tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50747206663456292312024-02-18T19:35:53.411-08:00From Maternity to MarathonKatie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-85847559205482992742012-08-22T12:07:00.000-07:002012-08-22T12:07:43.705-07:00Well. Anyone reading the blog will have noticed a conspicuous silence after April the 22nd this year, the date of the London Marathon. I tell you, it's taken me this long to be able to write about it without getting a bit despondent. I shall relate the tale as I remember it...<br />
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Jennifer, Izzy, my husband and I flew down to London on the 21st. Izzy's first flight was pretty uneventful, and we got ourselves to Victoria Station without much trouble. Then we saw the HUGE queues in the underground station, so we decided to splash out on a taxi to take us the marathon expo at the Excel to register. It was a ridiculously long way away, Izzy hadn't slept all morning, and we were all knackered, so we whizzed through registration, said a quick hello to the Barnardo's stall, and got back to our hotel. We had a lovely big room with lots of crawling space for Izzy, and we were able to relax and have an early night.<br />
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Then came 6am on Sunday. My clothes were laid out ready, and when my alarm went off, I made to get out of bed, where Izzy had been lying next to me since her last feed a few hours ago. I had noticed she was warm, and thought it was just the heat of the room, but as she woke up and began to wail, it soon became apparent that something was wrong. She was burning up, and on closer inspection, was covered in a rash from head to toe. We gave her some Calpol, but after being unable to calm her, we decided to call NHS Direct. After a fraught time trying to find out the address of the hotel (which apparently the ambulance service were unable to find out), a paramedic crew arrived to take us off to St Thomas's Hospital. Jennifer was very worried about Izzy, but we all thought it best that she should run if she could, so she headed off to the start line.<br />
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The crew reassured us that it was probably nothing, and they even insisted that I get my kit on in case I was able to make it to the start line in time. However, when it comes to babies and rashes, it is certainly better to be safe than sorry. Izzy was much calmer by this point, and seemed to quite enjoy the trip.<br />
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My first ever ride in an ambulance ended at the hospital, where a lovely paediatrician checked Izzy over, and decided that she had a viral infection, possibly tonsillitis. We were given antibiotics just in case it was bacterial, and told that the rash should fade over a few days. Izzy now just seemed a bit under the weather, but it was too late for me to run. We walked back to our hotel in Victoria, along eerily deserted streets, all closed off and prepared for the marathon. It was a beautiful bright and cool day, and as we walked I sent messages to Facebook and Twitter apologising for not running, feeling like I had let everyone down.<br />
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We went back to the hotel, and watched the race on the telly! We also started tracking Jennifer online to see her progress. We had a nice breakfast, then checked out and wandered onto the streets of London, to fill our suddenly free day. We walked to the London Aquarium at Westminster and spent some time in there (Izzy slept through most of it, but woke up for long enough for us to ascertain that she's pretty freaked out by sharks!) Izzy had her lunch in the shade of the London Eye, and we wandered the area some more, filling time until Jennifer finished.<br />
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We arrived at the Barnardo's post-race HQ half an hour or so before Jennifer finished, and got to greet her as she arrived. She completed the race in 4:57:11, an outstanding achievement, and we were and continue to be so very proud of her!<br />
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After picking up our luggage, we made our way back to Gatwick, where passers by did double takes at the incredibly spotty baby. We were almost refused entry onto the plane due to her appearance, but were allowed on. Izzy slept all the way home, through plane and car journey, my poor ill baby, quite unaware of what her unfortunate illness had meant that day.<br />
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Izzy was back to her old self by the middle of the week, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd let so many people down. At least Jen had run, and no-one could expect a mother to run a marathon after a trip to the hospital with her baby, but the feelings of guilt remained. Barnardo's were lovely, and offered to defer my place to 2013, and no-one actually said anything negative about the situation, but I felt like a bit of a fraud. I'd done all the work, all the training, and yet had nothing to show for it.<br />
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But of course, that's not true. I had lots and lots to show for it. I had my fitness, which I would never have got back so quickly without a real reason to train. I had the weight that I'd lost, and the muscle I'd gained. I had all the headspace and much needed thinking time that running had given me, a chance to escape briefly from the relentlessness (wonderful though it is) of new motherhood. It was definitely worthwhile, and although the experience ended in real disappointment, I also gained so very much.<br />
