Every so often, there comes an event that makes you re-evaluate things.
I've just had one of those.
Without going into too much detail, things have got pretty heavy of late.
I've lost my sense of routine, and I'm not afraid to admit that when I lose my routine, my eating habits go to shit.
I also basically had to relocate pretty quickly, so I am currently stranded in a city without any of my training gear - no running, no weights, no nothing.
And I'm not sure when I'll get back.
Normal service will resume shortly - I hope.
You'll be the first to know when it does.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Thursday, 19 January 2012
My hardest ever run
So, yeah, running is my thing.
Well, actually, I have several 'things' that I like to partake in: weight training, hillwalking, zumba, and (soon) swimming.
But running... I have a special place in my heart for running. It was the sport that got the cogs moving in the first place, and while I may go and flirt with other forms of exercise, I fear I will be a loyal runner 'til the end.
I may not be the fastest, I may not run the longest; but by jingo I love it. There's just something about pounding the pavement with nothing but my own thoughts for company that really appeals to me. Its like an odd kind of meditation.
But it wasn't always like this. It shames me to say, but this time last year I was anything but a runner. This time last year, I was a stressed out student, working all hours crouched over my laptop and with an empty tub of Ben and Jerry's at my feet.
I don't quite know what happened or how I got there, but I ended up on the NHS's Couch to 5K website. The C25K plan is a great programme designed to get total novices running for 30 minutes straight in nine weeks. If you're still looking to make that first step, I highly recommend it.
The first session is incredibly easygoing: 60 seconds jogging followed by 90 seconds walking, repeated for 20 minutes. In fact, it sounded so easy that it kind of lulled me into a false sense of security.
Well, once I had done the maths in my head, I realised that I would only be running for a grand total of eight minutes. The whole session, including warm ups and cool downs, was 30 minutes long, so technically it was more of a walk than a run.
I’ll admit, I was feeling a little cocky when I set out. I put the podcast on and started walking. I had planned my route before I left, which took me through the park merely a two minute walk from my flat.
Soon enough, the warm up was over. It was time to start running. The narrator warned me not to go too fast, as I might get tired and feel defeated. Yeah, right. 60 seconds of running? I think I can handle it.
The music switched from a relaxed pace to an upbeat boppy tune. I started jogging.
See? This is fine. I feel alright. This isn’t... too bad... Well... maybe... a... little... OH GOD I THINK MY LUNGS ARE ON FIRE!
I think I had run for about 15 seconds and already I was regretting my speed.
I slowed down to a snail’s pace and yet I was still gasping for breath. My heart was beating so hard I was scared it was going to burst right out of my chest.
After what felt like a lifetime the music stepped back down, and I stumbled to a halt.
Holy shit. That was rough. Was that only one minute? It felt like twenty.
I started to plod forwards. The podcast wanted me to move at a “brisk pace”, but to be honest I was surprised that I was able to stay upright. I’m only 22! How could I possibly be this unfit?! I had barely recovered when it was time to start running again.
I upped my pace, reluctantly, and tried to block out the unbearable pain that my body was screaming at me until I could start walking again.
When the sixty seconds was over, I started wandering on again, gasping for breath.
There was no way this could get any worse.
Unfortunately, when planning my route, I forgot to check the elevation stats.
I walked around the corner, looked up, and gave out a cry of desperation.
I was standing at the foot of a massive hill.
There was no way I could run up this thing. I took my iPod out of my pocket, and paused the podcast.
It only took me a minute or two to climb up the hill, but boy, it was tough. I took another minute to catch my breath back when I reached the summit and put the podcast back on.
I don’t know whether it was the amazing view or the relief from getting to the top of the hill, but I suddenly felt much, much better. The rest of the session was still a struggle, but I started to feel a lot more positive.
I started to notice my surroundings - they were stunning. The sun was beating down on my neck and I was running alongside a gorgeous castle that I had never seen up close before.
The rest of the session flew by and before I knew it, I was done. I felt on top of the world. I had really achieved something, and I had a gut feeling that the hardest part was already over.
And I was totally right.
Well, actually, I have several 'things' that I like to partake in: weight training, hillwalking, zumba, and (soon) swimming.
But running... I have a special place in my heart for running. It was the sport that got the cogs moving in the first place, and while I may go and flirt with other forms of exercise, I fear I will be a loyal runner 'til the end.
