Crazy In Love with Food!

Marathon training mileage has been creeping up on me, peaking at almost 60 miles this week.  Enough to make me ravenous, ALL the time.  All I can think about is food.  What will be my next meal?  What will be my snack?  What will be my post run treat?  My stomach seems to rumble even while I'm eating!  My friends and family seem to be the same.  Every time I talk to my marathon training buddy Jamie G we are either eating or talking about eating.  My husband, sister and friends are the same - maybe it's the weather?!  Nothing can satisfy our hunger!  I know I need to curb it as I don't want to put on weight whilst marathon training so although I succumbed to quite a lot of treats whilst away at the weekend to watch the beautiful and bootilicious Beyonce but I'm trying to improve - only oatcakes and sugar free jelly after dinner... we'll see if that lasts. 

Mairi and I at the Yen Oriental restaurant enjoying our rasberry mojito and 3 course (amazing) Thai meal before concert

Beyonce kept us waiting for hours but we forgave her as she wowed thousands of fans at the Hydro on Friday

I tried to make a healthy treat last week to try and curb my cravings - sugar free protein muffins! 

Ingredients:

• Cup of self raising flour
• 1/2 cup of blueberry super protein powder
• 1/2 cup of sweetner (candarel)
• 1/2 cup of skimmed milk
• 3/4 punnet of blueberries
• 2 large eggs
• Vanilla essence
• Sprinkling of porridge oats 

Method:

 Pre-heat oven to 180C.  Mix flour, protein powder and sweetner together in a large bowl.  Mix in 2 eggs (beaten).  Add blueberries, vanilla and skimmed milk.  Once a sticky mixture spoon into 12 muffin cases and top with sprinkle of oats.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until risen.  If you want to make a little unhealthy you can always add some butter or oil - or even sugar instead of sweetner :-)

Super healthy they were but they were a tad bit dry but still quite tasty and satisfied my sweet craving.  Maybe a good recovery food after a hard work out.

My favourite run this week had to be my 21 mile run in Glasgow.  I wanted to do 18 miles and was dreading having to do it on my own.  My original plan was to run with Jamie and Johnny on the Sunday but it also coincided with 'race day' of spin on Sunday which I also wanted to attend... and I quite fancied having a few drinks on the Saturday evening so wanted the LSR out the way.  Friday night aka pasta night was replaced with a 3 course thai meal with cocktail (and a dairy milk and cup of tea at midnight!) and breakfast was a granola bar, banana and green tea.  So, headphones on and a plod along the clydeside pathway was the plan for 9 miles.  So far so good and despite the wind in my face I enjoyed the change of scenery and the path took me to the Erskine Bridge.  As I turned back I met a fellow runner who was also running back to Glasgow - he made my day!  He took me on another route back into town and we chatted all the way back via the canal tow path.  He was a keen runner, currently training for a May marathon and enjoyed getting to know him, finding out about his life and his training.  Russell, a Doctor in the Royal Infirmary, gave some great advice as well as some fantastic motivation to keep going and some suggestions of good marathons (Krakov next year anyone?)  As I left him around the 17 mile mark, he pointed me in the direction back to the hotel.  By this point I realised I was going to be over my 18 miler so I tried a High5 energy gel which gave me a last boost to take me back to the Hotel to take me to 20.5 miles.  Feeling good and being the OCD person that I am, I ran round the hotel a few times to make it up to 21!  3 hours 6 mins and felt great.  Time for a hot shower - and more food of course!

Not a pretty sight... my toes after my 21 miler.  Yuck.  Ouch!

I've been low on energy since my 21 miler despite eating everything in sight but that might have something to do with my night out on Saturday too... whoops.  It was worth it!  All go with work too, best get some energy food in me ;-)

Bingo night on Thursday too for Jamie G (Prostate Cancer UK) and Beatson Centre fundraising and WOOOWWWW - we raised £1230.  Brilliant.  Just fantastic, over the moon!  Jamie will nearly be at the £2,500 which the Royal Mail will match giving him at least £5,000.  His training has being going fantastic too so he's going to romp the marathon no bother!  It also takes me to my target of £2,225 too which is absolutely fantastic and a huge relief (it's been a stressful few weeks!!)

