I'm still here!

Ok ok I'll be the first to admit I've been SLACK at keeping this blog updated!... It's possibly because I haven't been doing too much running, nothing of real interest anyway.
My excuse? Ah, well, can't really think of a good one...

BUT! You may or may not be pleased to know that in 4 weeks I've lost over 4kgs (for you Americana's that's about 10lbs). Thank you.

I've got to be honest here and say my main reason for running, at this stage, is for weightloss. It also helps that I really really really enjoy running and want to still be running when I'm 80.

So over the past 4 weeks I've been watching what I eat (as in, no more brownie, cakes, cookies, cheese cakes.... all the nice things) and have up'd my running as well. This combination seems to be a winner for getting my 'before children' body back. Hopefully it works again 3rd time round...?!

Anyhoo, this afternoon I ran around Richmond Park which has always been my local training track but today was the first time since baby number 3 that I did the complete 8 mile/14 km circuit.

It's such a stunning run to do. So many trees and grass and open spaces - AMAZING!
I had my sister's RPM instructing music (very electronica) pounding through my ears to help get me up the hills. And it worked!

Now I need to start looking for some races to book in for - would it be too much too think I could be at marathon fitness again by the end of the year?? We'll see. There are so many marathons in different European cities throughout the year, I just need to choose one.
Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, Rome, maybe even London...! (crazy I know)

First port of call though will be an off-road half marathon. Get me back to my country girl roots who didn't run on sealed roads until I was in my 20's.

Happy running friends! X

Anyway, hopefully you'll be hearing more from me hence forth!

Back in Business!

Today was a momentous occasion.
Today I put on my lycra, strapped The Girls down with the tightest running bra I could find, got out my trainers from the back of the cupboard and went for a RUN!
It was momentous because it is the first run I've done in 7 months.
My first run since having baby Max 7 weeks ago.

And damn it felt good!


I wrote the above last Saturday but never got to finish it and post it... Such is my life currently with a newborn, 19 month old and 4 year old who unceasingly seem to demand my attention.

Since that momentous first run I've been sick, which always seems to be the way when I determine to do something life/body changing that there's an initial spanner in the works...
But on Thursday and again today I strapped those babies down and got out there with the Queen's deer in Richmond Park - becoming familiar once again with the sound of my (laboured) breathing and footfalls on the gravel track.

Even better on today's run was the fact that my bestest of friends joined me. So we chatted in between gasping breaths and committed to meet once a week for a run together, with the intention of getting fitter and, as a result, becoming lean machines. I'm super-determined to get rid of my "fat suit" as soon as possible and I've learned from my last 2 pregnancies that RUNNING is the key! HOORAH!!

I have been finding it quite amusing the way my body has taken to starting back running again - the way every part of me seems to jiggle except the boobs which are strapped down into submission.
And also how the part of my body that hurts the most is not my legs, but my groin. What the flip??

And so now I need to scout out some runs that I can register for. As I was only 2 weeks away from running the Lochness Marathon when I discovered I was pregnant I'm SUPER KEEN to have a marathon as my goal this year. Maybe this one? Ooooohhhh yeeeeaaaahhhhhh. That's what I'm talking about. Yup.