Follow the leader, leader, leader

So last night, for the first time EVER, I lead a group training run... not only a group training run but a run for 18people... on a 10k route... that I had only run once before.

I have probably mentioned elsewhere on this blog that I am a member of GoodGym - a running group who also does good deeds - and whilst the usual GoodGym Hackney run leader is away on holiday I have been asked to cover a couple of runs... and last night was the first of these runs.

Earlier this year, I did my Leadership in Running Fitness qualification and was keen to put it to use so jumped at the chance to lead the run.

I must admit I was more than just a little bit nervous - my main worries were losing people on the run and/or getting lost myself. I did a practice run on the Sunday and was feeling pretty confident I knew the way but there was still a small part of me which was sure I wouldn't remember. In all my briefing and dynamic warm up worries I did end up heading out on the run in my fur snood... this was probably for the best because I am suffering with a chest infection... however, I did look absurd!! I did enjoy wearing a nice big scarf though and have been trying to track down a good running scarf so can someone make one please?! Thanks!

Anywayyyyy...Despite my worries, everything went to plan and I really enjoyed it!! I mean, I am not sure if I enjoyed it at the time but I got a buzz from people saying "I enjoyed that" and "thanks for a great run".

I am looking forward to hosting a GoodGym Hackney run again next week but am keen on leading some of my own runs, along a route I choose... maybe it can be a new goal for 2014!

My first Yoga class

I have blogged before about my preconceptions and worries about starting Pilates but that I decided to take the plunge and sign up to some classes. And I loved it but it was only a 10week course of classes and to be fair they were at a community centre... so perhaps I didn't confront my fears as much as I could have done...!

However, I have now confronted my Yoga fears and, as with the Pilates, they were completely unfounded! As I am a bit skint at the moment I was loathed to sign up to some Yoga classes having not cased out whether I even liked Yoga! So I signed up to a Sweaty Betty Yoga class in their new Jubilee Place Canary Wharf store.

I LOVE Sweaty Betty and have always been intrigued as to how they manage to run classes in such a small space. Arriving early for the class meant that I saw the magic happen as islands of clothes were pushed back, lights lowered and yoga mats set up ready for a class of nine to fit in.

Looking around at the group I started to feel pretty nervous - not many of the girls seemed to know each other and I quickly got chatting to a girl who hadn't taken part in this class before. I was reassured that the class was for beginners and we started.

The class was great! I felt like I was supported with each move but offered opportunities to try more advanced positions. I wasn't as bad as I thought I was going to be, I think a lot of that was down to the Pilates.

To be honest as much as I enjoyed the yoga, which was A LOT, I was feeling a bit like it was just a less core focused version of the Pilates I had been doing. But what was different, and will make me book another class, is the few minutes at the end laying on my mat with my eyes closed taking the time to let the stress of the day melt away. It is so rare in my life that I just stop and relax... it made me realise that it is something to cherish and something to actively make time for if not every day at least once a week.

Do you do Yoga? What does it give you?

Race report: Men's Health Survival of the Fittest

Apologies in advance for a very delayed race report on Survival of the Fittest. I was aching for the week following the event and was unbelievably drained! And then life got hectic!... enough of the excuses though.... here it is...

Despite our nerves in the lead up to the event I can honestly say that we all had a fantastic time! We had to arrive at Battersea Power Station a couple of hours early to register, pick up our timing chips and our Survival of the Fittest t-shirts. Registration was quick and easy and before we knew it we were stood with our Bromley by Bow Centre tops on and race numbers pinned in place.

As with any team challenge we were keen to stand out and the Bromley by Bow Centre top was just not enough so out came the face paint! Just as the All Blacks have the Haka we needed something to intimidate the other teams – our face paint varied from camo stripes to a cat through to the evil eye!

The atmosphere in the event village was electric and we enjoyed watching others tackle the obstacles before our race began at 3pm. And that is when the fun really started…!

The course starts with some innocent looking hay bales which in reality were a devil to climb over. As we progressed around the course the obstacles came thick and fast growing in difficulty from monkey bars to climbing nets through to scaling walls and crawling through cars! In the cold Nov afternoon one of the most breath taking obstacles was crawling through cold water under a net whilst being sprayed by a fire hose…!

After tackling these obstacles and a run through Battersea Park the finish line was looming. What is usually a welcome sight was being met with dread as the 8ft final wall stood between us and the finish. With team work and perseverance we all managed to scale the wall only to be confronted with the 8ft drop on the other side.

This event is special – not only because it is harder than anything I have done before but because of its focus on team work. We were not only supporting our own team mates through the obstacles but every other participant giving a much needed leg up or words of encouragement.

I may have suffered from sore arms and bruised knees but this has only added to the sense of achievement. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we will be showing off our medals with pride!

Doing it as a team!

This Saturday… as in tomorrow!… I am joining 8 other Bromley by Bow Centre supporters on the start line of the Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest. This will be the first time I have attempted an obstacle course but it will also be the first time I have taken on a challenge with a team!

Over the past couple of weeks, depsite my training being minimal, I have discovered just what it is that is so special about taking on a challenge as part of a team. I am a runner normally and whilst I do run with groups such as GoodGym and with various friends it is, on the whole, a very solitary activity. Whilst the active running community on twitter can make it feel like you are part of a team nothing beats really being a part of a team.

Some of my team for Survival of the Fittest I am yet to meet so our contact has been largely virtual however, the remainder of my team are colleagues and in fact some sit in the same office as me. We all get on well as work colleagues and have visited the pub together after work a few times but I think taking on a challenge which we are all equally as excited and nervous about has brought us together in a way other team building activities may not have done.

Creative Stimulation
Taking part in this event together and wanting to share our experiences has meant that we have been able to pull together our creativity and bounce ideas off of each other better than if it was one of us alone. Hence the birth of our spoof training video.

Motivation Boost
We have done some core workouts in the office before work or during our lunch. We have been there when one of us has had a wobble of confidence about the weekend’s undertaking and we have shared our training plans with each other. It is great to have others that you can talk to about your challenge to get you motivated!