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Quick Food and Training Diary

22/02/2014	Breakfast	Snack	Lunch	Snack	Dinner	Exercise	Comments
Sat	Granola bar, banana and green tea.	High 5 isotonic gel during run (mile 17).  Post run - banana smoothie and 1l water.  1/2 a blueberry protein muffin*	1 l water and chicken salad panini.  Nut/fruit bar.  Chai tea.	Skinny cap.  Water. 2 x Crabbies alcoholic ginger ale (teatimers with the girls at Black Sheep)	Lovely 3 course dinner at Ardsheil with besties.  Nothing new on menu still but chose lasagne but they ran out, chose chicken instead which was nice.  Sticky toffee pudding - yum!  Pinot Grigio…	21m in 3 hr 06 - all flat alongside the clyde and canal paths although a bit windy to begin with.	Had a brilliant run - still buzzing from an awesome Beyonce concert evening before. Met a really interesting runner named Russell, who made my day.  He is a Dr in Royal Infirmary and avid runner out on a 14 miler and we got chatting at mile 9 at Erskine Bridge and continued to blether all the way back to city!
Sun	Toast with peanut butter and jam.  Banana.  Water.	Water with High 5 hydration tab.	Scrambled eggs and toast.  Empire biscuit and tea.	Oatcakes and green tea.  Skinny cap at Black Sheep.	Chicken and leek pie with baby potatoes and broccoli.  'Healthy' cheesecake (2 digestives mashed with 4 hazelnuts, topped with low fat lemon yoghurt and blueberries).  Tea and crème egg and choc - whoops.	3 miles easy recovery run taking me to 58 miles in the week - most yet.  Spin - race day 80-92% max HR. 24 lengths.	Race day at spin!  Shame I missed start due to car problems but loved it.  Will miss it!  Time to get the bike outdoors next week.  Modules 2 and 3 of Sports Nutrition course passed :-)
Mon	Porridge with blueberries.  Vit c water.	Green tea and breakfast biscuits.	Chicken and tomato sandwich.  Tangerine and apple.	Banana and green tea.	Stir fried chicken, onion, mushroom, peppers and spicy thai noodles.  Sugar free jelly.  Granola bar, cadbury fudge and tea.  Couldn't help myself!  Oatcakes still not delivered :-(	64 lengths.  Pool shutting for a week so got an early morning swim before it closes!  6 miles easy with Jen.  Spin.  Powerhoop club at lunch.	Horrible weather again - windy and wet.  Enjoyed run catching up with Jen and her weekend fun.  Spin was hard and sweaty.  Home by 7.30, dinner made albeit a little burnt, whoops.  2 more modules of sport nutrition course complete.
Tue	Fat free yoghurt, muesli and blueberries.  Vit c water.	Green tea.	Oatcakes and lf houmous.  Orange.  Tangerine.	Ryvita, banana and nutella.  Coffee.	Beans, cheese and toast.  Had tea and biscuits after parent's eve.	9 miles inc 4 x 1k intervals.	Windy and wet!  Had no energy today!  Ran early as had parent's eve.  Hip a little sore and back a bit stiff.
Wed	Fat free yoghurt, muesli and blueberries.  Vit c water.	Green tea and alpen bar.	Lentil soup and tuna toastie	Banana.  Coffee.  Fruit bar.	Chicken thai green curry with sticky jasmine rice.  Jen's oaty and fruity cookie - YUM.  Dairy milk whole nut - it's been a STRESSFUL day so this was a great treat!	No swim as pool shut!!  5 mile run.  Combat.  Taking circuits now as Jamie can't cover.	Even with no swim felt shattered all day.  V busy at work.  Great to meet girls for lunch albeit a bit rushed as for only 20 mins but was nice to say goodbye to Joanne who's moving to Glasgow Saturday.  Hub and SKSC meeting tonight but taking combat and busy so unfortunately can't attend.  Getting organised with Jamie G for tomorrow night's bingo!
Thu	Fat free yoghurt and blueberries. Toast. Vit c water.	Green tea and fruit bar.	Oatcakes and lf houmous.  Orange.  Tangerine.	Banana.  Rice cake with nutella.	Chicken thai green curry with jasmine rice and 1/2 naan bread.  Chocolate hazelnut shape mousse.	2m at x country - muddy!  10m at mara pace (1.29 - just!) Great run with Joc.	Prize Bingo! Fantastic night raising £1230 for Jamie and I's charities - fab!!!
Fri	Muesli, blueberries and activia	Green tea and fruit bar.	Banana sandwich.  Apple.  Tangerine		Chicken pesto pasta with red onion, peppers and spinach.  Homemade garlic bread.  Tea and chocolate!	Spin at 7am.  1m to/from spin.	What a busy week!  Glad it's Friday :-)
					Mileage	57

