Good Old GMT

The clocks went back last night. By all accounts this is a nightmare for parents of young children whose body clocks aren't as obliging as their parents'. Izzy's still too wee to have much of a set wake-up time yet though, so when she woke up at 8 (new money) that was ok by me.

I messaged Jen while Izzy was having her milk and we arranged to meet for our run once we'd had a cup of tea to wake us up a bit. Today was just a wee three miler, and it had to be early as we were going to a Hallowe'en party in the afternoon, so we hit the road at 9AM, leaving Izzy to play with daddy until our return.

We were a bit slow and steady today, probably because we were still half asleep, but it was a cool, dry morning with a refreshing breeze, perfect for a quick jaunt, and the time passed quickly, mainly because Jen and I hadn't seen each other for a week so we chatted the whole way and caught up with all our news.

I'm knackered now, right enough. It's 8 o'clock, and I can't see me being up much longer.

Let me leave you with a picture of Batbaby at her party...Gotham City is in safe hands tonight!

A Rest Day

This morning I was supposed to get up early to go to our Buggyfit class (think hordes of women with small babies and prams haring around a park and scaring the ducks and small children).

However, Isabella was awake every two hours last night and consequently this morning I was shattered. I brought her into bed with me at 6:30 and had a glorious three hour sleep . I woke up without enough time to get ready for the class, so I declared today a rest day - after all, that's what my training plan says today is.

So, we've been to Asda (exciting!) bought some bits and pieces for Hallowe'en (thrilling!) and I'm going to attempt to make scones, baby-willing (enthralling!). My next run isn't until Sunday, a whole 2 days away, so 'm going to enjoy my rest and recharge a bit - surprisingly, disturbed sleep and a heavy-duty exercise programme don't really mix!

Here's yesterday's run for anyone interested. It was a jaunt to the Co-op for a bag of salad with Baby and the Beast ;-)

You get some funny looks when you're out running with the baby. Some people look at you as if they're not quite sure what they're seeing, but I suppose it is understandable - it is a strange thing to do. I do get a few disapproving looks from ladies of a certain age. I did get an encouraging comment from wee old man yesterday though, which is refreshing, considering some of the comments I had when running solo. The best/worst one ever was "the chip shop's that way hen." Not exactly motivational, but certainly memorable. I wonder what Gems I have to look forward to in the next six months.

UPDATE: operation scone a success!

On the road again

So, in August 2010 I found out I was pregnant - I was due to run the Glasgow Half Marathon in a few weeks, and had just reached the 12 mile stage of my training. I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to run the race, and hung up my running shoes....

...fast forward to August 2012. I have a wonderful 3 month old daughter, and I'm ready to start running again. I really want to take Izzy with me on my runs, so I scour eBay for a running buggy, and end up bidding more than I probably should have for a Baby Jogger Performance, now known as the Beast due to its fearsome aspect! Izzy's too wee at this point to go out in it, but I know it's there, waiting for when we're both ready.

I plod along, running a few miles here and there when I can, and then October arrives, and with it the London Marathon ballot results. I'd half forgotten that, in a moment of optimism back in April, I'd once again entered the lottery for a place. The long-awaited magazine drops onto my hall floor. I hesitate - will it be the 'Accepted' or the 'Rejected' magazine?

I pick up the chunky package. Thank God! That means I've been rejected and I've got a lovely red fleece as a consolation prize, for donating my entry free. I exhale in relief, suddenly realising I'd been holding my breath, knowing that I probably wouldn't have been ready to run the London Marathon in April.

However, there's a niggle in the back of my mind. My best friend Jennifer and I have had a pact for years.  Each year we enter the marathon on the understanding that if one of us got in, the other would get a charity place and run alongside them. 'She won't have got in' I think to myself. What's the chances?

Well as it turns out the chances are very, very good indeed. She's in, which means so am I. Next step - find a charity place. Our charity of choice is Barnardos, because Jennifer has been volunteering for them in Glasgow for years, so I contact Barnardo's for an application form, fill in the details about how we'll raise the necessary £1600 in order to take part, and send it back. All we can do is wait and see.

And a few days later the waiting is over. I'm wandering in Hamleys with the pram, about to go to baby yoga with Izzy, when the phone rings. It's a London number. Oh bum.

'Hello, is that Katie' asks the perky Scottish voice on the other end (we get everywhere we do!).  'Yes' I say, awaiting what I fear is coming.
'Hi, I'm calling from Barnardo's London Marathon team - we'd like to offer you a place!'

I say nothing, momentarily dumbstruck. 'Hello, Katie, are you there?'

I come back to myself. 'Yes, sorry, wow. That's amazing! I'm really happy'. And it's true. After all the worry, it turns out I'm really excited at the prospect of running one of the most iconic races in the world. The caller spells out various details, but I'm barely listening, I'm so excited! And scared, and nervous, and happy and terrified - a bit like when I found out I was expecting Izzy!

So here we are, a few weeks later. I'm on week two of my pre-training training plan, looking to get up to 10 miles by Christmas, then starting the long slog to 26 miles in the new year. I've broken the Beast out of its dungeon and taken Izzy for a spin a few times (she seems to enjoy it, when she's not sleeping) and been on a few runs with Jennifer. We've booked our flights (still got to find a hotel though!) and we've started our fundraising attempts - in fact, you can find our sponsorship page here lovely people! We're also tweeting from @kandjrunlondon and I'll be using this blog to motivate me along the way.

Oh god, what have I got myself into?

The Beast!