Running Super food

I am sure FraidyKat has posted this before but seriously, a pre-run banana is a wonderful thing.

I just had an awesome 5 miler!
I must try the same formula because it really worked - first start with a light meal 1 to 1 1/2 hours before the run (about 300 calories light), then eat one banana with 4 capsules of reflex thermofusion about 1/2 hour before the run.
Finally, find a banging running sound track and a beautiful setting to run in...
Result: Awesome run

When road running the best you can look forward to for interest is the odd roadkill pheasant and perhaps a toot from a passing van, but if you get off the road you can find some fantastic scenery.
Today I ran along the Grand Union Canal, saying hello to passing narrowboaters and watching a Heron fly from the path and skim across the water. Much better than road running.

Of course there is the question of what lurks beneath the surface of the water. Today it was calm, too calm, and the fog had not lifted all day. At first I thought perhaps Nessie was coming south for winter but now I wonder if we have not become part of the territory of a water dragon. If we have there is nothing to fear, they feast on fish. Perhaps if I'm lucky I'll see it, but they hide in the mist and the fog, and you have to be really quiet...

FraidyKat Runs - on bananas

Groin Strain and the Curse of Success

These are the two things on my mind right now. Unconnected, I think, but equally present.

The groin strain in the unpleasant presence in my life, striking after what should have been an easy 2.5miler but reduced me to a pained grimace for the rest of the day.
Today it seems to have eased to a low grade ache but I suspect it will return with vengence if I try anything so stupid as moving today.
Yesterday it was a sharp and persistant pain right at the top of the thigh moving from ouch to #$/#@! When I twisted the wrong way. It can be caused by many things but in my case I believe it to be a muscle weakness at the hip (old war wound) so now I must remember all those strengthening exercises, the ones on all fours that look like aerobics meets the kama sutra - donkey kicks, fire hydrants, adductor stretches.
New resolution, hip strengthening every day - or forget the running and say hello to everyday pain, not much choice really.

The curse of success?
Say hello to a Defence Lab student of the year! Woohoo! Awesome. I think my instructor took leave of his senses with that decision but I am serious chuffed, I've never got something like that before.
But, of course, there is a downside.
Everyone knows it's me, they might wonder why I got it and not them and I can't help but feel like it puts eyes on me. 'No pressure but you're now officially the teacher's pet' - FraidyKat makes a hopeless pet, too high maintenance and heavy on furnishings.
It's a point of pride that I always tried my hardest anyway but now I have to pull even more out of the bag just to keep up.

Back in my dubious reality, yesterday's run along the canal hinted at something sinister in the works, and unexplained ripple in the water. Unless Nessie has migrated from the Loch there may be something nasty lurking under the surface.

FraidyKat Runs - from recogition

Noticing Weight Loss

It's been a long time since my last post, sorry, life has been a bit crazier than usual.
Anyway, weight loss...

It's a weird thing to be ticking down the numbers on the scale and not really appreciating the change.
I've had friends and family telling me how slim I look but that's just their opinion.
There is a massive bin bag full of clothes to get rid of because they are too big but that's just stuff.
My runs have got quicker by a full minute a mile but that could be purely down to training.

Then FraidyKat and dear partner got an amazing opportunity to go to the first DefenceLab World Conference - thanks to her amazing instructor.
That was just awesome, the chance to train with some incredible martial artists.
But here's where it hit home: The conference had a formal dinner and award ceremony in the evening and due to the weight loss I HAD NOTHING TO WEAR!!! Disaster! I dug into the dark and dangerous recesses of the wardrobe, fighting witches and befriending lions on the way, and in desperation tried on a dress that hadn't fitted in 15years. IT FITS! Miracle of miracles, it was like finding a Wish Spell in a charity shop bargain box.
All good. After a day training we glammed up and headed to the bar. On the way there I popped in to the Ladies room and spotted a lady with fab green dreads and an hourglass figure in a hugging black dress. I was instantly jealous,  then I was confused, I was looking in the mirror!
How had I not noticed it before? Okay, the dreads are only a few days old (they match the club colours if you're wondering why green) but how did I not notice the body swap? All this time my brain has been doing some stealth photoshop to my detriment.
11months ago I was 106kg, today I tip the scales at 79kg - in old money that's nearly 4 1/2 stone gone. That's a massive shock. FraidyKat has produced 27 Adipose babies and not noticed any of them escaping out of the window.

Now dear partner is laughing (and FraidyKat will soon be guilty of hubby bashing) at my total ignorance of the gradual change of my body. The words "I told you so" are on his lips.
It turns out that losing the weight is only half of the battle, stopping your brain from sabotaging your achievements with nonrecogition is the war winner.

The Adiposian First Family are back harvesting Earth for children. They are major shareholders in virtually every big selling diet brand and fast food company, using their influence to prevent us from ever rendering them infertile.
The conspiracy is so plain to see and we are seemingly helpless against them.

FraidyKat Runs - for the hourglass