*Originally featured on The Running Bug*
Let’s face it, sometimes we must seem like a peculiar breed to the uninitiated onlooker…
In public. For fun. Enough said.
If you’ve run hard enough to lose a toenail or two, not only are you in the club, but you’re pretty much leader of the pack. Ditto black toenails/calloused heels/blisters. In fact, the uglier our feet, the prouder we become.
*Originally featured on The Running Bug*
Climate change is big news right now. With global warming and our plastic-filled oceans making daily headlines, along with a certain US President pulling out of the Paris Agreement, it could be easy to start feeling a tad glum. But instead of getting depressed, take positive action today! As a runner, your choice of exercise is pretty environmentally friendly already. But here are 7 smart swaps you can make, to show the planet a little more love. If you can tick them off, you know you’re making life better for the planet, your happiness and humanity in general – thank you for your all-round, Earth-loving awesomeness…
So, I did it! I ran the Virgin Money London Marathon last month, crossing the finish line at exactly 15:05:05 on 23rd April, after being on my feet for 4 hours, 58 minutes and 46 seconds. And it was exhilarating, and exhausting, and loud, and life-affirming, and painful, and uplifting.
The marathon hasn’t just been about those 26.2 miles, though. It’s been about four months of hard work; of winter training runs and hill sessions; of heading out in horizontal rain; of ice baths and early nights; and of fitting it all in around the most important people in my life. Which is why I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned along the way…
With just a day to go until the Virgin Money London Marathon, I’m getting pretty excited… but I’m not a complete novice. I know that tomorrow, it’s going to get tough. Really tough. (Last time I took part, it made me cry a little bit. Damn you, mile 23.)
Which is why I’m dedicating the last seven (point two) miles of the course to some special people, in the hope this will get me through. Because, you guys, I’m not going to give up in your mile. Promise.
*Originally featured on The Running Bug*
From the abject fear of the starting pen to the elation of crossing the finish line, we take you through the mindset of running 26.2 miles…
Childbirth and marathon training: I have decided the two are a little alike. Not much, obviously – one involves pushing a fully grown human infant out of your lady bits, while the other requires you to put one foot in front of the other, over and over, for 26.2 miles.
We haven’t quite hit the 1st January, but with just a couple of days to go, I thought it wouldn’t be out of place to mention the ‘R’ word.
Resolutions.
They’re everywhere. From pledges of getting fitter and healthier, to drinking less and relaxing more, you can pretty much guarantee you will have at least one conversation about New Year’s resolutions at some point from now until the end of January.
THE A-Z OF RUNNING FOR MUMS
Recently had a baby and struggling to balance parenthood with running? This essential A to Z of running for mums will set you in the right direction!
Superheroes are featuring heavily in my life at the moment. Or rather, they are featuring heavily in my four-year-old son’s life, and so by default I am having to take an active interest.
I’ll be honest: when it comes to motherhood, I have found even the basics utterly bamboozling: How do you strap a screaming, angry toddler into a car seat when they have perfected planking? How do you persuade them to try a teeny tiny piece of carrot at dinner? Why does it take 17 minutes for them to put on one shoe? Where have their socks gone?
I’ve been working hard to improve my strength, running pace and overall fitness this past month. For over a year, I’ve been plodding along at the same old pace, covering the same old routes, without ever pushing myself too hard (because, frankly, getting out for a run – whatever speed or distance – has felt challenging enough, what with two little ones to run around after all day, one of whom has NEVER slept through the night).
"Keep Running Mummy!" 