This month we look forward to International Cake Day (as if we needed another excuse to eat cake!) It’s no secret, there is a long standing relationship between coffee, cake and endurance sports. Whether you run, ride, swim or do all three, it’s quite likely that cake features heavily in your life. It’s part of a culture that alongside caffeine, seems to unite us.
To celebrate we’re giving away a pair of our Pick ‘N’ Mix socks. CAKE and another sock of your choice for you, along with a box of the most delicious brownies from @wildmeadowkitchen. Wild Meadow kitchen are another small business, started during lock down supplying boxes of extremely scrumptious brownies direct to your door. There are a variety of options and selections, so do check them out. Find details of how to enter on our Instagram, but first, let’s look at why cake is so important.
Why cake…
There is something very satisfying about tucking into your favourite cake tipple half way through your ride at a cafe stop. You’ve earned it...you NEED it...the sweet satisfaction of cakey yumminess after some exercise is hard to replicate in any other way.
Now, obviously we’re not suggesting living purely from cake (although at times we’ve had a pretty good go at it) but cake can have, and does have a healthy place in our diet. Here’s why we say YES to the cake rides and runs…
A slice of cake and a chat does wonders for your mental health. Unload, unwind and put the world to rights over a coffee and cake. You’ll leave feeling freer, fuller and happier, and that all makes for a better day and therefore better sleep. Better sleep = more energy, better skin, less illness...you get the idea.
It’s fuel. Ok, so don’t eat the whole cake, but a slice is a good source of quick release carbs. It will replenish those lost in your ride or run so far, or prepare you for the road ahead. It can literally keep you going, especially on a tough day.
Cake can be full of goodness. Eggs = protein; Butter, chocolate and milk = calcium; Fruit = vitamins and fibre. The point is, as well as the energy from the sugar there are actually some other really important elements in cake that we actually need in our diet...they’ve got to come from somewhere, so why not cake?
It can help you lose weight! Wait, what? Yes, really. There have been studies to show that not restricting yourself when it comes to little indulgences like a slice of cake can actually lead your to eat fewer calories overall throughout your week.
So, ultimately, if you’re a cake lover, you can feel pretty good about it, and you’re in very good company here! Life is short, eat the damn cake :)
Recipe Inspiration
We often look for inspiration for our own ride and run treats. If you’re wanting some scrumptious ideas, then look no further. We are huge fans of @swim_bake_run - it’s hard to scroll past her recipes without drooling, so we've asked Leanne to pick out a few of her favourites as well as talking about how she came to bake such amazing treats! Here's what she had to say...
I’ve been a runner for 15 years and and I’ve baked and cooked my whole life. For me, great food and great cake are absolutely essential for a happy life! My love of cake saw me creating bespoke birthday and wedding cakes for many years so I have made a LOT of cake in my kitchen! Swim Bake Run was born as I started to venture into the world of triathlon and needed to fuel my body for longer. My first 50 mile bike ride was a very unhappy one as I tried to fuel on jelly babies and Jaffa cakes and it just didn’t work for me. I also wanted something savoury to balance out the sugar on longer rides and I just couldn’t find anything to suit what I wanted- so I made it instead! This was where my Carrot and Feta Flapjacks were created- make a batch, eat a few (trust me, you won’t be able to resist) and freeze the extras, wrapped in foil lined baking parchment and you’ve got homemade run or bike fuel straight from your freezer!
Carrot, Courgette and Feta Flapjacks
Here are a couple of my favourite sweeter bakes that all make brilliant every day snacks and training fuel. I can’t not mention my homemade granola which has been made 1000 times! Perfect for prep ahead, speedy breakfasts and also a great snack for when you’re on the move! Nut butter and Jam Banana Bread https://www.swimbakerun.co.uk/post/nb-j-banana-bread Sticky Toffee Flapjacks https://www.swimbakerun.co.uk/post/sticky-toffee-flapjacks Banana Nut Granola https://www.swimbakerun.co.uk/post/banana-nut-granola Check out Leanne's blog: https://www.swimbakerun.co.uk/about-sbr or via Instagram @swim_bake_run for more recipes and training inspiration!
