A Runner's Breakfast

This photo is of me finishing the Cairns Half Marathon in 2019.

So my equal biggest passion to cooking and baking is running. I run everyday… almost. I wake up thinking about and go to sleep dreaming about running. I run for fun, I run for serious and I run to think.

There’s this trend I noticed on Instagram amongst American food bloggers called “Baked Oatmeal.” I’ve adapted baked oatmeal and made it my own, and now baked oats are my go to breakfast. I eat this consistently at least 5 out of 7 days a week. It is the easiest throw together breakfast with heaps of room for variety and flair. I usually make it the night before and let it sit overnight in the fridge. To give you some context, I used to wake up at 5 am every morning to go to my 6 am HIIT class (2020BC - Before COVID). I used to have very little time between finishing gym, walking Yuki and getting ready to be an environmental consultant for the day. So this is my go to solution that is not a smoothie/croissant/muffin/pancake/waffles for my daily breakfast. It is completely customisable so I never get bored of it.… Without further ado here’s the recipe for my baked oats which I eat pre-race (only for marathons):

The Oats

• 1/4 cup rolled oats

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/3 cup oat milk

• 1 tbs ground almond/flax/hazelnut

• 1/2 mashed banana or 1/4 cup berries

• 1/4 tsp baking powder

• 1 tbs peanut/almond butter, sliced banana or berries and sprinkling of granola for topping

To make the OATS

1. Place all ingredients (except the topping and baking powder if it’s sitting overnight) in a bowl and mix until combined.

2. I usually let my oats sit overnight before baking them, but you don’t have to. You would add the baking powder when you go to bake it.

3. Pre-heat your oven to 180’C.

4. Place mixture into a small ramekin.

5. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes until firm.

6. Place a dollop of nut butter, add fruit and sprinkle granola.

7. Eat at least 2 hours before your run.

You should note that sometimes I add chocolate, usually dark chocolate. Sometimes I add nuts or jam or marmalade or fruit. The options are endless.

Last year, I ran my first marathon. It is, to date, the only marathon I have run. It was the Gold Coast Marathon - a beautifully flat course, which is rather scenic. I would recommend this course for a first timer.