Carb loading

A few months ago I ran a half marathon by accident. I tried to run to the Cupcake Shoppe, got lost and ran home in defeat.

For the first time in my life, I noticed the link between what I put in my body and what I can make it do.

I ran my first real half marathon last weekend. And we made a super tasty and easy pasta dinner that deserves to be shortlisted to my weeknight dinner menu.

Linguine with tomato oregano sauce

• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
  
• 6 vine ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
  
• 4 springs of fresh oregano, leaves removed and roughly chopped
  
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp fresh pepper
  
• linguine

Boil water and cook linguine until al-dente.

While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce.

Brown bacon in a large frying pan over medium heat until bacon is crispy. Remove bacon and strain off bacon fat. Return the pan to the heat and add olive oil.

Add onions into the pan, sprinkle salt and cook over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and let cook for a minute or so - until the garlic just begins to brown.

Add chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, chilli flakes, reserved bacon and half the oregano and fresh pepper. Reduce heat to a simmer. Smash the tomatoes around until the tomatoes release more juice.

When everything is heated through, and your pasta is ready. Toss the drained pasta, the rest of the oregano in the sauce.

Eat up. Drink lots of water. Go to sleep early. Enjoy your run.