Dobry Den Praha!

Despite having a wee holiday to Prague (woo hoo!), I've managed to keep up some form of training and keep a relative track of my diet... although I would rather forget some of it... when on holiday, I always treat myself - you've got to!  In a different format below I hope it hides the amount I've consumed.....  

I had hoped to run at half marathon pace on Saturday morning with the club but the wind was howling and for the first 5 miles it was in my face, pushing me back with every step.  I didn't stop though and put in effort making it round 13.1 miles in 1 hour 51.  5 minutes off a PB time but enough to feel a little pain.  I was grateful to Jen for hanging around for me at the end to make it up to 16 miles.  It felt good to get another long run in before we headed on our travels.  By the time we got to Lochgilphead only a few hours later (and after breakfast) I was starving again and my friend Julie soon sorted that out with a large helping of pasta and pizza - thanks Jules!  Food and more food was the order of the day and we met up with Joanne for her birthday and some of our other best friends at Chinaskis at Charing Cross for some chick-pea curry.  It was delicious but it still didn't satisfy my hunger.... thank goodness for Lorna's baking skills!  We were treated to not only home made chocolate cake but shortbread too, thanks Mrs MacKay-to-be that finally fulfilled my hunger pangs and I settled into a great sleep without her cute kitten Olly jumping on our feet like we imagined.

After a few hours kip we flew from Edinburgh to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic for a city break.  We booked this trip months ago during an Easyjet sale before marathon training or China fundraising planning had started and normally I'd have an itinerary of different activities I would like to do each day but to be very honest I would've loved a few days just chilling at home as I was desperate just to relax but I've always wanted to go to Prague so off we went!  And what a fantastic time we had!  With only a 2 hour flight we arrived ahead of schedule and hopped into an unmarked taxi with the promise of a cheap, quick taxi ride into town - what risk takers!  Well true to his word the driver dropped us off at the Hilton Old Town Hotel in around 20 minutes.  We checked into our plush room early and all my plans of relaxing went out the window as usual and I was unpacking, checking maps and planning a walking tour for that afternoon!  Much to my surprise my husband humoured me and we went for our first Czech meal in a tavern on Old Town Square, just opposite the Astronomical Clock where I had garlic soup and Stuart had a feast of roasted piglet and fried potatoes with onions.  Stuart loved it!  The soup was delicious but it came with deep fried bread which avoided as anything like that makes me sick so I opted for some freshly made wholemeal bread instead.  Yum.

"Dobry Den", our IRISH tour guide Dylan greeted us when we met him, meaning hello.  I think I've forgotten mostly everything else he told us - my brain has turned to mush since being on holiday! Dylan walked us round most of the Old and New Town, informing us of some local history and folklore as well as taking in all the wonderful architecture all around. But after 2 hours we sneakily slipped away from the rest of the tour as although it was good, I'm unbelievably impatient so wanted to see some more sights before dusk that weren't included on the tour.  Stuart and I obviously needed a re-fuel stop so a large busy cafe near the Vltava River overlooking the Charles Bridge.  We indulged in cappucinos and cake which seemed a popular choice!  I had bratlava which was a sweet nutty crisp bake that was a Czech speciality which I devoured - yummy!!  The only downside to this treat was that smoking was still permitted in the cafes and restaurants and which I forgot how much that could put you off your food.  

We then walked over the wonderful Charles Bridge with all it's fascinating monuments, statues and traders then 'hiked' up the big hill to the Cathedral and Prague Castle where you get unspoiled views across the city.  It was perfect timing to see the city at dusk as the sun was going down, crowds dispersing and lights were starting to shine. 

