I've decided to try something new and move my blog to wordpress (mainly because of their pretty iPad presentation!) and also because the blog never ended up being about food, so the name of the blog doesn't seem to fit. I may still ocassionally post here (not that I think anyone reads this)
Anyway, read mudpluslotus.blogspot.com :)
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
An epic Sizzler meal
I'm not good at blogging about things as they happen. In any case, this was dinner last night. I think I've said it before (or have I?) that Sizzler is great when travelling. Ok so it's not as cheap as it used to be, but it's fast and sort of fresh! I ate soup, 2 half slices of cheese toast (you can see it in the background), a giant plate of salad plus a small dessert, and I was finished in 30min! Plus you don't have waiters hanging around, and everyone else is so busy filling their plates that it's not all that obvious that you're alone. Well it doesn't feel that obvious!
Are you comfortable eating by yourself?
Are you comfortable eating by yourself?
Long runs
Posting about today's run made me realize I hadn't made any mention of Monday's run!
It was the longest run I've done in a long time. I always mentally struggle with long runs, so lately I've been making an effort to increase my mileage in other ways. It's easier for me to run 18km with a 5km race in the middle, or to do a long warm up/cool down. I've also been making an effort to do midweek longish runs of around 15-16km.
In any case, I planned out a 20km route, left my watch at home and headed out the door. It was a nice route, running by the river at UQ then over the Indro bridge, through Tennyson and then home. I didn't know that there was tennis on (the Brisbane International), and when I realized I was too stubborn to re-route! Needless to say, the crowds were massive and it felt very strange running through there in a skirt and sports bra... Plus I got spotted by someone I know!
I made it home in one piece, and even treated myself to a vanilla powerbar gel at 17km. Warm, white, runny substances aren't all that enticing in the middle of a run...
I don't normally do gels, but sometimes I need something to look forward to in order to make it out the door. If I have anything it'll usually be honey, or chews. Much tastier than a gel! I Aldo figure that because I don't plan on racing longer distances yet it doesn't matter if I use something that takes longer to eat. I don't eat something on every long run, I'm undecided if I think you should train your body to be more efficient on empty. I usually just use the energy stuff for motivation!
What session do you find the hardest to get out the door for? And are you a believer in gels?
It was the longest run I've done in a long time. I always mentally struggle with long runs, so lately I've been making an effort to increase my mileage in other ways. It's easier for me to run 18km with a 5km race in the middle, or to do a long warm up/cool down. I've also been making an effort to do midweek longish runs of around 15-16km.
In any case, I planned out a 20km route, left my watch at home and headed out the door. It was a nice route, running by the river at UQ then over the Indro bridge, through Tennyson and then home. I didn't know that there was tennis on (the Brisbane International), and when I realized I was too stubborn to re-route! Needless to say, the crowds were massive and it felt very strange running through there in a skirt and sports bra... Plus I got spotted by someone I know!
I made it home in one piece, and even treated myself to a vanilla powerbar gel at 17km. Warm, white, runny substances aren't all that enticing in the middle of a run...
I don't normally do gels, but sometimes I need something to look forward to in order to make it out the door. If I have anything it'll usually be honey, or chews. Much tastier than a gel! I Aldo figure that because I don't plan on racing longer distances yet it doesn't matter if I use something that takes longer to eat. I don't eat something on every long run, I'm undecided if I think you should train your body to be more efficient on empty. I usually just use the energy stuff for motivation!
What session do you find the hardest to get out the door for? And are you a believer in gels?
Just get out there
Sometimes there is no point making excuses. Today was one of those days where I was really hungry when I got home from work, so while I was checking FB and wasting time I ate way too many honey wasabi peanuts (delicious!) and then decided while I was at it to scoff down some chocolate. I can be good at self sabotage sometimes!
Normally I wouldn't run on such a full belly, but today I decided to just suck it up and go. It wasn't fast, but I was out there for 90 min and it felt good!
When have you proven yourself wrong about whether or not to exercise?
Normally I wouldn't run on such a full belly, but today I decided to just suck it up and go. It wasn't fast, but I was out there for 90 min and it felt good!
When have you proven yourself wrong about whether or not to exercise?
Saturday, 31 December 2011
New Year eats
I really enjoyed New Years Eve this year. Normally it doesn't excite me, but this year it was chilled out and just nice! And we spent it with some of our favourite people.
The day started with Parkrun, then we went up the coast to see J's auntie and uncle. They're always really happy to see us! We were put to work when we got there, making wontons. They'd already made the filling so it was up to us to wrap them and then steam them. They even made fresh sweet chilli sauce to go with it and it was way better than bottled stuff! That's definitely something we'll be making in the future.