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After a lot of thinking, I've decided not to run next year. Last year I had the luxury of time, being on maternity leave. This year, I'm back at work, and struggling to find the time to run even once a week. Add to this the fact that every second with my daughter is now extremely precious, I feel I can't sacrifice the amount of time it would take to train for London 2013. Barnardo's have agreed to let me carry over my sponsorship to the Great Scottish Run half marathon on September the 2nd, so I'll be sporting the green vest then, and enjoying the support of the crowds as I run what is still a long, long way for a worthwhile charity. I will run London one day, just not next year!<br />
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As for this blog, I think I'll continue it - after all, running is my main hobby and being Izzy's mum is the most important thing in my life, so I'm sure I'll continue to have a lot to say about both! Izzy is 'running' her first race, the Great Scottish Run 50m Toddler Dash, on the 1st of September, so I'll be sure to come back then and let you know how she got on.<br />
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<br />Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-77715483933558339022012-04-20T09:19:00.001-07:002012-04-20T09:19:20.530-07:00Almost There...Two days to go. The bags are packed (nearly), the passports and registration documents ready, and our fundraising target has been smashed! Thank you so much to everyone who donated. We are so very, very grateful (especially me, as it means I'm officially allowed to run - yipee!)<br />
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The next two days will possibly be the busiest of my life (or maybe a close second to my wedding day and the day before). In my usual nitpicky and over prepared style, I've put together an itinerary of our movements. From 7AM tomorrow, no second of our time goes unaccounted for. We've got to get to the airport, fly to London, get to the marathon Expo to register, get to the hotel to check in, get to the Pasta Party, then get back to the hotel to try to sleep.<br />
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On Sunday, Jennifer and I need to leave the hotel just after 7 and get two trains to Greenwich and find our starting positions. Then there's the small and insignificant matter of the race itself. Honestly, it's the last thing I'm worried about, after the travel arrangements and the perils of travelling with an 11 month old. Izzy and her dad will be seeing the sights of London as they wait for us to finish - I hope they get a nice day for wandering around. Jen and I need to try to meet up at some point after the 3 mile mark. We're starting at different areas, since I'm a charity runner and she's a ballot runner, but the courses converge after 3 miles. I hope she doesn't have to wait too long for me :-)We should be finished at the back of 3PM and then we have to limp our way back to Gatwick to catch our flight home - poor Jennifer has work in the morning!<br />
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If you want to track my progress on Sunday, you can go <a href="http://results-2012.virginlondonmarathon.com/2012/" target="_blank">here</a> and find me. If it asks for my race number, it's 34934.<br />
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The picture below is my marathon training plan - just Sunday to tick off now! At the top is the magnet sent to all runners by the race organisers. You can remove some pieces to show your final race time. I wonder what it's going to be?<br />
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<br />Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-63811114988999633792012-04-10T13:37:00.000-07:002012-04-10T13:37:03.604-07:0012 days and countingNow it gets real - and scary! There's less than a fortnight to go, we've run our last long run (a relatively easy 20 miler last week) and the taper has started (the taper is the 2-3 week period before a big race when you scale back the length of your runs to let your body heal, build up fuel reserves, and rest before the race). Our 'long' run this weekend was 12 miles, and next week is 8 -it's amazing that these distances seem really short and easy, when only a few months ago they were still daunting and difficult. The 12 mile run was one I'd wanted to do for three years, since I moved into my current home. From the bottom of my road you can see, in the far distance, the Erskine Bridge. I always had a notion to run to it and run across it, and a few weeks ago I checked the distance - exactly 6 miles from my door, so a perfect 12 miles for an out and back run. The run there was pretty hard and I was struggling a bit, but we eventually reached the bridge. We ran uphill to the centre of the bridge and stopped to take in the view of the Clyde stretching back towards Glasgow, and take a few pictures. We turned around and headed home, and after a mile or so I realised why the run out had been so hard - it had almost all been uphill! For some reason, the fact that we were going downhill on the way back was more obvious than the fact that we were going uphill on the way out had been, so the second half was pretty speedy in comparison!<br />
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I've been working with an injury for the last few weeks, which has had me worried about the big day. I've had a pain in my left thigh when walking, which initially gets worse when running but eases off after a couple of miles. Jen and I went for sports massages this week, and the therapist diagnosed it as a problem with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliotibial_band_syndrome" target="_blank">iliotibial band</a>. She gave me stretches to do, and I've been icing it and wearing a support, and it's been much better, so hopefully it'll hold up for the marathon. Unfortunately, the only real cure is rest, so I'll just have to soldier on until after the 22nd of April.<br />
