What I've learnt today...

Erm...

1. that twisting your ankle hurts.
2. Continuing to run after twisting your ankle is a bad idea.
3. Lying on the sofa with ice on your ankle makes you feel like a fool for continuing to run after you twisted your god dam ankle.

Its time like these that I feel like karma, (I don't believe in karma but for the sake of this) catches up with you for getting ahead of yourself and saying your going to run a marathon...

So there I was on the way back from a 6mile-ish run, coming back through St James Park in the beautiful morning sunshine when I got distracted, looked over my shoulder and lost my footing. i.e. I placed my foot onto a small log, it obviously rolled over and ouch: twisted ankle pain. One hell of a lot of fff's later the immediate pain of it went and I tentatively started to put a bit of weight on the ankle and slowly picked up speed. For the mile and a half or so home I was vaguely conscious of my ankle but it felt ok.

But as soon as I got in the door and took off my trainers it was likes limpsvilletennessee. I hopped into an ice bath (for my sore shins, which I had pre twist, and for ankle.) I know I am very causally declaring that I 'hopped into an ice bath' - it was not a causal occurrence and was pretty mind blowing and my first ever ice bath but seemed a bit necessary. So hopefully that helped but excruciating pain followed this as I continued to ice swollen ankle, so much pain that I was un able to make it to fridge for snack!

It has eased now, I am just desperately hoping it was a mild sprain and won't stop me running for more than a few days. But I do feel like an idiot and wish I could turn back time and not have inflicted this onto myself. Not being able to run again for any length of time would destroy my soul somewhat.

Spring running

So it seems that without really meaning to this blog has become all about running...but running has been taking up alot of my life lately and it is also not something that your friends, work colleagues, boyfriend, family want to hear about ALL the time - they generally don't really care about your latest minute per mile rate.

But a bit of an update: i've become suddenly really quite serious about this running business. Im planning my training sessions in advance, i'm doing a fair bit of speed work and steadily increasing my mileage and i'm actually planning to run a marathon next year. This is madness. How can I actually be considering this? But I know, that if I train my heart out I can do it. I'm also suddenly obsessed with running forums and what other runners are doing...I've been buying running magazine for a while now but something has happened and everything is a bit more serious now. I have even joined a women's running club, which by the way, i'd highly recommend - its seriously motivating to run a bit faster when you are actually chasing people who are disappearing into the distance... Reading this back I sound a bit like a smug a-hole and my sisters would certainly agree with that but I don't even care because I love it.

Have had a few hard runs this week, a fast paced, (well for me, I may be serious about running but that does not been I have any natural ability to stride out effortlessly, but at least i'm keen). So anyway a fast 10k run (8.10 min miles) on thursday in the un-seasonally warm march midday sun was tough. As I was nearing the end, pounding along the South Bank I thought it would be socially acceptable to approach some innocent school kids and ask for water - not cool it turns out. They just think your mental, dripping with sweat, panting, bright red asking for some of their water. Needless to say they weren't so keen on sharing. Anyway this was followed by an interval session on Friday and it really took it out of me, so today I decided not to worry about pace at all and just have a gentle recovery run. Heading over the bridge to St James Park at 8am on a Sunday morning is delightful - so peaceful an lovely in the spring morning sunshine. I did an easy 6 miles and feel like it really renewed by love for running - sometimes you have to just enjoy yourself and not worry about times and paces. A sneaky look at my run tracker once I was home also showed that I still had a reasonable 8.48 min mile pace - secretly more smug eating my muesli now.

So thats why i'm in love with running and planning to run an actual marathon. What has happened to me?

Running progress

I'm well and truly getting my running mojo (sorry that I just willingly said mojo) back and its so liberating. I think thats what I love about running, that it makes you feel so free, and also kind of like a hero. I say that with the least smugness intended but its true. 

One of my regular running loops goes from my house to Lambeth Bridge and along the river to Waterloo Bridge, where I cross back over to the south side. There is something about Waterloo Bridge which gives me such a buzz. I think its because you have to run up some steps first then straight onto a bit of an incline over the hump of the bridge so your pretty out of breath. But you feel like your in the middle of the city and as I usually run about 8am, i'm hitting rush hour and running against the people and let me tell you there is something epic about this. Its tough but you feel like your winning, (it doesn't really matter who your beating - you just are.)

