2 steps forwards and 1 step back

Around Christmas time, I was able to do a bit of running and I started to feel I was able to get a little bit fit again. Sadly after Christmas a combination of poor sleeping by mini-cook and a nasty cold meant I never quite got going. A couple of weeks ago, we went on holiday on a canal boat (ll;">from Foulridge to Sowerby Bridge) which provided me with the perfect opportunity to get going again. That week I managed to run for 30 minutes 4 times and although it was hard, I started to feel I was getting back to some sort of fitness. Since then, I managed a few more 3-4 mile runs and I really started to think I might be turning a corner...
Sadly, I am currently sitting on the sofa watching the London Marathon with another nasty cold (I really think I have had more than my fair share of colds this winter, I suspect mini-cook is to blame!), I feel like I can hardly get up the stairs, let alone go for a run. However, I am plotting my next steps so watch this space!

Herts XC fun

Yesterday saw the rerunning of the cancelled Herts XC (cancelled due to snow in January) in Cassiobury Park, Watford. The Herts XC championships are usually a low key affair and this year they were even lower key than usual. However, it was a lovely day for a run, the sun was shining and the daffodils were out, very spring-like indeed. I've not run that much recently, laziness and illness being the main reasons and as a result I had a bad day at the office...I did come 17th...out of 17 finishers. Oops.
The main issue of the day was how to co-ordinate looking after mini-cook. There were only 45 minutes between the start of the ladies race and the start of the men's race and it took me just under 55 minutes to complete the course. We had a couple of options, Gary could start the men's race when I finished or we could find someone to mini-cook-sit. Luckily we knew one of the timing people so when I finished, mini-cook was waiting for me at the finish line. (Looking at the results, Gary finished 16 minutes ahead of the last placed runner so if he had waited for me he would have caught 10 men, not bad eh?)

Impending veteran status

I can hardly believe it but on Thursday I'll be a veteran! A few years ago I used to say I was looking forwards to this milestone so I could finally win some prizes but that didn't take into account 2 things: the fact that my fellow seniors age at the same rate I do and that often veteran road runners are faster than seniors! I suppose that if I keep going another 30 years I might win something as a V65...
There are some plus points to being a vet, mainly that I get to take part in the vet-specific events that I wasn't old enough to take part in before. It also gives me the opportunity to set myself some new running objectives, any ideas anyone?

Another cross country race (or should I say swim?)

Last Sunday saw me take part in my second race of the cross country season. It has pained me not to take part in XCs 'cos I love 'em. IMHO if there isn't mud, hills, water, rain, snow etc then a race just isn't worth doing! The race was at Bedford and the day before we discovered that the race was under threat due to a flood warning on the River Great Ouse and the forecast of a lot of rain. Luckily the race wasn't cancelled but a river crossing did have to be removed. Not that you would have noticed!
For some context, the Bedford XC course runs along by the river so it isn't hilly (shame) but it is usually wet. Now, imagine the scene, rain, flood warning, race running along the banks of a river...yes, it was wet underfoot (and under ankle and under knee). This turned out to be OK as the course wasn't particularly heavy because it was so wet.
Now, on to the race. It was around 4 miles with a slight route change to avoid a river crossing. I liked the new route as it meant I could see most of our scoring men's team as they ran in the opposite direction (well run chaps!). I am still horribly unfit (but improving) and I got very wet but I very much enjoyed the race.
Random factoid: this was my first ever race for NHRR back in December 1999. So there you go.

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!