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One real benefit of having the marathon to focus on is that I've barely thought about going back to work after maternity leave. I go back on the 30th of April, although I still don't know where I'm going to be working. I'm a teacher and I was on a secondment for 2.5 years before having Izzy, so I had to release my position at my former school. The council do have to find me a post, but it's taking a while to get any answers. To be honest, though, I'm not too worried - I have to go somewhere, and a school is a school, kids are kids, and teaching is teaching - I'm certainly looking forward to being back in front of a class after my time away, and I think all the exercise is keeping me from getting too stressed about it.<br />
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We've nearly reached our fundraising target! We're at £1545 out of £1800. We're so close, it really looks like we're going to do it! Thanks so much to everyone who has sponsored us, we really appreciate it and we hope to do you proud a week on Sunday! If you'd like to sponsor us, <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=KatieandJennifer">you can do so here</a> - thank you :-)Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-1474953600360647122012-03-17T14:30:00.000-07:002012-03-17T14:30:14.406-07:00The Miracle of the Blessed Mars BarOnly just over a month to go before the marathon, and things are going well. We're nearly at two thirds of our fundraising target, and last week we did our first 20 mile run, the furthest I've ever gone.<br />
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It was a tough one compared to the relatively easy 18 miles the week before - it's certainly convinced me (if I needed convincing!) that the two week taper (where you reduce your mileage dramatically in the weeks before the race) is a fantastic idea. I was struggling from about 14 miles and I was ready to give up at 17. My legs were in agony, although cardiovascularly I felt fine. I certainly wasn't exhausted, just really, really sore.<br />
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We stopped at the Riverside Museum, about 3 miles from home, for Jen to pop to the loo and for me to have a rest. Fortuitously, there was a wee ice cream van outside, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to grab some fuel. I don't know what the family in front of me, who were taking what felt like three hours to make a ridiculously complex ice cream order, thought of me dancing from foot to foot and moaning quietly behind them, but I was willing them to hurry the hell up and let me get at the sugar! Once they finally had their mint-choc-chip-vanilla-wafer-cones-with-raspberry sauce or whatever it was they were ordering (ice cream in March? Really?) I ordered a Mars Bar from the nice wee man. He tried to engage me in conversation, so through the pain I managed to convey that I was training for a marathon and really needed some food. I gratefully grabbed the proffered Mars Bar and hobbled to a bench to eat it. Jen came out and ate her Milky Way, and we decided to set off again and get the final three miles over with.<br />
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We started walking, each step sending stabbing pains up my legs. Then my poor limbs started to ease off and we progressed to a slow shuffle, then a steady jog. By the time we'd been going for five minutes, the worst of the pain was gone and I felt able to face the last wee bit of the run. Before I knew it we had finished, and at a significantly better pace per mile than we'd managed for our 16 mile run a few weeks before. It felt wonderful to be done, and even better to know that that was the longest run in our training programme! I also now know to carry emergency Mars Bars, as the Lucozade Sport and sports jelly beans just won't cut it.<br />
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This week we had a relatively short 16 miler (when did 16 miles become short?) It was a lovely day, cool but bright, and the run was a breeze. We ran round leafy Bearsden and then along the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Kelvin Walkway, so it was a scenic and fresh run in perfect conditions.<br />
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Next week we have a rest week with three short runs and no long run, and the week after we once again do the 20 miles. After that the taper begins and we just have to look forward to the big day.<br />
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All we have to do now is reach our fundraising target! If you can help with a small donation we'd be really grateful. Barnardo's is a wonderful charity, and as teachers we know how much help some of our young people need with their lives. Any help you can give would be wonderful. <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=KatieandJennifer">Click here to go to our fundraising page</a>. Thank you!Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-3392075502366553652012-03-04T06:51:00.001-08:002012-03-04T06:55:31.809-08:00Hitting the Big MilesFriday was our fundraising night out. It was a brilliant night and I'm so grateful to everyone who came and everyone who helped make it work (by buying tickets, taking part in the bingo, quizzes and raffle, donating prizes and helping with the organisation.) We made an amazing £559.03 which puts our total over the £1000 mark! A big thank you to everyone who has sponsored us so far too - I can't believe how generous people are being, and I'm very, very thankful. <br />
