9 Weeks post birth, 4th run in

I had totally forgotten how much new borns struggle being on the outside! He is so much better than he's been until now 6 but still cries to get to sleep and is really unsettled in the evenings. His crying makes me really sad. By the evening I'm spent...is it too early to get him into his bed early evening? I feel like it is (tried it and it ended in tears - his and mine!) but am really struggling to feel like I get a break from him.

The toddler has been awesome and is pulling me through the 'New Born Black Hole' - knowing that he will soon interact and not need to feed from me. I've been advised not to wish the time away but it's hard sometimes.

I did my 3rd and longest run/walk on Tuesday. I had fed every 2 hours through the night and found it hard to concentrate on running tall and reminding myself to walk when it was feeling tough. It's my first solo parkrun this morning and I'm excited to be going to Cross Flatts alone but worried about conversations about getting back into 'shape' and not feeling able to walk when I need to. It's still early days so no expectations, right...?!

So, vegan porridge & raisins eaten, toddler & new born fed, formula & bottle ready for hand over time...eek!!

Mini Mermaid Running Club

I am part of Mini Mermaid Running Club UK, it's a self development programme for primary aged girls to increase their self esteem and confidence through physical activity.We coach small groups of girls  to listen to their positive inner voice and recognise their negative inner voice using story telling and sport/child psychology principles. Each girl does the 6 week programme and trains for a 5K challenge, they can walk, run, hop. skip or jump their way round. This is me and one of our newest recruits, mainly skipping (with a broken arm!) at Roundhay parkrun

I had requested to support a girl who would mainly walk the course and was glad when my Mini was told by her mum she was only to walk as she'd recently broke her arm. I was totally in awe of her energy and resilience as she skipped and jogged the whole way round with very few grumbles. She'd really liked the programme and was talking about Siren (negative thoughts) and how she needed to "Go away" so Mini Mermaid (positive thoughts) could help her round the 5K.

I was aching the next day - my hip flexors felt over stretched and, although I was proud of doing the distance just a day after my maiden voyage, I was worried I'd done too much. I was more hungry & thirsty than I had been and my new born had survived without me (surprise, surprise!). I was also proud that my toddler ran to me saying "Mummy, did you have a good time running fast?". I'd left the house with her wanting to come with me and felt guilty for discouraging her from coming out to a running event (which I'd love her to get into).

First post birth run

This is my first ever blog and I'm a bit nervous! I've decided to write it because I had my second child 8 weeks ago and also got a place for the London Marathon. I didn't write a diary with my first and feel sad that I've very few memories of what it was like getting back into running after having her so this time I'm using this as a way of having something to look back on.

To set the scene, I have been running for the fun of it for around 20 years, I started going out with my Dad as a child and took to it from there. I've taken part in plenty of races, mainly low level fell runs, cross countries and a few road runs. I got my London Marathon place with my 'Good for age' time at Manchester Marathon in 2015. I have 8 months to get myself through London, I did run up to 30 weeks pregnant so I'm hoping I'm not starting from scratch.

I also really like baking, swimming and am a total lefty!

This was me on my first ever run after birth. That was 2 weeks ago, I had been inspired by a friend (also recently had her 3rd child & training for a 7 mile trail race) to get back into fitness and also had had a pep talk about feeling OK asking for help. So, I planned with my husband for him to take both children (for the first time) to the shop while I ran and walked a mile loop round my house.

I felt awesome! I donned a baggy t-shirt and sun glasses so I was less self conscious, I ran as far as I could before walking when my back began to hurt a little and stopped to do some squats and stretches half way round. It felt so good to be out without a child I felt wild! I carried on the fitness theme when I got home and did a post natal pilates You Tube video in the garden.

My husband and two children returned and it was so nice to see them. It felt like I'd had a really nice break. My daughter wanted to do races in the garden and it was fantastic to feel like I wanted to do it rather than torn between feeding my newborn and struggling to fit her in.

South Leeds Sisters

In 2012 I set up South Leeds Sisters - a group for women to meet socially and enjoy use running.

This is us on a cold winter's night:

At Leeds half:

We've run with 401 Ben, volunteered at Run For All charity events had many social events (meals out, drinks in town and even Bingo).

We meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at John Charles Centre for Sport and many of us do Cross Flatts parkrun on Saturdays.

I've met some truly awesome women through the group. I've never been much of a woman's woman - preferring the no nonsense chat of men and sharing more interests due to running/swimming and films. However, I've met some down to earth, funny and inspirational women at Sisters and they've helped me through both pregnancies and been a knowledgeable sounding board.