My first race of the cross country season

Valentine's Day saw me return to XC action. I love cross country, it is definitely my favourite part of the year and I've really missed taking part in this year's XC league. Luckily, my fellow NHRR member Rachel was kind enough to offer to Hannah-sit (she's training for the Brighton Marathon and had done a long run the day before). Even more luckily, Hannah is generally well behaved so as long as she has been fed and watered she is usually fine in her pram.
The race was 2 hilly laps round Ampthill Park so if the worst came to the worst I could always drop out halfway round. As it happened Hannah was absolutely fine and every time I ran past her I sighed a huge sigh of relief as all was silent.
Sadly, I am not in great shape (understatement of the year) and I did find it very hard indeed and looking at the pictures it's clear to see why...too much coffee and cake makes Lindsay a heavy girl...

Intelligent running shoes for women?

I read this article with interest. Essentially, Asics use Soft Top Duomax in the midsole of this shoe to apparently accommodate for fluctuations in women's hormonal levels which cause the foot arches to be lowered, creating more pressure on the plantar fascia. Personally, I am a Nike Air Pegasus girl and I have been for over 10 years now. However, I had no idea that running shoes could be so clever!

Running with a pram

Last night I went for a run with some fellow North Herts Road Runners. A year ago that wouldn't have been anything noteworthy, after all it was what I did twice a week and have done for 10 years now. However, post Hannah this isn't as straight forwards as it used to be. Here is how last night went:

Discuss with Mr C about our running plans for the evening. Decide on a plan which is for Mr C to do the mile reps and for me to go for a run (too cold to leave Hannah hanging around in between mile reps if we both do them)

Feed Hannah to ensure she doesn't get hungry en route

Change Hannah into her pjs so she can go straight to bed when she gets home

Change Hannah's nappy as she likes to wait for the most inconvenient moment before needing a clean nappy

Pack my running bag while Mr C entertains child

Mr C packs running bag while I entertain child, prepare her milk for later and ensure we have a supply of nappies to take with us

Put Hannah in her car seat, gather up our belongings (looks like we are going away for the weekend!) and off we go!

Arrive at tennis club and put Hannah in her pram

Do notices and finally set off for run...stop 2 seconds after leaving front door to put rain cover on pram

Finally go for a run!

Mr C returns from mile reps at 8:30, I go for a shower and he feeds Hannah

Mr C goes for a shower

Phew, we both have dinner!!!!

Put Hannah back in her car seat, gather up our belongings and go home

Arrive home and put all of us to bed

I managed 2 and a half miles through Letchworth town centre and it was pretty succesful, running with the pram makes your arms tired though!