Watercress challenge - The conclusion

As the years advance, as a runner you need all the help you can get. So when approached to take on this challenge I jumped at it. I mean I didn't realise that Watercress was so good for you and particularly for preventing the damage caused to DNA cells during high intensity exercise.

As you know if you follow the blog, I've included Watercress in my meals everyday for the last 2 weeks leading up to my race, which took place Saturday night. You can see what I've eaten in my previous posts.

Saturday leading up to the race, I had my Watercress and sweet potato soup again (delicious and becoming a regular meal now!) Early evening and it was a lovely piece of Salmon, new potatoes, green beans and a homemade Watercress sauce (1 bag of Watercress, 150g creme fraiche, a dash of water, a dash of lemon juice, salt and pepper)

The race was a tough one (see last post) not due to the distance but the ground conditions. If I was expecting the same affect to what Popeye gets when he eats spinach then it didn't come. But what I have found is the effects of recovery improve.

I've definitely found on some longer training runs that I've felt stronger by the time I run again and recovered quicker. As I've mentioned before I seem to have slept better the last 2 weeks although this is not documented anywhere as a benefit of eating Watercress.

It's been a positive experience because I've found some great healthy recipes and come up with some of my own which has been fun. I now eat Watercress every lunchtime at work along with mixed beans and mackerel so the last 2 weeks has had a positive affect on my diet.

For more information and great recipes visit the Watercress website.