Expanded Social Circle
Whilst two of my team sit in the same office as me one other lady who is taking on the challenge, whilst working at the Bromley by Bow Centre, sits within a different project. It has been great to get to know her through the build up to the challenge and have an experience that we have shared together.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of working towards the weekend’s challenge as part of a team and hope that our cameraderie continues on the race course!

You can support me through Virgin Money Giving - www.virginmoneygiving.com/jasminemorris 

What are you experiences of being part of a team? Do you prefer to take on challenges solo?

Wednesday Inspiration - Who do you want to be in life?

Today's inspiration comes from an unusual source but it is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the most beautifully articulated pieces of motivational speaking I have heard.

Who do you want to be life?

Never be afraid to fail.

Work your butt off.

Autumnal run along Parkland Walk

I am trying to get back into doing longer runs after a summer of short sweaty runs thanks to the humid weather. I am also keen to find some new running routes in preparation for post Christmas long runs during my marathon training.

A few runners I follow have tweeted about Parkland Walk in North London and as the Mr's mother lives in North London it seemed an ideal way to visit family and try out a new route. And I am so glad we did!

It was a beautiful route. I joined it at Muswell Hill and ran to Highgate, through Highgate Wood and then rejoined the Parkland Walk to Finsbury Park and then back again. The first part from Muswell Hill to Highgate Wood was stunning as you are on a hill and can look across London - in the autumnal sunshine I felt like I was on top of the world.

I absolutely love running through woods so enjoyed the trip through Highgate Wood and loved passing under the disused railway arches and past the old platforms. The only annoying thing was that I kept having to come off the Parkland and then attempting to rejoin it was tricky at times. The sign posting could have been a bit clearer but it was a small price to pay for such a beautiful route.

I hope to do this route again soon and do it from beginning to end.

Can you recommend any London running routes? Where is your favourite Sunday run location?

Wednesday Inspiration - Just Do It!

This video is all the inspiration I need at the moment to get out there - if you beat one goal reach for the next one.

I love the emphasis on competition in this and I have started to try and add this competitive element to my runs whether it is beating my own time or overtaking THAT runner at Parkrun who is always in front of me.

Review: Shock Absorber Active Zipped Plunge Bra

I have been a huge fan of Shock Absorber sports bras for quite awhile now and have two of their running bras which I swear by. You can read my thoughts on these here.

I am also consistently appalled by the amount of women who don't wear a sports bra - there really is no excuse. Shock Absorber are doing a lot to make women realise that wearing a sports bra is important as well as making them sexy.

Recently I was sent the Active Zipped Plunge Bra to try. This is a gym bra and as someone who gave up her gym membership when she started running I wasn't sure when I would get the chance to wear it. However, I have recently started Pilates and it seemed the best time to give it a whirl - here are my thoughts:

Appearance

I love the look of this bra. It is sporty, it isn't overly girly, and most of all it is sexy. I LOVE the plunge neckline and the zip, front opening is a great touch. I think it looks great under a baggy vest with leggings but also worn on its own.

Comfort

This bra is really comfortable and easy to put on. Even after the sweatiest work out I wasn't left struggling to break free as with my running bras. I was worried about the zip and thought that it might rub but there is a piece of fabric under it which stops this.

I have worn it for Pilates every week now for the past 6 weeks. On the most part it was super comfortable but I have experienced some rubbing under the arms but nothing too bad.

On the whole I would encourage anyone who regularly uses the gym or attends work out classes to invest in this bra - nothing better than being supported and feeling sexy at the same time.

And if you aren't sold on the benefits of sports bras then have a go at Shock Absorber's Bounce O Meter - I guarantee you will be shocked!

My evening with Scott Jurek

For anyone who has read Born to Run the name Scott Jurek will mean something to you. Scott is one of ultra running's elites having victories in the historic 153mile Spartathlon, the Hardrock 100, the Badwater 135mile Ultra and the Western States 100mile Endurance Run.

Having read Born to Run (see my review here) and being completely inspired by it I was excited to read Scott Jurek's Eat and Run which didn't disappoint. I will write a review of this at another time.

When I saw that Scott was due to be speaking at the Bloomsbury Institute I jumped at the chance - it is one thing reading an inspirational story and another meeting a real life legend in the flesh.

Scott was charming, funny, open and honest. He answered questions, which undoubtedly he had been asked a million times before, as though he were answering them for the first time. What I found most striking was the way he looked back on all of his victories and what he hoped he would be remembered for:

"I want to be remembered as somebody who has been true... true to the sport... to being real and who hopefully inspires other people to find their own path"

He openly admitted that he was competitive and winning was important but that now he feels that he may have lost the ego to be so focused on winning. Scott definitely seemed keen to inspire other runners something that kept coming through when talking about his career now, the purpose for his book and his legacy:

"I'm doing my thing and maybe it will inspire someone to do their thing"

And that is exactly what Scott is doing. Hearing him talk didn't make me want to go out and run ultras but it did make me want to go out and run, get out into nature, explore, have my own adventures and find friends a long the way just as he did. The way he talks about his journey into running and the impact this had on his life is eye opening and many runners can relate to these sentiments:

"I was running toward something. It was helping me to sort out my life. You get those moments where you just have to survive on the trails just like life. Racing helped me push through the boundaries that I thought were there"

It truly was a privilege to hear Scott speak and he took the time to talk to and sign everyone's copies of Eat and Run. The message he wrote means a lot to me and he wished me good luck with my first ever marathon in April 2014. With Scott's blessing the only option is to do well, surely?

Track Night

I am still now haunted by memories of school sports days and the expectation that everyone in a form group should take on an athletic challenge. One year I was off ill on the day the different challenges were assigned and my wonderful peers opted to put me down for the 1,500m running event.

On my worst runs now I get flash backs to how I felt struggling round and round and round the running track whilst my entire year looked on... it was awful. I hated every second of it, I thought I was going to die and ended up faking an asthma attack just to make the humiliation and pain end.

Which is why when GoodGym advertised that they were holding a track night I surprised myself by not only signing up but also being really excited at the prospect.

A small enthusiastic group of us turned up at Mile End Stadium ready to try and do our fastest mile and then a fun relay race.

In true GoodGym spirit there was a great atmosphere within the group, an emphasis on pushing yourself and doing your best but a focus on having fun and enjoying it. After a great dynamic warm up and slow jog to get used to the track we lined up ready to take on a speedy mile.

