If it’s hurting, it’s working
Pain is temporary, quitting is forever
If you find yourself going through hell, keep going
Are you going to be a wimp, or are you going to be strong today?
Can I give more? Yes.
Rock what you’ve got.
I set a new distance record for myself today!! EIGHTEEEEEN big ones baby!! Oh yes 🙂 Run recap and a ton o’ horsey action shots to come….
—-
Saturday
Breakfast:
A lorra lorra cereal, with a splash of soya milk (the self-confessed milk & cereal hater can now have milk and cereal…what has the world come to??), yogurt, wheatgerm, a banana and blackberries
A side of fig 🙂
I sure worked myself up a mild appetite for lunch! Cos I rode Mrs Chika in between, and – due to the terrifying wind – she was quite the handful. I set out thinking ‘bah, it’s cold and windy, I’ll only do 25mins’…..50mins later, I finished! She’d decided that she couldn’t (could?) see the lions hiding in the grass with all the wind, therefore it was perfectly necessary to spend 30minutes spooking at the exact same spot. Over and over. And over. And over.. Mares!! Luckily, just as she was determined to spook, I was equally determined for her NOT to spook – Battle of The Mare vs The Girl commenced (albeit with no violence obvs!!). I won 😀 we finished on an ace note, and both came in tired and happy 🙂
Um…sidetrack much?? Lunch! I had to carbo load today, due to the impending 18miler on Sunday, so it was the winding route of kamut tagliatelle that won my charms today. A nice hefty portion, served with a ‘sauce’ made from a 1/2 tin of chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, mixed herbs, garlic, stock, swede, turnip, broccoli, celeriac, parsnip and squash:
Sure was delicious! A piece of Lindt may have been eaten too…
The afternoon was spent gettin’ ma bake on! My gran had given me a huge (arm size) courgette the other week, and a request to bake a chocolate courgette cake. Like the good grandchild I am, I obeyed:
Voila!
I then had a taste for baking….so I whipped up some muffins from Allie’s recipe section. The original recipe was for pumpkin and carrot muffins, but I firstly vegan-ised it (by using 1tbsp chia seeds mixed with 2tbsp water), and English-ised it – mashed banana in place of pumpkin!
Instead of making 6 large muffins, I made 12 mini muffins instead 🙂
Tooooo cute!!
My afternoon snack was some cereal and yogurt:
And dinner was the scrummiest mix of maple roast sweet potato, lentils cooked with apple, and maple roast kabocha and parsnip:
In hindsight, although this meal was delicious – it was too much fibre!
I had a little dessert of Lindt, yogurt and a cracker 🙂
——
Sunday
I was awoken ever so rudely by an alarm at 6.30am today. Why? I had eighteen miles to run of course! However the weather was looking seriously dodgy, with heavy showers forecast….so I wolfed down a breakfast cookie (1/2c. oats, mashed banana, peanut butter, milk), as well as a few dates and a spoon of Grape Nuts:
And then 1/2 hour later, I set out.
BAD MOVE!
The first 5 miles of my run were hell on earth. I felt so amazingly SICK. At 3.66 miles, I had to stop for 15mins, expecting to throw up at any second, whilst having a major cry session. I couldn’t believe how ill I felt after so little distance, and all I could think was ‘I’ve got a half marathon left to run….’. It was horrific! However, I had to keep going. I was 2miles from home, and I knew my mum would be waiting for me. The next 2miles were deathly slow (like, 10.50pace), but I did them. When I saw my mum’s glowing pink coat at the end of my drive, it was like a beacon of hope 😛
I cried on her for a few mins, cos I felt so bad, but after a little weeny pep talk, I set out again, on a 3mile loop. Baby steps! Thankfully, I started to feel a bit better. After an hour and 20mins or so, my stomach started to settle. No sooner had that settled, did the clouds UNsettle, and the rain clouds open. And open they did! I’m talking monsoon like rain, for an hour. I literally could not SEE cos it was raining so hard, and I was soaked to the skin. It was horrible!! But my mum, bless her, was waiting for me after every loop (even the 2mile one!) to just be there for support. Words can’t describe how grateful I was to her! Especially since she was getting soaked too!!
Anyway – despite the rain and the sick stomach and all, there was some good – my legs felt GREAT! The whole achey-leg thing is a distant memory now 🙂 Thank goodness for Brooks trainers! And after the rain slowed, I actually started to enjoy myself again. The best bit? The last 2miles, when my mum dug out her old bike (she hasn’t ridden one in decades) and wobbled down the road next to me, singing crap folk songs (!) to me and telling jokes and laughing! I was running with a Hugh Jass smile on my face 🙂 I also seemed to get a second wind of energy, which meant I decided to get my run finished in under 3hours (on the wonk cos I can’t rotate it :p):
Oh yeah!!!
