stress fracture and upgrading meals

Oh how the weeks fly, I've had another week of work which has been nice and have all of next week off too!! I am really not wanting to go back to work when I do return I just hope that my new job starts soon. Anyway I saw my GP yesterday as my knee pain still wasn't clearing up. She examined me, and said it sounds like it could be a stress fracture. I mean its not a certain diagnosis as it doesn't show up on scans but because I have osteoporosis, haven't had periods for years and the weight that I am and the high impact of running; it seems probable.

So so upset, annoyed, and  frustrated!!! I am going on the pill again so I can start producing oestrogen. I went on it last summer, but I stopped taking it as was in a good place and wanting to get my periods back naturally and was also feeling sick from taking it. So am going to take it again, and their are other ones if I can't put up with the side effects. I am also trying to gain weight, but this is easier said than done. I next get to see my dietican a week on Monday. I'm trying to get as much calcium as possible and rest my body. My GP told me I couldn't run, I hope one day I can. I miss it so much, and get so jealous even seeing people being able to run on the treadmill. I have another sports massage booked for next Friday so will be able to get some more advice. I've been icing it lots, stretching my IT band as well. Really hope it recovers soon:(

This morning I baked some cookies, which seemed to relax me somewhat.

These were adapted from Katys blog oatmeal raisin cookies I used cashew butter instead of peanut butter and a mashed banana. I dropped one off to my lovely boyfriend at work along with a roll with cheese, ham, and salad.

As I was getting my breakfast I was thinking about how its changed, and how easy it is when increasing what your eating to simply upgrade your current food. My breakfast was simply some just some oats made with water and the odd bit of fruit!! Not particulary that inticing and certainly not enough to see me through a workout. Now my breakfast contains, a bigger portions of oats, flaxseeds (some healthy omega 3 fats!!) , loads of strawberries, some natural yogurt, and honey:

How do you upgrade your foods? 

training recap and job

The running training is going well, although I am thinking tomorrow will be a rest day. My schedule for this week is:

Monday: Long Run-10 mile run @ 10.32

Tuesday: Rest day

Wednesday: Easy Cycle- 30 mile cycle ride

Thursday: Tempo Run- 6miles (4 miles @9.02)

Friday- Cycle ride and short 3 mile easy run

Saturday- Speed Work- 7 miles (3x 1600 @8.27 w/800 jogs)

Sunday-Rest day

So I have included some cross training of cycling. I do love cycling as well, and after I have completed the half marathon I am going to be training for 100k cycle ride around Dartmoor with my boyfriend.

Today is my long run, and have had my pre run fuel of oats, banana, greek yogurt and some flax seeds. I am also trying a energy gel whilst on my run.

Update on the Job


I didn't get the job that I had applied for as it went to people with more experience. I was very disappointed as the interview did go quite well and got quite positive vibes from the interviewers. But with every cloud their is always a silver lining, the nurse recommended me to the NHS bank where you get to work in different wards and they give you training. So I have spent the weekend emailing someone and arranging for me t start I have to wait for the CRB and references to come back before I can start so will be a few weeks at least. But I am really happy and can't wait to start. You don't know how much I detest my current job, I just want to be doing something that is caring their really is no job satisfication in pulling pints!!

WIAW- Getting the new year off to a good start.

Well its been a long time till I have participated in this, mainly because no-one wants to read about plates of vegetables and fruit being consumed which is what my diet had consisted off, and it feels good to be able to eat proper food and fuel myself properly. 

This morning I started the day of properly with some oats, with natural yogurt and dried apricots. It has been months since I have ate porridge and it felt so warming and comforting. I need to work on the amounts I put in adding some healthy fats but is a step in the right direction.

After they had digested I went on an easy cycle ride did about 20 miles at a slow pace. I needed my legs to recover as I went on a long run the afternoon before did 9 miles, and this is my other bit of good news I have entered in an half marathon!!! When I was in a running shop I saw it on their counter and was attracted as it is traffic free and pancake flat!!!! Marathon details: http://www.ironbridgerunnerevents.co.uk/exeterhalf/ I actually have no idea how to train for a half marathon, will do some googling. I really love exercise so much and it has really helped me to get to a higher weight and eat more as I want to fuel my sport. I find I don't care so much about what I eat, my mood is a lot better and I learn to accept my body for what it is.


Lunch was spent with my lovely boyfriend. He cooked us something in his slowcooker, called gingered chickpeas with parsnips, carrots, and onions in a tomato sauce it was so nice. I had it with some roasted butternut squash:

Afterwards I had one of my cookies, these I have made before. But this time added honey and some  nakd pineapple raisins. It was adapted from this lovely girlies blog I actually made this in about 20 minutes when I came in from the bike ride as was waiting for Andy to pick me up.

After lunch and chilling out with Andy he took me food shopping, stocked up on essentials and then I went to my old house to pick up some things that have been their for months. We also stopped for a costa quite handy having a boyfriend who works in my favourite coffee place. So had a extra hot soya latte. 

This evening I cooked my favourite veg, roasted butternut squash with sage, cottage cheese and a chickpea salad!!

Favourite veg to eat in the winter? 
Any tips for a half marathon? 

Induction done!!

Work Induction


So this was actually fairly okay and a bit boring was just a case of watching DVD's about health and safety and filling in some forms. One funny thing was the Challenge 21 talk she asked us all our ages and they all gasped when I told the I was..........

24 I always get shocks when I tell people my age as I look about 17 maybe even 18 at a push so always get asked for ID. I don't mind most of the time, apart from when I get 17 year old lads chatting me up and men my age think I am too young for them:(.

Anyhow I did enjoy today and to actually feel somewhat normal, to be able to work and not be on benefits to feel that I am getting my life back!!

Odd Cravings!!

I forgot to mention yesterday that I had a knee pain which was because of running, I didn't warm up properly on the treadmill and did some fast paced intervals and I am very new to running. I have done a lot of cycling but this isn't high impact like running so yesterday evening I was paying the price for it so today I haven't done any high impact just some walking. 

So I craved protein this morning, and had a very random combination of a poached egg with mushrooms and some quorn chicken style fillets! 

However come evening I had planned some salmon with cous cous and veg but I was craving some oatmeal...... so what do I have for dinner a lovely bowl of oats with some chopped fresh apricots, soya yogurt, and cinammon. Oats have also been a "safe" food of mine but back then they were made with water !!! ugh think I would actually vomit if I had to eat oats and water I prefer my bowls to look like this: