No. 6

www.justgiving.com/madeleine-mortimer1

Altitude Training in Alpe D'Huez 

(aka Ski Holiday)

Taking a leaf out of Mo's book, I am embarking on some red-blood cell boosting training in the mountains. Apparently he is returning a few days before the London Marathon to optimise the benefits of this method. While I would love to stay here another 10 weeks (9 weeks and four days but who's counting...), I think the chalet hosts would notice when their secret chocolate stash (yes, I found it) and the contents of the wine cellar/larder depleted faster than the appetites of their guests in the coming weeks. That is assuming I could hide myself convincingly well. Not too many people used the spa. Maybe I could sleep in the jacuzzi. Nevermind the wrinkles. My alternative plan is to take a blood sample and then re-inject myself a day or so before the dreaded day. But I do not believe that is strictly legal, is it Lance. 

A few first impressions of the mountains. 

1. Controlled avalanche bombs. Felt I was in the Hunger Games. I looked around for mum. She was still meandering down behind. Phew. We survived that one. 

2. They call it a ski holiday, an 'active' holiday. I reckon about 75% of the time is spent on your bottom: on the slope, on the chairlift, in the bar. Glute work getting up and down perhaps?

3. Cheese and wine. Everything else is supplementary.

The term 'altitude training' needs a bit of tweaking. It's more akin to a holiday whose main activity is skiing, eating, skiing, more eating, drinking, and a bit of training, when I remember, in moments of particular self-loathing. Yesterday a blizzard came over us, it was like looking at a white sheet. Couldn't tell the sky from the snow. No possibility of skiing and certainly not running. 

Unfortunately my training plan thoughtfully allows for moments like these. They broadly name it 'cross-training', i.e. any form of exercise that is not running. Being the obedient pupil I am, (bearing in mind my 'coach' is essentially a piece of paper on which my training plan is set out, my ability to stand up to any level of authority is apparently nil), I decided to see what I could do to complete a session in these challenging conditions. 

Enter a 1.5m x 3m chalet balcony: sheltered from the billowing blizzard and a flat decking area for some spatially-economic exercises. Perfect place for some short bursts of high intensity circuits. HIIT. All the rage in the fitness world at the mo. What I managed probably doesn't quite fall into this category but I was quite pleased with my efforts. I whipped up this plan in between revision sessions - the only thing that exercise trumps: studying. Did I mention I am revising for exams? Thought so. Did I mention that I am on 'holiday'? Yeah. Not so much. A mind and body camp with a good view, afternoon tea, and a sauna thrown in. (Ok fine this is a lot easier when there is a G&T and a lovely meal waiting for you courtesy of the brilliant chalet hosts, cheers Hayley, Andy and Tom) hashtagFirstWorldProblems. 

Morty's Marathon Circuit Class No.1 (this assumes there will be more... let's see)

1 min, 45 secs & 30 secs circuits; no rest between exercises; 3 mins between circuits

Running with hands leaning against the wall (knees up)

Squats

Mountain climbers (plank position, alternate knees up to chest)

Leg raises (think dog doing a whizz raising leg up behind you...HashtagGlam)

Burpees

Side plank (with upper leg and arm mirroring running movement)

Jump squats

Front plank (lifting knee to chest/opposite elbow, hold for half the time and switch)

Walking duck (literally squat with heels on the floor and try to walk. Backwards is a far harder challenge. But quite funny. For spectators)

Lunges (backwards/forwards)

Box jumps (or just as I did, jump as high as possible on the spot, turning 45 degrees each time)

Press ups

End. Drink lots of water. And more. And eat loads. 

The idea was to squeeze in a quick session that would use a wide variety of muscle groups, alternating between aerobic and strength exercises which are short enough to keep up the work rate and my focus. I admit I actually only did 1 min and then a 40 second circuit but otherwise I would have been late for dinner. And I could taste my steak hache frites from lunch. 4 hours earlier. 

Just want to say thank you very much to the hosts for a great week so far and the company in the chalet has been great. A special thanks to Gillian and Paul for seeking out my just giving page before I had a chance to share the link! Amazing support.

Love from a cold(er) climate

Morty x

No. 5

New Year... No Longer 'Next Year'

Good evening!

