So - my OH's new shift pattern is out (starts April) and it is worse than the one we have now.
Not only are his weekends off LESS frequent (3 in every 9!!!), the hours of work mean I will be required to drop off and pick up the children at nursery, and then school, most days. Don't get me wrong - I don't have a problem with this - it will be much harder for him not to see as much of the boys as he does now and this is a whole other blog, but the upshot for me (and the relevance to this blog) is that it eats into my already limited training opportunities.
That aside - my main issue with the new shift pattern is that he is working the weekend of the Great North Run.
This itself doesn't pose much of a problem as my parents are 'up North' and so I will take the children with me to create a 'win win win' situation. I get two very willing babysitters while I trot around the 13 mile course (win), my parents get to spend some very rare time with the terrible two (win), and the terrible two get to be terribly spoilt with all the things I would normally prevent them from doing (win).
Now, I don't mind driving up on my own with the children, but it is such
a trek that I would like to head up there on the Friday and drive back
on the Monday to give me time to recover and also to ensure I don't
seize up on the 4 hour drive home!
My dilemma is with the fact that my eldest starts school in September, and although I don't have the official start date for him yet, I think the Monday after the GNR falls on week 3 of his first term.
So...........do I take him out of school just as he is settling in and risk the wrath of his teacher, or do I stop being so selfish and just jump in the car from the finish line (almost) and head straight back to Shropshire???
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Calling in reinforcements
So - the running has been so so over the last few days. This has not been to lack of will, but more so lack of opportunity
The trouble I have is that my Other Half works shifts, which plays havoc with my training. I have tried heading to the gym before work, but I feel so guilty leaving my Other Half to get the boys dressed and to nursery before he himself heads to work.
So - after much deliberation I decided to call in the big guns and buy a treadmill to support my road training. It arrived tonight and is now taking pride of place in the garage!!
I fully intend to make good use of it this week as not only is OH on a late shift tomorrow, he is away overnight on Wednesday AND Thursday meaning there is no chance of getting out on the road to stretch my legs until at least Friday.
Admittedly, one of the main reasons I enjoy my training is the chance to have a 'gossip on the go' with my training buddy. So to keep me motivated tomorrow my first job (after putting the boys to bed of course!) is to choose some upbeat tunes to keep me on the move!
Wish me luck!
The trouble I have is that my Other Half works shifts, which plays havoc with my training. I have tried heading to the gym before work, but I feel so guilty leaving my Other Half to get the boys dressed and to nursery before he himself heads to work.
So - after much deliberation I decided to call in the big guns and buy a treadmill to support my road training. It arrived tonight and is now taking pride of place in the garage!!
I fully intend to make good use of it this week as not only is OH on a late shift tomorrow, he is away overnight on Wednesday AND Thursday meaning there is no chance of getting out on the road to stretch my legs until at least Friday.
Admittedly, one of the main reasons I enjoy my training is the chance to have a 'gossip on the go' with my training buddy. So to keep me motivated tomorrow my first job (after putting the boys to bed of course!) is to choose some upbeat tunes to keep me on the move!
Wish me luck!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The last mile
After my initial euphoria for gaining a place in the Great North Run - reality is beginning to sink in.
With the sun shining through the window I was motivated to pull on my running gear and go for a run. But despite the sunshine - it was bl**dy cold - barely above freezing in fact - meaning breathing and running felt doubly hard!
After 2 miles of running with what felt like lead weights on my legs, I finally began to warm up. I only managed 4 miles in all, but they were 4 hard miles and I began to wonder to myself - what has possessed me to do the Great North Run again???
I have completed 3 GNR's now so I don't have anything to prove to myself - I KNOW I can do it. And if it was just a case of 'going for a very long run', I could do that any day of the week around the streets where I live. So why...................
I am addicted. There I said it. I am addicted to the feeling you get when you cross the finish line. It really is something else. And despite 99% of the course being hard, uphill slog, the last mile really does make it all worthwhile. It is so emotional - each time I have crossed the finish line, I have done so with tears streaming down my face.
I have 7 months left to train so through the tough times when my legs ache and my chest feels like it is going to explode - I will remind myself that it IS all worthwhile, if only for the last mile!
Jo
With the sun shining through the window I was motivated to pull on my running gear and go for a run. But despite the sunshine - it was bl**dy cold - barely above freezing in fact - meaning breathing and running felt doubly hard!
After 2 miles of running with what felt like lead weights on my legs, I finally began to warm up. I only managed 4 miles in all, but they were 4 hard miles and I began to wonder to myself - what has possessed me to do the Great North Run again???
I have completed 3 GNR's now so I don't have anything to prove to myself - I KNOW I can do it. And if it was just a case of 'going for a very long run', I could do that any day of the week around the streets where I live. So why...................
I am addicted. There I said it. I am addicted to the feeling you get when you cross the finish line. It really is something else. And despite 99% of the course being hard, uphill slog, the last mile really does make it all worthwhile. It is so emotional - each time I have crossed the finish line, I have done so with tears streaming down my face.
I have 7 months left to train so through the tough times when my legs ache and my chest feels like it is going to explode - I will remind myself that it IS all worthwhile, if only for the last mile!
Jo
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My first time - be gentle!
Right well, here goes. I've finally put my toe in the water and started a blog!
Now what to do............or yeah - write something............
Okay - since the day of my first blog coincides with my Great North Run confirmation I will pledge to update this blog with my progress in training (or lack of!) as I prepare for my 4th and final (I mean it this time) Great North Run
I don't expect any readers to be particularly interested in this, but humour me. If I think there are people reading this then I will feel compelled to report on the positive progress that I am making
There you go - short and sweet for my first attempt. Might have to go and have a nice cup of tea to make the occasion (no biscuits - I am in training after all!)
Now what to do............or yeah - write something............
Okay - since the day of my first blog coincides with my Great North Run confirmation I will pledge to update this blog with my progress in training (or lack of!) as I prepare for my 4th and final (I mean it this time) Great North Run
I don't expect any readers to be particularly interested in this, but humour me. If I think there are people reading this then I will feel compelled to report on the positive progress that I am making
There you go - short and sweet for my first attempt. Might have to go and have a nice cup of tea to make the occasion (no biscuits - I am in training after all!)
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