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The night was really great fun. I'd been worried about numbers, but we had over 50 people there which was perfect. I'd also been worried abut what to do with Izzy. In the end, we decided to bring her and play it by ear, since her dad could always take her home early if need be. As it turned out, she was an absolute star, making the rounds of the tables, laughing and chatting and doing her new trick of clapping her hands and generally having a lovely time. She fell asleep in. the car on the way home and there's been no major fallout from the late night - so relieved! <br />
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Jennifer and I went on our first 18 mile run today. We left at 8AM, running into a drizzly, dreich morning, but by mile 4 the clouds were dissipating and the rest of the distance was covered in beautiful sunshine. We ran 16 miles two weeks ago, and at the end of that run my legs were in agony and I struggled over the last two miles. Skip forward to today, however, and by mile 16 I was still going strong. After the run I felt brilliant and there's no major pain or niggles. I always hear people say that if you can do 18 miles, you can do the marathon. I don't know how true that is, but today's performance certainly bodes well. It took about half an hour less than I had guessed it would, and while the 16 miler a fortnight ago was at an average pace of 13:20 per mile, this run was 11:58 per mile, and barely slowed towards the end. Last week was a rest week (well, I say rest, it was 17 miles compared to this week's 27) and I think that the rest has made all the difference to my overall fitness and stamina. <br />
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I feel quite justified now in sitting on the couch, eating my bacon rolls and drinking tea. I might even stretch to a couple of Quality Street - I think I've earned it!<br />
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One final note - Congratulations to Caroline Breyley in Shetland, who was the winner of the Twaffle. The voucher is on its way to you! Thanks to everyone who donated in February :-)Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-83747975853837157332012-02-19T03:34:00.001-08:002012-02-19T03:42:33.654-08:00Twaffle extended!I've decided to extend the Twaffle deadline - all donations to the <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=KatieandJennifer">Virgin Money Giving Page</a> in February are eligible to win a £20 Amazon voucher, to be drawn on the 28th of February! One entry per pound donated and every pound gratefully received! You're still in with a chance :-)Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-47377013598529059642012-02-06T07:03:00.001-08:002012-02-06T11:11:10.137-08:00Talking about the weatherLast week's training saw two sides of Glasgow winter weather. Thursday's 6-miler was in a cold, crisp morning. I did a few circuits of Bellahouston Park in pretty perfect conditions - freezing cold, but clear and bright. I even did some grass running over the frozen pitches for a bit of variety. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZ158grbJikCYilmcoiTzHpXxHViFnbcP2noHezhEol5w3Yfa4mFDkwGlUFrFC2_CwgWJhDBmqQIUi-_zIVaRF57wXh9bIsqAy8lzezU5lIhQ6l_kfcHVnmaeE8bP5iWvK9dFBqod26dx/s640/blogger-image--1685760079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZ158grbJikCYilmcoiTzHpXxHViFnbcP2noHezhEol5w3Yfa4mFDkwGlUFrFC2_CwgWJhDBmqQIUi-_zIVaRF57wXh9bIsqAy8lzezU5lIhQ6l_kfcHVnmaeE8bP5iWvK9dFBqod26dx/s640/blogger-image--1685760079.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Bellahouston Park</td></tr></tbody></table>Then there was Saturday's 12-miler. It was cold and drizzly when Jen and I started our run along the Clydeside. By the time we reached the squinty bridge, however, the rain was pelting down, and by the turning point at Glasgow Green we were soaked through. Every inch of us was sodden and freezing, and we had to run back the same distance, only with added puddles. The wet clothes rubbed my skin raw by the end, and my lightweight technical training gear weight several pounds once peeled off. Run wise, though, it was fine. The distance seemed pretty easy, and after a hot bath all was well. I did start to get a bit light- headed towards the 10 mile mark, so I'm either going to have to eat a bigger breakfast or take some fuel on the long runs from here on in. <br />
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We're starting to gather in some great raffle prizes for the fundraising night on the 2nd of March, and any more would be most welcome! The Twaffle is going a bit more slowly, so I've decided that anyone who donates to our <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=KatieandJennifer">Virgin Money Giving page</a> before the 20th of February will be eligible for 1 entry per pound donated. There will (hopefully) be Twaffles in March and April too, with the same rules applying - go on, it's only a pound! <br />
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This weekend will be a 14-miler. I haven't dreamt up our route yet. I'm going to have to start getting creative as the distances increase. I'm feeling so much fitter and more energetic for all the exercise, and the baby weight is slowly but surely disappearing. I'll have to recommend running a marathon 11 months after the birth to any mums looking to shift the pregnancy weight. - what could be simpler? ;-)Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-49283105699115751222012-01-30T13:05:00.000-08:002012-02-02T12:21:00.597-08:00Twaffle!So, as I mentioned in the last post, I came up with a fundraising idea when we were out on a run. Introducing....the Twaffle! It's a social-media fuelled raffle, where everything is done online. I'm going to run one a month, starting on the 1st of February, and draw the winner on the 20th of each month (I thought I'd give people a break from it for the last third of the month!).<br />