I may not be the fastest, I may not run the longest; but by jingo I love it. There's just something about pounding the pavement with nothing but my own thoughts for company that really appeals to me. Its like an odd kind of meditation.
But it wasn't always like this. It shames me to say, but this time last year I was anything but a runner. This time last year, I was a stressed out student, working all hours crouched over my laptop and with an empty tub of Ben and Jerry's at my feet.
I don't quite know what happened or how I got there, but I ended up on the NHS's Couch to 5K website. The C25K plan is a great programme designed to get total novices running for 30 minutes straight in nine weeks. If you're still looking to make that first step, I highly recommend it.
The first session is incredibly easygoing: 60 seconds jogging followed by 90 seconds walking, repeated for 20 minutes. In fact, it sounded so easy that it kind of lulled me into a false sense of security.
Well, once I had done the maths in my head, I realised that I would only be running for a grand total of eight minutes. The whole session, including warm ups and cool downs, was 30 minutes long, so technically it was more of a walk than a run.
I’ll admit, I was feeling a little cocky when I set out. I put the podcast on and started walking. I had planned my route before I left, which took me through the park merely a two minute walk from my flat.
Soon enough, the warm up was over. It was time to start running. The narrator warned me not to go too fast, as I might get tired and feel defeated. Yeah, right. 60 seconds of running? I think I can handle it.
The music switched from a relaxed pace to an upbeat boppy tune. I started jogging.
See? This is fine. I feel alright. This isn’t... too bad... Well... maybe... a... little... OH GOD I THINK MY LUNGS ARE ON FIRE!
I think I had run for about 15 seconds and already I was regretting my speed.
I slowed down to a snail’s pace and yet I was still gasping for breath. My heart was beating so hard I was scared it was going to burst right out of my chest.
After what felt like a lifetime the music stepped back down, and I stumbled to a halt.
Holy shit. That was rough. Was that only one minute? It felt like twenty.
I started to plod forwards. The podcast wanted me to move at a “brisk pace”, but to be honest I was surprised that I was able to stay upright. I’m only 22! How could I possibly be this unfit?! I had barely recovered when it was time to start running again.
I upped my pace, reluctantly, and tried to block out the unbearable pain that my body was screaming at me until I could start walking again.
When the sixty seconds was over, I started wandering on again, gasping for breath.
There was no way this could get any worse.
Unfortunately, when planning my route, I forgot to check the elevation stats.
I walked around the corner, looked up, and gave out a cry of desperation.
I was standing at the foot of a massive hill.
There was no way I could run up this thing. I took my iPod out of my pocket, and paused the podcast.
It only took me a minute or two to climb up the hill, but boy, it was tough. I took another minute to catch my breath back when I reached the summit and put the podcast back on.
I don’t know whether it was the amazing view or the relief from getting to the top of the hill, but I suddenly felt much, much better. The rest of the session was still a struggle, but I started to feel a lot more positive.
I started to notice my surroundings - they were stunning. The sun was beating down on my neck and I was running alongside a gorgeous castle that I had never seen up close before.
The rest of the session flew by and before I knew it, I was done. I felt on top of the world. I had really achieved something, and I had a gut feeling that the hardest part was already over.
And I was totally right.
Everyone should know how to make pancakes.
As I get older, I find myself getting increasingly angry at little things that really shouldn't bother me:
But out of all of those, I think the thing that ticks me off the most is those little 'pour and shake' pancake bottles you see in the supermarket.
PANCAKES
You will need:
Bung all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir away until you get a smooth mixture. Then put a couple of splashes of milk in to thin the mix out, until it is about the consistency of a gloopy custard.
If you have one, pour the mix into a measuring jug. Not necessary, but it makes the pouring out onto the griddle part a hell of a lot easier.
Put your griddle on a low to medium heat. If you're not sure, turn the heat down. Better to have a slowly cooked, consistently brown pancake than a pancake which is black on the outside and raw in the middle. Ick.
Pour your mix onto the griddle. How much you pour out depends purely on the size of pancake you want. If you want a bigger pancake for your mix, gently swill out the mixture on the griddle with the back of your spoon.
Wait until the pancake starts to bubble, then use a decent spatula to gently prize the mix from the griddle and flip over.
Wait about 20-30 seconds and your pancake should be ready. Once you've done the initial 'prize and flip', the pancake will be a lot easier to move from the griddle, so don't be scared to do a cheeky flip over to check for sure if it's done.