We arrived home to our hotel, weary after a day of travelling and walking, only to find a bottle of champagne and a glass of strawberries in our room courtesy of the Hotel - bliss!  Intentions of going to the Hotel gym were immediately forgotten.  We enjoyed a lovely Italian meal at a nearby restaurant for dinner a few hours later - spaghetti with meatballs then tiramasu and Stuart went for his old favourite - Picante Pizza and of course some Czeck beers.  I had my heart set on beef goulash but there wasn't any left on the menu - gutted!  Although the delicious spaghetti and garlic foccaccia made up for it. We also stopped by at the Billa supermarket on our way home for some Milka chocolate - it's our holiday, don't judge ;-)

The next morning we got a lovely breakfast at the hotel - lots of fruit, yoghurt, toast and a warm croissant with jam.  There were plenty of hot food on the menu but we refrained for the day as we had a big run ahead.  Yip, I had gone and booked as a 'Running Tour' of the city.  I had been searching for running routes nearby as was keen to keep up my marathon training whilst away and came across www.runningtoursprague.com where you could pick different running routes and tours with an English speaking guide.  Martin, our 30 year old friendly running tour guide, met us at our hotel and we had opted for a 15k route out of the city.  It was fantastic.  He explained where we were going and started off with our first target - the 9 metre equestrian bronze statue of Jan Zizka (the one-eyed leader of the Hossite army) at the top of Vitkov Hill that towered over the city - so much for a flat run!  He then took us along the river bank, through beautiful parks and back into the Old Town.  

 

 

 Along the banks of the river

 Crossing the river from Prague Zoo back towards the Old Town

 Through one of the many beautiful parks

Martin spoke excellent English and as we jogged along he chatted away about the city's fascinating communist history, pointed out places of interest and about his iron-man training.  We ran slowly as we were joined by another runner on the tour who was training for her first marathon but it was fine as we got to take in more of the sights and we ended up racking up 11.5 miles before we knew it.  We even felt good enough to go to the hotel's gym for 30 minutes before hitting the shower.  Food time again!  

 

This time hot dogs were the only menu item of choice as we had spied them yesterday on every street corner and they looked amazing.  They didn't disappoint.  So much so that my husband ate two!  Served with a wholemeal bread slice, mustard and a side of mini potato dumplings they were indeed delicious.

 

 

We had a lovely walk around the New Town and Jewish Quarter before enjoying some Czech beers.  I say enjoy, I tried it but I just don't like beer!  My husband on the other hand loved them so I settled for a mojito!

We dined out that evening at a nearby brasserie called the Meating Point.  It looked quite extravagant but still reasonably priced compared to UK prices.  Issued with ipads instead of menus we chose a relatively boring starter of bruschetta but the photo of it made it look fantastic and it didn't disappoint!  I finally then got my goulash with potato dumplings which was amazing - I'm going to make this next Sunday for lunch!  Stuart opted for the rack of lamb which he thoroughly enjoyed along with our accompanying pinot grigio and more Czech beer.  We were so stuffed we never ordered dessert but not so stuffed not to stop off at Billa again for some more milka!

 

One last 5 mile run the next morning on the riverside in the cold, bright sunshine and one last meal of scrambled egg, fruit and a wee treat of a pancake with agave nectar and it was time for home already.  Prague was just lovely, thoroughly enjoyed the city - a perfect place for some culture, shopping, beer or food but it was nice to touch down on to Scottish soil and get back home.  

 

Another flight ahead of schedule for Easyjet, I might as well go to spin when I get home then!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  The weather has been pretty miserable this week but I'm feeling the love now that the February break has started :-)  So touched by everyone's support for our chosen charities.  Fundraising has went well this for our China Trek this week including raffle, treasure hunt map and Burnside Pub Quiz and ever so grateful to everyone who has supported and have been so generous. 

