So, last time I wrote about running, being honest & making an open declaration seems to have worked (need to remember that in future!) & I’m buckling down to the training & putting in more miles (at last!). But with that I need to get my diet right. Last time I trained for a half marathon I remember getting so wiped out during the week: work was full on, long runs never before known to my poor body were taking place on Sunday mornings with a couple of shorter ones in the week. I can recall some HIDEOUS long runs, one particularly sticks in my mind that involved the most shocking of long hills (at the end of the run too – not good!). Not being able run up it, I walked it, up to the next bend, finding yet more uphill at each bend, getting to the top eventually. Once at the top my jelly legs were in mutiny & had to be talked round extremely reluctantly, dragging the final mile & a half homeward. Once home, I had the longest deepest bath & crashed into bed (1 o’clock in the afternoon). It was only about an hour later that I realised I’d not had anything much to eat since 8.30 am’s porridge & was fantasizing over steak & chips (bad omen – I’ve not eaten meat for 10 years). I wobbled into the kitchen & spun a quick spud in the microwave, loving its beautiful carbs. So this is one example of where I got it most definitely wrong last time. I also got it wrong in general, finding that after a couple of months of training, my mental acuity lapsed & I’d octogenarian moments at work when trying to figure something out, or remember something. This had crept up slowly, as my memory’s not the best, however, it had an impact on my confidence as well which I’d been unaware of. Very strange! But I took a Neal’s Yard tincture, tried not to over do it & forgave myself – it wasn’t my poor old body’s fault – it was what I was doing to it!!
So, with the experience of last time, I feel I should learn from my mistakes. Training this time does seem to be more comfortable – the long Thursday evening run doesn’t totally incapacitate me so that I can even drive home. But I still need to get my diet in the right place. I have found Go faster food site & the book that goes with it really helpful in explaining why you need more carbs & what type when. Being a veggie/ fish eater I am concerned about getting enough protein for running longer distances, but once again this is explained & I’ve got enough ideas about the balance too (lovely pulses, fish of course, eggs).
So, whilst I haven’t finished my research yet, I’m changing my breakfast from whole fruit smoothies to porridge with fruit (today’s was the best yet – kinda peach melba with ripe strawberries & peaches), thinking that I’m just picking up my carb intake gradually. I’m going to look up some good recovery smoothie recipes & make it up in advance to slurp when I return …this looks like a good one all text & recipe taken word for word from this page on Go Faster Food – thank you Kate Percy.
Ginger and Melon Rescue Remedy
Melon has a higher G.I. than most fruit, it has high water content and it is particularly refreshing. Athletes will often eat melon straight after a long work-out for this reason. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory qualities, so make up this juice in advance and enjoy it as soon as you get back from your hot and sweaty 17-mile training run…
1 melon, skinned and seeded (gala, charentais, honeydew – works well with any type except watermelon)
small piece of fresh ginger (1/2-1 cm cube), peeled and chopped
4 crushed ice cubes
Whizz all this up in a blender and drink immediately
In the book there are also recipes for Pear & Watercress wake-up juice, Strawberry Mint Vitamin rush that I’ll try this week.
Bought lots of fruit at today’s market, plus sweet potatoes, butternut squash & beetroot. Another of my fave cookery books is Cranks Fast Food by Nadine Abensur. The recipes are all veggie, super tasty, but even better they are SO quick to make – usually about half an hour tops. I have lots of cookery books, but this has to be the one that I have used the most, & when I’m feeling in need of inspiration to get my cooking butt into gear, this book helps me rediscover the joys of great tasting simple food. The warm salad section is most worn, covered in cooking splashes, especially the broad bean, goats cheese & new potato salad, & the salad with halloumi cheese & chick peas ….PS Sorry lazy picture copy & pasting – I need too get on with some sewing!