It felt like the longest mile of my life.

As one of only two ladies in the group I was prepared for the boys to dash off ahead of me but it acted as a fantastic incentive to keep pushing myself... and I am chuffed to say I hit a new PB... 7 minutes and 6 seconds... with a sprint finish!

With a fun relay race to finish with each of us sprinting 100m the only logical end to a Friday night track night was the pub.

Unfortunately, I was too excited about running to remember to take any photos but I will definitely be frequenting Mile End Stadium track again - at £3 entrance it is a bargain! The track was quiet, beautiful condition and as the evening got darker Canary Wharf lit up in the background.

Thank you GoodGym for a wonderful experience and putting my track fears to rest.

Couples that run together, stay together

I love my boyfriend, he is my best friend in the whole entire world. We hang out with each other A LOT and so it was only natural that when we started running we took it up together. But I have a confession...

I HATE MY BOYFRIEND WHEN WE ARE RUNNING! (Phew it feels good to get that off my chest.)

When we signed up to the 2012 Run to the Beat neither of us had any experience of running and we were excited to start our journey together. As the months ticked by our lovely evenings and afternoons of running became full of arguments and silence. As his fitness improved and his focused shifted from completing the half marathon to completing it in under 2hrs he became more interested in running quicker and further than me.

We did the Run to the Beat and when we were waiting at the start line I would not have wanted anyone else next to me... and then we crossed the start line and he raced off into the sea of yellow running tops as I plodded on behind.

Fast forward to now and we have done a 10k and the National Lottery Run together and still do our regular runs with each other. And even though we are more evenly matched in pace and I have even beaten his times in races we still spend the whole run hating each other.

I run behind him staring at the back of his head raging over him trying to beat me, seething about the dishes he hasn't washed or the mess he made in the lounge. He runs behind me snapping at me for going too fast or too slow, for taking up all the room on the canal path.

But after all that, we get to share the highs of getting a PB together, the post run endorphins hit us both when we finish a run and all the stresses we were feeling disappear as we talk through the run and celebrate how far we ran or commiserate together when its been a tough one. We push each other to achieve more.

And THAT is why I think that couples who run together, stay together.

"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness" Joseph Pilates

For months I have had my Brighton Marathon training plan ready but have been waiting for cooler temperatures and the start of September before I really took a good hard look at it.

The other week I did just that and was surprised to see it wasn’t as full of the long, mile pounding runs I thought it would be. In fact, up until Christmas there is much more of a focus on building strength than there is on racking up the miles!

A new thing for me, which brought more fear than miles and miles of running, was the introduction of weekly Stretching/Yoga/Pilates sessions. I was afraid of this for two reasons:

1. Yoga Bunnies – my visions of yoga classes are lots of beautifully toned and flexible ladies cracking out wonderful shapes and being able to hold them FOREVER!

2. Price – a quick internet search resulted in lots of fun and exciting looking classes but with a price that made my eyes water. The thought of spending £10+ a week is an impossibility on my wage.

Fortunately, the charity I work for was just beginning a 10 week Pilates course… for FREE and for beginners. Without a moment’s hesitation I was signed up and looking forward to my first class.

For someone who has little to no core strength I pleasantly surprised myself with my ability to keep up and even cracked out a 1min plank – it has been awhile since I have even attempted a plank after taking on the Shock Absorber Ab Challenge earlier this summer!

I found the focus on breathing really beneficial and the hamstring stretches were like a gift from the heavens for my poor tight legs. Earlier this summer I saw how much strengthening my core helped my running and I am looking forward to seeing the benefits of the Pilates. I am already enjoying a more ache free existence.

What other training do you do to complement your running? Have you tried Pilates?

Baked: XXL Jammie Dodgers

The Great British Bake Off is back and the nights are drawing in, This can mean only one thing - my baking addiction is back in full force.

This Friday night I opted to stay in and get my bake on for my friend's charity fair on the Saturday. I usually opt to bake cupcakes for special occasions but inspired by the biscuit towers on The Great British Bake Off I decided to give Jammie Dodgers a go but with a twist... they were to contain custard and be bigger than your average biscuit.

How I did it:

I decided to use Edd Kimber's Custard Cream recipe which makes very short biscuits with custard powder in the biscuit mix. These are very tasty biscuits but not overly sweet which can be an issue when you then layer custard buttercream and jam inside.

Due to the size I was making my biscuits I had to make a couple of batches of these custard creams but it is quite an easy recipe to follow so this wasn't a hardship.

I then cut small heart shapes into half the biscuits so that the jam could poke through typical of a Jammie Dodger. For the jam I just used a homemade raspberry jam but you could use any jam depending on your preference.

These biscuits are very crumbly so a steady hand is key and so is patience. A couple of my early tries went wrong because I didn't let them cool completely and was heavy handed with the pallette knife when spreading the custard buttercream on. I opted to do a thin layer of custard buttercream topped with a generous layer of jam.

Unfortunately, due to a continued bug since my trip to Tunisia I didn't get the chance to try the biscuits once assembled just tasted the mix as I went along. However, judging by people's faces during the charity fair I think they were a huge success (no pun intended!)

The only downside to these biscuits is that they are just too big to dunk in your cup of tea!

What biscuits would you like to see made bigger?

“Running’s pointless. All you do is start at one point and run in a big circle until you are back where you began.”

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this, most of the time given as an excuse from people who don’t want to run and see no value in it. And I must admit at times I feel the same which is why GoodGym is a great incentive!

In short, GoodGym takes groups of people who want to run and gathers them all in one place on a weekly basis. From that meeting place everyone runs together to a local community organisation or project which needs volunteers for a short amount of time. The runners run in, get the job done and then run away again, back to where they started.

I have been going to GoodGym (almost) every week since Christmas and the range of activities and community organisations I have gotten to know over that time has been fantastic – one week I could be turning compost on Stepney City Farm to painting the inside of a local Church. I must admit there has been A LOT of poo shovelling and compost turning and although it is smelly work it is something I wouldn’t have a chance to experience if I was running for hours on a treadmill staring at a wall in my local gym.

