breath, fingers crossed and here’s hoping all goes well on Sunday.

There’s not much more I can do now, except focus on carbs. Oh, and what I’m going to wear on the day…decisions, decisions!

Tomorrow is Mr N’s birthday so we’re out to brunch in the morning and then the boys are coming round for dinner. Mr N’s meal request: roast pork and veggies for dinner, followed by baked rice pudding. I think I’ll pass on the roast pork as I’m not sure it will sit ok the night before a marathon. I’ll make myself a pasta dish instead. However the rice pudding will go down a treat

“Be the kind of woman who, when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the world says ‘oh no, she’s up’.”

Good morning!

The best way to eat a strawberry?

4pm: easy run
Distance: 13km
Time: 1hr 15.94min
Pace: 5.46min/km
Cals: 756
Weather: cloudy, 23.6*c, wind – SSE, 13kph

Got up at 8.30am this morning, then changed the clocks back! So it was really only 7.30am – an early start to a Sunday. Not that I went for a run – that didn’t happen until 4pm. Still it was a leisurely start to the day – corn fritters and oven roasted tomatoes for brekkie while reading the local paper. Then later on I met Ruth for coffee and lunch.

Back to the run. By the time I got around to doing this it was getting on for time – 4pm. I ran down to Lake Ginninderra and around to Ginninderra Dve bridge before retracing my steps and returning via the cycle path that runs parallel to Ginninderra Dve, then running through the tunnel to come out near Melba oval and running home from there. It’s a different route to what I normally do but I enjoyed it so must add that to my list of regular run routes around home. I also noticed how dark it was getting near the end of my run, around 5.15pm, now that daylight savings has finished.

And what’s the best way to eat a strawberry? Why, picking them straight from the garden, when they’ve been warmed by the sun and are oh so sweet. Which is what I did once I’d got home.

Last long run :)

7.17am: long run inc parkrun
Distance: 17km (inc 5km parkrun)
Time: 1hr 33.36min (5km – 24.09min)
Pace: 5.30min/km
Location: Lake Ginninderra
Weather: (7.30am) 6.6*c, wind – calm; (9am) 11.3*c, wind – ESE, 7kph

Today was my last long run before the marathon. Of course, come Sunday week I’ll be running 42.2km.

It was another chilly start this morning and for a while there I thought I’d be heading off to the lake in the dark but the sun did eventually rise around 7am. Thank goodness daylight savings finishes tonight. It was great while it lasted but its so dark in the mornings now.

There was a large turnout for the Gindy parkrun this morning and the usual suspects were there – Ruth, Marg, and Gary, and Mr B even showed up. I was 6secs off my PB today though it did feel like I was running faster, obviously it was just harder! Then a casual cool down run home again afterwards – a pleasant way to end the run.

The rest of the day was spent familiarising myself with domestic duties once again because for some strange reason I decided to save some money by not getting a cleaner anymore. What was I on at the time to even consider this absurd notion?! As compensation for hard labour I had prepared Moroccan lamb shanks with pumpkin & mint for dinner tonight, with poached vanilla pears with chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream & toasted coconut flakes for dessert. Recipes courtesy of Michelle Bridges and Weight Watchers Verdict? Delicious.

“I may not be the strongest, I may not be the fastest, but one thing’s for sure, I’ll be trying my hardest.”

Blue skies & sunshine

7.09am session: long run
Distance: 25km (inc 5km parkrun)
Time: 2hr 27.46min (5km – 25.48min)
Pace: 5.54min/km
Cals: 1,468
Weather: (7am) – 3.5*c, wind – calm
(10am) – 12.9*c, wind – NNW, 6kph

Wow, it was a chilly start to the run this morning, requiring a spray jacket until I warmed up. I was grateful for the 7km warm up run before the parkrun because it was so painfully slow. However by the time the parkrun started, I had warmed up and had a much more comfortable run. Met up with Ruth before the start of parkrun and also chatted briefly to Gary.

I was pretty happy with my parkrun this morning. The plan was not to knock myself out but to run comfortably as I still had to get home. Last time I ran this course I did precisely that (ie knocked myself out and ran a PB) which made the trip home long and slow. So I paced myself well today and finished with plenty left in the legs to run another 13km home.

Ruth and I then ran part of Lake Ginninderra and the peninsular together before going our respective ways. It was nice to have company for 6km of the 13km run home. The rest of the run was uneventful and I felt fine. It was another beautiful day – blue skies and sunshine. I wonder how long this will last? Well, that’s our second last long run done before the big one, and next week’s long run really isn’t one – its only about 13km.

Met up with Ruth again a bit later for lunch at Kingston and Co. By then both of us were starving – my last meal was at 5am! It was crazy busy at the Mall – so many people obviously doing last minute Easter shopping. So it was nice to sit down, relax and enjoy a yummy meal and a great coffee. Mr B joined us a little later.