I'm going by the theory that the less you hear of me, the more you will want to read the next instalment... However, conventional wisdom in social media spheres suggests that the opposite is true, we are a greedy culture and will get bored and move onto something else - god forbid another fundraising marathon runner's literary effort. (Don't you dare). ;) Apparently blogging is now a competitive sport too...

Talking of competition, I had a mental struggle this weekend with the concept of going for a long 'easy' run. I have never put those two last words together. A run is a run for a reason. It is not easy. It requires effort and sweat. And sometimes wheezing lungs and one of those really deep coughs that comes from the depths of your chest and causes one to believe a cold might be developing, but no. It was just the air sacs clearing out that gunk that hasn't been reached in a while.

So, an 'easy' run. I consulted my training plan's definition: "You can speak in complete sentences, totally conversational, you’re running relaxed, enjoying it and not worrying about the watch." More questions. I have never conversed while running, nor enjoyed it especially, and I have definitely always checked my watch to make sure I was running to pace and calculating how long I had left. It sounded like a very liberal approach and one I was not entirely comfortable with. Nevertheless, I threw caution to the wind, basically because I love a plan and can't bear to divert from it, so an easy, conversational run I must complete. The boy agreed to have me tag along on with him for this expedition into the unknown. And he endured my conversation. And the slow pace. For 120 mins. Actually, he ducked out after 100 and left me high and dry. Was I meant to converse for 20 mins alone? I couldn't take that level of liberality but somehow managed to make it home without pacing or burning up the paths of Clapham Common with my awesome speed that had been restrained for the past 10 miles. (not.) 

Dare I say it, I think it was marginally enjoyable. Or maybe it was the feeling afterwards that leaves me with a warm glow and a sense of achievement. The point of running slowly, I believe, is that thinking of the opposite, running fast for 2 hours, and trying to build on that every week would be very difficult and completely exhausting. Risk of 'burn out' I believe they call it. So running slowly helps build up endurance incrementally and much more sustainably, methinks. Or maybe it was the cake I devoured later that day. And the next. Heard of the 'After Burn Effect'? Look it up. 

Unfortunately this step up in training means that I am receding into social hermit-crab territory. I ducked out of a friend's party on Saturday night after just a couple of hours at the bar for fear of a cold developing and making sure I was well rested for the Sunday run. Worst case scenario, this blog becomes my sole social outlet. Good luck. 

On a more serious note, the fundraising is going well (thanks for asking). I have raised over £300 from my Supper Clubs so far and am really chuffed with how its going, so keep coming! Another two booked in next week and more to be confirmed. Just get in touch if you would like me to cook for you soon. :)

Bye for now!

Morty x

'OMG Where's the Protein Salad' pictured below:

Goats cheese, beetroot and sweet potato chip salad with balsamic glaze

No. 4

Sunday Night Blues... and other things

Sunday night back at home. Fire's on, a roast in the oven, wine in hand, rain patter on the windows. Dreamy. Until you remember that in a few hours the bed beckons and the weekly cycle starts again.

This is similar to the endorphin-infused feeling I get post-run/gym session. Just as I'm enjoying a well-deserved 'refuel', i.e. a large meal, and probably some pudding, it hits. I have to do this all again tomorrow. And the next day. Not the next day though (rest day according to training plan), but the one after that too.

I am told variety is the key. I discovered this involuntarily earlier in the week when I attempted to repeat an interval session from the week before. I had run 5x1000m at lunchtime, with 90 seconds rest in between each rep. This week I tried to squeeze it in before work, aware that it would be wise to earn a calorie debt with the evening I had planned. So I rolled out of bed at 6.30am, literally goading myself, 'it will be over soon, think of your reward tonight, it's probably not that cold or dark outside. They have street lamps. Just put your trainers on. Nearly there. Keys and go.' Back to the point. I attempted to perform the same session half asleep and having not eaten since the night before. I'm not sure what made me think I could get the same lap times. I actually think I went out faster. In any case, I had to (cringe with shame) walk. Then run a bit again, and then stop. 4 to go. This is how it went: another lap trying to be Mo Farah and failing miserably, then accepting that my legs and lungs were not made in Ethiopia, and the final three I actually ran the whole lap, at increasingly fast speeds. So not a complete disaster, but I learnt a lesson. Don't run with ear muffs. Kidding. Keep it realistic, and perhaps a shorter sprint session would have been more appropriate. Repeat sessions are good to test improvement, but its probably best to do them under similar conditions - a 'fair test' as my Year 5 science teacher would say (thank you Mrs Proctor).