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The prize will be a £20 Amazon voucher, to be emailed to the winner, and entries cost £1.<br />
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To enter, go to our <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=KatieandJennifer">Virgin Money Giving page</a> and donate £1 per entry. In the message area, make sure you say that it is for the Twaffle entry, and leave a note of your name and/or Twitter username so I can get back to you if you win! All donations from 30.01.12 are eligible for Twaffle entry.<br />
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All entrants and their e-ticket number will be listed on the <a href="http://maternitytomarathon.blogspot.com/p/twaffle-coming-soon.html">Twaffle</a> page of the blog.<br />
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Good luck - hope you win!Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-21711962400756275012012-01-23T13:42:00.000-08:002012-01-23T13:42:02.179-08:00Plans AfootPlans are starting to come together for the big event. I've been worrying terribly about leaving Izzy for two days. Her dad would be brilliant with her for the two days but she's still breastfed and won't take a bottle. I was just fretting so much about whether she'd be able to sleep and whether she'd be upset the whole time. I knew we would sort out a strategy in April (she eats plenty of solids and at a push she'll drink milk from a cup) but I realised today there was a simple solution - they should come too!<br />
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Izzy's dad is on holiday the week after the marathon anyway, so this makes it a proper holiday. The flights are booked, and by tomorrow the hotel should be sorted too, and instead of being away from Izzy for 40 hours, it'll be more like 8. Yes, I'm probably being terribly 'precious-first-born' about it all, but I feel so much happier now. It'll be fun taking Izzy on her first flight and taking her to see some of the sights of London, and while she won't remember being at the finish line to meet her mum after her first marathon, we'll have the pictures to show her when she's bigger.<br />
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Training is going well. We ran 10 miles on Saturday and I barely felt it until the last mile. I'm enjoying the long runs at the weekends, because they really do blow the cobwebs away. I'd had terrible insomnia on Friday night and worried that I wouldn't be fit for a run the next day, but it was just fine.<br />
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This week is a recovery week, with three 5 mile runs. It's amazing that 5 miles (about an hour) feels like a short run now. The prospect of running for nearly 6 hours doesn't seem that scary anymore either. The focus for now isn't so much the running (which is coming along nicely) but the fundraising. We've now got £100 of our £1600 total - not bad considering we've not event started canvassing for sponsors yet. We've got our fundraising night at the start of March so this week I'm going to start planning in earnest. All offers of raffle prizes gratefully received! I've also got the germ of an idea for some online fundraising, so watch this space...<br />
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My Barnardo's running vest came on Saturday. It's a little on the snug side right now, but I'm getting smaller every week so with a bit of luck it'll be a perfect fit by April 22nd.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJd-bIKmphSaDLlPBSX5YQOqBwBh0Wr7nbh0V3Pz3hsUrdkaM3BJHzC4cnjUBw_lD85RuPHCTS2KxWrCSGMxbvmXxBzkabv-aW1FdzKa7-rXt1xMlN33T2wFU_hfaAIP3fldwNtKjEFL4/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJd-bIKmphSaDLlPBSX5YQOqBwBh0Wr7nbh0V3Pz3hsUrdkaM3BJHzC4cnjUBw_lD85RuPHCTS2KxWrCSGMxbvmXxBzkabv-aW1FdzKa7-rXt1xMlN33T2wFU_hfaAIP3fldwNtKjEFL4/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-40042547723622598822012-01-09T08:49:00.001-08:002012-01-09T08:49:50.250-08:0015 weeks and countingIt's really not long now until the big day. I've been pretty good at sticking to my training, although the weather (including Hurricane Bawbag, and Son of Bawbag to whom our greenhouse was sacrificed) meant a few missed short runs, and I had a rest/chocolate munching week between Christmas and new year to prepare for the big effort to come. <br />
<br />
Yesterday Jen and I ran 8 miles. It was wet, cold and hilly, but it was brilliant. We chatted the whole way round and I felt refreshed rather than tired after. That might have had something to do with Izzy - and therefore me - sleeping for 6 hours straight the night before. What with night feeds preceded by pregnancy bladder, I think that's the longest I'd slept since September 2011! <br />
<br />
We've booked a hall for a fundraising night in March and I booked the DJ today, so no turning back. Made sure we'd get a karaoke too - now just need to decide whether to sing Running Up that Hill or London Calling. We also made about £30 by selling little Christmas boxes (I say we - I sold 5, Jen sold the rest. I did make them though ;-) ) and we've had a few donations including a very generous Christmas gift from some good friends, so we're off to a solid start. <br />
<br />
