How are things going in your neck of the woods? I am sore. Especially in my shoulders. Yes, apparently I run with my shoulders.

Anyway..

There was so much going on last weekend it’s hard to wrap my head around it all because usually exciting stuff only happens about once a month (fun Frame classes excluded).

Friday evening kicked off with dinner and drinks with Val and BF who were in town for an extended weekend. It’s so lovely to speak Bernese German once in a while. I had such a good time.. having people around from back home is just fab. Unfortunately I had to leave early(-ish) to catch the last tube home.. because on Saturday I had to get up super early to get a million and one chores done in the morning.

At noon I met up with my chin twin Tamzin! (She pointed the chin twin thing out but it’s kind of true, isn’t it? Everyone needs a chin twin!! )

After reading her amazing blog for about a million years it was so lovely to meet her in person! We discussed that blogger-meet-ups have something so blind-date-ish about them… You DO know the person but then again it’s always different when you meet one another in real life.

But I kind of knew we’d get along well – after all we’re both massive foodies, enthusiastic about fitness (but not in a crazy obsessive way) and have a fabulous taste in music. If I dare say so.

She even brought me a present! She made it herself, can you believe it???

SO pretty! Thank you chin twin!!

Being the foodies that we are we headed straight to Neal’s Yard Salad Bar for some much needed lunch.

I’ve been dying to go there for ages but always saved it for a special occasion. I’m glad I did, lunch was delish!

Afterwards we continued our foodie tour de London.

Heavens.. Whole Foods in High Street Kensington will KILL me. I am so glad I don’t live in West London otherwise I’d be constantly tempted. It’s a place where dreams come true. (Who wants to go to Disney Land when there’s Whole Foods?? ).

Afterwards we had some cake and coffee and then it was already time to say goodbye. Another time my friend!!

I kind of rushed home because my flatmate had lost her keys (well.. she found them at work today..) and then I frantically searched Blandine’s mobile number as we had plans for dinner.

All turned out well and we went to Manna in Primrose Hill for dinner. It’s a vegan restaurant.

Now… I know, some people run away screaming when they hear the word vegan because “what do these people eat anyway?” but it’s simply unfair.. Saturday’s dinner was absolutely amazing. We shared quesadilla (but menos el queso haha) for starters and I had ravioli and Blandine had bangers and mash. Very British.

Unfortunately my photos turned out crap but that just means that I have to go back again and make some new ones .

We ended the evening with a cuppa and Gary Barlow and his X-Factor crew. When did Mr Take That get so hot? He’s like good wine – getting better with age!

Sunday started REALLY early.. I got up at an ungodly hour to get ready for race day. Blandine, who stayed over at my place, kindly came to support me.

It was busy, it was fun and it was one of the best races I’ve ever run. There was never a moment that felt terrible.. When I felt my legs getting tired I changed my stride.
(General comment: changing strides was one of the best things I could have done. It made things so much easier!)

Unfortunately I still had some breathing problems since I have a weird cold/sore throat.. I need to get that checked if it doesn’t get better. At times I had some chest pain but then I took it a bit easier and ran slower.

After all I love running but I love living even more so I didn’t want to push myself too much even though it meant that sub-2h got out of my reach. I didn’t care, health is more important.

I just realised that this all sounds more dramatic than it actually was.. I really felt fine otherwise I would have dropped out for sure. (Mum, no need to get worried!!)

It was such a privilege to run with Right To Play. I am truly proud to support such an amazing charity. Thanks again to all of you.. donators and non-donators. Your support has been great.

My official chip time was 2:00:51. It’s the first time I’ve run with my garmin but it was quite helpful and it helped me to keep my pace and not go too fast or too slow. The garmin was only there for support though.. I just ran it the way I felt was good for me. I felt like walking twice so I walked. And once or twice I felt like running 8 minute miles so I ran faster.

I suppose the reason why I felt this race was relatively “easy” was because my mind and body were completely in synch. My brain has tried to be smarter than my body for ages but nah, this girl’s not taking that anymore.

If I feel like running 10 miles I run 10 miles.

If I feel like eating a massive slice of cake I eat a massive slice of cake.

Life is too short to be miserable.

(On the other hand this shouldn’t be a free-pass for all things unhealthy. Balance, sweethearts! Balance!)

Right on Shoreditch High Street it’s a place that can’t be missed. And even from outside you get the vibe that this place serves good pizza.

Upon arrival I was immediately in love with the interior. Not even the sausages scared me off (haha). It’s a bit “hip” these days to make things rustic yet modern but I really like that. It doesn’t feel out of place in that part of London.

Dinner buddy rather texted than talked to me. Kidding!

I ordered the mushroom, ricotta, spinach and egg pizza which was heavenly. The pizza itself is rather thin but the crust thick and chewy. A really lovely combo.

We were both being rather touristy.

And since I ran 8 miles this morning I could hardly say no to this chocolate salted caramel tarte. (Although, let’s be honest, I also would have eaten it without the run).

I forgot how a real and proper dessert tasted like!! Not that I don’t eat chocolate on a daily basis (I do) but eating a rich homemade dessert is something different altogether.

It’s back to business again tomorrow! Yay for Mondays! (Or something like that..)

Kx

ps: When was the last time you had a really good meal? (If you’ve cooked it yourself: would you mind coming over here and making it for me too?? )

Two of my favourite places in town – Camden and Brick Lane are chock full with goodies. Can’t believe I didn’t go to either of these places in two weeks! But yesterday I popped by Camden and today we strolled through Brick Lane. Good times.

Camden

No these aren’t bikes. You sit and eat on them.

I had Thai and I’ve had better (and less fattier) Thai in my life but oh well..

Brick Lane

I’ve honestly never  been to Brick Lane on a Sunday before and oh boy have I been missing out. It’s becoming my new favourite place on earth.

Food next to really cool fashion? Heaven!

I almost shrieked when I saw Tako Yaki being sold. I might not eat seafood anymore but this reminds me so much of my late grandfather. When I once visited as a child we went to the supermarket to get some groceries. And I guess my grandpa wasn’t that into produce so we sneaked off and got some Tako Yaki. I don’t know why I still remember this but for some reason it made a lasting impression. Awww I miss him.

Boiler House = Where dreams come true.

I had a £4.5 Sri Lankan dish that was spectacular spectacular spectacular spectacular spectacular…..

And then we shared this Malaysian peanut pancake and it might not look that impressive but holy moly party in my mouth.

I will go and have one every week.

Bliss.

And in a few minutes I’ll talk to my family on Skype. Enter: happy, silly dancing.