Main course was prawn salad. J's aunt was disappointed in it because the ginger was a bit overpowering but it was still nice. We then had pavlova shells with fruit for dessert.
After a lazy afternoon at their house watching Mt Coolum come and go in the distance (there was a bit of rain around so he disappeared from view at times) it was time to head home.
We were a little bit dubious about dinner. A friend of ours decided to create a roast, that was chicken wrapped in lamb then wrapped in pork. It cooked for about 6 hours, and actually turned out perfectly! They seasoned each layer and had a few different sauces to go with it. plus delicious salty crackling.
It was up to everyone else to bring salad so we had a potato salad, pasta salad (made with lasagne sheets) and green salad. They were all delicious!
It was a struggle to make it to midnight, but we finally got there. Let's say I over-indulged just a little bit in the meantime!
I hope everyone else had a fab new years, and spent it with people who are important in your lives!
The day started with Parkrun, then we went up the coast to see J's auntie and uncle. They're always really happy to see us! We were put to work when we got there, making wontons. They'd already made the filling so it was up to us to wrap them and then steam them. They even made fresh sweet chilli sauce to go with it and it was way better than bottled stuff! That's definitely something we'll be making in the future.
Main course was prawn salad. J's aunt was disappointed in it because the ginger was a bit overpowering but it was still nice. We then had pavlova shells with fruit for dessert.
After a lazy afternoon at their house watching Mt Coolum come and go in the distance (there was a bit of rain around so he disappeared from view at times) it was time to head home.
We were a little bit dubious about dinner. A friend of ours decided to create a roast, that was chicken wrapped in lamb then wrapped in pork. It cooked for about 6 hours, and actually turned out perfectly! They seasoned each layer and had a few different sauces to go with it. plus delicious salty crackling.
It was up to everyone else to bring salad so we had a potato salad, pasta salad (made with lasagne sheets) and green salad. They were all delicious!
It was a struggle to make it to midnight, but we finally got there. Let's say I over-indulged just a little bit in the meantime!
I hope everyone else had a fab new years, and spent it with people who are important in your lives!
Really racing
Sometimes, it all just falls in place.
I ran Parkrun yesterday morning, and while I didn't run a ground-breaking time I'm really happy with the race.
Parkrun is still quite new in Australia, and about 65 people ran yesterday. I ran 6.5km there as a warmup, and wasn't sure how good I was feeling. I went out too hard (like usual) but still at a controlled pace. After about 1km a girl caught up to me and we paced off each other for the next 3km. I could tell she was working hard, and I was making a big effort to control my breathing so that I wouldn't give away that I was working hard myself!
With one km to go I decided to push the pace and see if she'd go with me, and I managed to drop her. I ended up beating her by about 30 sec! I don't often run tactical races so it was good to get the experience.
This week is another 70km week, with 2 big speed sessions and a race. I'm getting stronger!
I ran Parkrun yesterday morning, and while I didn't run a ground-breaking time I'm really happy with the race.
Parkrun is still quite new in Australia, and about 65 people ran yesterday. I ran 6.5km there as a warmup, and wasn't sure how good I was feeling. I went out too hard (like usual) but still at a controlled pace. After about 1km a girl caught up to me and we paced off each other for the next 3km. I could tell she was working hard, and I was making a big effort to control my breathing so that I wouldn't give away that I was working hard myself!
With one km to go I decided to push the pace and see if she'd go with me, and I managed to drop her. I ended up beating her by about 30 sec! I don't often run tactical races so it was good to get the experience.
This week is another 70km week, with 2 big speed sessions and a race. I'm getting stronger!
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Last night's motel dinner
This is what happens when I travel a lot! I get sick of eating out so I end up buying whatever takes my fancy at the supermarket. It was a bit small last night but still satisfying.
My run yesterday afternoon was brilliant. I ran a 5km hilly warm up, the 30 min of 1 min on 2 min off, then another hilly 5km at the end. The weather was perfect, it was on a country road and a small storm passed through. I love running in light rain, and the clouds made for an epic sunset! I'm sore now but it was very worthwhile.
Happy New Year for tomorrow night!
My run yesterday afternoon was brilliant. I ran a 5km hilly warm up, the 30 min of 1 min on 2 min off, then another hilly 5km at the end. The weather was perfect, it was on a country road and a small storm passed through. I love running in light rain, and the clouds made for an epic sunset! I'm sore now but it was very worthwhile.
Happy New Year for tomorrow night!
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