Last week I ran 16 miles, this week will be 17...just think, in a few weeks I'll be running more than that in a day, never mind a week!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNvZLOhZjdjXIHgi_wd6WUFm7XdKjaBHrFZHQC8_SallILnxAXdEJQJWBSa91HBkDFk0ZOLuNLrHgcq0e6D4_K1pmNZhgvr0E8lEaJFVvUTD3KkMW5Ljb82s9nrwqTdo5TUijSHY2D7_D/s640/blogger-image--1159109013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNvZLOhZjdjXIHgi_wd6WUFm7XdKjaBHrFZHQC8_SallILnxAXdEJQJWBSa91HBkDFk0ZOLuNLrHgcq0e6D4_K1pmNZhgvr0E8lEaJFVvUTD3KkMW5Ljb82s9nrwqTdo5TUijSHY2D7_D/s640/blogger-image--1159109013.jpg" /></a></div>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-49313225136493688362011-11-22T13:12:00.001-08:002011-11-22T13:18:27.706-08:00An Unwanted InterruptionNormal service is now resumed. I woke up two Fridays ago with a horrible sore throat, which developed into chills, sweats and aches. I was pretty much better again by last Thursday, but decided to call the running week a write-off and start fresh at the weekend. I'm no stranger to over-training, so I thought it'd be best to rest properly before picking up the pace again. This all means I'm a week behind my schedule, but it was pretty flexible anyway so no great loss. <br />
<br />
I switched the long run to Saturday this week, to accommodate other commitments, so I was out as dawn broke for a five miler - no link to that run, since both Nike+ and Runkeeper failed me (Nike+ stopped recording my time after I stopped at traffic lights, and Runkeeper thought I was doing 6 minute miles - chance would be a fine thing!). I quite liked the Saturday early run. It meat Izzy and her dad got a wee lie in, I got my run out of the way right at the start of the weekend, and it meant I still had the whole of Saturday ahead of me. I think I might switch my long run to Saturdays, or at least be flexible with it. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/language_tunnel?continueURL=http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/%7Blocale%7D/plus/?sitesrc=fbk_ab_plus%23//runs/detail/1552005381/1506517151/all/allRuns/">Today was another 2-miler</a>, to and from the post-natal exercise class. It felt very quick and easy. Thursday is a 5 miler though, and I'm a bit apprehensive about having Izzy out in the Beast that long. I'm sure it'll be d<br />
fine though - she certainly seemed to be happy to be going out today! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH-sW0b3fDVsintssMLisnIC4nK6UU_-pyrYh2ur1l3YN0bPsXr6JjBlFKnMeDw4iUbgk5vKow28eh_FJ8RJncpzvECordmSywgfb9zqK2gNVY_CCT-RjKNzibE6LIFPZuLEC3YqU1QUL/s640/blogger-image-1140815552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH-sW0b3fDVsintssMLisnIC4nK6UU_-pyrYh2ur1l3YN0bPsXr6JjBlFKnMeDw4iUbgk5vKow28eh_FJ8RJncpzvECordmSywgfb9zqK2gNVY_CCT-RjKNzibE6LIFPZuLEC3YqU1QUL/s640/blogger-image-1140815552.jpg" /></a></div>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-81540510826841860992011-11-10T09:23:00.000-08:002011-11-10T09:23:33.230-08:00Rebel YellIzzy has discovered that screaming is fun! Sometimes she shrieks like she's being murdered. Sometimes she yelps like a dog. Sometimes she gargles at the top of her voice. Apparently these are all fine and acceptable methods of self expression. It's very, very funny, but I do feel for the neighbours. <br />
<br />
She's generally quiet on our runs though, taking in her surroundings at speed, occasionally babbling up to me, but mainly giving her poor vocal cords a wee rest. <a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/language_tunnel?continueURL=http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/%7Blocale%7D/plus/?sitesrc=fbk_ab_plus%23//runs/detail/1552005381/1036908572/all/allRuns/">Today</a> we went on an adventure run, exploring streets we'd never been down and seeing where we'd end up. It was a nice run, and when I was flagging near the end I was cheered up and cheered on by the lady standing at her window watching us and giving us a round of applause! Perhaps a small taste of the supporters en route of the marathon? Just over 5 months to go...<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpitR5aeZJH4_wu-fn7m1xXwuZ4U79tWEp82BxsxM1h6FTzpwBb8sUO4KBSH7T467ZVRnIpFnWd4ZtSVYe1VgP8GM2gIvOUCsOeirbO7ZinmnoxrUESj38_lnxRJa-pB9mto6eBrhzuK28/s640/blogger-image--2075505008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpitR5aeZJH4_wu-fn7m1xXwuZ4U79tWEp82BxsxM1h6FTzpwBb8sUO4KBSH7T467ZVRnIpFnWd4ZtSVYe1VgP8GM2gIvOUCsOeirbO7ZinmnoxrUESj38_lnxRJa-pB9mto6eBrhzuK28/s640/blogger-image--2075505008.jpg" /></a></div>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-8759568646594938132011-11-08T12:49:00.000-08:002011-11-08T12:52:08.614-08:00Pram EnvyI have to confess - I suffer terribly from pram envy. I was aghast, when pregnant, to find out that the 'cool' travel systems, your Bugaboos and your iCandies, cost more than I'd be prepared to pay for four (or possibly three) wheels and a baby-holder-bit. They're lovely, they really are - sleekly designed, light as a feather and smooth as silk on the pavement, but £500 for a buggy? Nope, couldn't do it.<br />
<br />
So we bought a decent Graco travel system - the pram, the carseat that clips into the chassis, the cosytoes and the rain cover - for about half what one of the fancy prams cost and it's good. It's fine. No, really, it is.<br />
<br />
But still, the pram envy. For months after Izzy was born every time I saw one of those matt silver bodied, lushly upholstered beauties, all stylish curves and chunky tyres, I felt the green-eyed monster rise from the pit of my stomach. Buggyfit was particularly bad for it - every buggy but mine, it seemed, was a designer dream. I bet they didn't have to WD40 their wheels every time it rained.<br />
<br />
Then, though, I bought the Beast. The Baby Jogger Performance. What a machine! I bought it for purely practical reasons, needing to get out running, but boy, it's a smasher (and a bargain, being an eBay purchase). Wheels nearly the size of my car's, it tackles all terrain with ease and handles like a well tuned bike. I wheeled it into the exercise studio today for the post-natal class and heads turned. Other mums commented on it, asking how it handled and what it was like to run with. They crowded round, not to ooh and aah at poor Izzy (who was still strapped in) but to get a good look at the tyres, comment on the hand brake, and ask about its value for money. So, this was what it's like to be on the other end of the pram envy. You know what? It felt good! Now when I'm out with the regular pram, I don't feel quite so envious of the fancy-dan-prams - not when I know there's the Beast in the garage, just waiting for our next run.<br />