The start was slow, but I finished strong, and felt I could have even continued for quite a lot more miles!! Needless to say, I was happy 🙂
My average pace was 9.58, total 2hrs59. During the run, I drank about 750ml Lucozade Sport, and ate a Power bar. I probably should have had more, but it wasn’t until mile 13 that I even started eating <- that’s how sensitive my stomach felt! But regardless, I finished great (no walls for me :p), so alls well that ends well 😀
Oh! Amazingly, I didn’t use my ipod for the entire run! And it was fine! I entertained myself by singing ‘There were 99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer…take one down, swirl it around, there were 98 bottles of beer on the wall….’. Weird, but it worked!
When I got inside, I quickly ate a mini banana/carrot muffin:
And then went on a 10min walk to stretch out. Lovely 🙂 Brunch was a proper big old Epic Green Monster:
- 1 c. cereal
- 1/2 c. soya milk
- 1/2 c. soya yogurt
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- xanthan gum
- loooooads of spinach
- a massive banana
Perfect post-run fuel!!
And as usual…this is now a massive long post, so I’ll speed up!!!
I made my mum and I soya cappucinos (spelt wrong…!) for a nice afternoon break:
Could have had more froth but my mum was on the phone so I couldn’t blend for long enough 😛
We aslo played horses in the afternoon – lunged Tig over jumps:
And showed my baby some love 🙂
Excuse my outfit! Gran-knitted hat, long thick horse socks, 3/4 length trousers…I’m pure class. I also did some yoga, which was fabulous! Nothing like a good stretch after 3hrs of running 🙂
Annnnd that’s where I’ll leave it! I had a delicious snack too, but the pic isn’t on here so….whateverz :p
Question: do you have any inspirational quotes? How do you keep yourself motivated/not bored during a long run?
What’s been your biggest achievement lately? It doesn’t have to be physical, or huge – an achievement is an achievement, regardless of size 🙂
I plug in my iPod and especially jam out to my Lady Gaga songs. She truly inspires my running for some reason. Also, looking at gardens, houses, and stores along the way, talking to myself in my head, sketching out what I’m going to write in my blog post for the day, etc.
My biggest achievement was the 5K I ran this morning! You can read all about it later this evening when I make a post. 🙂
Congrats on your fantastic new distance record! Now REST.
Aah I love looking in people’s houses! It’s a shame I live in the middle of nowhere – surrounded by fields at all times!
BIG congrats on your 5k, well done!!
YAY! Well done you!!
I bought xanthan gum the other day having asked you about it, EPIC is the word. Also love that you have sweet potato and yogurt in your last post, one of the best combinations e v e r.
An acheivement i’m proud of is completing 5 weeks of P90X (only 7 more to go :0) which is a bit of a change from my normal cardio queen workouts, and its yeilding great results!
I like planning what i’m going to eat or wear once I’ve finished my long runs, it helps take the pain away for a while and gives you something good to look forward to.
Congrats again, bet your feeling proud now its over, if not- you should be!!
Thank you! I am proud now 🙂
Awh I’m so glad you love it!!! It is SUCH amazing stuff! Once you’ve had it, you just can’t go back…
I love the lyrics to Going through hell…if you’re going through hell keep on going before the devil even knows you’re there. This normally helps me when I’m struggling
That’s a good one 🙂
Congrats on the 18 miles! 😀
Love the Tig photos, and the baking photos. That courgette cake looks amazing – I want to bake now 😛
(Congrats on winning the The Mare v The Girl battle :P)
Hope you have a great evening!
Hehe, it sure went down well with my gran!
Workin’ that granny chic girl…. LOVES it!!! today i rocked out in my oversized tacky bums an old holey but tres warm mans jumper and my slipper socks pulled up high, oh yes.. im quite the catch :-p
x
You sound liek you got style 😀 LOVE it!!! Home is for comfort, IMHO :p
CONGRATS!!! seriously you are completely epic to run 18 miles!! you are gonna rock the marathon 😀
i have to have my ipod if i do a long run or i get so bored!! but having said that i hardly ever use it at races because i would rather take in the atmosphere!
my biggest achievment recently was the Great North Run last week, absolutely fantastic!!
Wow! That’s a difficult hilly one isn’t it? Go you!
YES! the hills killed me but the atmosphere was soooo amazing that it was all worthwhile!
