…maybe etiquette is the wrong word to use, but out on my runs this week I definitely noticed a difference between the behaviour of fellow runners and car drivers. I’m so blessed to live in a beautiful part of the world and be spoilt with all this beautiful scenery, but there is one downside, there are no pavements and they are even quite scarce in our little village too – well, there definitely isn’t a mile long stretch of pavement anyway.
While out on my run earlier in the week, I was greeted by some very lovely cyclists and other runners compared to the car driver’s who rudely honked their horns at me on Thursday morning’s run because I was obviously taking up far too much space on the road. Bah! The running community is so friendly and I’m so happy to be a part of it. There is plenty of room on the road for cars and runners, as a driver and very amateur runner I have a greater appreciation for runners on the road now. I’m making great progress with the C25K programme and looking forward to finishing week 3 today.
Talking of running, I’m taking part in this year’s Run or Dye* event, which looks like so much fun! It’s a 5K event that is touring the country, it looks very messy, but it’s completely different to anything I have ever seen before. You can sign up now and my readers will receive £3 off the entrance fee using the discount code KISDISCOUNT.
The weather has been amazing this week, but I still had cravings for a warm bowl of porridge one morning despite the heat. This was plain porridge with a peach cooked in it with almond milk, topped with strawberries, almond butter and Greek yoghurt.
We had a massive mango that needed using up in the fridge and I love to eat it with some Greek yoghurt and topped with goji berries, pumpkin seeds and coconut. This bowl just screams summer to me and was really refreshing on one of the warmer mornings we had this week.
I’m still on a green smoothie kick, I think it’s the warmer weather that’s fuelling my addiction. This one was apple, banana, cucumber, spinach, cashews, ginger and almond milk. I’ve gone off putting protein powders in my smoothies at the minute and prefer them made simply like this one. This Red Berry and Coconut Smoothie Bowl looks like something that I would definitely like to try soon, it looks so summery.
We’re going through so many sweet potatoes at the minute because Aiden loves his sweet potato chips. He also has a weird fondness to green beans too, so we always have large quantities of both in the house. I love them both and have eaten loads of them as well, especially for quick lunches. This was a baked sweet potato with cream cheese and a speedy salad topped with pumpkin seeds.
We’ve had some lovely dinners this week and I made a huge batch of my Morrocan Lamb Tagine with a pearl cous cous salad with steamed broccoli on the side. This has become a bit of a favourite in our house so I like cooking it for the family. It doesn’t take long to prepare or cook, so it makes a lovely weekday meal.
You can’t beat a stir fry for an easy veggie packed meal. I made this chicken, ginger and cashew nut stir fry and it couldn’t have been any quicker to throw together. Fuss-free cooking is definitely my style!
Finally, we have booked a day for Aiden’s christening and we’re thinking about having a garden party afterwards as it’s in the summer. I spent a large part of yesterday sorting out the borders and trimming back the hedges. I picked up a huge watermelon when I did the weekly shop and it was the perfect snack after all that gardening.
I keep meaning to take up running seriously and like you I do live in a beautiful part of the world but I am just so bad at trying. I think I better up my keep fit dvd’s and try those.
I’m sure you will make it out for a run soon Bintu, the weather has been great for it.
Oh gosh that’s exactly why I prefer running in the city! I know just what you mean.
I did run or dye in Bath and it was so much fun, a really relaxed event. Though top tip – don’t run through a dye station talking/with you mouth open! It doesn’t taste great haha.
Haha! Great advice Pip, I will be sure to keep my mouth tightly clamped together. 🙂
I think etiquette is the right word, and I agree that there’s a shocking lack of it from some drivers. Unfortunately drivers in general have the worst attitude, not only towards runners but also towards cyclists, and since we have a complete lack of provision for cyclists in terms of separate paths/lanes here we have to take our chances with the irate, reckless drivers on the roads. I actually had to stop cycling solely because it was so stressful and dangerous. By contrast, runners and cyclists do seem to respect each other and have a mutual sense of understanding.
The running community has a lot of positive aspects for sure, but I do also have some issues with certain elements of it (mostly relating to social media). I don’t think I necessarily automatically like or identify with someone when they define themselves as a runner, as opposed to, say, another vegan. I do appreciate your approach to getting back to running though: you’re really positive and you’re obviously running for the sheer enjoyment of it. That’s really refreshing, and it’s clearly working for you because you’re smashing that C25K by the sound of things. It’s rare to see someone quietly getting on with running and making real progress as opposed to splashing every single run all over social media and wanting head-pats/applause for it. I’ve wanted to write a post about this for ages, but I just can’t get the tone right. Anyway, keep on running!
I think the mutual respect that cyclists and runners have for each other is because they are both subject to the rude drivers on the roads. Although, I have to say it’s not all drivers there is a small minority that kindly stop and wait for runners to pass, very rare though.