<br />
Oh yes, and here's <a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/language_tunnel?continueURL=http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/{locale}/plus/?sitesrc=fbk_ab_plus%23//runs/detail/1552005381/298603097/all/allRuns/">today's run</a>. Just a short 2 miles, and a nice day for it.Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-63687261260139837172011-11-06T07:17:00.000-08:002011-11-06T07:19:55.018-08:00Grumpy SundayIzzy, not me. She's a bit out of sorts, and has been for a few days. It's probably a combination of a wee cold and teething, and the poor wee thing just isn't happy. She spent most of her time at our friends' fireworks party yesterday grumbling, girning, and refusing to nap, and she spent the duration of my four mile run today driving her poor dad to distraction. <br />
<br />
It was strange yesterday - I kept wanting to insist "she's usually not like this, really!", as if her discomfort were an indictment of my parenting ability. Luckily most of the people there had young children of their own, so they probably knew exactly how I was feeling (unless I actually am a terrible parent <i>/paranoia).</i><br />
<br />
She's currently asleep on me. She continued to yell at her dad while I had my bath, negating any hoped-for relaxation on my part. I tried feeding her as soon as I got out of the bath, and after putting up a bit of a fight she settled down to eat and fell asleep on my lap. She's still there. I'm wearing a towel, I'm cold, and I need to get ready to visit my parents-in-law in an hour, but for now I'll sit here with a peaceful baby while I can<br />
<br />
<a href="http://go.nike.com/5n7arsh">As for the run</a>, it was lovely. The longest so far in this training plan, but I felt I could have kept going. Jennifer and I had a lovely chat again, and the cold, bright weather was ideal. At least something's going well...<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WHKc4HPv04QQ3qqVKN9Liqe2TyEYWxwYHJOzWn5jfDvyrMJB_qIT_zzab0SBSVAm8ly1JBt6CHsCm_ui5qCwK0dxAcN6GGWlWcxld217NT608rrOLPvQRDX9GOBQrYU3BbjtKYUR57GQ/s640/blogger-image-96152748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WHKc4HPv04QQ3qqVKN9Liqe2TyEYWxwYHJOzWn5jfDvyrMJB_qIT_zzab0SBSVAm8ly1JBt6CHsCm_ui5qCwK0dxAcN6GGWlWcxld217NT608rrOLPvQRDX9GOBQrYU3BbjtKYUR57GQ/s640/blogger-image-96152748.jpg" /></a></div>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-720359679427143302011-11-03T14:25:00.000-07:002011-11-03T15:04:20.393-07:00Sleep? What's that?I woke up feeling refreshed this morning. I had actually had four hours in a row of sleep. I believe that's the first time since July that I've slept that long. (In July there was one blissful night when I had five and a half hours, but before that I hadn't slept through the night since I was about eight weeks pregnant.)<br />
<br />
It was a bit sad really. I was feeling refreshed and happy because I'd had four hours sleep. Oh dear, this is what life has come to, when four hours feels like a victory.<br />
<br />
Sleep or no sleep, today was a run day. So, after Izzy's morning nap, we got the Beast out of the garage, and went on a <a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/language_tunnel?continueURL=http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/%7Blocale%7D/plus/?sitesrc=fbk_ab_plus%23//runs/detail/1552005381/1573909647/all/allRuns/">three mile run</a>.<br />
<br />
It was tough going. I was tired, and my legs were still aching from Buggyfit yesterday. I think I'll need to stop going to Buggyfit on a Wednesday, because I really, really need that rest day.<br />
<br />
After a grumpy teething day yesterday, Izzy was in a fabulous mood all day today and had a lovely nap in the buggy when we were out for our run. We had a wee trip out to Silverburn this afternoon and Aunty Jen came over for a visit this evening. <br />
<br />
The only problem is, Izzy went to bed an hour and a half ago, and she's still wriggling, giggling and making monkey noises in the cot. I think we're in for another long night - who needs sleep anyway?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGgk267K7agZ8IzwveRN9spXaHFDystAuu0nfxA8auziCW1bWka4pBajClWzCJBWC2iPwwPm21qxLGky5J5zmH0_qZMmrycNjYM9moH25ge4TbO25zbD0xvibZP5RnsMcMcfpt5_yQNvF/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGgk267K7agZ8IzwveRN9spXaHFDystAuu0nfxA8auziCW1bWka4pBajClWzCJBWC2iPwwPm21qxLGky5J5zmH0_qZMmrycNjYM9moH25ge4TbO25zbD0xvibZP5RnsMcMcfpt5_yQNvF/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting Sleepy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-73846793410095795972011-11-01T13:21:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:21:03.923-07:00Having a GiraffeWeek three of the pre-training training, and all's well. Tuesday's are a 2 mile easy run until after Christmas, so Izzy and I ran to the sports centre for my post-natal exercise class and back - that's dedication! Definitely felt like an easier run than last week, and I didn't walk up the hills like I did last week either. <br />
<br />
There was an added bonus today. We were at the centre for the baby swimming class yesterday, and somewhere between the car and the pool I dropped Sophie the Giraffe. Now Sophie is one of those ubiquitous, slightly pretentious and very middle class toys that everyone (and I mean <i>everyone</i>) seems to have, but she's popular for a good reason. Despite resembling a very expensive dog toy, she's the best teething toy out there, and considering that Izzy has just in the past two days cut her first two teeth, this was not the best time for the giraffe to go walkabout. I asked if she had been handed in as we left, but no joy. <br />
