Pumpkin and Date Loaf !

Pumpkin and Date Loaf

Ingredients:

·          1 ¾ cups wholemeal plain flour

·          1 tsp baking powder

·          ½ tsp baking soda

·           ½ tsp salt

·           1 tsp all spice powder

·           ½ tsp cinnamon

·           ½ tsp ground nutmeg

·           zest of ½ medium orange

·           1/3 cup vegetable oil

·            2 eggs

·            ½ tsp vanilla extract

·            1 ¾ cups steamed mashed pumpkin

·            ½ cup light brown sugar or ¾ cup apple puree

·            1 cup roughly chopped medjool dates (pitted)

Preheat oven to 180*c.  Lightly grease a loaf tin and line with baking paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices and set aside. In           another bowl combine sugar and orange zest. Add pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla   extract.  Whisk well to combine and then pour into dry ingredients mixture bowl.  Fold the dates into   the batter until combined and then pour batter into prepared loaf tin.

Cook for around 50 mins or until loaf is browned and skewer comes out clean when tested.

New PB !

Goodmorning everyone !  Its been a little while since my last post so I hope you have all been keeping fit, healthy and well.  The cold weather has definitely set in in Melbourne.  Yesterdays morning PT session at 6 am was a frosty and very foggy one.  A big well done to my client for getting out of bed, getting her workout gear on and fronting up to her session.  She also managed to reach a PB time/pace on her cardio workout on the cross trainer, getting better, getting stronger ! Well Done !

How foggy it was yesterday morning!

And after !

I've been busy with client training now that school holidays are over everyone is back into their training routines, working towards reaching their personal goals.   I have also been working on starting up my new circuit classes.  I have started with the 3 classes and have gotten some great response so have had to add on another Saturday time slot which is fantastic.  However there are still some spots available on the Monday and Wednesday 9.15 classes so if you are interested be quick to secure your spot.  Please   email me for further information, urbanfitstudio@hotmail.com  There are only 129 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER ! So lets get started NOW to get you into shape and more importantly feeling healthy and happy !

So, since my Run Melbourne half marathon ( I must say, the few days following I was so sore everywhere ) I have gone out and done a few runs and felt pretty good.  This mornings session I decided I would do a 10 km run.  Was feeling good and had my new Kayanos on.  Well what a run ! I ran a PB !!  WOO HOO ! So excited ! 10 km in 50m 26 sec.  Im wondering if I perhaps should be focusing on shorter distances and running faster ? Hmm something to think about...but its all a challenge ! Times, distances, races, Im competing with myself.  Challenging and pushing my own physical and mental boundaries ( also challenging the biomechanics of my body ..foot/leg still not fixed, but am working with my physio and podiatrist to sort them out)

Sweaty happiness at the end !

This ones going straight to the pool room !

So now that my exercise is done for the day I am off with my beautiful daughter and sister to watch a matinee session of Annie ! I am so excited ! I have been waiting for this show for a while so Im sure we will enjoy the trip to the city, the show and some girly time...

What are you doing for the rest of the day ? Are you getting some exercise in too ?

Till next time, X

Persistence !

Well hello Monday !  Today I write this post with much pride and finally a sigh of relief that my persistence has finally paid off.  Yesterday morning I participated in the Run Melbourne half marathon.

It was a run that I had registered for in case I couldn't get to the start line for the Gold Coast.  I tried to forget the fact that these half marathons were only 2 weeks apart.  Secretly I knew I would be running them both.

Lining up at the start line yesterday morning paid off as did my continuos persistence with this goal that kept eluding me due to injury...I ran in 1 hr 59 minutes.  What a relief !

My husbands beautiful handiwork..my splits.. 

It was a perfect day for a run.  No wind, no rain, not too hot not too cold - perfect conditions.  My darling husband whom last year ran this race in 1 hr 35 mins  (wow) offered to pace me throughout the race to get me past the finish line on schedule.  He worked out my running splits, carried my water bottles, and gave me those very important words of encouragement when I thought I couldn't move my legs anymore...(specifically around 18km mark)..My ITB was excruciating, my foot tendon was in agony and I could feel the biggest blisters forming on my little toe.

I finished in my long coveted time.  The last few halfs I have done I have been plagued with one injury after the other.  This race last year I had my gallstone attack, then the ITB, then my lower back, posterior tibialis tendon etc etc.  I feel satisfied now that its done, so that now I can focus on rehabilitating my injuries.  So I can confidently say that I am not registering for any half marathons in the near future until these biomechanical issues are treated.  Then I can focus on running a 1.50 - 1.55 half marathon.

A friend of mine also started with us yesterday but we lost her around the 5km mark, only to run up next to her at around the 18km mark.  We managed to cross the finish line together - her goal was to finish in under 2 hrs aswell so a huge congrats to you too M !

Its a huge rush after you cross the finish line, gather your thoughts and revel in the joy that you have in fact just run a very long way and phew, its over.  A huge thank you to my loving husband who supported me along the way, even though I wouldn't answer him when he spoke to me (just nodding), and not saying please or thank you when needing water ( I couldn't waste precious energy on talking :)
Love you Mike !

We bumped into another friend at the finish line who had achieved a PB.  An impressive 1.55.  Well done Grant ! A huge achievement !  You have to love a happy, sweaty after run photo !

Fancy meeting you here:)

Walking back to the car, big smiles

Still smiling back at home

So after a long stretching and ice pack session, and very long hot shower we had a lovely Sunday family lunch, once again dissecting the run km by km and enjoying the rest of the day.