I really am running for the shear enjoyment of it. Even though I’ve run in the past, I don’t think I really appreciated it enough and took it for granted. I’m such a newbie and I’ve discovered that there is so much more to running than just pounding the pavements or thinking of it as just a form of exercise. I have so much to learn and thought the C25K would be a wonderful starting point.
Thanks for your encouragement Jess! Also, I would love to read your post. If anyone can articulate such a topic with the right tone you certainly can.
Your food looks so great I wish mine would look that good! That dye run looks like SO much fun! xx
Thanks Olivia, I’m sure that your food looks great!
Good on you for having the discipline to run!
Thanks Shazza, it does take some effort some days.
I would never run on roads without pavements, because when I am a driver I see runners and it is so hard to spot them (especially if it is a bit dark) until the last moment- it terrifies me that I would run someone over. Most of the country roads near me are 60 mph limit, but twisty- it’s bad enough to come around a corner and see a cyclist, but at least they are going faster.
I love how friendly and supportive the running community is.
The run or dye/ colour runs never appeal to me- I can’t imagine that it is nice, being all sweaty and then having powder paint thrown at you. Plus the colour one uses the US spelling even in the UK events, which just annoys me!
I really don’t have a choice to run without pavements in my local area I’m afraid. There isn’t a long enough stretch in the village to get in a decent run unless if I run around in circles, which doesn’t appeal to me. It can be scary though when the cars are driving so quickly. I’m looking forward to when they come round to cut the hedges on the road side down so I can see around the bends better.
I’ve come across the Run or Dye event and it sounds ace! I might have to look into doing that this year! All your meals look fab. I’m into my almond and cashew butter at the moment and I’m loving all the summery, fresh foods! 🙂 x
It looks like a brilliant event doesn’t it, hope you get to sign up for one! I’m loving all of the summery foods too, such a great time of year for food.
You’ve got some lovely breakfast s going on here. Spinach and kale are regulars, but I’ve not thought to add cucumber to my smoothies – really like the idea.
The cucumber adds such a lovely freshness to my smoothies, perfect for summer. 🙂
The Run or Dye event looks fun but sadly my fitness level is not good enough for me to take part. Maybe next year.
Your food looks amazing like always.
I don’t think you have to be an athlete to take part at all, it’s for all different fitness levels. I’m certainly no athlete, but really looking forward to it.
I used to run a lot at school, now I prefer pilates and yoga, but the scenery does look better outside!!
I love Pilates and yoga too and like to mix it into my running routine.
I run as well and I always think that rude people must be really, really miserable to be horrible to strangers out exercising. Not that it makes it any better! I’ve just done a colour run and loved it!
I’m really looking forward to the colour run that I’m all signed up for, so it’s great to hear that you enjoyed it.
How rude of the drivers getting fussy with you running – very silly it seems. How on earth one single person running along can take up room, I don’t know. Glad you have been able to meet some friendly fellow runners however, whoa re on the same wavelength as you.
I love the look of the Mediterranean inspired plate by the way!
The Watermelon also looks so juicy and delicious too.
All the best with planning the Christening – I’m sure a garden party afterwards would be lovely. Lets just hope you’re lucky and it falls on a lovely day!
She’s So Lucy
Yes, I’m praying for sunshine on the day of the Christening, it should be a love day either way though. It’s crazy how rude drivers can be towards runners, I have a new found appreciation fo runners and cyclists on the road now.
*sighs* ah yes, the joys of cars when out running. I’ve been beeped at so many times! I’ve also almost been run over by a stupid woman who just pulled out when I was half way across crossing a road. Thankfully she braked in time and I almost smacked her bonnet I was so angry with her! She looked suitably sheepish.
Yay for watermelon being back in season – I have one in my fridge at home!
Oh no, Anna! That’s just awful! I would have been fuming at her, I hope you gave her a piece of your mind and she apologised at least.
This post is so great! It sounds like we have a lot in common as far as loving to run in the country! I live on a busy highway about a half mile from a graveled off road and I feel much more comfortable running on that. I usually try to sprint there and then find my pace. You just never know about those drivers going 70 mph around you!!
They do drive very fast don’t they even in the countryside. I do prefer the scenery of the country than the concrete jungle of the city though.
I guess we’re fortunate that our community has a good number of joggers and runners. You really don’t see cars honking at the runners for taking up the road.
It’s such a rude thing to do. Glad that your community is more runner friendly.
I ran a 5 mile race the other week where the road was closed for the start. Probably 4-5minutes of being closed, that was all and signs had been up before the race to let drivers know that would be the case. When the race had started out and runners had become single file along the side of the road, one of the cars that had been held back sped past us all, loudly honking their horn and glaring at us. Some people can be so rude, and so impatient.
Runners on the other hand, nod to a runner whilst out running and there’s not many that won’t nod back! The running world is an amazing community that I’m so glad I am part of!
Watermelon and mango are the ultimate summer fruits! You’ve made me feel all summery today! 🙂