Well done on finishing your run, it’s an amazing distance to run. I find just listening to music helps keep me going – I make lots of different playlists…cheese, hip hop, electro. Often I just like songs I can sing along too to make me forget I’m running. The Glee soundtrack is a current fave! Ruby x
Ah yes, singing along is so fun!! Makes miles fly by 🙂
SO PROOOOUUD!!!!!Hah lesson learnt, perhaps wait an hour after eating brekkie next time?
YOU RUN SO FAST! You are so going to rock your marathon without a doubt 🙂
xxx
I normally do wait an hour – I blame the RAIN! I was in such a rush to get started 😛 BAH. Next time, it can be freakin warning of tornadoes and I will wait the full hour lol 😛 xxx
Congrats on the new distance record!! Sounds like you did awesome, especially given the sick feeling you dealt with in the beginning!!
All the meals and snacks look beyond lovely. I love the little baby muffins!! And the soya cappuccino? Uh, I’ll take one!
Tig is such a CUTE jumper!! And I love the last shot of you and Chika. If I’m just doing horse work around here I have the most ridiculous outfits half the time! haha. Namely, high socks even if I’m not wearing tall boots anymore.
I sing to myself while I’m riding Teddie allll the time! Especially if we’re doing something “scary” (to him) or there’s a lion in the bush – keeps me breathing at least!
Yes yes I sing riding too!! It’s quite relaxing :DHehe, when I was typing about my socks, I thought of you! I think you wrote on your blog before you have loads of crazy horse socks on all the time :p they’re so much thicker and more tough and comfy…I love them :DTig is blushing 🙂
Wow, congratz on your run!!
18 miles is SERIOUS, haha
Oh and hooray for soy cappuccinos! I love them 🙂 I had one this morning actually!
Freaking addictive aren’t they!?
Congratulations! And bless your mum, she sounds brilliant.
I love the bay horse, he makes such a lovely shape jumping! Is he a baby? I had exactly the same battles today; my horse is a gelding but VERY mareish, grrr…
And my yard “fashion” is very similar to yours except probably less stylish 🙂
Eleanor
Ha no, Tig is 13! He has quite an effortless jump, and cos it was only tiny he was giving it loads of room 🙂
Congrats!! Seriously, if you can do 18 then you can do a marathon 😀
Towards the end of a long run, I would always think to myself “Ok, this is what separates the quitters from the champs. Be a champ!”
Thank you 🙂 and ooh – love that quote!
Way to power through those 18 miles! You go, girl! Nice Carter pic. Your lawn is so lush and green. 🙂
Hehe, it needs cutting!!
Congrats on that run! Nice 🙂
Freya, I’m in the UK too … and REALLY craving kabocha (love, love, love it) – but I can’t find them over here. I know you understand the love, where are you buying yours please?!
Hey- I have bought kabocha squash in waitrose- they always seem to have them. Recently they have had acorn squash and also mini pumpkins. Worth a look 🙂
YAY for a British kabocha fan! I get mine either from Waitrose (but only the massive, biggest ones seem to sell it) and from a local greengrocers, which sells them super cheap (99p per kg). They are so tough to find though :s Have you tried ethnic grocery stores? They often stock funky squashes 🙂
Thanks both of you! Ohhhh I wish I had a Waitrose, I really like them. Unfortunately we don’t just yet … but they are currently building one very nearby.
Ha, I’ll be the weirdo queuing up on opening day, racing to be the first to the produce department!
I know you’re right about the ethnic groceries, it’s the only place I’ve had any luck to-date. Again, nothing local unfortunately. I should have looked into growing my own … but at the rate I used to go through them when I had easy access … well, I’d need a small farm 🙂
AMAZING job on the 18 miler!! I’m in awe of people training for marathons…that just seems like such a long time to be running! Glad you finished feeling good 🙂
Before I set out on a run, I’m always so excited to make it a good one. I try to kind of bottle that feeling and pull it out mid-run…I want to live up to my own excitement! And just “You can do it” helps a lot too. Running is so mental- a good attitude does wonders!
Hope you’ve had a wonderful end to your weekend love!!
Oooh that sounds like a fab idea, the bottling thing! Love it :)I know…3hrs is SUCH a long time! Sometimes I look back, and just think ‘…erh…eh??’!
Woo hoo – great run girlie, you should be so proud! You’re going to rock the marathon for sure. 🙂
Thank you hun!
Well done on those 18 miles, esp in that weather!
I used to listen to music, but now I listen to podcasts- there are some fab ones on marathontalk.com (Liz Yellings husband and another runner)- they have a new one each week, interview atheletes and people involved in running (a few weeks ago it was the race director for the chicago marathon)- really interesting and also inspiring at the same time- they have had people on there who do ultra running too (one guy who did 100km and stuff like that). I would totally recommend that for helping to pass the time and also inrpire at the same time.
🙂
Oooh they sound brilliant!! Thank you for the suggestion!
Good for you! I am proud of you for finishing – I hate it when my stomach feels like a big lump while I’m running. Ugh it makes me cranky too!
I swear, stomachs are the least useful things when it comes to running..more trouble than they’re worth!
Congrats on the long run! I ran my second half marathon race this morning and set a new PR – 1hr 47 mins! Was pretty happy with my performance!
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Awesome job!!! That’s a super brilliant time, you should be proud!
Amazing, well done for persevering despite the difficult start – many people would have given up.
Lots of random things drift in and out of my head when I run – part of why I enjoy it! Music helps, and my natural nosiness kicks in when running past houses and having a good old look.
My biggest achievement was my first 8 mile run yesterday. It felt great 🙂
Ooh well done!!! 8miles is a big achievement 😀 there’s nothing that compares to a runner’s high 🙂
GO YOU! You should definitely have some of that sublime looking cake as a reward for that accomplishment 😀
Haha, no chance 😛 not vegan, now in my gran’s stomach!! But I sure did treat myself to lots o’ dessert 😛
Wow girl, congrats on your long run!!!! And without no music? You ROCK!!
Love ya!
Hehe thank you!!
“Are you going to be a wimp, or are you going to be strong today?” Thank you for that! I have to say, your inspirational quotes are much appreciated at this juncture in my life. I’m going through some truly terrible things (having been in the hospital since Wednesday) and have some procedures that I’m prepping for right now–which is making me totally melt down. I’m really trying to NOT wimp out!
I AM A ROCKSTAR.
And so are you, too 🙂 Congrats on the 18-miler!
Oh I’m sorry you’re going through a tough time 😦 but YAY if the quotes help!! I really really hope you feel better soon – I’ll be thinking of you!
Thanks, Freya 🙂 I made it through! Your post came at exactly the right time.
Hey beautiful girlie! I showed my hubby this post (Okay, I’ll admit it, I show him almost all your posts ’cause you’re the only girl who tackles as many miles as my crazy running hubby) and after I told him ’bout your stomach issues + such, he was like “tell her I can help her train!” haha aww. But do you usually eat a bfast almost riiight before a run? ’cause I’ve read you should either eat something “mini” (1 piece fruit, wheat germ or almonds n such) pre-run, or wait an hour or so after eating something a little more hardy. Ah, well, congrats on the 18 miles! You’re amazing! Hope your future runs go bettah, and minus the rain, nah? take care 🙂
Haha your husband sounds great!!Normally, I have something small (ie an apple) pre run, and allow probably a 1/2 hour. Before the big ones I’ve been eating more substantial and have allowed an hour – apart from yesterday! I knew there was loads of rain coming, so I only left 1/2hr cos I was dying to get out there and I thought i could get away with it – apparently not lol!! Lesson learnt :p
Great job! You should be so proud of yourself!
My biggest accomplishment lately? Trying to push myself out of my comfort zone socially
Good for you! Anything outside of a comfort zone is tough, so I applaud you 🙂
Once again, congrats! 18 miles is longer than a lot of people realize, which i am sure YOU realized today! By the way, you look like one of Santa’s elves in your g’mas hat… hah. Don’t worry, you make a cute elf 😉
Haha, that is EXACTLY what I said when I saw that elf-picture too! It think it’s the hat..and the socks..and trousers…maybe I am an elf?
Congrats on the 18 miler! That is such a long run…I am very impressed. Also the horsey pics are adorable. Such a cute jumper!
He’s a sweet horse 🙂
WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!! You know, you’re such an inspiration 🙂 I love how you push yourself, even when the run is tough, but then again you also listen to your body when it needs rest. Congrats again!
Ha, you do make it sound quite good 😛
Thanks for giving my muffins a try!! Good to know the veganizing worked. I love how you cradle them in your palm 🙂
LOL! Well they were so precious, they needed cradling :p they were super super delicious though!! I just managed to freeze 4 of them (and eat 1 myself) before my mum took them all :s
Congrats lady!!! wow i am so impressed you muscled through wind and rain and tummy upset and everything and got it DONE!! woohoo!
oh and your outfit is very cute 🙂
well done! thats amazing, i cant run down the road! my biggest agravement lately? ive lost 6 and a half stone in 7 months 😀 x x x
THAT is amazing!