Mileage down this week but it's starting to creep up in next few weeks.  My marathon buddy and best mate Jamie said he 'hit the wall' on Sunday on his long run but he did it, he did 15 miles in the wind and rain.  And he continues to follow his plan like a trooper.  It has made him stronger and I'm so proud of him - he's going to do great!!  I can't wait until we are finished and drinking cocktails afterwards more though!  We're organising a combined charity Prize Bingo on Thursday 27th February at Campbeltown Bowling Club so really looking forward to that, love bingo!

 Said a very emotional goodbye to the CGS4Gambia team on Tuesday morning, good luck guys - we are very proud of you all.  What a great bunch of pupils and staff.  My bestest and oldest buddy Catriona will be there and I'm sure she will love every minute.  Enjoy the adventure.

Beautiful sparkly nails from Serenity Spa - thanks Marianne for the perfect birthday present.  I almost enjoyed doing all my marking the last few days as loved looking at my nail ;-)

Training Diary -

Sat	6 mile easy run from hotel around our old neighbourhood of Glasgow, collected car and back to hotel for Breakfast!	Loved run, wish I had longer so I could go further. Was great to see our old wee flat, just looks the same!
Sun	.16 miles very slow – weather horrendous, so windy! Took 2 hours 30 mins. Had company most of the way which was good. 30 mins spin.	Neices visited in the afternoon – they are just so cute! Had my family up for Sunday dinner to say thanks to them for helping sell our raffle tickets which are almost sold out!!
Mon	6 miles easy. Spin. Full spin class! Very sweaty.	Exhausted but got a great sleep  Collected fundraising treasure hunt map from Whisky Macs to Black Sheep and raffle tickets sold!
Tue	8.5 miles including 6 yassos (800ms with 400m recoveries) Never did them fast enough but had a good run.	What an emotional day! The CGS4Gambia group all set off early this morning for their flight from Manchester. We helped them in with their luggage and waved them away on their adventure - good luck guys, you are doing us all very proud. Snow is here! Phew, it didn’t lie and managed to get out a run. Novel almost ready, argh! Raffle ticket stubs are now all in a big bag awaiting the draw...
Wed	4 miles easy. Felt good despite horrible windy wet weather – wish I had more time to run more. Combat. Circuits.	Late home as taking circuits = tired and hungry. Pub quiz organised – have bought some chocs as prizes to go on top of cash prize. Thanks to Burnside for hosting it for charity!Marking marking marking, almost done!
Thu	2 wet, windy and muddy miles wiht Xcountry group at lunch. 6 miles at training inc 3 x 1 miles at 10k pace. Good run at CRC. First night of split into smaller groups as such large numbers. Worked really well and enjoyed run.	Took my S5/6 class to Springbank Distillery for a tour today and found it to be so interesting - thanks for the staff for being so enthusiastic, the kids loved it. Burnside Quiz for the Beatson tonight - thanks to Helen, Craig for helping and everyone for coming. We raised £348 for the Beatson as part of our fundraising and we drew the raffle. Winners announced on our fb page later - the winners were delighted, glad they will enjoy their prize.
Fri	Spin at 7. Swim and sauna (64 lengths)	Happy Valentines Day! Late night last night and quite tired but still got up for spin/swim as I’ll not get for a while and it was great, set me up for th emorning before going home to have valentines breakfast with my husband - bliss! Thanks to mother in law for my bday present of Serenity vouchers - absolutely LOVED getting treated this morning to a back massage, cocoa rose facial and file and polish. Bliss again! Sparkly nails - woo! Away to deliver raffle prizes, coop shopping, pay some bills and pick up my koruna for Prague :-)
Mileage	42.5

Food diary - 

 

