My high from the marathon last week is starting to wear off, unfortunately. Just as well there are always more events to enter and train for! It doesn't help that this week has seen me do minimal exercising and running, due to recovering from the race and only doing a very light version of what I have been used to. Cue less running endorphins all round (only got two runs in this week as was testing my legs - so far, so good!) combined with lots of delicious recovery foods = I am feeling a bit heavier and things seem a bit anti-climatic after all the excitement of last week. Oh well. Everything is only temporary, and this was bound to happen.
As for my go to 'recovery' foods, well yes, there has been the usual dark chocolate, giant mounds of garlicky green vegetables, fruit (including loads of pineapple), avocados, and some smoked salmon (no turmeric as yet, weird hey? This is purely a logistical issue - having moved apartments yet again I haven't yet tracked down the facilities/pans in which to be able to make said turmeric latte, nooooo....). One such night featured smoked salmon in the form of a delicious smoked salmon pizza courtesy of 4 Ps Pizza over in the Old Quarter here in Hanoi. Here's where I have a confession: I, sometimes known as the stand-up comedienne 'Cheesy Louisey' (where my comedic focus is actually on cheese jokes and cheese puns) was hitherto unaware of a type of cheese that was deliciously brought to my attention on this particular evening. One word: Burrata.... So, before I get on and ramble about exactly why salmon is such a good healing food, here are a couple of pizza porn pictures from this particular night. If you're anywhere in Hanoi, do yourself (namely your tastebuds) a favour and get yourself down to 4ps for their burrata pizza. Vietnammm.....:
As for my go to 'recovery' foods, well yes, there has been the usual dark chocolate, giant mounds of garlicky green vegetables, fruit (including loads of pineapple), avocados, and some smoked salmon (no turmeric as yet, weird hey? This is purely a logistical issue - having moved apartments yet again I haven't yet tracked down the facilities/pans in which to be able to make said turmeric latte, nooooo....). One such night featured smoked salmon in the form of a delicious smoked salmon pizza courtesy of 4 Ps Pizza over in the Old Quarter here in Hanoi. Here's where I have a confession: I, sometimes known as the stand-up comedienne 'Cheesy Louisey' (where my comedic focus is actually on cheese jokes and cheese puns) was hitherto unaware of a type of cheese that was deliciously brought to my attention on this particular evening. One word: Burrata.... So, before I get on and ramble about exactly why salmon is such a good healing food, here are a couple of pizza porn pictures from this particular night. If you're anywhere in Hanoi, do yourself (namely your tastebuds) a favour and get yourself down to 4ps for their burrata pizza. Vietnammm.....:
Why is salmon so good in terms of healing, you may ask? Salmon is such a nutrient dense, delicious food. Check it out:
Salmon Nutrition Facts
Packed full of good stuff, not only does salmon reap these benefits: proper cardiovascular health, correct muscle and tissue development, increased eye health and efficient body metabolism, but it's the omega-3 fatty acids that act as potent anti-inflammatories, thus speeding muscles/tissue healing (whilst the amino acids from its high protein content get to work on repairing said muscles and tissues). Other awesome anti-inflammatory foods include: turmeric, ginger, tart cherries, red onions, grapes, olives/olive oil, broccoli, garlic, pineapple, fermented foods and drinks, spinach, other dark green leafy veg, walnuts and other nuts, avocado, mmmmmmm........
So, yes, food and active recovery (plus a few rest days) has seen me recover pretty well after last week's race. Now I am pumped for the next one!! Here is my wish-list of upcoming races:
- Sapa Mountain Marathon - September (I would like to do the 42km option - was originally wanting to do the 70km option but don't think I will be anyway near trained enough for that).
- Long Bien Marathon - October (tossing up whether to do a half or the full).
- Bangkok Marathon - November (going to do the full here! Get maximum bang for my buck seeing as it will be an overseas trip, lol... Prolong the fun and all that...)
So, I'll be keeping my kilometres up and cracking on with my training, and aiming to have a healthy, balanced nutrition plan for most of the time (not one for extremes - it's way ok to have days/weekends when you party or treat yourself). Nutrition and fuel really is that important and makes all the difference to both your training and your results. Stuck for healthy snack ideas? Get a copy of my 'Healthy Eating On The Go For Runners' here: http://lousweight.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0a79193a9250d21160624d6f9&id=3c7b2ebad9
Enjoy your day and week ahead everyone! If you're here in Vietnam, are YOU going to do either of the two Vietnam events above? Or why not travel to Bangkok with me for the marathon?? Nothing like a good race-cation....
Salmon Nutrition Facts
- Vitamin B12 (236% daily recommended value)
- Vitamin D (127%)
- Selenium (78.3%)
- Vitamin B3 (56.3%)
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (55%)
- Protein (53.1%)
- Phosphorus (52.1%)
- Vitamin B6 (37.6%)
- Iodine (21.3%
- Choline (19.2%)
- Vitamin B5 (18.4%)
- Biotin (15.1%)
- Potassium (14%)
Packed full of good stuff, not only does salmon reap these benefits: proper cardiovascular health, correct muscle and tissue development, increased eye health and efficient body metabolism, but it's the omega-3 fatty acids that act as potent anti-inflammatories, thus speeding muscles/tissue healing (whilst the amino acids from its high protein content get to work on repairing said muscles and tissues). Other awesome anti-inflammatory foods include: turmeric, ginger, tart cherries, red onions, grapes, olives/olive oil, broccoli, garlic, pineapple, fermented foods and drinks, spinach, other dark green leafy veg, walnuts and other nuts, avocado, mmmmmmm........
So, yes, food and active recovery (plus a few rest days) has seen me recover pretty well after last week's race. Now I am pumped for the next one!! Here is my wish-list of upcoming races:
- Sapa Mountain Marathon - September (I would like to do the 42km option - was originally wanting to do the 70km option but don't think I will be anyway near trained enough for that).
- Long Bien Marathon - October (tossing up whether to do a half or the full).
- Bangkok Marathon - November (going to do the full here! Get maximum bang for my buck seeing as it will be an overseas trip, lol... Prolong the fun and all that...)
So, I'll be keeping my kilometres up and cracking on with my training, and aiming to have a healthy, balanced nutrition plan for most of the time (not one for extremes - it's way ok to have days/weekends when you party or treat yourself). Nutrition and fuel really is that important and makes all the difference to both your training and your results. Stuck for healthy snack ideas? Get a copy of my 'Healthy Eating On The Go For Runners' here: http://lousweight.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0a79193a9250d21160624d6f9&id=3c7b2ebad9
Enjoy your day and week ahead everyone! If you're here in Vietnam, are YOU going to do either of the two Vietnam events above? Or why not travel to Bangkok with me for the marathon?? Nothing like a good race-cation....
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