I’m sure I write the same thing every year but it’s so nice to be getting into spring. The lighter evenings and mornings… ahh bliss (well, when it isn’t snowing of course).
Bodum Coffee flask: I get up ridiculously early for the gym as you may be aware. It’s actually not that bad anymore. I genuinly enjoy my super early mornings and going to the gym. It’s part of my routine. I’m verrrry routine based and it just fits nicely. I’m an early bird and get decent sleep so it’s only the initial alarm going off that is tough and then I’m awake and raring to go.One of the things I look forward to is my coffee in the car on the way to the gym. While I take Alfie for a walk (in ALL the layers) I’ve put my coffee on and it’s ready by the time I get back. I take it with me on the drive (I use a straw so it’s easier/safer to drink whilst driving) and it’s just bliss. Especially when it’s super cold. The coffee flask I use is a Bodum Vacuum Travel Mug. It is perfect. It’s never leaked or spilt (even when I fill it to the top) and it doesn’t burn my hand to hold while keeping my coffee super hot.
R8 Roller: This isn’t mine. I’ve stolen borrowed it off a friend after Marathon Talk Run Camp.
I would buy one myself but it’s from the States so there’s a high shipping cost added on to the actual cost of the product, making it well over £100. I’ve been wanting to try one of these for ages and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s fantastic for your quads and hamstring. Though it’s a bit more awkward on the calf because it also rolls the shin which is a little painful and the glutes are super awkward to do (I’ll stick to my tennis ball). But it’s SO good in terms of pressure and hitting trigger points. Love this.
Lava-Activ Hydration Belt: I was sent this hydration belt to test out and review. It’s similar to a hydration belt I’ve used before and got on well. The only annoyance about my previous belt is that the bottles are TINY. During the summer I’d have to top them up mid-way through my long run at my “dodgy tap”. These (BPA-free!) bottles however are a bit bigger (2x 300ml), which is so much better.
The belt sat nicely on my hips, didn’t chafe and didn’t bounce. The pocket is big enough for a few gels, coins and keys or your phone (apparently iPhoner 8’s are fine).
It’s not a massive pocket but it’s big enough for what you need! There’s handily also a pocket divider to prevent items from rubbing against each other. There are also clips to attach a bib, but I’m not a huge fan of doing this.
You can wear it either way I think, but I prefer the bottles at the back than the front. It’s predominately black, but the stripe on the pocket comes in three colours (orange, blue or green). You can buy the belt on Amazon.
Cake: OK two things about cake. Firstly, I had the most amazing cake a couple of weekends ago and it ROCKED my world. It was salted caramel flavour and it was divine. The icing was deliciously sticky. Ahhh to have that cake again…
And in other cake news… I’ve won one on Instagram!! I follow the very lovely Nicki Chan-Lam (@Nickichanlam on Instagram) who has a ridiculously huge appetite! And coming from me, that’s big. She posted a competition about a cake giveaway from the amazing bakery Whisk and Drizzle in London and my comment won!
I mentioned that it was my mum’s 60th birthday in May. So I win a a Whisk and Drizzle cake which I can pick up when I’m in London (for my mum’s birthday). AMAZING AMAZING. Could I be any more excited?? (said in Chandler’s voice).
Cinema trips: I went to the cinema twice last week. I took my mum to see Finding Your Feet for a Mother’s Day (but not on Mother’s Day as I wasn’t there) treat and she loved it.
I mean, it ticked all her boxes of what she loves in a film so I was super pleased she enjoyed it. I enjoyed the night, but the film wasn’t really my kind of thing. I feel for my dad really as that film will probably now be on repeat for the rest of his life. That along with Bridget Jones’ Diary and Mama Mia!
The second cinema trip was with my running friend Joe. Bless him, he cooked me a hearty sausage casserole and then we headed to the very fancy Showcase cinema in Southampton. WITH RECLINING LEATHER CHAIRS. It was epically comfortable. We saw Shape of Water which was so good. It was very dream-like and gentle…you had to let yourself get swept along with it. It was very romantic and I just loved it.
Alfie: And because Alfie hasn’t been featured on the blog in a while, here he is in all his cutness.
My heart just melts.
Running: I completely forgot to mention this in my last post, but when I was at the Walsall Arboretum parkrun on Saturday I noticed a woman signing the run director’s instructions. How good is that! I’ve never seen that before but I thought it was such a fantastic idea. Typical parkrun eh being so inclusive and thoughtful 😉
And this weekend is the Reading Half Marathon! I’m quite excited (despite hearing horrible rumours about how cold it’s going to be…please no more snow).
I won’t be going for a PB as I’m not in that shape but I will give it a good go I think. I’m in a good place with my running, no niggles (EVERYONE TOUCH WOOD PLEASE) and I feel strong. It’ll be nice to see where I’m at in terms of putting some faster paces on for a long run. We shall see…
What are you loving lately?
Have you been to the cinema recently?
Do you foam roll?
**Full Disclosure: I was sent the belt for free in exchange for a post on Instagram. All opinions are my own honest ones.**
Yay for spring! I am loving looking into my garden while I have breakfast now because it’s light enough! I have one of those travel mugs too- I make tea in the morning (around 6.30am) and then when the children are having their snack I can drink it quickly before I read a story and it’s the perfect temp- no danger of spilling either.
It’s funny you say that The Shape of Water was gentle- I found it so tense with the whole cold war plot thing going on- I find things like that so stressful to watch as I am on the edge the whole time in case they get caught. It was visually very stunning though, and the poem was very romantic I thought. After seeing Red Sparrow last week Andy promised we will choose something more light hearted this week!
Good luck with Reading- my fingers and toes are crossed for no more snow!
Congrats on winning the cake too- how fab that it will be for your mum’s birthday too.
Maria @ Maria runs recently posted…Marshalling and memories
Yeah it wasn’t completely gentle I guess… quite tense. But I did find it quite lulling.
I’m annoyed about Red Sparrow as I’d like to see it but I’ve heard about some really nasty torture and I honestly can’t deal with stuff like that.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Things I’m loving lately – February/March
Your mum sounds like she has similar film tastes to mine. Bambi, Mamma Mia and Mary Poppins are her go to films. I always try and foam roll if I can after a long run otherwise I end up getting runners knee.
All the best for Reading and hopefully it doesn’t snow. I think there’s already been enough this year :S
Foam rolling is an evil but it does help… prehab rather than rehab and all that jazz.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Things I’m loving lately – February/March
Oh my God, you won cake!!! Totally awesome!
I’m so ready for spring now. There may be more light but it’s snowing right now and usually in March I’m getting shorts and lighter tops out, not hunting for gloves etc every time I go for a run. Come on spring!
Allison recently posted…Friday Finds – 16th March
Obviously a shading which isn’t anything but difficult to keep clean isn’t suggested and ought not be utilized as a part of your furniture.
I think you spoke too soon by saying it’s nearly spring. We had so much snow at the weekend.
Alfie is such a cutie!