If you're a runner like me, you most likely look at the weekly long run in your training week with a fairly equal mix of exhilaration and dread! Sure, the rewards are great, and we are often told by runners who have achieved the goals we are aiming for that the big one is the most important run in our schedule. This mileage becomes the backbone of our endurance, and gives us the extra nudge we need when the going gets tough. Still, it's often a long way right!?

If you're after some inspiration for your pre-long run snack or meal then this recipe will encourage to get you out the door with a spring in your step, and recover afterwards with a variety of ingredients that will leave you excited to do it all over again the following week.

N.B. Don't forget to chop and freeze the bananas the night before you try this recipe.

Banana, Peanut Butter & Maca Smoothie Bowl 

Serves 2 

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins 

Ingredients:

200 ml of non-dairy milk such as almond milk/oat milk (or a mix)

1 tbsp maca root powder (if you have it)

2 tbsp peanut butter

2 tbsp oats

1 handful of desiccated coconut

2 tsp chia seeds

½ tsp of vanilla essence

2 tbsp Oatly Oat Cream (if you have it)

Sea salt

2 x frozen sliced bananas  

Toppings: 

Sunflower seeds

Pumpkin seeds

Almonds

Cacao nibs

Blueberries

Honey

Equipment: 

A high-powered blender like a Vitamix or Nutri-bullet 

Us runners eat bunches of bananas! If one looks too black to eat, it’s perfect for a smoothie bowl like this one.  Just peel the banana, slice into a freezer bag & store to make this nutrition-filled breakfast on the morning of your long run. 

The key to this smoothie bowl is to blend your smoothie bowl ingredients before adding the frozen banana. That way you’re just incorporating the banana for its texture and flavour at the end.  Place all the smoothie bowl ingredients except the banana into your blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Then, add your frozen banana slices (separate them as much as you can), and blend again until thick and glossy. 

Pour into bowls. If it’s able to fold over itself like a cake batter, you know you’ve nailed the consistency. Finish by adding the toppings above, or your own.