It’s a Running Joke

Thanks for clicking on the link, and sorry about the joke!

I have always loved swimming, I have enjoyed cycling, I hated walking and as for running, it’s what you do when the zombie apocalypse comes ain’t it?

If you ask my family they will tell you, when I saw people running I thought they were mad, I didn’t see the point, after all there are cars and bikes right? Or even just ask someone for a lift.

In December I dreamt up this idea I could try Couch to 5K, after all I have seen lots of people talk about it, and after losing just short of 10 stone at the time, why not? I mentioned this to a mate a the works Christmas party, and rather than say “don’t be stupid” he said “really, that is a great idea”. DAMN, why did I tell anyone! Once you put something out there, you’re kind of committed to it.

So I downloaded the app to my phone and took a look, and as the new year came in, on the 3rd of January I went to the gym to give Week 1 Run 1 a try on the treadmill, after all no one needed to see my running around the streets. Armed with a drink, my phone and headphones, 30 minutes later I completed the run. It almost killed me, but combining walking and a bit of running (eight, 1 minute runs) I was able to do it, which felt good. Each week I started off thinking “well this week will be too hard” but I keep it going, I did need to repeat a few runs as they got harder, but now I’m up to Week 8 Run 3. The progress is astonishing, I never thought I would be able to run, let alone to run for 28 minutes straight non-stop as it is in week 8. This simple guided program really does make a difference and helps you to get to the target of running for 30 minutes and being able to take on a 5K run.

The idea of doing this running thing, was so that I could run the Race for Life in memory of my Brother in Law who we lost to cancer last year (#TeamTike), I knew I could walk it, but I really wanted to have the challenge to run it, and put in the effort to peoples money out of them.

Two weeks back a friend in Southampton had posted on Facebook that they had just complete a local Park Run, which gave me an idea. I was in Southampton on 23rd and if he was going, I wondered whether he would show me the ropes? I really needed to give an outside run a go as all the running I had done was on a treadmill, controlled, indoor, dry, flat, hidden! This would not be the case for the Race for Life, so needed the experience. He was more than happy to “pay it forward” as he said, as others had done the same to support him.

So after keeping it a bit of a secret from the wife, in case I bottled it! I rocked up to Southampton Common at 8:50 yesterday ready for 9:00 Park Run.

It was busy, almost a thousand runners and me, an imposter, or that is how it felt. John (the one that looks like a Gonk) was amazing, really supporting, knew the route so knew when it was going to go uphill and helped my control my speed (no display in real life like a treadmill) and 41 minutes later, I did it, as easy as that. Well I say easy, it was colder than a treadmill, more wind, more people, uphills, downhills, but unlike a treadmill there were people at the side of the path cheering you on (note to self get a cheerleader for the gym) which was amazing, John replied for me, breathing was more important than talking at the time.

If you’re not familiar with Park Run, it is 100% free and 100% run by volunteers, which is amazing when you see the size of the operation. We spoke to a guy that has been involved since 2010 I think he said something like 650 events, their commitment to the event is amazing, but he did cut parts of our heads off in one of the pictures, so he needs to work on that!

People have asking “Did I enjoy it?” I’m not sure if enjoy is the right word, I loved the feeling I got from the fact I completed it, and I have to admit I’m thinking I might have to do it again, but did I “enjoy” it. I ache today, it hurt more than the treadmill, but the idea of running a 5K, yes me, I ran a 5K, thats like 1/2 a 10K, 1/4 of a half marathon, an 1/8th of a marathon, I will stop now, but yes that feels really good,

It does worry me a little that does this make me a runner? I have always said “why would you do that!” And now I see myself doing it.

If you wanted to try it, I can’t recommend the Couch to 5K process highly enough, the bloke that didn’t like walking, to the shop, now ran a 5K.

Pasta Bolognese Pie

This is a food blog after all and I’m aware that I sometimes forget to give you a recipe. This idea is not really connected to running, but it is something I did as a mash up a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing and a little different.

I have called it Pasta Bolognese Pie, and I guess you will see why when you look at it. You basically take your own bolognese recipe that you all love, I would say make it a little “wetter” bit more stock or bit more passata depending on how you make it. Then cook up 400g of Rigatoni, drain well, rinse in water and let it cool enough so you can touch it.

Next, get a lose rim cake tin, and stand up the Rigatoni on their ends, so they are vertical and fill the dish. Once they are all stood up and fill the bottom of the dish, add the bolognese slowly making sure the move it around with a spatula so it fills up the rigatoni. Repeat until you have put all the bolognese on top, then add a little cheese of your choice, cheddar or Parmesan and then bake in the over 180 for about 25-30 minutes depending on your preference and this is the result.

Standing the pasta up, takes a while but it is not difficult and it is fun to search it like a big slice of cake.

#TeamTyke

If you’re interested in donating to #TeamTyke please visit the just giving page where we are collecting for the Bushby’s Swimaton and Race for Life, as well as our cousin Simon Taylor doing his 100 mile Ultra (😱) all for Cancer Research.

As always please like and comment on my blog, then I know you have read it, and I didn’t just waste the last hour writing it!