About a year ago I started making my own almond milk. I was tired of my local store being out of my usual unsweetened brand and was worried about the additives and long ingredient list on the store bought cartons. I also found it concerning that the manufacturers seemed secretive about the percentage of almonds in each carton. A recent article suggested each carton was made up of only 2% almonds. 

Making your own almond milk does take more time than grabbing a carton at your store. But with planning and the basic tools at my disposal, the process takes me about 10 minutes a week. And you know exactly what's going into it. As for cost, I buy the 3lb bag of almonds at Costco for $19.99 +HST. The bag contains approximately 9 cups, making the cost per week (1 cup of almonds makes approximately seven 1/2 cup servings as per directions below) about $2.50. 

What you'll need:
-Bowl and cover to store soaking almonds
-Measuring cup 
-Blender
-Nut bag (most kitchen stores sell reusable nut bags for a couple of dollars)
-Tall container to let almond milk drain into
-Clips to hold nut bag above drained almond milk
-Almonds
-Water (I use 4.5 cups of water. Add less to obtain a creamier almond milk, more in a thinner)

Directions:
1. Place 1 cup of almonds in a bowl, fill bowl with water and cover. Let sit for 24 hours. (Soaking makes them easier to digest and softens them for blending).
2. Rinse almonds well.
3. Place almonds in blender and add 2.5 cups water. 
4. Blend for 3 minutes.
5. Pour contents of blender into a nut bag suspended from the bottom of a container. 
6. Add another 2 cups water to blender and mix to gather remaining almond milk and add to the container. 
7. Allow to drain for about 5 minutes.
8. While holding bag edges, remove clips and lift above container. Hold closed the top and gently squeeze out the remaining milk.
9. Dispose of almond meal or use one of these suggestions to make use of it. 
10. Pour almond milk into a container, cover and refrigerate. 

Makes approximately 3.5 cups of almond milk. Store and use for up to a week. Contents separate, so give it a good shake before serving.  I personally like my almond milk unsweetened and plain as I add it to my oatmeal or smoothies, but of course you can get adventurous and add other ingredients! 

To clean the nut bag, turn inside out to rinse out pulp, add a couple drops of dish washing detergent, squeeze to lather, rinse well and air dry. Store in sealed plastic storage bag once dry.

I adore those social media posts featuring questions asked by non-runners that make runners both laugh and cringe. Things like, "How far was your marathon?" and "Did you win your race?" or " Have you always liked to jog?" I'll admit that understanding these quips makes me feel a little smug, since it means I've become part of that inner circle of people who call themselves runners.

But there's one question that I struggle with. One that I never quite know how to react to, or how to answer. "So what's next? A marathon?"

To their absolute credit, those that have asked me this question have also cheered me on since the day I started running almost two years ago, and I love them for it. They've seen me set running goals and reach them. They've seen my extreme dedication and love of the sport. And, having seen my joy and progression, they feel that I can, and would want, to take the next logical step...The marathon. 

When I first started racing I was focused on the progression of distance in my races. I had to run a 5K before I did the 8K, and a 10K before the 15K... But that 'rule' quickly went out the window to allow for the multitude of races I wanted to do as the season went on. I've now raced every common distance from 5 to 30K. And of course since running the 30K a month ago, the marathon question has started coming up more frequently. 

So... DO I want to do a marathon? 

Honestly, I don't know. It's the only distance that has left me sitting on the fence. I pretty much have three concerns... 

This past winter I glimpsed the side effects of added time and effort on my feet. I've had a couple nagging areas causing me some grief. So far I've continued to run through them, but they've stuck around and make me worry about risking injury with marathon training.

My next concern is almost more scary than an injury. I fear losing my love of running. Last fall, I enjoyed chatting with my running friends as we trained for the Scotia Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I was participating in my first half marathon, while the majority of my friends were doing the full marathon. After the race, I reduced my distance for about two weeks before launching into my 30K training plan. Meanwhile, a surprising number those marathon friends ran only on occasion--or not at all over the winter. I can't help but wonder if they felt less inspired to run now that they had reached their goal of running a marathon. Or that all the training had dampened their interest in running. I find losing that love and spark a scary thought.  

Lastly, I put more time and effort into training for my recent 30K than any other race before. It was during the race itself that I realized I could and should have trained differently. My training had focused on finishing the distance--which I did, and at a pace that was in line with my training. Am I proud? Absolutely. But of course I found myself wishing I had been faster. To not have struggled with fuel. To not have had to walk. I knew that if I had really wanted those results I would have had to put in more focused training, more speed work, harder workouts, more fuel tests, more time on my feet and more time away from work, family and commitments. If I did a marathon, would I be happy with covering the distance?

As you can guess, if I was sitting on the fence, then of course there was another side to it! 

As I was training for Around the Bay, friends kept telling me that with my training I could actually do a marathon. "Uhm, what?" I had used a modified marathon training plan for the 30K and they told me that most people typically go up to a maximum of about 32K during their long run training. I admit this peaked my interest somewhat. While I was suffering at many points during the second half and up to the finish of Around the Bay, I definitely couldn't imagine pulling off another 12K! That said, there had been a handful of good long runs in the upper 20Ks during my training that make me wonder if with the right training and fuel...perhaps I could make it. 

