Another run home, another foot dunk...

Post-run foot dunking is so refreshing. This could become a thing. Tonight it was dark when I finally got home. I also managed to get in a bit of food-weight-training by stopping off at the shop on the way back home and picking up some Babybel cheeses, avocados, yogurt and milk. I always end up picking up way too much on a quick trip to the shop.

Really looking forward to the Dovedale Dipper 26 miler on Sunday - done it a few times before and even though the cows in the first field always scare me, it's a really friendly little run. I'm hoping me and my boyfriend can spend a couple of days in the Peak District afterwards and have a little explore.

And I am now seriously contemplating doing the Leeds to Liverpool 130 mile race again on August Bank Holiday weekend. I've got to sort out a few 'logisticals', but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to. I'm always up for a long ultra-running challenge...

A bit random, but...

... I had a really sweaty day at work yesterday. It was busy busy and the air-con was off. To use up the little bit of energy I had left, I decided to run home from work. I was feeling pretty knackered and my feet were feeling pretty sweaty. Fortunately it had been raining all day and I happened across a large, yellow container under our guttering. It was full to the brim with rain water.

It was far too tempting not to take off my trainers and stick my feet in the cold, refreshing water. Best feeling ever. Ahhhhhh.

The last few days...

The last few days I have...

* Been tormented by the biggest house spider ever. I thought I was safe now, because we (not really we, as I definitely did not partake) had managed to kill 'Biggest House Spider No.1' about a week ago, but now there is another one, living in the same nook and it's out for revenge. It only seems to come out in the evening and during moments where I have momentarily let my guard down. An example of this would be whilst on the loo or in the shower...

* Run home from work a few times and been high-fived by a fellow runner. Yesterday's run was much more energetic than today's. My legs felt so stiff and achy after work. I really felt like I was plodding along very slowly. So, when an unidentified runner from my old club ran past in the opposite direction and enthusiastically high-fived me, it put a big grin on my face and made me dig that bit deeper. And camaraderie is the name of that run.

* Eaten lots of scrummy food. So, we decided to try the food at a pub that we always drive past but have never eaten at. I had a fairly unhealthy Caesar salad, with pan-fried salmon and mega amounts of Parmesan cheese - my favourite. It was delicious. We also ordered some chips that had been drizzled with truffle oil and sprinkled (not really the right word given the size of the parmesan shavings) with parmesan. Shaved parmesan would probably be more accurate. I felt like this balanced out the abundance of lettuce very nicely!

* Thought about entering lots of marathons. I get paid tomorrow, so this may well be realised. I want to up my game and do a few ones that I haven’t done before. I love a good goal and it will sure make me get out there and get in the miles.

* Nearly puked up after sniffing a protein shake. My Protein Oats and Whey is definitely the tastier shake. However, Maxi Nutrition Lean Definition offers more in terms of added nutrients and the amount of protein you get vs. calories. Having said that, it tastes disgusting mixed with water and smells terrible. That's why, upon sniffing the latter protein shake, post-run, I gagged. Downed it, but didn't enjoy it.

Old new route

Since I have the morning free, which never happens, I decided to drag myself out for a sunny run. However, I've been getting bored of 'the usual route'. I run it ALL the time. I run home from work on that route too.It's not particularly scenic and I found myself getting into a running rut.

I tend to be too safety conscious sometimes and I stick to routes with lots of pavements and safe options. Today I decided to take a more scenic route which was more countryside-ish. This route took in a small country lane in addition to the safer roads. I felt better for it. And I figured that if cars couldn't see me then they really shouldn't be driving at all!

The only odd thing I saw on my run was another runner wearing a coat! It is so sunny out and I am absolutely sweating. I don't understand. It's the same when men (mainly) wear full length running tights in the middle of a heatwave, I don't get it,

Snot Rocket

A rather snotty run home from work today. I have been battling a dreaded summer cold for the past week and it really has been annoying. It's one of those things where you want to go for a run, because you physically can go for a run, but you just feel really bunged up and can't breathe properly, so your run ends up feeling rubbish and you sound like Darth Vader's relative.

Anyway, determined not to wait for the bus home from work and probably catch even more germs (I miss having a car...), I decided I was going to run home regardless. The run home isn't too far, just under 5 miles. But, I decided to extend my run, because I figured that I was out there anyway and I didn't get in any running at the weekend because of the cold, so I ran a little further and did about 6.5 miles. Not too much further, but it all counts. So, it was a snotty run, but a good run. It always feels good to bank some miles for the week.

Made it home

Run home

On yesterday's run home from work I wondered whether I could fit anymore in my rucksack. I think the answer was probably 'not really'. But, I decided to pop to Tesco on the run back and picked up a random selection of milk, cheese triangles, an avocado and some blueberry yogurts nonetheless. Good workout. I was feeling super achy and sleepy after yesterday's run home from work. However, it's always good to know that you got a run in, when you know that you certainly wouldn't have dragged yourself out after work...

Below are some piccies of my sleepy face, trusty Kayanos, bursting-at-the-seams running rucksack and my trusty water bottle. I love this dinky bottle.

Snake-like

Running long distances has turned my feet into something resembling a snake. Well, not green and scaly, but the skin is definitely shedding like that of a snake. If I was squeamish, it'd actually be pretty gross. Instead, I have taken lots of pictures (see below). Actually, my mum did think it was pretty gross and promptly told me that maybe I should stop running so far. I told her that I had actually walked and staggered more than run on my last ultra ;-)


So, the hard skin on the upper sole of my foot has started shedding. I have had to cut bits away to make it feel more 'normal' and comfortable to walk on.

Protein

I've regularly taken whey protein for a while now. Sometimes I use it as a (lunch) snack/meal replacement, but more often than not I use it for recovery and to up my protein intake. Having tried some truly awful tasting and smelling protein shakes, I settled on MyProtein's Oats and Whey in Chocolate. However, since it was on offer, I have decided to go fancy and have been using MaxiNutrition Promax Lean (chocolate flavour). Now, I know it says to mix it with water, but it tastes horrible this way, so skimmed milk it is...I can get over the few extra calories and  at least I have added calcium :)

I even treated myself to a girly new shaker. But, I've spotted something that looks even better and I want one - PROMiXX Vortex Shaker .  Yep, I don't  need one, but it's so cool and mixes everything up so you never have lumpy protein shakes again...


In other news: It's so hot right now. Just not used to the heat in Britain, I guess. I went for a 5 mile run yesterday and I felt as if I'd run 50, my heart was beating so fast and the sweat was dripping off me. I remedied this with a swift recovery beer, of course.