But GoodGym is even more than this; they also match runners up to local older people who could do with a bit of company. The idea is that you run to your GoodGym coach (older person) have a chat and run away again. Seeing my GoodGym coach, Veronica, is always the highlight of my week. She gets me out there for a run even when it is the last thing I want to do because I know that she is waiting to see me. We get the chance to chat about everything from how gorgeous George Clooney is to the lack of local pubs and the subsequent breakdown of community!

So, there you have it, running doesn’t have to be pointless!

If you would like to come along to a GoodGym run just drop in to any session, they run from different areas on different nights – Monday = Tower Hamlets, Tuesday = Hackney and Wednesday = Camden. Visit their website for more info: www.goodgym.org

Autumn will always mean new starts

Ok so the idea behind this blog was to prove that you can still be feminine, eat cake and be a runner. After taking a break away I realise that I have drifted a little from this original ethos so I am going to focus on demonstrating the balance that I have in my life more on my blog.

So, as Autumn signifies new starts to me - a hangover from school days - I thought I would start today with this new refocused blog.

Black Tied Midi Rings

When I found Black Tied on twitter I was instantly in love. I have been obsessing over midi rings for months but knew if I was going to wear them regularly they needed to match the rings I wear every day.

As soon as I spotted the Silver Plated Twisted above knuckle rings I had to have them. They were affordable and matched the ring bought by the Mr for our anniversary earlier this year.

Black Tied didn't disappoint. They arrived so quickly and were beautifully packaged in a pink pouch with a cute little Thank You note. And the rings themselves are stunning.

I know I am going to be purchasing a lot of Christmas gifts from these guys over the next few months!!

Autumn Wardrobe

Being a girl is so fun when the seasons change. Don't get me wrong I love summer and will miss it deeply but... I am so excited about chunky jumpers and autumnal shades. As autumn seems to have hit all of a sudden this week I hit Westfield.

And came away with this outfit...

I am in love with my H&M chunky jumper and bought it in the biggest size going to make sure it was suitably slouchy. With a love of vintage as soon as I spotted the pattern on this Topshop skirt I knew it had to be mine. It is tight and high waisted but still so comfortable. I am looking forward to teaming it with a cream blouse for smarter work occasions but love wearing it casually like today.

Let the training begin!

Now that the weather is cooling down and September is well underway it is time for me to stop coming up with excuses and to knuckle down to the Brighton Marathon training. Monday will signal the start of my training plan which focuses on stretching, strength and stamina building until January when the mile counting begins.

I am always excited to have a training plan to follow - I find it focuses my mind and gives me that extra bit of motivation to get out there.

To kick start my new plan I have signed up to 10 weeks of Pilates... exciting!

What is the arrival of Autumn bringing for you?

How *not* to keep fit on holiday

This was supposed to be an enlightening blog post on how it is easy to go away on holiday and keep fit whilst still enjoying your time away. Unfortunately, I didn't succeed in keeping fit and healthy on holiday... in fact, quite the opposite.

To put this post into context - It has been a busy year at work and at home with a lot of changes and challenges. For the first time in my life I decided to book a week away at an all inclusive hotel by the seaside for some much needed chill out time. The Mr and I decided on Tunisia and I have literally been counting down the days until we flew away.

I packed my trainers and running kit with visions of running along the beach and saw that the hotel offered free exercise classes including yoga at sunset... and, honestly, I had every intention of making the most of these. And then I arrived there... and the non stop FREE food and booze happened, and the sun was shining, and there were sun loungers on the beach and an excursion to the Sahara Desert... and, most importantly, I realised I was exhausted.

By the second day away I made the conscious decision to keep my trainers in my suitcase unless I genuinely wanted to go for a run not because I felt guilty that I hadn't. I decided I would join in the exercise classes only if I wanted to because it looked fun not because I felt I should. As it happens, in the end, I didn't do any sport (unless you count Aqua Gym following one too many G&Ts...) and I am ok with that.

I have returned to London refreshed, feeling more positive, ache free and genuinely excited about embarking on my marathon training.

Volunteering at Park Run

There are not many things which will drag me out of bed at 7:30am on a drizzly Saturday morning but this weekend I found myself heading out to Park Run. Unlike the other, shamefully few, times that I have headed to Park Run I wasn't running it but instead volunteering.

Park Run relies on volunteers to make sure that it goes ahead each week and remains free for its runners. When I saw an appeal from Mile End Park Run on Facebook for volunteers this weekend I decided to put my name down. My role was Marshal and I was looking forward to seeing another side of the Park Run experience.

I was paranoid about being late and overestimated the run there so arrived 15mins early which resulted in a cold and wet wait in the park. However, another of the volunteers was also early and it was great to chat to someone who had not only been to the Mile End Park Run a number of times but was a bit of a Park Run tourist as well having tried a few others out.

I was shown to my marshalling point and left to get on with, well, being a marshal. The only problem is I wasn't sure exactly what I should be doing. Having only been to Park Run twice I wasn't sure whether I should woop and cheer people up the hill or whether I should just act as a marker to show people the correct route. Wanting to be a crowd pleaser I opted for polite clapping and a smile... but must admit to feeling extremely awkward throughout.

It was a great experience, watching people take on the Park Run and to see the reaction of other park users as a group of runners hurtle round the course. I was asked by a couple of people about what we were all doing, one runner and the rest just curious park goers. A family walking their dog paused and cheered for a bit and then carried on with their Saturday morning.

Despite feeling awkward I am glad that I had the chance to volunteer and it certainly made me realise the amount of people and the dedication of the coordinators it takes to make sure Park Run happens every week.

Have you visited your local Park Run? Ever thought about volunteering?

Fit not thin

For years I have been obsessed with the what the scales have to tell me, sweating over a pound, always aiming for a new target. I even had an app on my phone that let me chart my weight loss only adding to my obsessive weighing.

I have never been skinny but equally I have never been overweight. But it didn't hit me until I started to run miles a week and physically see that my body was toning up that I realised maybe what I weighed wasn't the most important factor. My weight hasn't dropped drastically but my body shape has changed hugely.

