Thinking Out Loud- Running, resting and riding a bike!

Happy Thursday to everyone who reads this sentence! (And all those who don't too, I guess ;) I am in a particularly random and chatty mood right at the minute and this is actually quite acceptable for once, as it is Thinking Out Loud Thursday. So prepare for my thoughts. Out loud. On Thursday! 

As always thanks to the awesomely awesome Amanda from Running with Spoons for this fun weekly link-up (also Happy Birthday!)

1. Now speaking of running (Running with Spoons? See= relevant) this is a topic that seems to be of quite high focus in my life right now...
Running.
It has been just over a year since I began my long (and some times quite painful) journey into the enlivening experience that is running.

Never before have I been so stiff, so limpy (sure that's a word!) and so tired at the end of the day than when I started running. But never before have I been more happy.

Seriously! When you find that one special thing that just makes you feel alive... do it often! Unless your legs feel sore and jelly-like and extremely tired (as mine do at the moment)... then you should probably take a few days rest (as I am doing at the moment)

So that's one of the main things that has been on my mind this past week. Only recently I've started seeing myself as a 'runner'. Not because I've upped my distances or whatever but because I can finally see how much running has changed my life and how much it continues to do so. I'm a runner because I love it- all of it, good and bad.

2. This is where my second point of interest comes into it.
Resting.
Yes, I fall into the category of those who hate rest days. Yes I have those ridiculous worries of losing everything I've gained from a day or two or three of rest. Silly, illogical and just plain irrational... Just try telling that to my brain!

Recently though, my legs have been feeling it. As I mentioned before I have been upping my distances and I think all those extra k's are started to weigh down on my little legs. I've been feeling tight and sore and just plain tired, so had to take the (extremely hard) executive decision to take a few days rest. I''m keeping sane by telling myself that it's for my body and I love my body and my body deserves love.

Although this is basically me:

 3. To regenerate and replenish my tired body on these restful days I can't think of a better breakfast than a nice big green smoothie!

1 frozen banana+ a handful of frozen green grapes+ big handful of kale + a big handful of spinach + 3 scoops of greek yoghurt+ sprinkle of chia seeds+ splash of almond milk- whazzed!

I love, love, LOVE frozen grape smoothies- the sweetness and taste the grapes add is soo yummy!

Eaten here along side some choc truffles because you know... chocolate!

So I was taking my pictures of this brekky and noticed a sneaky little shadow in the corner of my lens.

Yep, I cheers-ed myself to breakfast! CHEERS!

3. On the topic of breakfast- Here is a look at today's.
You see I am on the firm belief that ugly meals always seem to taste better, even though they are more ugly. And so when I stirred my 3/4 cup muesli, 1/2 cup greek yoghurt and 1/2 cup almond milk in a bowl with some chia seeds to soak overnight.. I knew this brekky wasn't going to be pretty- but it sure was going to taste good!

To go with my overnight oats I decided I wanted to stir in some banana cashew butter ice cream; you know, for extra prettiness! So into the food processor went 1 chopped frozen banana and about 1-2 tablespoons of cashew butter, whazzed (and scraped down a few times) until smooth and creamy:

Stirred into the overnight oats. See I told you it looked great ;)

Placed in the freezer for 20 mins to harden a bit.
I don't even care that it was ugly... it was delicious!

 4. I haven't been completely honest with you about my resting though (yes we are back on that topic)
I have been doing some Purely Twin's workouts each morning and also...
RIDING MY NEW BIKE!!

^^This is so true! ^^

I like really close to the beach so I love riding on the bike trails that span right across the coast line and look out to the gorgeous blue sea (remember it is Summer here in Aus) so everyday I've been trying to get out for a ride on my beloved bike

This is sort of what my baby looks like, however mine is cream:

If running is my number one outlet to relieve stress and help me think, then riding my bike is a close second- it is so relaxing and leaves me so happy. Thank you endorphins!

Aaand I feel like I've rambled on enough about all the random stuff happening in my life right at the moment!

Be sure to check out what everyone else is thinking about over at Spoons.

Tell me:
Do you like/ hate rest days?
Do believe ugly meals taste better?
Bike? Do you love to ride a bike?

Bye for now folks! Have a fantabulous day! :D