Running vs. Swimming & the Best Nut Butter you Need in your Life.

How was everyone’s Sunday?
I have issues, and never take Sunday’s easy, even though that’s totally the only reason they exist, right?!
Hope you all put your feet up and watched copious amounts of Girls, One Tree Hill, Pretty Little Liars or The OC for me.

For the past few days I’ve been doing some swimming as my cross-training in the early stages of recovery from my stress fracture, and dare I say… I may actually kind of, sort of, maybe, be liking it?!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s completely and utterly different to running, in pretty much every way, but it’s got some awesome perks that I’ve never really known about! Poor swimming, I never give it the time of day and always just snob it off for running…
Swimming; I am sorry, and I promise to be a tad nicer to you in the future; even when my first true lover is back in my life!

I used to be such a water baby as a kid, I did swimming lessons (but always threw a tanty when the instructor made me do backstroke- NEVER AGAIN, not a fan!), and whenever I went to the beach or pool, it got to the point where my mum literally had to lassoo me, and drag me out… apologises Mum, I must have been a really embarrassing brat child…

And here’s a mandatory gym selfie in the mirror, purely to show just how sexy I look resembling a wet dog with my goggles.
You’re welcome.

Anyway, I thought it would be really interesting to chat a bit about the differences and similarities between running and swimming. Enjoy my obviously really deep & insightful, and not obvious-at-all observations!

• Swimming is completely non-impact, so it’s awesome for all your joints and muscles, and a fab option for those runners coming back from injuries. However, it’s going to take me some time to get used to the fact I’m floating and suspended, rather than pounding the pavement!
• Fun fact about swimming #1: Did you know, because of the temperature of the water, and the water pressure, it’s harder to get your heart rate up to the level you’re used to when running. It’s always 10% lower, how weird/crazy is that?!
• Speaking of which, I’ve noticed alternating laps of breaststroke and freestyle (looking like the typical octopus on drugs I am…) really gets my heart rate up! To the point my breathing gets all weird and I’m almost swallowing litres of water at a time. Pretty.
• My hair most definitely doesn’t thank me after all the swimming- I swear it’s so close to just snapping and falling off! I’d rather not be bald, thank-you, intense concentration of chlorine (at what I swear is illegal levels).
• I’m actually loving the fact that I don’t have to deal with the grossness of being covered in sweat. Pool water is far superior
• You use your upper body SO much more swimming (obviously) so I can totally see me emerging from the pool in a few weeks time as some buff Hulk swimmer lady.
• Swimming makes me a hungry monster. So much more than running! I have no idea why, but I literally just want to inhale every edible object after a swim. Don’t come near me after, I may be extremely hangry.
• I also find after swimming, I just feel so utterly exhausted, and like I need a nap- stat. After running I get that runner’s high and am more like a 5 year old who’s inhaled a packet of gummi worms.
• It’s so much more relaxing swimming, and there’s something amazing and almost spiritual about being under water. It’s just you and your thoughts, and you get to escape from the world for a little bit. I love it.
• I miss my pumpin’ workout playlists! I will admit doing laps can get a bit tedious without my beloved David Guetta or Will.I.Am to get me super-excited!
• After swimming, I can’t get away with lazing around in my swimmers for about 4.5 hours, unless I want to leave awkward-looking wet patches scattered around the apartment and scare my housemates. I always used to do this with my workout gear! (hygiene is so overrated…)

  Oh the weird, crazy stuff you notice when you switch sports for a bit… /intense pondering facial expression.
  But, I am enjoying the change of pace, and it’s kind of nice to give something new a go, and reconnect with that water baby in me.

  I think when I am up and running again, I’ll probably include at least one swim session in my cross-training schedule!__________________________________

  In other news, if anyone was curious and wanted to know the way to my heart, it’s this heavenly stuff:

  (source)

  And if you were planning on buying me one (which I know you were, don’t lie), I don’t have a preference and won’t like you any less/judge you if you buy me one over the other. If you go for both, though (just to be safe..), you will be my new favourite human being. Ever.

  It’s no secret that one of my biggest- scratch that, THE biggest- obsession of my mine is nut butters. I’ve been known to down a jar of the good stuff in literally 2 days, and if anyone wants to challenge me on that, bring it on!
  The great thing about the Melrose spreads, is that they are 100% natural, and made purely out of blended nuts. None of the nasty additives, sugars and salts that are so often used in other brands.

  It’s also amazingly versatile, and can be used in limitless ways! A few of my favourites are mixed in with my oats in the morning, on a slice of toast with banana and cinnamon and chia seeds, or just dip pretty much anything straight into the jar… and you’re set.

  Buy yourself some, promise you won’t regret it! …if you share it with me.

  So, it’s back to uni for this girl tomorrow, and I think I’ve forgotten how to use my brain in productive ways, or write… so it will be interesting to say the least. As you may have read, I’m thinking of changing to nutrition and dietetics at Sydney Uni next semester, so this will be a good chance to give Journalism one last go and really suss it out.

  Wish me luck!

  Kloe x