Which is when I started to look into other ways to measure my changing shape and stumbled across the Body Fat Percentage Calculator. I used the measurement method putting my height, waist, neck and hip measurements into a calculator online and was given a percentage which then fitted into one of the below categories:

Women

10-12% Essential Fat
14-20% Athletes
21-24% Fitness
25-31% Acceptable
32%+ Overweight/Obese

Men

2-4% Essential Fat
6-13% Athletes
14-17% Fitness
18-25% Acceptable
26%+ Overweight/Obese

I was pleasantly surprised to see that I fell almost smack bang in the middle of the "Fitness" category. Now for a girl who loves cake and big dinners it really did show that what I am doing is right. I don't have to live off salad leaves and steer clear of carbs. I can eat healthily and heartily as long as I am willing to focus on exercise rather than starvation. It seems obvious but this was a big realisation for me having opted for diets over exercise terrified of looking unfeminine and "ripped".

So now that I have had my epiphany and am determined to be fit not thin I won't be so terrified of the extra helping of pasta after a particularly gruelling run.

How do you chart your progress?

Review: YFumble

After years in the Brownies I have learnt to prepare for every eventuality which results in my handbag being full of everything from a pack of bobby pins to nail varnish to a magnet (don't ask why!) This is fine when matching an oversized bag to your outfit... not such a great quality when heading out on a run...

When the weather was cooler I could fill the pockets up on my Sweaty Betty Running Jacket (probably the best running item I have ever bought) but since the temperatures have started to climb I have been hunting for an alternative for carrying my:

• Oyster Card
• Bank Card
• Asthma Inhaler
• Mobile Phone
• Keys

After sending out a request on twitter a surprising amount of people suggested the YFumble and after spying the pink camo version I could not wait for it to arrive.

The YFumble passed the first test - my obnoxiously large phone (Samsung Galaxy Note) can fit into it along with everything else... yes everything!

Second test - it looked great - I love the pink camo.

Unfortunately, the third test didn't go so well. Running with the YFumble is fine, it is comfortable and takes up hardly any space when chucked in my gym bag. But, as I run with an app on my phone I often want to take a glance at the screen or pause it to do some strength exercises which is where the issue lies. Taking my phone in and out of the YFumble when on my arm and when having got my sweat on becomes trickier than taking off a sports bra. Then putting it back on is another ordeal.

I really wanted to like this product and was desperate for it to be a solution to my problem but, after several runs with it, I am finding it more of a frustration than a help.

Anyone got any other solutions?

My Brighton Marathon team needs YOU!

So I am running the 2014 Brighton Marathon... and this is only just starting to sink in. Since September 2011 I have been working as a fundraiser for the Bromley by Bow Centre, a community organisation based in Tower Hamlets... and that's where this whole "running a marathon" idea began...

I can remember the moment I first decided to try running – I was cheering on a group of five 2012 Brighton Marathon runners who had spent months training and fundraising on behalf of the Centre. The atmosphere of everyone cheering, the positivity and camaraderie of all of the runners really captured my imagination. That evening, despite having never gone for a run and not owning a pair of trainers, I bought a place on my first ever half marathon taking place that autumn.

I was excited about getting out there for my first run, pulled on my plimsolls and went for an ambitious 3 mile run. Less than 10 minutes into the run I was exhausted, out of breath and panicking about the task I had set myself. But, I persevered and completed my half marathon, and another a few months later. Running for me has become more than just training for a race, it is how I unwind after a day at work and having moved to a new area recently it has given me the opportunity to explore where I live. Friends from school who remember me in PE lessons regularly comment on their surprise at my new found love of running – they can remember me hiding in the changing rooms when Cross Country was on the cards!

Running the Brighton Marathon in 2014 will mean a huge amount for me – not only because it is the race that inspired me to try running but also because I will be raising money for the Centre. The Centre is an incredibly special place and somewhere I regularly feel privileged to work. Walking through the park is guaranteed to brighten even the gloomiest Monday morning as you bump into Francis and Maria tending the plants in the flower garden or pass a classroom full of learners talking excitedly to one another. I regularly get talking to someone in the café and hear just a snippet of what the Centre means to them and it is that which will keep me going for 26.2 miles.

Which brings me onto the second part of my challenge – I am looking for five enthusiastic fundraisers to join my Brighton Marathon team for 2014! As a team we will support each other through the training, share our top tips and keep each other motivated. It is going to be fun, we will explore London together, our neighbourhoods and discover new places. We will put our mental and physical strength to the test and we will realise that we can do so much more than we thought possible.

A marathon is more than 26.2miles – it is a bringing together of people of different backgrounds, abilities and ages. It is sharing an experience with 1000's of people you have never met and who are undertaking the same challenge for all different reasons. This is what makes a marathon amazing!

Together we will take on the Brighton Marathon on behalf of the Bromley by Bow Centre!

If you are interested in joining my Brighton Marathon team let me know by commenting below or emailing me on:Jasmine.Morris@bbbc.org.uk

Turning that frown upside down

This week has been horrible. I have been exhausted, run off my feet busy and anything that could go wrong has done.

It has been so easy for me to be negative this week, to be pessimistic and wallow in self pity. But today I have decided to stop being a moody bum and to start being positive. But it is hard to do something which, for a majority of the time, comes naturally. So this is what I have resolved to do...

1.  Remember that it is ok to have take time out for me.

So often I try and fit too much in, to prove I can take anything on at work, that I can keep up my training in the evenings and have a social life. My motto, up until now, has been to say "Yes" to any challenge that comes my way and work out how to tackle it later. But, this week, I am going to make time to listen to my body - if I need to go to bed early, I will. If I need to miss the run or boot camp, I will. I need to realise that if I run myself into the ground then I will burn out.

2. Remember that as bad as you feel now, it wasn't that long ago you felt good

I am dramatic. When things go wrong I tend to react as though nothing has ever been right and that nothing will ever be right again. When I think back to this week, it has been pretty awful but on Sunday morning I was in Surrey, I went for a run on the heath and took a few minutes to stand here and just soak in the peaceful atmosphere. I felt happy, content and positive. Just thinking about that makes me realise that it has only been a couple of days and it won't be long until I feel like that again.

3. Remember that you can't blame everyone else for how you feel

It is easy to blame everyone else for how you feel and I know I do. But it is time I realised that I have to make my own sunshine - I have to make myself happy whether that is through letting things go and not letting them get me down or whether it is doing something that makes me happy.

