Lost and Longest Run of the year

As of this week, Steven and I have lived here in North Sydney for 4 months. I've done countless runs around our neighbourhood, often venturing outside my regular run routes and discovering new parks. 

Still, my favourite run is my "same old same old" route. It is essentially a bush-walk / trail-run route that goes through Berry's Reserve, through Oyster's Bay, and a loop around Ball's Head Reserve. 

Yet, as I set out today to do this run, somehow my brain managed to turn itself "off" (as if it's ever "on"!) and....

I got lost, and somehow managed the longest run ever to record on my Garmin, which means it's the longest run I've done this year. HUZZAH! 

I've also discovered some new MEAN hills on this route, and I loved it! I went out feeling really strong and ran my energy all out. 

I'm probably not going to qualify for any crazy races with these speeds, but I'm definitely improving, both in speed and distance.

You can see where I got my water / walk break at Mile 3. The water fountain is at the bottom of a hill, which was scary to speed down; it's like at 90 degrees. I decided to walk back up for fear of killing my glutes / puking up all the water I just drank. 

Do you know that feeling of coming home, hot, sweaty, tired, thirsty, and taking that first gulp of icy cold Gatorade? Cue angels singing "Hallelujah"! I might have to seriously begin thinking about bringing water/gatorade on my runs with me; if only I didn't hate carrying things while I run.

After a sweet, hot shower, I got on my new Pro Compression socks. I got the extra smalls this time, and they still fit perfectly.

Lunch was an omlette with all the random odds and ends in the fridge (eggplant, tomatoes, haloumi cheese, and thai basil that I'll be using forever; why can't they sell smaller bunches of herbs?!).

Now I'm hankering for an afternoon snack of some sort, like a Chocolate Cake or cookie or something. I might go out for some later, but Lazy has got a tight grip on me right now, so I absolutely cannot leave the couch. 

The Chatswood Library, where books are free!

Lately, I've been spending a lot of time in Chatswood in North Sydney. 

It's where one of my main yoga studios is, and it's really accessible by train from our house. 

The Chatswood Library is massive and absolutely gorgeous. It sits below the civic centre which is also connected to the performing arts centre. There is green space out front, a wide-screened TV (which plays free movies sometimes!), and restaurants and shops just down a flight of steps.

Inside, there are nearly floor-to-ceiling windows. The library goes around the central reflection pool with steel structures of "art" not captured here in the photo.

I signed up for a library card and had it sent over to my house.

I went back for my first library book today. I think I'm going to be at the library a lot. It's been far too long since I've read books all day long, so I can't wait! (Yes, I'm a nerd.)

I also picked these up from a neighbourhood grocer's a few days ago: kiwiberries! 

I forgot about them until today.

They are literally like tiny little kiwis, but you can eat the skin. They're hairless, sweet, tender, and friendly and kind. I want them to be my friends forever. 

At Chatswoods, I discovered one of my favourite fast food restaurants from now on. 

It's like Chipotle, but Australian.

They're called Salsas, and they have this great rice bowl. It's a bed of spicy rice, black beans, zucchini, broccoli and onion, salsa, and cheese. I got them to add a wad of delicious guacamole. 

I think this is something I can legitimately re-create at home, so stay tuned for deliciousness!

My Day, in Instagram photos

A beautiful, sunny day in Sydney.

We got off the train at Milson's Point and saw beautiful views of the opera house, and Luna Park.

Had a coffee and smoothie break in a cafe in the nearby Kirribilli suburb. 

Took the train to North Sydney Station, and wandered the streets.

When I saw this awesome fern, I had to take a picture.

Then, we journeyed up to Chatswood, and stopped here in the Garden of Remembrance to enjoy the roses.

Later, we went back to the city for ramen at my new favourite place to eat.

Now, our feet are tired, our bellies are full, so it is time to curl up in front of the lap tops and watch some Big Brother Canada.

Protein pancakes and a run

In my day job, I work at a wellness clinic that just so happens to sell 180nutrition protein powder.

I'm not so big on powdered food, especially not when I can get all my nutrients and essential amino acids from cupcakes and coffee (This is scientifically correct, I know this for a fact, because cupcakes are the bombdiggity and not you nor the institution can tell me otherwise!).

But after hearing where 180nutrition comes from, how clean and unpretentious their product is, I decided I would give it a go.

I tried it first in an almond milk milkshake in the chocolate flavour, and it was...interesting.

The product is not ground smooth, so you're picking bits of sesame seed and flax out of your teeth afterwards.

The great part of this protein mix is the taste. It's actually delicious--nutty, chewy, and hearty in a good way.

Stuff like muffins, pancakes, breads, stir-fries would do great with the addition of this powder.

So I decided to make pancakes this morning.

I read through 180nutrition's pancake recipe, but I'm not nearly paleo enough to have coconut milk in my fridge. I basically added some of this, some of that, and up with this mix:

mostly 180nutrition coconut protein powder
some flour
a scoop of brown sugar
a teeny bit of baking soda
1 egg
whole milk until it's goopy
more butter than you think is adequate

If you don't understand my recipe measurements, then you obviously need to spend more time in the kitchen.

The pancakes cooked up really well.

They came out perfectly. I made a blueberry sauce (frozen blueberries and brown sugar cooked until...well, saucy) and drizzled honey over the entire plate.

They were really tasty, but dry. They sucked up the blueberry sauce like little delicious sponges, which was a good thing.

Next time, I will try less protein powder and maybe another egg to moisten.

After our sugar-protein-calorie-fest, Steven and I went to caffeinate it up at a local Aussie coffee shop, Gloria Jean, which is strangely from America? I say "strangely" because they seem to pride themselves as an Aussie owned and operated franchise.

After some errands, I decided to offend the good taste of the North Sydney running community with my blue/purple/red outfit.

I was so surprised to see that my elevation gain was actually quite modest.

I felt as if I had been climbing mountains (MOUNTAINS!), but Garmin Connect failed to register that.

Post-run glow-in-the-dark socks and a big smile. I'm so glad my knee is better, because I love running!

My stats:
2.47 miles
27:41 minutes
11:14 min/mile av pace
elevation gain 229 ft (wtf?!)