My love for running is taking me to places around the world that I have dreamed of visiting. I love the challenge the races provides and the opportunity to visit somewhere new and beautiful, it is so rewarding and inspiring. While I do these challenges I also want to support The Gracias Foundation as a charity close to my heart, please feel free to support their many projects by donating on the link below.

Monday 27 August 2012


Turning veggie 

I started to look at my diet and ways I can improve what I eat to improve my health, running and recovery times.   Last year I suffered with stomach troubles in most of my long runs and I didn't want to go through that again so some things have to change. 

After reading Scott Jurek's latest book I got intrigued about a vegetarian diet.  I have never been a big meat eater and always loved salads and vegetables so switching to veggie for me would be relatively easy.  I am at the experiment stage right now, reading books and trying out different recipe options. 

I have started having smoothies but these are unlike the ones that you buy from the shops, full of sugar and  you don't really know what has been put in them.  I often have one for breakfast or as a mid morning snack.  One recipe so far is : 

1 Banana
2 handful of soft fruit (blueberries, strawberries, peach etc) 
1 tbsp hemp protein powder
1 tbsp agave nectar
1 tbsp maca powder
1 tbsp flaxseed powder
2 tbsp almond butter
1.5 tbsp Oil
2 cups of water

I am loving these and loving trying out the new recipes



Saturday 4 August 2012

Glacier 3000

Distance: 26km   Vertical Ascent:  1,900m
Website: http://www.glacier3000.ch/en/Summer/Glacier3000runch/
The race course goes through a beautiful alpine landscape offering both runners and spectators many spectacular views. Between the starting point on the Gstaad Promenade at 1’050 meters and the finish line at Glacier 3000 (2’950 meters) lie 26 kilometres. The varying terrain and altitude gain of 1’900 meters is a challenge, even for experienced runners. Hence, the big joy and relief when crossing the finish line at the mountain top station Scex Rouge, after the last steep climb.
I decided that I would use this race as a training run as my legs were still tired from last week’s race in Davos.  This was a good run to do as a training run as it was a fairly easy 15km until you start going uphill.  I had decided that I would not push too hard so would only hike and not run any of the uphill.  I wanted the uphill and altitude practice, plus the views during the run are amazing!

Sometimes it was hard not to get sucked into the run and try and overtake people, but did my best to take it easy.  Overall it was a great race; I felt good and had loads of energy at the end, which was a good sign that I did take it easy.

My calves were sore on both the run and the uphill so I will have to work on stretching them over the next few days.  But I as I sit and watch the Olympics my legs are feeling fairly recovered with no soreness.  I am hoping that my change in diet is helping a quicker recovery.

Time:  4hrs 16 mins
Result:  87 Lady;  32 Lady Vet


The finish is the mountains in the distance!

The end can just be seen behind the chairlift

Looking back down the valley to the start

The path up towards the finish

The hard part has still to come, on the left is the hard slog up 

The finish is getting nearer but like all races, takes some time to come!


Running on the glacier

The view from the end










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