How do you cope with the low days?

Race Review: The National Lottery Anniversary Run

Today I had the opportunity to race around the Olympic Park and finish in the Olympic Stadium... and it was AWESOME!

I wasn't too excited at the prospect of The National Lottery Anniversary Run, in fact I was dreading it. I thought it would be another case of more event than race, long waits and over hyped. The oversized running top and my boyfriend's missing race pack did nothing to fill me with confidence. But, despite this, crossing over the bridge into the Olympic Park the atmosphere was contagious.

The organisation seemed pretty good once we entered the park - my boyfriend sorted out the race pack dilemma and we hung around taking a few typical cheesy pre-race photos.

There were plenty of toilets - perks of being at a venue designed for lots of people. However, it was freezing and I did expect more entertainment before the race began after having been encouraged to get there 2 hours early. I couldn't even get a cup of tea as I saw too late, via twitter, that there were no cash machines in the park. Something which should have been highlighted in the booklet a bit better.

The starting blocks had a fantastic atmosphere, seeing Paula Radcliffe and Chris Hoy was a great addition. The warm up had a bit of the Mr Motivator about it but it was all a good laugh. The best bit though - setting off almost exactly on time which, in my previous experience, is almost unheard of!

As training hasn't gone well for me the past couple of weeks I vowed to myself that I wouldn't put too much pressure on myself. In fact I just wanted to finish! My boyfriend and I decided to run together (normally in a race one of us pulls away and we spend the whole time racing each other) which made this race something really special as we coaxed each other up the hills and sang out loud to the songs on the course. Parts of the route were amazing others less so but overall it was fantastic to find yourself winding round getting closer and closer to the stadium.

The finish was almost indescribable - running through the tunnels under the stadium, Chariots of Fire playing, hearing people cheering on the runners ahead of you then moving into the light and seeing row after row of seats. Breathtaking (if not a bit cheesy).

The best bit - high-fiving my boyfriend at the 100m mark and sprinting alongside him to cross the finish line.

This run was dubbed the "Back to the Stadium" run but to me it was the run that put me back in love with running and made me believe in myself again.

Were you there? What was your highlight?

Pppush it real good!

Just in case you hadn't noticed it is HOT. It is also muggy. This is great of a weekend laying in a bikini at the Serpentine Lido but not so great for running.

Although I am not training for anything at the moment I am starting to get frustrated at my inability to deal with this heat on my runs. I haven't managed to go further than 4miles for a couple of weeks now. My pace is a minute slower per mile than it has been for a long time and I don't know what to do...

But what I do know is that I have to just keep trying to push through it. I have to acknowledge that I won't be breaking any records for the next few weeks. I have to come to terms with 5am runs to avoid the heat. I have to drink lots of water instead of tea.

Most of all I have to learn to push harder, both mentally and physically.

What are you doing to combat the heat and keep your running on track?

Who wears short shorts...

It's official, summer has hit.

I feel like I have spent months running through rain, snow and hail stones dreaming of summer evening runs. But now it is here, and a few sweaty runs later I have found myself dreaming of the colder months.

I love my Sweaty Betty black running tights - I have come round to wearing lycra in public, in fact it has become second nature. But the past two weeks the temperatures have been so high there was no choice but to crack out the shorts.

A few weeks back I bought some Nike tight little black shorts thinking that I would look like all of the hot runner babes in their promotional materials. Unfortunately, I was blessed (or cursed depending on the way you look at it) with big thighs and a bum to match. My first run in my Nike shorts left half of east London reeling from my constant wedgie as the shorts rode up to places no shorts should go.

Which left me back in my running tights sweating like nobody's business... that is until I indulged in my other love... Vintage Shopping.

At the wonderful To Be Worn Again Kilo sale I found myself with arms full of dresses and jumpsuits but still under a kilo so, to get my money's worth, I ventured to the vintage sports gear and picked out these shorts...

They are probably men's shorts but I couldn't care less. They are flattering, brightly coloured and baggy enough that they don't ride up but still short enough to feel feminine. I am in love. Better yet they probably cost me less than £1!

So... do you brave shorts on your runs? Are there any you recommend? 

A change is as good as a rest

Today finally felt like summer had arrived - I woke up at 7am to the sun shining and bright blue skies. I couldn't wait to pull on my trainers and just get out there for a quiet sunday morning canal run.

Unfortunately, my body had other ideas. I was aiming for a leisurely 10miler but by mile 3 I was struggling, hot, tired and running low on water (which is unlike me as I tend to run for an hour before needing a drink) I was close to quitting and getting the bus home.

Taking a detour through Mile End Park in order to make my way home I saw the stepped hill and opted for three sets of squat jumps to the top with walking lunges back down. Then some leg strength exercises. I then did three Kenyan Hill sprints before making the 1.5mile run home.

Instead of being disappointed that I didn't get the miles under my belt I was feeling tired and had that pleasant aching in my thighs.

So, my new philosophy is that when I feel like I can't do the length of run planned I can only cut it short with a good workout in the middle then, and only then, will I have earnt the right to bail.

Afterall, a change is as good as a rest!

Book Love: Running Like a Girl

I have made no secret of the fact that I don't think there are enough positive female role models for the "average" woman looking to get into running. A lot of what I see around keeping fit and running created for women is focused on cutting corners and quick fixes. Which led me to pick up Alexandra Heminsley's "Running Like a Girl".

Alexandra begins the book as a normal girl going through a bit of a break up, dissatisfied by her weight and bored of gyms and yoga she decides to start running. Like many of us, her first run doesn't go well neither do some of her subsequent runs. She experiences cripplingly embarrassing moments attempting to purchase trainers and falling over during the London Marathon. She has trials and tribulations, relapses and successes.

What I really like about this book is that it is brutally honest. She doesn't struggle in her training then complete the London Marathon without a bead of sweat ruining her make up. She does it, she is emotional, she cries and she falls over but importantly she does all this and completes her goal.

Ideal for the first time runner or even those of us who are considering running as the second part of the book is full of handy tips and advice all aimed at women. I appreciate some of the tips like buying a sports bra (continual bug bear of mine as you can see here) but the tips about wearing nail varnish and what sort of make up stays on during a marathon I found a little bit unnecessary. But then I am not too concerned about sweating off my eyeliner. 

