The upside to training as hard as I do is the refuel. Whether it’s a pile of sushi, a big juicy steak, or a chip butty, I’ve always loved my food, and now I’ve got even more reason. It’s what keeps me going, it’s what fuels those big weights, and those long runs.
Admittedly, it might not be what I’m thinking about at the time, especially on a run. At the time it’s probably something like:
I liked Emma’s dress today, wonder where she got it from – oops, dodge that wonky bit of pavement, don’t fancy pavement juice all over my foot – just going to do 12km today, and then can have a long soak in the tub. Ohh! Maybe I can use that new fancy body wash I got from the shop, smelt really nice. Must remember to buy more bleach while I’m out later. Ohh favourite tune…!!
It’s just a stream of waffling consciousness. Seriously, you think I can talk out loud. In my head it’s non-stop. Where my head goes to make sense of my day, my week, my last five minutes. For a little while I can ignore my emails, my twitter and my to do list. For a little while it’s just me, myself and I.
But then there’s food.
And somewhere that’s been on my visit list for ages is Get Chucked. Instantly recognisable through their insistent use of capitals (which drives me crazy, because it actually feels like I’m being shouted at the whole time), it’s a mere jog from home (literally, I run past quite regularly). For some reason (maybe because we don’t really eat burgers that often? Or maybe we’re just lazy) we’d never made it in person. Which is a shame. Because, well, burgers.
Yes, these are ‘dirty’ burgers and topped fries in the middle of Urmston. Something you’d expect to find in the centre of town, or a chain version in a shopping centre, this sits on a little one way street in the suburbs.
And they’re good, very good. Just what I needed post powerlifting competition – in truth just what all of us needed when the options on site were… well, meh. And first on my need list. Beer.
And here’s where things stung a bit. I love my beer, and Inhaler is right up my street, properly refreshingly bitter and just what I needed. But, £4.50 for a beer I can drink at home for £2 or so? I’d expect £3, maybe £3.50. £4.50 felt like a bit much for the ‘burbs.
A contrast to the burgers and fries, which were great.
All three of us had gone for the special, a sauerkraut, pastrami, dill pickle, Emmental and burger topped bun. It would have been enough on it’s own, but greed meant that the chilli cheese fries (shared between us) were a must. The quality of the meat is bang on, the taste – well, my mouth is watering just thinking about it, and the chilli on the chilli cheese fries had been left low and slow to create something deep, meaty and mature in flavour (more cheese though please, there can never be enough).
Food wise, it’s great. Venue wise, it’s a small space, perfectly formed, and whether you eat in, or take away, you’re going to be pretty damned happy. Well, except for the beers. Sorry lads, but maybe next time I’m sticking with softs.
All the food and drink in this post was paid for by ourselves.