So this week has ended my boozing. I have my instructions and there are no more late nights fuelled by cocktails. I’m allowed one. Occasionally.
It was said by my trainer in such a way that I’m under no illusion as to what occasionally means. This is going to mean that by the time the Gin Festival hits – the weekend before London – I am going to be a very, very cheap date.
In advance of this, I’ve been doing my utmost to enjoy myself. After all, what’s the point in putting in a run that burns around 3000 calories if you’re not going to make up for it afterwards? So I have been. Mostly with beer. And food. Lots of food. Replacing all those calories… It’s hard work.
But I’m not afraid of a challenge. And I have help. One of the favourite haunts of hubby and I have the perfect menu for me. Carbs in the form of beer and tortillas, protein in the form of chicken, beef and pork, and vegetables in the form of salsa and guacamole. What more could a marathon runner ask, really?
And I run past the place every Sunday.
Margo and Rita have been at The Beagle since late summer 2013 and it’s obviously been a great partnership. Though I miss that purple van deeply (and I do miss Rita), it’s clear Margo and the team are happily ensconced in the happiest of places. Who wouldn’t be happy surrounded by craft beer and cider?
After a long, long run I was craving lots of calories and having been tempted by talk of Weird Beard‘s Hive Mind (which they had run out of, but didn’t tell me) I washed off the sweat, threw on some jeans and dragged out Mr GFB (protesting, kicking and screaming obviously) for food and beer.
I needed jalapeños and barbecue sauce. I needed tortilla chips and salsa. And we got them. There’s something very special about that gunsmoke sauce – sweet, sticky, savoury smoky and drizzled over crisp chips. With a good pint of First Chop Ale in my hand, I could feel the sugar rushing through my bloodstream.
But we were only just beginning. Next came a healthy portion of chicken wings. I hasten to add this was between two of us, not just for me. I was hungry, yes, but there’s still only a finite space in my tummy.
Crispy outer, tender chicken, what more could you ask for? Oh yes, more gunsmoke. I have to admit to making a mess of myself. Runners’ brain doesn’t exactly make me scintilating company after a run, let alone coordinated. Quick dash to the ladies, scrub up and we had a rest before more food.
So we had more beer. This time I indulged in a pretty dark and delicious PSBH collaboration beer, while hubby hit a wheat beer. I’m still struggling to be a fan.
As I sleepily leaned on hubby, supping my pint, my body rested and I was soon up for more food. I know, disgusting isn’t it?
So it was time for round two. I opted for a big fat pork burrito with guacamole and refried beans, while hubby preferred something a bit, er, lighter, with pulled pork taco twins.
The burrito is a speciality of M&A – it’s the first thing of theirs I ever tried from the van (alongside a chilli hot chocolate that I still fantasise about) and there’s something perfect about the balance of spice, the heaviness of the carbs, the rich meat and a pile of creamy guac just made it heavenly. It’s a clean eater’s dream. There’s no additives, no rubbish, just good fresh food for your face.
The tacos, I’ve never managed to eat. This is generally because I remember the burrito and order it, Mr GFB orders tacos and then scoff the lot and doesn’t share. I am assured they were gorgeous and the fries were crisp and lovely. One day I will learn to actually order the tacos and make Mr GFB order a burrito and we can split the two.
One day.
Maybe.
One more beer and I was utterly replete. Ready for a nap even. Recovery.
All in all? We damn well love the place. I love that it’s dog friendly and you can have the most gorgeous terrier come and say hello while you sip at your beer. I love the food and I swear one day I’ll eat something else. I love the beer – the Beagle and PSBH guys know what they’re about.
I’m going to miss my beer and burritos. Roll on 14 April.
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