Coconut Apricot Energy Ballz!

For my long(er) ride yesterday, I decided to make my own energy bars using a recipe I had stumbled upon a few days ago from Read Food. Real Deals. Aside from the Apricots, we pretty much had everything already and the recipe is pretty easy to do, and vegan 8)

I tweaked a little bit the recipe, though, by reducing the amount of coconut shreds and adding 1/4 cup of chia seeds (which was too much). Also, I used oven-roasted almonds for a better taste.

Since the goal was to eat them while cycling, I used a 15ml measuring spoon to form small balls. It worked well, although maybe the balls ended up being a little too big. I may put some hemp seeds in the ball next time.

Ride wise, I was planning on another 100km ride, but the wind in greater Vancouver was so damn strong (and dangerously strong at time), that I had to settle for only 80km :-(

Vancouver Sun run 2013

So I ran the 2013 edition of the Vancouver Sun run this morning with an official time of 42:43 which turns out to be my best time ... so much for being injured and experiencing cold like symptoms for the past few days ... 8-)

The weather was a little iffy Saturday, so the forecast for the race were not too good, but we got lucky; It was a little windy and chilly, but for the race the sun was out and it wasn't as cold after-all.

The Sun run is a pretty popular race with every year close to 50 thousands runners racing it ... most of which are new runners which makes for a race full of people dodging actions, unless you can be early enough on site to line-up all the way at the front, behind the pros. In any case, it's a nice little run (for a marathon runner, everything is under 21k is little :P) within downtown Vancouver which is rather scenic.

Since I have been experiencing some hip/groin pains lately, I was a little concerned before the race, but it was fine and it's only the muscles above the back of my knees were a little sore by the end of what was, for me, a faster run than usual. Nutrition wise, I elected this time to skip breakfast (it's only a 10k!) and only had a glass of water and 4 dates before leaving the house 80 minutes or so before the race.  

Good case of the Monday

Yesterday, I went off on a long ride before going to work. This is something that I have started doing last year late in the season (I just didn't think of it before!) and which allows me to do one long ride (+80km) every week by alternating Sunday ride and Monday ride. This gives me a bit more flexibility but also, and mainly, gives room for more family time.

Anyway, I was planned a 90km ride, but it ended-up being 95km. Considering the pain I have felt in my hip/groin area (mainly when running, mind you), the ride went pretty well and I didn't feel any particular pain (aside from the usual muscle burns), although my neck was a little sore by the end of it.

Contrary to the tradition, I didn't run with my wife after getting home yesterday afternoon. Which was probably a good move considering I'm still recovering from that possible injury. My legs didn't feel particularly sore (neither did they this morning when I rode into work) but I was kind of tired (and went to bed at 10pm).

Early season injury? #2

So, I ran yesterday late afternoon (with the wife) an easy 8k, my second this week, and unfortunately the hip/groin pain is back ... :( Definitely not as stingy as before the break, but nevertheless there. I suppose I should go see my family doctor to get refereed to a sport physician ... :(

Early season injury?

Few weeks ago, just after I had started to ramp up cycling to work and running, I started getting a new kind of pain in the groin area of my left leg when running :( 

It started as just some minor discomfort but as I didn't really take it easy (my bad), it became painful to run without adjusting my running position. To my defense, it wasn't painful enough to make me stop when running and usually the discomfort will be worst until I got warmed-up enough ... Walking was slightly painful but when cycling, the pain was not there but I could definitely feel a little something in the groin/hip area.

At first, I though it was coming from my adductors but then the pain moved a bit along the thigh and to the hip, glute and Rectus femoris. As the result, I have been taking it easier, especially with the running with last week being totally off.

I resumed running last night (with an easy 8km) and the specific discomfort that I was feeling before when running wasn't there. My legs were pretty sore, however, from Sunday's morning 80km ride, so I'll have to see how that goes during the 2 other planned runs for this week ... However this morning, after my usual 22km ride to work my left hip and glute are slightly painful :-\

The Vegan Zombie's Neatloaf

As a flexitarian, I thrive to keep my diet plant-centric and so when I cook (which is not as often as I should ...) I only do vegan recipes. Over the months, I had some good and bad experiences with the recipes I have found on-line. The only on-line source that have been pretty consistently good, is The Vegan Zombie.

For Easter, I made the Neatloaf (a vegan meatloaf) which they posted this past week and it was pretty darn good. Even meat eaters that had some agreed!

Here's the video of the recipe:

I made a couple of change to the recipe though:

• Replaced the caraway seeds by the same amount of Provence herbs
• Added a teaspoon of Chipolte sauce for 3 tablespoon of Ketchup