<br />
Imagine, then, how delighted I was to walk into the centre today to see Sophie in pride of place on a shelf behind the desk. I waited in the queue, and when the lady asked how she could help I told her I was there to rescue the giraffe. Izzy seemed unfazed by the reunion at the time, but she was having a good chew on poor Sophie when we got home, so I think she was happy to have her back. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow we've got Buggyfit (if I can get out of bed this time) and then Thursday is a 3 mile run with Izzy. As long as we've got Sophie along with us I'm sure it'll be fine. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89H90xx-7PHpUq6P74BmAnlLRUzugZpNDsErIrki1e4IL9wCbdqwLrTxUdCJgaaWLIaySZIYVbea8Pk0q-JDrKPv6-MVAuVBrfXz4HyCI2bE4dQ3i2054qFFgBr8GGVjVYPxDhGBiOfeI/s640/blogger-image--1680127511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89H90xx-7PHpUq6P74BmAnlLRUzugZpNDsErIrki1e4IL9wCbdqwLrTxUdCJgaaWLIaySZIYVbea8Pk0q-JDrKPv6-MVAuVBrfXz4HyCI2bE4dQ3i2054qFFgBr8GGVjVYPxDhGBiOfeI/s320/blogger-image--1680127511.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie Safe at Home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-90855609229031214842011-10-30T13:08:00.000-07:002011-10-30T13:17:28.239-07:00Good Old GMTThe 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_GB/plus/?sitesrc=fbk_ab_plus#//runs/detail/1552005381/634296351/all/allRuns/&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fl.php%3Fu%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fgo.nike.com%252F07m1soke%26h%3DkAQFZ4U5PAQGx5zhsKem-w6prZ9ERD_Duc8j0KkeY1UzDeA">We were a bit slow and steady today</a>, 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.<br />
<br />
I'm knackered now, right enough. It's 8 o'clock, and I can't see me being up much longer.<br />
<br />
Let me leave you with a picture of Batbaby at her party...Gotham City is in safe hands tonight!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcd1bcaV2MGrzQynLUm2_iEBj9nxUOXVRFr6oUwBjVEWnGks8O0Ck_ZxGXr1xDZFXuaT1-VdRJUgHIrZmUfUiJ6mG7AdIUd85jQwOocpLFpWgOJNZAdYCD-WAfeFBnoVJeREvX0EL5qvK/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcd1bcaV2MGrzQynLUm2_iEBj9nxUOXVRFr6oUwBjVEWnGks8O0Ck_ZxGXr1xDZFXuaT1-VdRJUgHIrZmUfUiJ6mG7AdIUd85jQwOocpLFpWgOJNZAdYCD-WAfeFBnoVJeREvX0EL5qvK/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-26733557212777410322011-10-28T07:07:00.001-07:002011-10-28T08:53:20.021-07:00A Rest DayThis 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). <br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_GB/plus/?sitesrc=fbk_ab_plus#//runs/detail/1552005381/768690995/all/allRuns/&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fl.php%3Fu%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fgo.nike.com%252F86t6m8i%26h%3DmAQFmQwnUAQGHjhTYDECXDEeVr0FSOkkDjDKW4HPzYKR8eA">Here's yesterday's run </a>for anyone interested. It was a jaunt to the Co-op for a bag of salad with Baby and the Beast ;-) <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
UPDATE: operation scone a success!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKK-beTVIhm_V5W5J7OT7zfLj3e-UoY_1yuktfmj3o6V7yVHpuPDYDuCT8RYBAjzwhpEjUl3U_u7W9a3AHgRqXKScfw8WF5iAwcNEyogM-MQJXg5q7BXkVqkUE1S96kHAqeHp_Na6z-I3/s640/blogger-image-164205738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKK-beTVIhm_V5W5J7OT7zfLj3e-UoY_1yuktfmj3o6V7yVHpuPDYDuCT8RYBAjzwhpEjUl3U_u7W9a3AHgRqXKScfw8WF5iAwcNEyogM-MQJXg5q7BXkVqkUE1S96kHAqeHp_Na6z-I3/s640/blogger-image-164205738.jpg" /></a></div>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5074720666345629231.post-2153805777065858332011-10-27T08:39:00.000-07:002011-10-28T07:08:24.898-07:00On the road againSo, 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....<br />
<br />
...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.<br />
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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?<br />
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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.<br />
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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?<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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'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.<br />
'Hi, I'm calling from Barnardo's London Marathon team - we'd like to offer you a place!'<br />
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I say nothing, momentarily dumbstruck. 'Hello, Katie, are you there?'<br />
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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!<br />
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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 <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=KatieandJennifer">sponsorship page here</a> lovely people! We're also tweeting from <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/kandjrunlondon">@kandjrunlondon</a> and I'll be using this blog to motivate me along the way.<br />
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Oh god, what have I got myself into?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4VLQaJmEUfMFDx-AmZJUL4IclcOWJ0ndooyVLJjMH38-ZotHq-YVJpKZeA1mrKPMexnmYZf7BmtQPxH1Lppd32aYTCIRs2rxNdtB4IR0zpx0EW5WBqyBIStbQKIV2zHFFtPCDd-vhMim/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4VLQaJmEUfMFDx-AmZJUL4IclcOWJ0ndooyVLJjMH38-ZotHq-YVJpKZeA1mrKPMexnmYZf7BmtQPxH1Lppd32aYTCIRs2rxNdtB4IR0zpx0EW5WBqyBIStbQKIV2zHFFtPCDd-vhMim/s320/IMG_1026.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beast!</td></tr></tbody></table>Katie Barrowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539344179907409506noreply@blogger.com0