Happy Sunday! How gorgeous has the autumnal sunshine been in the UK over the past couple of days, I’ve loved it! Yesterday I was supposed to be running the Oxford Run or Dye event and in all honesty I just wasn’t feeling it. I’m not sure why, but compared to my recent RFL 5K I felt really demotivated to do any training for it. Maybe it’s the stress of moving that has caused my lack of enthusiasm or maybe I’m just not into the idea of a colour run after all. Pulling out was definitely the best decision for me – I’m very much a believer in doing things that you enjoy and realistically I don’t think I would have enjoyed this particular race.
Another thing that isn’t really my thing is chocolate before 12 pm, I just can’t do it until now! I’ve got a box of The Paleo Foods Co Paleo Cocoa Granola and as you can see from the photo above its crazy good. Packed full of nuts and seeds, it’s unlike any granola I’ve had before and I will definitely be purchasing another box.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been so cold in the mornings this week. We still haven’t turned the central heating on yet, but I’m really considering it. Big bowls of porridge topped with chopped fruit and cinnamon have been a lovely warming breakfast.
One thing that I did enjoy this week was an amazing lunch with my mummy friends at The Milk Shed. I chose from the specials board and went for the beetroot, almond and goat’s cheese tart that came with a salad. It was a tough choice because everything that comes out of this kitchen is insanely delicious.
I’ve kicked up the sweet and salty ante this week when it comes to my salads. Halloumi and figs are a marriage made in heaven! I also added pecan nuts, rocket and honey for the win.
Another gorgeous salad was this bowl of figgy heaven, which is probably one of my favourite salads right now. Into the mix went watercress, rocket and lambs lettuce, olives, pecans, goat’s cheese, figs and honey. It’s marginally different to the salad that I posted last week and I’m not bored of it yet.
Friday night curry night is the way forward when it comes to ending the week, it feels like such a treat. For a change, I made Thai red curry with chicken thighs and sweet potatoes and had it with some steamed broccoli that I cooked in the microwave.
My weekend started off in an epic way with this breakfast. Smoked salmon isn’t something that I buy regularly, but it’s something that I love so it always feels like a treat when I have it. I had it with fluffy scrambled eggs and half an avocado.
Next month I find out if I’ve passed the ballot for the London Marathon 2016. I’m under no illusions, it’s highly unlikely that I will get through and there are far more deserving entrants that should be guaranteed a place. Either way, it’s very exciting, the fact that I entered is such a big deal for me because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to accomplish, which is one of the main reasons that I entered. I’ve put off submitting my entry for so long that this year I thought what the heck, what’s the worst that could happen?
I’ve never run a color run before but always thought that they looked like good fun. Something like Tough Mudder would not be my kind of race though! If you weren’t feeling it then you absolutely made the right decision to pull out of the race. It needs to remain fun and enjoyable!
Although my fingers are also tightly crossed for a London marathon place I know that the chances are so small this year and I was incredibly lucky to get a spot in my club ballot back in 2014 so I have at least had the chance to run it before. Good luck! I think the magazines should arrive on Wednesday, although not everyone that doesn’t get in will receive a rejection magazine this year it seems as so many people entered the ballot.
Exactly, I don’t see the point of doing anything if you’re not going to enjoy it. I have my fingers crossed for you, Pip and I that we make it through the ballot. I’m really excited to find out either way. 🙂
Happy Sunday Jemma. I am considering putting on the heating as well. So cold here.
It’s sooooo cold…brrrrr!
You can’t do chocolate before the afternoon? Wow. Good luck re the marathon
Not at all, surely there must be some law about that. 🙂 Thanks Bintu!
I’m waiting on the ballot too! Every time I get a marathon promo email my heart stops haha.
I wouldn’t say there are more deserving entrants that you at all! I don’t think you have to be the speediest or whatever to deserve a spot, endurance races are about courage and heart and you have that a plenty 🙂
Thanks Pip! Good luck for the ballot, I will have my fingers crossed for the both of us. 🙂 You are totally right and I need to remember that all skill levels are welcomed.
Some delicious dishes there! Definitely less in the mood for salads now autumn has set in!
I am drifting more towards the warmer salad options now, but they are such a staple meal for me I eat them all year round.
I think we all go through periods where we feel demotivated when it comes to exercising. It probably happens to me more often than I would like but I’ve accepted that when life throws things my way, exercise just has to take a back seat and then I can get back onto it once I’m feeling less overwhelmed. Good luck with your run, just do your best!
Thanks Nadia! I agree, it isn’t the end of the world if you can’t work out. I workout because I actually enjoy it and I hate to feel pressurised to do it.
Yes, I have pulled out of races before….why? Because if I’m really not feeling it then I’m really not feeling it..& sometimes you need to pull through and other time’s it’s okay to say no.
I have done a colour run before (the colour obstacle race) and it was fun as I went with friends and we just pottering around whilst chatting and laughing, but you are verrrrry messy after!
That beetroot and cheese tart looked absolutely incredible, I have serious food envy over some of your meals!
x
I think that was the main problem, I was going to do the colour run by myself and admittedly I think it does look like such a fun race. Maybe it was just scheduled at the wrong time for me as I have a lot going on at the moment with moving house. I’m happy that I pulled out though, definitely the right decision for me.
Another food post that’s managed to make me hungry. Also, absolutely fab photography 🙂
Fiona | Wishes, Hopes and Dreams
Thanks Fiona, the same happens to me when I read other food blogs too. 🙂
I think it’s always better to bow out of a race if you’re not feeling excited about it than to run it and resent the experience (I should know because I’ve done enough of the latter to last a lifetime!) I don’t really understand the appeal of Colour Runs at all. Untimed races make no sense to me and being sprayed with coloured particles isn’t my idea of fun, but each to their own.
Let’s hope you have some good news re: London. I think we’re all as deserving of each other really – running shouldn’t have any hierarchy going on and you might very well be one of the lucky ones 🙂
It did sound fun to me initially, but I think it’s something that is best done in a group for the sheer hell of it. I probably would consider entering again, I just don’t think it’s for me at this point in my life.
My fingers are tightly crossed for London, it’s such an amazing event. I know there are plenty of other marathons out there, but that’s the pinnacle for me personally. 🙂
That beetroot tart looks BEYOND amazing! I am totally scouring pinterest to recreate it!
it was incredible Shannon, please let me know if you find a recipe for it.
That beetroot tart looks scrumptious. I’ve never so much as run a 5k, but running a marathon has always been on my bucketlist. I should really train, but I never know where to start.
It’s always been on my bucket list too Jaimee and thought if I’m ever going to do it I’m going to have to enter. 🙂
The colour runs don’t appeal to me at all- the idea of being covered with powder paint, ruining my running clothes, getting it in my eyes, coughing….
Plus they all spell it “color” which drives me mad- we use UK English over here!!!
Good luck with the ballot!
Don’t be silly, OF COURSE you deserve a London Marathon place! My finger’s are tightly crossed for you. I think though that it was sensible to bow out of the Dye race. Running should be FUN and if you’re not feeling it, you shouldn’t force it. I’ve never done a colour run but they seem fun (albeit a bit messy!)
That tart looks amazing. Goat’s cheese is always a good choice!