Following a marathon or even just a hard training session I try to increase my protein intake but I find it difficult to consume enough. Whilst 1 chicken breast contains 39g, my vegetarian option is a high fat option of Cheddar cheese (10g protein in a 40g chunk) or a 150g pot of low fat yoghurt (6g), with sports protein bars really hard going to eat.

Now there is a new alternative product to animal, whey or soya protein from Higher Nature – Organic Milled Hemp Protein. Just one 30g scoop contains 15g protein – more than 2 boiled eggs! This protein powder is not only powerful enough for athletes and bodybuilders but is perfect for the whole family: from children to seniors. It is an excellent protein source for vegans, vegetarians, dieters and for travelling.

Organic Cold Milled Hemp Protein Nutritional Information Per 100g:

• Energy: 440kcal
• Protein: 50g
• Carbohydrates: 19.24g
• Total fat: 12g of which Saturates1.2g and Polyunsaturates 9g

Organic Cold Milled Hemp Protein is also:

• High in omega 3 (2.4g/100g) and omega 6 (6.6g/100g) essential fatty acids (EFAs). These EFA’s cannot be produced by the body and are important for supporting numerous body processes, including brain health, cardiovascular function and immune health.
• Cholesterol-free.
• Easy to digest.
• High in fibre, (15.54g/100g) which can help balance blood glucose levels, reduce fat absorption and manage appetite making hemp protein a popular choice with dieters too.
• Cold milled ensuring that valuable enzymes are not destroyed and vitamins, minerals and nutrients remain intact.

The Taste Test

Higher Nature did send me some recipes to use with the hemp powder although most included coconut which I’m not a fan off so I decided to try it in some of my own meals. The label says you can ‘blend it into drinks, smoothies and yoghurt, or sprinkle over cereal and fruit.’ I am admitting I am a very fussy eater and don’t believe that vegetables belong in a dessert such as in carrot cake, nor will you see me choosing to drink wheatgrass juice. So maybe it was unsurprising that I didn’t enjoy my first attempt of mixing 15g of hemp protein to my bowl of strawberry, banana and cold custard. It did have a nutty taste but the combination on my taste buds reminded me of eating un-ripened strawberries or tasting like I had accidentally left the stalks or leaves on. It wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t finish the bowl, although the green colour of my food didn’t add to the appeal.

I decided then that I would try it on savoury food. The label also recommends ‘you add to salad dressings, sauces, soups and cooked dishes. But is not suitable for cooking or baking’. I like to cook my pasta, cover in tomato sauce straight from the jar then sprinkle with grated cheese before grilling to toast the cheese and heat the sauce. I decided to sprinkle about 10g of the hemp protein on top of the sauce before hiding the greenness with cheese. I found that the taste of the hemp protein actually complimented the tomato and I enjoyed the nutty flavor. I even tried it on pizza sprinkling it over like parmesan cheese and again I found it added something to the taste of the food.

Overall

Whether you’re looking to maximise energy levels, tone your body and build muscle or shed a few extra pounds Organic Hemp Protein is a great alternative product to animal, whey or soya protein.

As a source of supplementary protein to a savoury meal I found it was a tasty addition. The nutty flavour of 30g of hemp powder in one smoothie drink may be a little too much every day, but on occasions when I need a high intake of protein I would probably choose it over a sports protein bar.

Organic Protein is available from Higher Nature (RRP £10.90)

Luggage vans in front of Verazzona bridge at start of New York City marathon

I’m very disappointed that due to injury I have had to cancel my entry this week for the ING New York City marathon on Sunday. Whilst I probably could make it round, I haven’t trained properly  for almost  5 weeks and I wouldn’t be able to put in a good performance, so I’d rather save myself for a different marathon in the new year.

As I have helped before at both the start and finish of the race, as well as running myself last year, I have a few tips to pass on to anyone else racing on Sunday.  There are many people giving advice on running a marathon, New York Road Runners give their own advice on completing the race along with their race etiquette suggestions, which I have touched on in a previous post. Marathons also put a lot of stress on the body. If you have been suffering from any recent illnesses or have not been able to train as planned it is always acceptable to withdraw from the race and enter another later on. No matter what your experience make sure you rehydrate efficiently and don’t push yourself too hard.

Paula Radcliffe has also given her own tips to first timers running the New York City Marathon and surprisingly some of her observations apply to both the elite and mass participation runners. Observations such as the Jewish Rabbis, who obliviously walk straight in front of the runners with no concern for anyone else, whether they are leading the race or as I experienced when you are part of the mass pack. Can’t give any advice here except watch out especially as you run through Brooklyn around miles 9-10.

To allow time to arrive at the 5am coach pick up I had to leave before 4am, which was over 6hrs before the race starts, so I recommend you take food with you to eat at the start area. There is food available at the start but personally I found bagels too heavy to digest before a race so I prefer to take my own bananas and dried toast. When I volunteered at the start food stands I was surprised how many people were taking energy bars they had never tried before and eating them before the race or asking my advice on what they should eat before the race. The day of the race is not the time to be trying out new products and you should have already established your pre race breakfast. By all means take the free samples but save them to try during future training sessions.

Runners wait in start corral as others run across Verazzona bridge.

As the marathon starts on Staten Island which can only be assessed by official transportation you end up having to arrive very early in the morning. Aside from the very long wait allowing your nerves to develop and boredom to set in, it is also very cold at 5am on a November morning. I recommend taking a book or magazine with you for entertainment, something to sit on such as a plastic bag and the side of a packing box as insulation from the cold wet floor, or even a blow up pillow. In spite of wearing three layers of clothing I was freezing whilst waiting 5 hours for the start and I noticed a few people were sitting inside sleeping bags, which I would recommend. I don’t know if they are accepted in the luggage trucks as you need to use the clear plastic bags provided so it may be necessary to try to find a cheap one you won’t mind if you have to leave it behind.  Also you have to drop off your bags and move to the start corrals over 1 hour before the race starts so it’s a good idea to wear old clothes over your race kit that you can remove just before the start. After the start volunteers collect the clothes to be donated to charity.

For those of you who haven’t raced a large marathon before you may not be aware of the blue line on the course. Whilst it is mainly of use for the elite runners, it indicates the route to run exactly 26.2miles. I’m not suggesting you religiously try to follow the line especially at the beginning but it can give you an indication where the turns in the course are as the line crosses over the road. According to my GPS I often run more than 1 mile extra during a marathon, something it would be good to avoid when you are already covering 26.2miles. It actually only equates to around 60meters extra per mile which isn’t much when you consider how much you move weaving between the crowds or crossing over towards the drink stations. Whilst every metre adds up, following the blue line will help to reduce your extra miles.

Finally make sure you remember to turn your clocks back on Saturday night before you go to bed so you take advantage of the extra hour of sleep.

Good luck to everyone running on Sunday.