/2/14	Breakfast	Snack	Lunch	Snack	Dinner
Sat	Wholemeal toast and poached eggs. Green tea. Banana and yoghurt.	Water	Vegetable soup and crackers.	Large irish coffee.	Spicy rigatoni with lf smoked sausage and roast veg. Healthy cranachan. Chocolates and tea!
Sun	Pre – toast and peanut butter.	Water. Protein shake.	Scrambled eggs and toast. Cupcake and tea.	Fern cake. Whoops – so hungry!	Lentil soup. Brisket in red wine, veg and potatoes. Cheesecake. Some chocolates and tea. Hungrryyy!!
Mon	Activia yoghurt.	Green tea. Breakfast biscuits.	.Homemade lentil soup and bread. Tangerine.	Apple and banana. Cappucino	Leftovers from last night - yum. Used a pack of quorn with last night’s gravy and veg with added peas. Cheesecake and icecream (on a Monday?!) special k biscuit and tea.
Tue	LF yoghurt.	Green tea. Breakfast biscuits.	Houmous and oatcakes. Tangerine. Apple.	Rice cakes with peanut butter and jam. AND dried fruit and nuts.	Spicy garlic and ginger chicken stir fry with noodles and pak choi. Rice pudding and rasberries. Tea and some Lindtt chocs from box of chocs Gees bought me for bday, yumma!
Wed	Toast. LF cranachan!	Green tea and bfast biscuits	Veg soup and 2 wholemeal bread slices. Apple.	Banana and slice of banana soreen.	Chicken curry, rice and chapatti. Crème egg pot. Kit kats x 3!!! I’m just hungry – I can’t help it right now!!
Thu	1/3 rice pudding tin. Slice toast.	Green tea. Square of fudge.	Oatcakes and banana. Tangerine. Apple.	Green tea and cookie. Ricecake and peanut butter.	Small portion of beef goulash and small portion of thai green curry sauce with leftover rice and slice of bread - was in a hurry! Delicious cupcake from Girls Dance Group sale - thanks girls, hope you raised lots.
Fri	Crunchy nut cornflakes and slice of toast. Green tea.	Water.	Minestrone soup nd egg mayo roll.	Farm scone and tea.	Plan - spicy chicken and chorizo rigatoni with garlic and herb roll. Dessert - chopped banana, rasberries, almonds and 1/2 low fat greek yoghurt. Valentine heart chocolates from my thoughtful husband - yum :-)

For those of you asking about sponsoring me for the marathon or the china trek  - www.justgiving.com/elainemcg .  Thank you!

It's Only A Number...

OK, so I'm another year older.  I'm well and truly in my 30's now - 31!  So what?!  It's only a number I say.  In fact, I'm probably fitter than I was when I was in my teens (bad spell of no exercise and working in a bakery - not a healthy combination!)

I was spoiled rotten for my birthday by my husband, family and friends.  Stuart gave me some fantastic thoughtful gifts -  a new tri-suit :-)  And a tri wetsuit that I can start Loch swimming again in preparation for my Olympic Distance Open Water Triathlon in June.  He also got me some walking sticks (not that I'm that ancient just yet) and waterproofs for my training and China trek.  I also got some candles, chocolates, flowers, spa vouchers, bag and did I mention chocolates?  Thanks everyone.  It's always good to get spoiled!

We had a brilliant time also celebrating our friends Hannah and Ross tying the knot. It was a beautiful evening service in St John's Renfield Church in the West End of Glasgow followed by a lovely informal reception back at St Andrews in the Square where we enjoyed great food, drinks and dancing. Hannah and her 100s of bridesmaids were stunning and her husband gave a brilliant, funny and genuinely loving speech.  The best of the night  was just catching up with lots of friends, nice to see everyone. Need to do that more.

Mr and Mrs Muir at their first dance

Last week we also had a nice Sunday lunch at Putechan Hotel (where Stuart and I had our wedding reception) and the views out there are oustanding..

Favourite run of the week so far has to be 10 x 2 mins intervals - strangely enjoyable... even in the strong winds.

If you haven't sponsored me already, the best birthday present you can give to me is helping raise funds for the Beatson Cancer Centre.  You can do so online at www.justgiving.com/elainemcg

