This is what my Sundays will possibly look like from here on out:

Rise at 5.45am.

I forget the rest.

It actually went: woken by alarm at 5.30am, set it for another 15 minutes and rise at 5.45am. I have this weird obssession with having to get in one more last bit of sleep from my first alarm. I can not get up on my first alarm. Even if it means only a mere extra 5 minutes, I must reset and put my head back on pillow. Nevermind!

Up and dressed into the carefully laid out gear from the night before along with RunningGirl Father’s biking reflector vest. I’m all about safety, and had decided to go out on a new route this morning around some country roads, so wanted to be highly visible. I was actually disappointed to see that the biggest danger I was in when out running on the roads, was stepping on some of the loads and loads of broken glass. Grrr to that.

Straight into pre-run ritual of one piece of Freya’s toast with Peanut Butter plus 1/2 cup black coffee. Out the door by 6am. Was dark and slightly chilly but hardly any wind and didn’t rain at all during the run. Perfect conditions in my book. I felt fantastic for the first hour or so, then the foot injury kind of kicked in big time. Never mind! I had mapped out last night a route that would take me 15kms from my front door and back again. I ended up tacking a few extra blocks onto the run, because I was nearing home at 1hour 25 mins and really wanted to get in at the very least 1 hour 30 mins. The run ended up being 17.5km’s and 1 hour 39 minutes.

The last 2 km’s that I did really started wearing a bit thin, so  straight to my go to list for pumping up when I am running out, on my I-Pod. At the mo that includes Black Betty (by whom, I’m not sure), Telephone – Lady Gaga & Beyonce, and Notion by Kings of Leon.

The biggest thing I noticed in this run was the lack of water. I have never ever trained with water, as the longest training distances I have done take my 1hr30 – 1hr50ish at the most, but I can see I will need to look at some kind of water carrier soon. I feel I could have extended todays run further with aide of water.

Was back in the house before 8am, and let me tell you, Sunday just looks a whole lot brighter when you have that much time (and sans possible headaches, nausea and de-hydration ya know) . I enjoyed a fantastic 4 egg, cheese and spinach omlette which held me over until lunch time (almost never happens in my book).

I haven’t been totally hungry after the long run today, whereas I normally am starving all day, so I am unsure what that is all about.

No Sunday would be complete without a Sunday roast. Don’t panic, I wouldn’t, and still haven’t attempted any kind of roast myself. This was a roast the RunningGirl Parents place of course. First to get formalities out of the way, three of these of these were poured (not all for me, one for me and each of my parents):

Vodka, cranberry juice and apple juice. The apple juice was RunningGirl Mother’s idea. Definately topped it off. This fab drink was followed by a stellar lamb roast. You cannot beat a fantastic roast at your parents. Go RGMum. I am truly full.

Nevertheless may I present:

Chocolate Chip & Walnut Cookies.

Now, I know with baking you are really supposed to stick to the recipe. I like to stick with/subsitute with what may be in my pantry.

This is the official ingredient list a la Running Girl:

250g margarine (calls for soft butter)

2/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup white sugar (called for raw)

1 egg

3 cups wholemeal flour (called for white)

1 teaspoon baking powder

My own measurements of chocolate buttons (heavy handed of course)

Mix all together (the recipe had 8 steps to it – butreally, isn’t it all going to end up in the same mixture anyway?). 

2 x half packets of walnuts were added at the last minute (love me some walnuts)

 Bake for 12 minutes at 180 degrees.

Done and Done. Snacking on a few atm, and can recommend to give these babies a whirl!

Happy happy girl here.

If you are out there reading, I would love any comments. I especially would like to know of anyone’s water carrying recommendations for long runs. I would love you to follow my journey to the marathon, and if you do, I promise to make it as entertaining as possible. I appreciate any feedback!

Take care, and keep on running,

Running Girl