Today welcomes me with very sore legs, tight hips and gluteus but also with satisfaction of my accomplishment.  My lessons learnt....

 * Persistence pays off
 * Learn to effectively hydrate throughout a run
 * You are stronger than you think...
 * Probably not wise to run 2 half marathons in 2 weeks when carrying injury
 * Nothing will stop me from achieving a goal I set myself
 * In future use husband as personal pacer, water bottle holder, and #1 fan on every future run :)

I hope you are all coming along with your personal goals and working hard to try and achieve them.  Persistence is key.  Not giving up on what you want is so important.  Work out what it is that you want most and set the wheels in motion in trying to achieve it, no matter how small or big your goals are...little steps will surely lead to the big picture.  Enjoy the rest of your afternoon !

Afternoon treat

        Wholemeal banana, mixed berry and white chocolate muffins

* 2 cups wholemeal plain flour
* 2 tsp baking powder
* 1/2 cup caster sugar
* 1 cup light sour cream
* 2 eggs
* 1/3 cup coconut oil ( or vegetable oil)
* 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind
* 1 1/2  cups frozen berries
* 1 cup mashed banana
* 3/4 to 1 cup chopped white chocolate

Preheat oven to 180*c.
Line muffin tray with patty cases lightly spray.
Sift flour and baking powder, add sugar to combine.  In separate bowl, combine sour sour cream, eggs, lemon rind and oil and whisk together.  Stir through dry mixture until just combined.  Carefully fold in berries, banana and chocolate and carefully spoon into patty cases.  Bake for 40 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.  Enjoy !

Gold Coast half marathon...

As you may be aware, last Sunday I finally ran the Gold Coast half marathon.  The lead up to this run was such that I wasn't sure if I would make it to the start line...well I did ! Phew !

My husband was running the Marathon so we flew up to the Gold Coast without the kids and spent a few days enjoying the warmer weather.  We spent a couple of hours at the run expo which was heaven for us, everything to do with running - new clothing, runners, accessories ( we love the accessories). A very well run and organised event and enjoyed lazing around at the gorgeous Sheraton - thank you Nicky for your recommendation. Stunning! 

Race kit collection

The race starts and nothing else matters

Bright and exciting apparel, so many new things

So many new colours

The night before feeling little nervous...warmer weather conditions than we are used to combined with my still not right foot tendon equalled a slightly anxious me.  My run started at 6 am which guaranteed I wouldn't be in the sun for too long, surprisingly the marathon started at 7.20 which meant they would be running for hours in the sun.  Poor Mike !!

My husband is a meticulous planner so he spent quite some time setting out his gear the night before, with a few laughs from me.  Preparation is so important, I thought I did quite well until I got to the start line only to realise that my Garmin gps watch was completely dead.  Panic ! I had no idea of what pace I was running, time etc.  

My gear laid out 

4.30am warm clothes to leave at the start line

It was a great course to run, along the Gold Coast Highway, people were lined up on the sidewalks outside their homes, cheering, high fiving and generally pushing everyone along.  It was quite warm when the sun surfaced, especially since us Melburnians had been training in chilly temperatures.  My foot held up ok, although without having any idea of my time and pace I really struggled to push myself to try and reach my goal of running in under 2 hrs.  I felt lost without my garmin (my constant training partner) but maintained an easy pace in order to not push it with my sore foot.  I crossed from start line to finish in 2hrs 5 mins.

I won't lie, I was quite disappointed and had a few tears.  On reflection though, I think I ran quite well considering I had no idea of pace or time and had the foot issue.  I guess it has made me more determined to try and beat my time next time.

The Sheraton had organised water taxis to transport the runners back and forth from the finish line as most of the roads had been blocked off, so no time to dwell on my performance too much, had to get back, shower and meet Mike at the 29 km mark with Powerade and lots of encouragement.  He ran passed still strong with a minute to spare on when he said he would meet me.  He was still feeling good, considering the warmth. I stood there and cheered on as people ran past, in awe of all these amazing runners, especially the women.  Everyone was so inspiring, its not an easy task to run a marathon - physically and mentally it is tough.  

marathon 29km mark

My hubby crossed the finish line in 3 hrs 43 mins.  He was very pleased with his result and I was very proud to cheer him on at the finish line.  The Gold Coast put on a great running festival.  It was so well organised and we will definitely go back to run again.  Its so inspiring seeing so many fit and healthy people getting out there and giving it their best.  I saw a 70 yr old Japanese man cross the finish line in 3 hrs.  Amazing !!

Cant get any closer (the finish line)

Mike after his marathon

After the marathon, recovery in the cool water

Water taxi back to the hotel 

Its always so nice at the end of a run when you get to have a celebration meal and drink.  We chose burgers and beer by the pool at the Sheraton... Debriefing, workshopping and picking apart our runs km by km.  Its lucky we both like to run as Im guessing it could get quite boring listening to these conversations if the interest isn't really there.  

Beautiful Sheraton

Back in Melbourne, cold weather, out for a run back on my beloved track, beanie, gloves - all rugged up.  Working through my new running goals and plans... Im glad Gold Coast is done and dusted, time to set my goals onto something else.  Thank you to everyone for all your encouragement, well wishes and positive thoughts for my run.  It is amazing how much it all helps and motivates you, spurs you on when you're legs are feeling tired.  Thank you !!