The more I run the more I want to improve, and get faster, better, run for longer. But I don't want to push it as another injury would be a nightmare. I've also set my sights on my next half marathon at some point this year and the full 26.2 miles next year. 

Another good thing about running is that it makes me care less about my weight. While I wasn't running (due to injury) I went down by about 5 pounds, in hindsight this was clearly because I was losing muscle but at the time I was secretly pleased. But equally I wasn't happy and felt totally down about not being able to run. But as i've been increasing my runs in length and frequency those 5 pounds have come back but I look in better shape and my 9 stone stable weight is back.

 This is the weight my body clearly wants to be (it really wont shut up about it) and I am not going to jeopardise anything about my running progress and ability to be the 8 1/2 stone I think is my 'ideal weight' because its not. I've decided to stop hopping on the scales now, apart from every once in a while - to check - but the every morning habit I was in last year is long gone. I still speak to women who weigh themselves every day and some twice a day and its so unhealthy and so pointless! It makes me sad though because I know how that number on the scales can totally dictate your mood and self esteem for that day. 

I've also got a rant to have about some of the diet fads going round at the moments, the Dukan being one of them, but i'll save that for another day. For now its time for an interval run and park workout eeek. Then for lunch: homemade falafel, pitta and haloumi and salad - horay. 

Some resourceful eats/more running

Its a bright day in London today and it smells a bit like spring - I know its still feb but a bit of optimism int a bad thing. Have been running this great loop from my house to and along the river and back via Waterloo bridge. Which, by the way is a great bridge to run over. It makes me feel quite epic and smug and thats quite enjoyable. Think its something about the view/people/up and down nature of bridges in general... Anyway its about 4.5 miles and is a lovely run to start the day, have definitely got running bug back with a vengeance and looking for  a club/ a buddy and a race to join / find / sign up to.

Anyway i've also found some nice recipes as i've been on my own in the flat this week, which makes me more resourceful and go to tescos less - so have discovered some yumsa eats.

Tasty sweet potato and bean bake.

• Small sweet potato
• 1/2 tin of baked beans
• bit of: onion, chilli, garlic, any other veggies you have.
• feta cheese
• seasoning, cumin.

Slice the sweet potatoes and bake in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil and sliced onions. Meanwhile fry up chilli, garlic and your other veg - I used a bit of courgette, peppers, aubergine. Then add a bit of cumin and fry for a few more mins. Then add your 1/2 tin of beans and cook all together till warm through. When the sweet pots are soft and cooked through pour your bean mixture on top and sprinkle with a cheese of your choice, I used feta. Pop back into oven for a few min. Delicious and nutritious and cheap and yum. 

Fishy salad. This was all I had left in fridge....

• piece of white fish
• courgette, peppers, onion, garlic, chilli.
• lime juice
• red pesto
• black pepper
• Leaves
• balsamic vinegar, wholegrain mustard and olive oil.

Fry up veggies then add seasoned fish to pan, add a few splashes of water and pop lid on until fish cooks through. Arrange some dressed leaves on a plate - dress with some olive oil, balsamic vinegar and whole grain mustard. When the fish is flaky and cooked though gently flake it up with a bit of red pesto. Pour the mixture onto leave and EAT. 

Using up stuff in the fridge is really satisfying and (often) well tasty so don't shy away from it be creative.... 

On another note - i tided my wardrobe LOOK: 

                                                     (Argh before)                      

                                                    (After... a bit nicer)

Phew Sunday has been quite productive. Time to roast and eat, eat and roast a chicken. woohoo.

Running again and delicious Moroccan stew

So its good news all round today...After months of frustration I am finally back in the game of running (if it was a game). I've had about 2 happy weeks now of no pain running and it feels brilliant. It started after a conversation about how many squats i'd been doing and seeing no improvement with a relative stranger, who, I think, I have to thank for being back on track. He, although possibly slightly alarmed about being engaged in a rambled discussed about my knee..( I don't know his name, but I knew he was a marathon runner so figured we were practically best pals) anyway he told me to stretch my hamstring 3 times a day - thats it, that simple... Im not sure if it was this or in fact the months of squats, bikram yoga, foam rolling i'd been doing but the next day - having stretched fanatically -  I apprehensively set off. Nervous, from repeated disappointment in my unworn snazzy running gear and I ran around the park - 2 laps, 20 minutes no pain. HORAY.

Although injury has been a massive pain and frustration and at times, my somewhat melodramatic self has despaired, i'm still glad it all happened as I now appreciate it more than ever. There is nothing like not being able to do something to make you really want it! So i'm being super careful and taking it slow but today I had a glorious 4-mile run along the South Bank and felt free and happy again.

Ok enough of that, I don't want you to vomit but there is another purpose of this post: to give you the recipe of the lovely veggie morrocaney stew I made on return. I didn't know what to make for lunch so I knocked this up based on what I had in the fridge/cupboard and it works so well...if i may say so myself.

Ingredients: (serves about 2)

• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 carrots
• 1 medium sweet potato
• any other veg you fancy (I used a few mushrooms and cherry tomatoes)
• 1/3 cup puy lentils
• 1/2- teaspoon of: coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and a splash of all spice. 
• Fresh corriander

Fry up onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil then add the spices and fry for a few more mins, (add spices to your own preferences). Add chopped up sweet potato, carrots and any other veggies your using - stir well then add your lentils. Cover will boiled water and leave to simmer with the lid on until lentils and vegetables are soft, add some fresh coriander Serve with cous cous. 

To make cous cous: 

Cook your plain cous cous, meanwhile chop up a small bunch of mint and coriander. Mix the herbs into the cous cous along with seasoning and tomato puree. Add some chopped up sun dried tomatoes or olives if you have any (or any other additions you fancy).

 *This is so tasty/warming and nutritious and goes down a treat. 

Healthy and delicious homemade pizza!

I ate lunch today with a feeling of pride, like I had actually won. Now i'm not really sure what i'd won, but either way I felt like a winner. I had created in a matter of minutes - probably about 15 to be exact - a healthy but delicious homemade pizza.

                                                     (yum)

So here is how I did it, and I urge you to do it too and feel like a winner.

The trick and the thing that made it healthy was the base; a wholemeal flatbread (you can find these in most supermarkets, you could also probably used a wholemeal pitta if you like.)

Ingredients:

• Wholemeal flatbread
• half an onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1-2 tomatoes 
• tiny bit of tomato puree
• Dried of fresh herbs and black pepper
• veggies of your choice - I used, peppers, mushrooms, courgettes and some jalapenos. 
• Cheese (you can again use any, I just used cheddar)  - if you want to restrict calories then use low fat but i'm not a great believer in low fat cheese...yes low fat yoghurt isn't a huge problem for me and I buy it, but low fat cheese?! please. 

It was so easy:

I blitzed up the onion and garlic and lightly cooked in a spot of olive oil then added the cut up tomatoes and tomato puree and cooked a little more before adding herbs and seasoning. Any italian herbs work nicely in this. I then spread this sauce all over my flat bread and piled chopped up topping of: mushrooms, peppers, courgettes and jalapenos all over the base. Finally I chucked on a load of grated cheese and put the whole thing in the oven for about 7-10 mins. 

I then took it out and ate it greedily and smugly with a side salad. And can I just say it was so nice! I didn't feel like I was compromising on anything and I didn't feel guilty for having pizza for lunch. Watch this space for more healthy alternatives as although I love salads, there is more to life and food than salad. 

The great thing about this nutrition-wise was the high fibre content with the wholemeal flatbread and all the vegetables. Although too much cheese is frowned upon, the amount used for this is hardly going to do anything and it adds some protein to the meal. You could also add some lean meat like chicken if you want a more protein rich meal. Ok get cooking and enjoy your meals as thats what counts!

Appreciating what we've got

Feeling a bit glum about city living and the constant peoplebeingrightthereinyourface - ness of it I was stomping on my way to work when I looked and saw I was standing by a beautiful lake on a frosty morning and the sun was coming up.

I stopped from my life and bad mood for about 30 seconds and it was really nice. I'm not saying I suddenly felt like a new woman and skipped through the rest of my day, but it did make me think that there are little things you can appreciate everywhere and its important to take a moment out of your head and look around.

London may be stressful sometimes and the daily commute is not ideal but sometimes one needs to get over oneself a bit....although geese are not necessarily friendly so its best not to stand by lakes in awe for too long.