Next week I am planning on attending one of the Clapham Chasers running sessions. I joined recently but due to various festive activities my attendance has been sporadic. Unfortunately this means my improvement as been less than noticeable. I find myself at the back of the slowest group as we do 5 x 1200m followed by 1 x 400m. I couldn't possibly be more last. As a self-proclaimed athlete, this is somewhat of a shock. (ish). I knew these people existed, these serious semi-pro runners. But there are so many of them. And I am so last. Even worse, while the official rest time between laps is 90 seconds (or thereabouts), I have barely finished my lap before they set off again. It has made me re-consider my position in the rankings of the sporting elite. My lesson here: attend more sessions. Stay with the pack. At least for the first lap. 

Meanwhile, my fundraising is going full steam ahead. Two supper clubs down and one drinks party (thanks to Nicky B). Two more before Christmas and no casualties just yet. That I know about. Perhaps my guests are too polite. Unfortunately I was too slow on the camera front to provide much evidence of the delicacies I produced, but rest assured, they were amazing. Obviously. ;) Summon your senses to imagine the following:

- Chilli roasted cashews

- Celeriac chips

- Feta and Cucumber bites

- Turkey and chestnut burgers with cranberry dip

- Sweet Potato & Goats cheese wrapped in parma ham (winner. If it was a competition. Which it is. Everything is a competition.)

- Coconut cashew fudge (note to self, sticky fingers if left out for more than 5 mins in a festively warm room of merriment). 

A couple of tasters:

These events are open to all - just let me know when you would like to organise one for you and your friends, or bring me in to cater your dinner party / drinks. Diary for January and Feb needs filling up :)

Bye for now!

Morty x

No. 3

A mish mash of thoughts.. bear with me

Seeking distraction from revision, I have returned to the blog. What revision might you ask? A professional lady, more than two years into her career and almost three years out of university, what exams could these be? Insurance exams. (Massive anti-climax)

These have been the bane of my life for the past 24 months. Creeping up in a timely fashion whenever anything exciting looms, these exams present themselves like an invitation to your great-aunt’s 85th birthday on the same weekend as your best mate’s party you have been looking forward to for weeks. March birthdays have been subdued affairs and late summer holiday plans scuppered in the seemingly endless April-October examination cycle.

Now how is this relevant? Well, it just so happens that my final (fingers crossed) two exams fall the same week as the London Marathon. What brilliant timing once again. The Tuesday and the Wednesday prior to Sunday 13^th April, I will be sitting in a big hall for 2/3 hours getting hand cramp and trying not to think about pounding out 26.2 miles in just a couple of days’ time. (Cue sympathy donations to my just giving page www.justgiving.com/madeleine-mortimer1)

Now that long-winded plug for monies is out of the way, I am very pleased to report that I have successfully hosted my first Marathon Supper Club. It was an intimate affair at a friend of mine’s flat. Pictures of the courses are posted below. Was very happy that costs were kept down to 4.50 a head for the whole meal, keeping to my promise that it should always be below 10 pounds for a meal with me (excluding donations of course...) Thank you B & T for being my guinea pigs. (Yes that was the first time I had cooked two of the three courses…) Three more lined up before Christmas and open for bookings thereafter. It could be part of your January detox? All the courses are made from scratch and only use simple, natural ingredients. No refined or processed rubbish. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. (Second plug hereby concluded – What is a blog useful for if not self-advertisement?)

Should probably mention a little about how my training is going. Or pre-training as I like to call it. The typical length of time recommended to train for a marathon is 16 weeks. That would mean my official training plan kicks in on 23^rd December. I don’t think I need to comment on timing again.

Last weekend, me and the boyf (it is possible that I may have inadvertently bullied him into signing up too) attended an endurance workshop in Regent’s Park hosted by a company called Full Potential. It was a very informative and useful day of training advice, handy tips on kit, and how best to plan the next few months of our lives. It was quite inspiring talking to all the other athletes and the coaches to hear their stories and running ambitions. 