The amount that this mix will yield depends purely on how big you make your pancakes. I like to make mine pretty sizeable, so I get about three pancakes out of it.
If you make yours a similar size, they should have the following nutritional values:
Calories: 158
Fat: 2 grams
Saturated Fat: 1 gram
Oh yeah, that's another thing that annoys me. Recipes with no nutritional values. When I can, I will always include them. Promise.
Anyway. Now you know how to make pancakes, you never have to buy those silly bottle kits again! Liberating, right?!
- People who don't put their duffle coats up properly
- Homes that don't have their Christmas trees down yet (I mean, come on. It's late January!)
- People who claim to have found "spiritual enlightenment"
- Men who don't put dirty dishes in the dishwasher (Mr MFC, I'm looking at you)
- Wet towels on the floor
But out of all of those, I think the thing that ticks me off the most is those little 'pour and shake' pancake bottles you see in the supermarket.
I mean, come on. If you go to the effort of buying a shitty little pancake kit to pour onto your griddle, you might as well learn to make the damn things from scratch.
It's like four ingredients, and chances are you already have all of them in your cupboard.
So here's how to make pancakes like a real man:
PANCAKES
You will need:
- 6 Tablespoons Self Raising Flour
- 3 Tablespoons Caster Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 4 Tablespoons Semi-Skimmed Milk (plus more to mix)
Bung all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir away until you get a smooth mixture. Then put a couple of splashes of milk in to thin the mix out, until it is about the consistency of a gloopy custard.
If you have one, pour the mix into a measuring jug. Not necessary, but it makes the pouring out onto the griddle part a hell of a lot easier.
Put your griddle on a low to medium heat. If you're not sure, turn the heat down. Better to have a slowly cooked, consistently brown pancake than a pancake which is black on the outside and raw in the middle. Ick.
Pour your mix onto the griddle. How much you pour out depends purely on the size of pancake you want. If you want a bigger pancake for your mix, gently swill out the mixture on the griddle with the back of your spoon.
Wait until the pancake starts to bubble, then use a decent spatula to gently prize the mix from the griddle and flip over.
The amount that this mix will yield depends purely on how big you make your pancakes. I like to make mine pretty sizeable, so I get about three pancakes out of it.
If you make yours a similar size, they should have the following nutritional values:
Calories: 158
Fat: 2 grams
Saturated Fat: 1 gram
Oh yeah, that's another thing that annoys me. Recipes with no nutritional values. When I can, I will always include them. Promise.
Anyway. Now you know how to make pancakes, you never have to buy those silly bottle kits again! Liberating, right?!
Oh, hello there.
Hello!
That's me up there, waving like an absolute goon.
Welcome to my blog.
ABOUT ME
I like to keep fit. I also like to shovel food into my face. The former I have to conscientiously work at, while the latter comes fairly naturally.
Despite this, I managed to lose 20% of my body weight in about eight months last year. I'm now trying to keep that weight off. Sometimes I find it fairly easy, while other times it is a massive pain in the ass.
Just like those folks in the Bupa ads, I'm just trying to find healthy.
I'll try and write about my attempt at life here.
Enjoy.
P.S:
I am an idiot. Seriously.
I'm not a doctor, nurse, or any other medical professional, nor do I claim to be.
Any medical / dietary advice I put on here comes from my own personal experience and may not be suitable for everyone. You should seek medical advice before blindly following any of it.
All clear?! Excellent!
Then I shall begin.
That's me up there, waving like an absolute goon.
Welcome to my blog.
ABOUT ME
I like to keep fit. I also like to shovel food into my face. The former I have to conscientiously work at, while the latter comes fairly naturally.
Despite this, I managed to lose 20% of my body weight in about eight months last year. I'm now trying to keep that weight off. Sometimes I find it fairly easy, while other times it is a massive pain in the ass.
Just like those folks in the Bupa ads, I'm just trying to find healthy.
I'll try and write about my attempt at life here.
Enjoy.
P.S:
I am an idiot. Seriously.
I'm not a doctor, nurse, or any other medical professional, nor do I claim to be.
Any medical / dietary advice I put on here comes from my own personal experience and may not be suitable for everyone. You should seek medical advice before blindly following any of it.
All clear?! Excellent!
Then I shall begin.
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