Banana pancakes. Life choices. What’s the difference?

Since I’ve been so good with sharing embarrassing things about myself, I’d like to throw this information out there into the universe too. Hopefully it doesn’t find its way into a black hole:

I signed up to run a 10K race in January. Not just any 10K. It’s the Best Dressed 10K.

Applaud.

Now I know you thinking: “How is this embarrassing? I can’t even run to my mailbox! Get that triple cheeseburger!” Thank you, your words mean a lot. You had me at cheeseburger. It’s still slightly embarrassing that after 2 years of trying to be a runner, I still don’t know where exactly I stand.

2 years ago, I made a mad dash to reclaim my life after I found out I’d be married soon. I needed one more milestone for myself before the leap. As if planning a wedding in 5 months wasn’t challenging enough, I also wanted to die at the end of a half marathon. It was either that or climbing Mt Everest and Everest seemed too easy for me. After waiting till the last week to sign up, I never got a spot. No clearer indication that I just wasn’t into it.

Yet, a huge part of me still was. I kept running every week. Though I took breaks to do silly things like attend my wedding, I persisted. I read an article last year about how running was one of the greatest metaphors for life; that you get out of it what you put into it.. Since then, I’ve never wanted to jump back into fighting myself more.

I have no faith in my knees, I have the most erratic eating habits, I’ve been a failure at building muscle since 1987 but I. want. this. I want to feel the ecstasy of crossing a finishing line even though it’s only 10 kms away. If it means I’ll finally drown out those voices that say I’m incapable, I’ll take 2 of each. I will feel every step and run it like this was meant to be.

10K? No biggie. Best dressed? You better believe it.

Banana pancakes

When I eat 5 of these, I can run like it’s nobody’s business. This + Led Zeppelin = Magic to my feet. Tested and certified. It’s also gluten-free.

Ingredients

• 2 overripe bananas
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 2 eggs
• 3 tbsp buckwheat flour
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
• Pinch of salt

You’re going to have to do a lot of mixing, as it goes with ever pancake recipe in the world. Mash the bananas and add the almond butter to it. Mix it all up and add the eggs. Mix it some more and add the buckwheat flour, honey and cinnamon.

Heat a griddle pan if you have one. I just use a normal civilian frying pan in fear that I might type girdle instead of griddle. All I can say is, you do not want to heat a girdle. Especially if you’re wearing it. I am not. Now I’m afraid I’ve interchanged the words. Please bring it to my attention if I have. After you’re done laughing, that is.

Griddle. Heat. Done?

Spoon the batter onto the lightly greased cooking surface of choice. Once you spot tiny bubbles on the top, flip it over. Cook through a minute more on the other side and flip it on a plate. If you notice that the pancakes are turning too brown after you flip it, reduce the heat slightly.

Serve with maple syrup or butter or honey or all 3!!!

Okay maybe not all 3.

Who does that?

Can’t say.

Gotta run.