Consequently I am feeling pretty positive about the whole thing at the moment. Possibly due to the fact that it is a tiny speck in the distant horizon of time. Let’s see how I’m feeling in February when it is still a while away and I am battling with my inner (probably more sensible) self telling me this was not my best idea and why don’t I just do normal things like club hockey for fitness or swimming (at least its indoors).

Hopefully what will help me through these inevitable moments is the cause I am running on behalf of. Let me tell you a little story… Whizz Kidz was founded by a guy in Tesco. Or Asda. Either way, the chap noticed a girl in a conventional wheelchair was struggling to reach a box of cereal, possibly Crunchy Nut, which was high above on one of the top shelves. There was no way this girl could get her Crunchy Nut without someone to assist her. This is the same for thousands of disabled kids across the country (and world, but let’s keep it focussed). They are totally reliant on family and other people to function in day-to-day life. Now this chap, let’s call him Sam, decided to run the London Marathon to raise four thousand pounds for a super duper wheelchair that would help the girl get her box of Crunchy Nut. Contrary to popular belief, Sam’s cause was not all about Crunchy Nut. The cereal represents all the things that the girl was unable to do for herself prior to Sam’s fundraising and receiving the new wheelchair. Sam did not stop there, and Whizz Kidz was born.

I am running to help kids be more independent and live the life that they have a right to enjoy.

Thanks for your support.

(Book a Supper Club!)

Morty x

Pockets of Power! (Sweet potato with Goat's Cheese wrapped in Parma Ham)

Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Blackberry and Apple Crumble

No. 2

Food for Thought

Good evening and welcome back to my blog. It has been so long I even forgot what the blog address was. Great start. 

Having been to Paris last weekend and it being the start of silly season at work, things are somewhat hectic and needless to say I am making the most of this period before I knuckle down to the hard work. 

Thinking of going teetotal, from Jan 2014... but then I remembered I'm on holiday until the 4th  Jan (4 days late is not exactly terrible if you consider the next four months), but I'm also going skiing (thanks mum) and its pretty hard to turn down the vino and the mulled wine on those chilly alpine evenings...

Boo bloody hoo. Yeah, you're right. Might as well do this properly if I'm going to do it at all.

The subject of food has come following a talk on nutrition yesterday by @AlexJamesRitson, as part of a workshop organised by the charity I will be running for, Whizz Kidz. (http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/)

To make me feel better about eating more healthily and avoiding all those toxic substances that make life so wonderful, I will be spreading my good cheer by advocating my healthy lifestyle and offering my services to anyone who fancies trying it out too. Enter 'Marathon Supper Clubs'. 

SO. The deal is, I cook for you/your friends/your partner. That is essentially it. In return for a charitable donation bien sur. 

BUT. The recipes will be sourced from a book I discovered over the summer produced by a company called Fitter London. Think simple, but very tasty. I have been demolishing the meals prepared using this book for the last few months and they are just great. Nothing fancy, I am no culinary genius. But I can follow instructions (luckily or this whole idea would not work out very well). 

The recipe book. 

EXAMPLES:

Coconut Prawn Curry (amazing)

Mackerel and Sweet Potato Fishcakes (way better than they sound - pictured with spicy kale and courgette)

Baked Tomato Salmon (simply brill)

Thai Chicken and Spring onion rice (haven't tried but can't be bad)

Slow cooked anchovy lamb (absolute fave)

Man maker pie (intrigued?!)

Mediterranean bake (exotic)

And not forgetting the sweet stuff:

Dark Chocolate and Almond Cake (what's not to like)

Chocolate Chestnut Fudge Cake (divine)

Blackberry and Apple Crumble (done)

...to choose a select few from this book of delights.

The question is - your place or mine?

In all seriousness, I love to cook and it would be an absolute pleasure to fundraise by presenting friends and their friends with 2 or 3 courses of deliciousness without the guilt. Alcoholic beverages are not included, that would be un-marathony of me, but of course you may indulge to your heart's content. 

All dinners will be customised to the host's instructions and will be based on a set menu (it would be a step too far to provide different meals at the same party - however, dietary requirements will obviously be catered for). 