Overall, I do suggest any lady thinking of starting their running journey should read this book but so should their significant others as it demonstrates really well the emotional pressure it can put you under, the self doubt you can experience after a particularly rubbish run and the importance of people there who will support you when you have to get up at 6am in the winter to bash out that 10mile run...

Some of my favourite quotes from the book are:

"The secret that all runners keep is that they don't do it for their bodies, but for their minds. Slim legs can get boring, but a clear mind never does"

"[Running] is the discipline to stick to what you need to do to get where you need to go. It is the courage to leave someone you love in a warm bed, hoping that they will still love you when you return an hour later, sweating and cross"

My dirty little secret...

At the end of the week Rosie wrote a post for the High Tea Cast: "Running out of patience - why twitter hates runners". And it made me think about the reactions I have had from the world of twitter since beginning running and posting about this on social media.

I love twitter. I love baking. I love eating. I love vintage clothes. I love running. And I also tweet about all of these things... a lot. However, I am, increasingly feeling guilty about posting about running and the increasing frequency I tweet about running. But the truth is that as running becomes a larger part of my life it is inevitable that this will come across on social media.

I have lost followers and I have gained followers, none of this matters to me. What has surprised me though are some of the comments I get from some of my real life friends to these posts - a lot of them are supportive whilst others openly ridicule my tweets about running. This saddens me. I actively keep running posts, on the whole, off of my Facebook page as I don't feel that is a space where people want to be bombarded but twitter is designed for stream of consciousness, regular updates on the minutiae of life.

However, for all of the horrible comments and lost followers I get for every running post I put up there are more positive comments and new, better followers. Just this week I put out a post looking for recommendations on running arm bands for phones and within seconds I got lots of people offering suggestions and their thoughts, suggesting websites and where to get the best deal. There are some great ladies that I have met through twitter who post congratulatory comments on running posts, who ask me how its going, who empathise with me when an injury is getting me down and who share the guilt of a missed run.

For all of those friendships I happily accept the horrible comments and that is why I won't let running become my dirty little secret.

Shout out to the wonderful @AmIReallyRunnin and @ChiltonDiva who both spread twitter love by being truly fantastic and supportive women!

If you fancy following my twitter and aren't turned off by the odd running update you can do so here: @x_JazzyM_x

There's more to running than running

Who would've thought it but it is true... there is more to running than just getting out there and, well, running.

As someone who hates any sort of strength and core work I have been trying to ignore the advice that I should in fact be squatting, lunging and planking my way to better running. But not anymore... I am going to get those abs of steel and thighs of iron... or at least try to!

I am rubbish at fitting this sort of exercise into my running schedule so when I saw Shock Absorber post their 30 Day Abs Challenge on Facebook it was like a god send - it gives me a structure to follow, which means that I don't have to think, and it increases in intensity. What more could I want?

I am only 15 days in and as yet I haven't noticed any huge aesthetic changes - but I am trying not to dwell on this as it isn't the main reason I am doing this (although it would be nice). Yes, I have taken a before photo and a during photo and hopefully by the end I will proudly display them alongside a finished photo of perfect abs!

I have however, started to think more about my abs when I am running - mostly because they are aching from the challenge. It is making me appreciate that in order to keep going during the Brighton Marathon I am going to need a strong core to keep me lifting my legs when they start to feel like lead!

Now I need to start on the arms and legs now... Does anyone have any top strength exercises? What other exercises do you do to compliment your running?

Fighting off the blues

This week I have mostly felt like this...

It has been one of those weeks that feels like it has lasted forever, that everything which could go wrong did and the things that normally cheer me up just weren't doing it for me.

I made a point of trying to stick to my usual running routine and made sure I was still doing my Shock Absorber 30 Day Ab Challenge because I was sure that this would get me out of my rut - post exercise endorphins and all of that... and when that failed I turned to chocolates and cake.

And then it dawned on me - what I needed was some time. Some time to myself. Some time in bed, some time to read and do some life admin. So after a weekend of no running and spending some time with the Mr and neighbours I feel ready for Monday.

What are your top tips for getting out of a slump?

Mojito Cupcakes - a Father's Day Treat

This Sunday is Father's Day but as I am a bad daughter I will be spending this Sunday recovering from a hangover after a Flat Crawl on Saturday night. So, to redeem myself, I visited my Dad last weekend and baked a batch of the Hummingbird Bakery's Mojito cupcakes.

My Dad is a massive fan of mojitos and the sun was shining on Saturday so these were the perfect treat enjoyed outside with a pot of tea. I was surprised I liked them - I am not usually a fan of alcoholic sweet treats but the zingy lime and fresh mint off set the rum really well.

And... they aren't too tricky to make either... although I did deviate slightly from the recipe choosing to cut my lemon and lime zest into small cubes instead of grated as I like to get that sharp taste of lemon or lime in a hit rather than dispersed throughout the cupcake. I also chose not to decorate the top with caster sugar coated mint leaves as suggested but instead opted for more cubed lime zest and a mint leaf - sometimes you can just have too much sugar!

Mojito Cupcakes!

Makes 12 medium sized cupcakes or 20-30 mini cakes

For the sponge:

100ml White rum
170g Caster sugar
40g Unsalted butter, softened
120g Plain flour
1/4 tsp Salt
1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp Grated lime zest
1 tsp Grated lemon zest
1 tbsp Finely chopped mint
1 large egg
120ml Milk
1/2 tsp Vanilla essence

Preheat oven to 170deg C and line a muffin tin with cases

In a saucepan bring the white rum and 30g of the sugar to the boil, reduce by half and set aside.
Beat together the butter, flour, salt, baking powder, lime and lemon zest, mint and remaining sugar. Mix until you have a crumb like consistency.
Mix together the egg milk and vanilla in a jug and gradually pour this into the dry mix mixing until you have a smooth batter.

Spoon cake batter into the cases up to 2/3 full. Place in the oven and bake for 12-15 min's for mini cupcakes or 15 to 20 for bigger or until the cakes are a light golden brown and springy to the touch.