Training Diary - 

1/2/14	Exercise	Comments
Sat	17 mile run 7am – very very slow.  Very windy and torrential rain at times.  Took a few sips of lucozade and planned to take gel but hands were numb.	Weather horrendous.  Lots of housework to do so early run it is.  Met my auntie and cousins for coffee at Bluebell, great to catch up and she’s doing great.  Got to visit friends quickly too – Lindsay and wee Finlay, he is just adorable!
Sun	4 mile slow run.  Endurance spin.  32 lengths.	Weather a bit wild in am but cleared in pm.  Had a lovely Sunday lunch with family at Putechan albeit a bit small portions for us!  Lovely to see my friend Joanne for a catchup, sad that she’s moving away now but great news for her. MOKTRI awaiting Entry Central confirmation so should go live for entries Monday 8pm.
Mon	6 miles slow with Jen.  Took spin.  5 mins core.  Windy and wet.  Esplanade flooded!  Not much sleep so feeling tired but spin woke me up.  MOKTRI entered J  Hip a little sore again.	MOKTRI entered J
Tue	7.5 miles at training including 10 x 2 mins intervals at 10k pace.  Very windy but loved it!	Cycled to work, lovely sunny dry day apart from when I cycled home – typical!  Productive day at work and at home – housework done and novel edit complete.
Wed	1 mile swim at 7am.  5.5 miles easy.  Combat + some kettlebells.  Was sick after run as ate cupcake too late.  Yuck.	Birthday treats so better work hard at exercise!!  Got some lovely gifts, thank you wonderful friends and family ;-)  Got a new tri-suit, tri wet suit as well as some fabby walking gear for our China trek and training.  Serenity vouchers for spa too, yay!
Thu	2.5 miles Bengullion run with x country.  6 miles at training including hill pyramid repeats.  Swim.	Feeling rubbish with the cold :-(  Lots of marking to do as lots of assessments to do before Feb break.  Got our friend Hannah’s wedding tomorrow as well as ICT  meeting at Inveraray so need to get packed and organised!
Fri	1 mile swim	Desperate to run/spin etc but working in Inveraray then straight to wedding!  Will run tomorrow :-)
Mileage	48.5

Food Diary for the week - 

20. Jan	Breakfast	Snack	Lunch	Snack	Dinner
Sat	Pre – slice soreen Post – protein shake and slice toast with peanut butter and jam	Water	Homemade tomato, lentil and bean soup with quorn sandwich.	Coffee cake and green tea	Baked crumbed chicken breast with lemon garlic with homemade mushroom risotto.  Dessert – homemade ‘healthy’ cheesecake (no cheese – just yoghurt).  Tea and LOTS of mini eggs.  WHOOPS.
Sun	Pre – porridge and slice of toast. Post – protein shake and a banana.	Water	Spoon of goats cheese with salad.  Chicken breast with vegetables and potatoes.  Small stewed fruit crumble.	Thorntons fudge chocolates – Joanne brought them it would be rude not to!  Green tea.	Wasn’t planning dinner but portions were small at lunch so we shared a frozen pizza and potato waffles.  Nice and healthy lol!!  We then had popcorn and chocolate at the cinema!  American Hustle – was good but not as fantastic as critics raved about.
Mon	Activia yoghurt and blueberries.  Green Tea.	Green tea.  Breakfast biscuits.	Oatcakes with caramelised onion houmous.  Tangerine.	Ricecake with banana and peanut butter.  Coffee.	Spicy noodles with stir fry prawns, peppers and cashews.  4 ginger oatcakes.  Tea.
Tue	Slice of wholemeal toast.  2 weetabix with skim milk.	Green tea.  Alpen bar.	Oatcakes with houmous.  Tangerine and apple.	1 ricecake with nutella + ¼ banana. 1 rice cake peanut butter + agave. Coffee	Grilled chicken with roast veg and baby potatoes.  Tea and 3 ginger oatcakes.
Wed	Yoghurt with spoon muesli.  Slice of toast.	Green tea	Homemade bean and lentil soup with bread.  Apple.	Cupcake- big mistake.	Red thai curry with jasmine rice and 2 chapatis made by my wonderful husband.  Birthday cake made by my wonderful sister.  AND a slice of crème egg brownie made by my wonderful friend Jen.  Wonderful.
Thu	Porridge with manuka honey.  Berrocca.	Green tea.  Alpen bar.	Oatcakes with houmous.  Apple.	2 ricecakes with peanut butter.  Coffee.	Meatballs with spaghetti.  Some crème egg brownie!!  Some chocs.  Tea.
Fri	Banana and alpen bar.	Green tea.  Scone - whoops.	Oatcakes with houmous.	skinny cap and alpen bar.	Probably not worth writing down... LOTS of lovely food and drink!!  Curry, cake, pizza, chocolate, wine, vodka....