If I were to run a marathon--I know exactly which one it would be. The Scotia Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I am a 3rd generation Torontonian, so Toronto holds a special place in my heart. I absolutely love the Canada Running Series races and have run many, including my first race ever (STWM 5K) and my first half (STWM half marathon). I love running in my city, and the STWM route covers the best the city has to offer. It was a no-brainer to register for the half in October 2015 only days after finishing my first one.  I've applied to become a ambassador for the race. Perhaps this will help me decide.

For now I will continue to sit on the fence and scratch my head at the marathon question. And while I do, I will just keep running!

Last Sunday I ran further than I ever have before. And I learned something along the way.

As a relatively new runner, I find that with each longer distance race, I sign up with the goal of just covering the distance. "Ooo, I signed up to run a 30K!" My training for Around the Bay had been largely focused on this mindset. I completed the distance required in each training session, even if that meant taking walk breaks. I did some speed training, but it wasn't my main focus. I was proud and impressed with the dedication and effort I had put in over the past months and harsh winter. All was good until a few days before the race when my running friends started talking about pace. I looked back at my running log as if seeing it for the first time. I was slow. And suddenly, I wanted fast. Here I was with mixed messages about what I wanted out of this race--and no time to do anything about it.

Thankfully after reflecting, reading and writing about speed not being the only gauge of success for a runner, I was able to redefine my goals for the race: complete the distance to the best of my ability and have fun.

The great part about the goal of having fun was that for this race, I was planning on meeting many of the awesome people I chatted with regularly in the running community. As soon as I arrived at the stadium the morning of the race, I saw smiling faces I recognized. I found myself having to constantly remember what we were all actually there for as we laughed and chatted.

I made my way to the start corrals with some of my friends from Waterloo. Penny, who had a cold and would be running back to back marathons in a few weeks said she was planning on running relatively easy and finishing around 3:45. Perfect! This was exactly the time guesstimate I had for myself. I decided to stick with her at least for awhile.

The first 10K went well. It was warmer than anticipated, but I was able to unzip my jacket and put my gloves in my pocket and cool off enough. Penny and I were pacing each other well. This is the first race I've ever run with anyone for such a long stretch and I found it motivating. I started fuelling at around 5K in. I had done many fuel trials during my training since I had been finding many items sat in my stomach like a sloshing rock, especially when my pace increased. For the race I had dates, pretzel bits, chia gel and an emergency pack of honey stingers. Yeah. My pockets were full.

Penny was keeping track of our pace, and said we were doing well, even with walking briefly through water stations and to have a bit of fuel. As we neared the lift bridge and 15K half way point, my energy went downhill rapidly. My stomach started feeling gross. I forced myself to eat more hoping that it would help my energy, and drank two cups of water at the next water station in case I was dehydrated. I let Penny go ahead. I walked, I ran, I walked. I knew the hardest part was still ahead. My longest distance in training had been 28.5K. Was I going to even be able to finish? I sent two quick texts to my husband and to the two friends who were going to be along the hilly portion ahead cheer me on. I told them I was struggling. Regardless, I kept trekking, alternating between periods of running with walk breaks. When I reached 20K, somehow I actually felt better knowing I was about to head into the most challenging portion of the race. I was still taking walk breaks, but I didn't feel quite as horrible. Around this time I turned to look at the person running beside me as she did the same only to discover Penny was beside me again! She informed me that we were still on pace for finishing at 3:45. Really?! Even with the walking, I guess my running portions had evened out my times. After one of the larger hills, I found my two friends cheering. Giving them a hug and seeing their smiling faces buoyed my spirits and I took off and caught up to Penny once more.

As I crossed the hills along North Shore Boulevard I found my confidence again. I would finish. No matter what.

Penny and I continued catching up to one another playing tag, chatting along the way. The winds picked up as we turned onto York Boulevard, and I was extremely happy for my jacket and gloves. We passed the church with its cheering priest and choir. We passed Stan and his 'We Will Rock You' and finally, we reached the Grim Reaper(s) and paused to snap a photo. I found a little burst of energy with around 2K to go and pushed ahead, only to completely peter out again with the stadium in sight. Penny went ahead, realizing a PB was still within reach. The crowds cheering along the road were hard to resist and I managed to find a hidden bit of strength to speed along the final stretch, painfully down the ramp and into the stadium. Hearing your name across the stadium as you sprint to the finish is something I will never forget. I crossed the mats at 3:43:09. Under my guesstimated finish of 3:45.

Am I happy about my result?

I completed the distance to the best of my ability and really did have fun. I pushed through discomfort and got it done. I trained for months in a record breaking winter. I ran further than I ever had before. With a year and a half of running experience I chose a race considered challenging and finished.

On the flip side thinking back to my doubts before the race, of course I ultimately wanted a faster time. It's hard not to see the results of others and wish you could do the same. Would I have been able to go any faster during this race? Not enough to make much of a difference in my time or risk crashing even more. My race result pretty much reflected my long training runs. It was an example of using 'x' to train and get 'x' as a result.

So yes, I was happy with my result, plus, I really feel that I learned a lot in the days leading up to and the race itself.

I realized that it's important to always have a goal for your race and plan your training accordingly. I did have a goal, but at the last second I wanted something else and that wasn't being fair to myself or my training. In the end I managed to remember my goal and reach it, even with struggles. And instead of thinking 'what if' in regards to speed, I can use the desire to be faster as a goal for a future race and actually focus on it in training.

Running. Learning, evolving and dreaming every step of the way. 

While I am quite savy at all-things social media related, the blog world is relatively new to me! That said, I have really enjoyed being able to share my running lessons and thoughts while reading those of others. 

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