If you would like to give this a go, (please humour me - just one meal?!), email me or text me or facebook me or call or tweet. (I'm so connected) 

07775997337

mortimerm@willis.com

Madeleine Mortimer (fb)
https://www.facebook.com/marathonsupperclubs (fb page to post on)

@madeleinemorti

Remember its for a great cause. For more info on the charity see www.whizz-kidz.org.uk or watch this video:

THE MONEY QUESTION. I have been deliberating this for a while. And spoke to quite a few people. And still have not come to a satisfactory conclusion. The best option I think is for you to donate whatever you think the meal is worth if you were going out to a michelin star restaurant and then factor in the charitable aspect, the sweat and tears that have gone into its preparation, times that by a factor of 2.89 and we will probably be about there.

Joking.

I expect the meals to cost me up to (but prob less than) £10/head for 2/3 courses. If you could please cover that and then whatever else on top. 

THE LOYALTY SCHEME. Yes, every self-respecting retailer/food outlet will now give you a little piece of card to stamp every time you have a coffee or whatever. My spin on this is entering you into a prize draw every time you have a meal with me. (i.e. the more meals, the more entries, the greater chance you have to win). Prizes to be whatever I can scavenge between now and April. Including a signed copy of the recipe book I will have used for the supper clubs and a free meal cooked by me (if you haven't had enough by then already, or you don't enjoy my cooking... I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement - alternative services? I will take suggestions. Not those ones. Cheeky buggers.)

That is far too much for a Sunday evening. 

Thank you for reading and I hope to hear from you soon. 

(what is an appropriate way to sign off a blog?)

Bye for now! 

(enthusiastic salvete)

Peace out

(not really me)

Kind regards 

(this is not a work email)

Morty x

(keep it simple)

Sea Bass Supper

Roast Chicken and Butternut Smash

No. 1

T minus 161 days

By way of a brief intro, I have a place on the London Marathon 2014. Whether I actually run it will depend on the next 5 months. Here I intend to document that period. The ups, the downs, the challenges and the successes, bla bla bla. As well as tips I pick up along the way and things I learn that will hopefully be useful for others. If you have any nuggets to share please feel free to add comments below. Or anything to share (blogs can feel a bit lonely...). 

I have been dead against running the marathon for years. Too far, too boring, apparently you are shorter at the end than at the start (I realise starting at 5 ft 6 3/4 isn't particularly short to start with, but I am the smallest in my family so I would like not to extend the gap more than necessary), the chaffing, the blisters, I could go on. And I am dreading the 'dark months' of endless training and tiredness.

So why the change of heart? Well. I'm not entirely sure, as all the above still apply. Possible factors in my decision:

1. I was in and then out and then in again.

Explanation: Applied through the ballot (in the post-2013 marathon inspiration - see point 2; ex-housemate told me I got the letter and was in.
First thought: S**t. This might mean I actually have to go through with this. 
4 days spent coming to terms with this reality - spoke to those who had done it. Most memorable comment from a past runner: "I am jealous, sort of." 
Day 4 I actually opened this letter and it was one of consolation, not congratulation.
First thought: Expletives aimed at ex-housemate who had made me go through the mental turmoil of coming round to the idea to then have it taken away again in an instant. 
Second thought: I have to go through with this now. 
So I applied through a charity. Thank you Whizz Kidz (more on them in the next post).

2. I watched the marathon for the first time in 2013 (Go J Nev)  

I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere. There is no other way to explain it. I believe this feeling must be multiplied many times over for those actually taking part.

3. In that event, I saw plenty of people that I assume I am fitter than. 

The only way to justify my arrogance is to put my money (or legs) where my mouth is.

4. I have not faced up to the harsh reality of training. 

Minus temperatures, in the dark, before the birds awake and when the working day looms long ahead.

5.  The natural next step...

Having completed a number of events this summer, like triathlon, duathlon and half marathons (oh stop!). Although I might be a little delusional about how far a marathon actually is.

6. I read 'Running Like a Girl' by Alexandra Heminsley. 

Sort of refers back to point 2. But perhaps you would like to watch this to see what I mean:

7. I like challenges. 

It is not the taking part, it is the completion, and the feeling of the warm shower and dull ache in your legs when you know you have worked hard and earned that second helping of pudding.

So the basic message here is that I am in, and despite my better judgment, I will be going through with this somehow.

Next installment coming soon. Maybe with a selfie video. If i work out how to do that.

Best,
Morty x

Cheeky plug: 
http://www.justgiving.com/madeleine-mortimer1