While the cakes are still warm spoon the rum reduction over them (1/2 tsp for mini cakes 1tsp for bigger approx) Then leave to cool completely!

For the frosting

80g Unsalted butter
250g Icing sugar
1/4 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp lime zest
4 tsp milk
4 tsp White rum

1tbsp caster sugar
1 tsp chopped mint or lime zest

Using and electric whisk, beat together the butter, icing sugar, lemon and lime zest until combined in a sandy consistency. Stir together the milk and rum and pour this into the butter mixture while still beating, whisk until light and fluffy.
Divide the frosting between the cakes. To finish, mix together the caster sugar with either 1 tsp of mint or lime zest and sprinkle over the top.

This recipe is from the Hummingbird Bakery's Cake Days and one of my favourite cake recipe books. My only niggle is the typical over use of butter icing or frosting which seems to be typical of american cupcakes but that can be easily substituted for a cream cheese or yoghurt frosting.

Now to try the Pina Colada cupcakes...

Fitness Freak Rave Up

What happens when you mix 90's club classics, glow sticks and a dance routine? Well on Wednesday night I found out at the Fitness Freak Rave Up!

Fitness Freak is an amazing resource for finding your local exercise classes from yoga to hula. For two nights this week they hosted four Fitness Freak Rave Ups - dance workouts with a strength session to 90's classics for an hour in the tunnels under Waterloo.

I am not one for dance exercise classes - I am uncoordinated and have the memory of a goldfish. In fact I normally stay clear of them... for everyone else's sake as well as my own... but the lure of 90's music and glow sticks meant that I was signing up without a moments hesitation. And it was worth it!

The tunnels are known for hosting a variety of weird and wonderful pop up events and stood surrounded by graffiti and street art with groups of people dressed in their best neon I was beyond excited. On entering the tunnels the music was pumping and we were guided to a room full of boxes and after hesitantly relinquishing all of my worldly belongings I ventured, glowsticks in hand, into the main room.

Huge neon and UV prints decorated the walls and free UV body paint got everyone in a raving mood way before the class officially began. The class itself was fun, energetic and sweaty with a variety of moves repeated to different tracks increasing in speed. Even I was able to follow the routine and doing it with glowsticks in the dark meant that even when I didn't quite get it right no one was able to notice (apart from the poor soul whose foot I trampled!)

I was surprised by a good strength session in the middle with squats and lunges meaning that by the end my legs were feeling like lead and I felt like I had properly worked out which is something I haven't experienced in similar dance exercise classes.

The evening finished up with a good stretch and some Vita Coco which is fast becoming my favourite post workout treat!

All in all, I really enjoyed the class and am almost a dance exercise class convert... as long as it is in the dark... with UV... and I can sing "THERE'S NO LIMIT" at the top of my voice...

Happy National Running Day!

I would like to wish all of those people who pull on the lycra and head out to pound the pavements first thing in the morning, leaving a warm bed when it is raining outside, sweating their make up off in the height of summer and turning down large cold glasses of wine in the pub after work a very HAPPY NATIONAL RUNNING DAY!

If you visit www.runningday.org you can personalise a running badge explaining why you run which got me thinking about why I run...

I run to be free....

- from the stresses of work
- from the stresses at home
- from the thoughts in my head
- from others
- to eat what I want
- to appreciate what I can achieve when I put in the hard work
- to enjoy being outside whatever the weather
- to focus completely on me
- to wear lycra in public

Why do you run?

Park Life - My first Parkrun

I've heard a lot about parkruns. People rave about them all over twitter and on the recently launched Guardian Running Blog there was an article in praise of the parkrun.

So, up early on a Saturday I decided to give the Mile End parkrun a go and it didn't disappoint. I arrived  just before the 9am start outside Mile End Stadium and there was a crowd of runners warming up, stretching and chatting to each other. Usually, this sight would terrify me - walking into an established crowd and being the newbie but this was different. The runners were friendly and the volunteers called all first timers (a surprisingly large amount of us) and explained the course and the process.

The beauty of the parkrun is in the simplicity of the course - two laps to the canal and back. Simple... well a part from the 4 up hills this involved... I am not a fan of hills so it was great to blast some uphill running over a short fast 5k. And it certainly was a short fast 5k - the front runners were clear from the start as they raced ahead of the main group and could be seen heading back on their second lap before I had finished my first. I felt like I was running through treacle, my legs were heavy and I just wasn't feeling it. But, I surprised myself and managed to complete the 5k in 24mins. But what's an even nicer touch, especially for the competitive parkrunners is the email of results you get after telling you where you finished in the group and where you finished in relation to your age group and sex.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience and felt like a real community. Although I don't think I will go every week I will make sure I go every month.

And, even better - my run was done by 10am leaving the rest of a sunny Saturday free for baking and BBQs.

My Morning Ritual

So in a last ditch attempt to finish Blog Every Day In May this blog post is about "Morning Ritual".

My morning ritual is basic and mostly focused on breakfast. I love breakfast and can't remember a time that I didn't find it an important way to begin the day. In fact it deeply concerns me that a large amount of people skip breakfast but more worrying are those who skip breakfast to lose weight! FACT: Those who eat breakfast are a third less likely to be obese (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2824987.stm) as it increases your metabolism and stops you from overeating during the day.

I have recently changed my breakfast routine after seeing a Nutritionist who suggested that my constant sweet cravings could be down to the fact that I was starting my day with homemade granola (seriously, no reason to buy granola when you can make it with oats, honey and a little oil then baked in the oven), seeds, natural yoghurt and fruit. Starting the day with such a sweet breakfast, although healthy, may be kick starting me wanting sweet things from then on.

So, my current breakfast routine is this... Wake up at 7:45am, straight to the kettle to make a Green Tea with a slice of Lemon (Green Tea has been linked with lowering cholesterol  raising metabolism, lowering risk of cancer and fighting off dementia and has just enough caffeine to kick start the day).

Now for my savoury breakfast - I pop two eggs in to boil and go away and do my make up. Exactly 5 mins later I am ready to have my multigrain ryvita, wilted spinach, tomatoes and boiled eggs on top.

I make sure I take time to sit down to eat my breakfast and take time to relax before heading to work.