ME time

My Mummy Kilometre counter has just cracked the 300km. Considering I have been running for over 9 weeks this is by no means "high mileage" in the world of running


In the world of being a mummy however, this is a LOT of "me time". In fact I have spent 31.63 hours covering these 322 kilometers. Thats an average of more than 3 hours per week I have spent away from my family and my responsibilities persuing my own interests. But I don't feel even the slightest bit guilty and here's why:

My running helps me cope
No matter how busy, stressful or chaotic life gets everything always seems manageable after a run. Running gives me time to put my life in to perspective and organise it in my own brain. Of course everything will be easier to deal with when you are pumped full of endorphins! If you want me at my best. . . catch me after a run.

Running gets me going
Its terrible to admit but running forces me to have a shower and get going with my day. The problem with being a stay at home mummy is on the days that we don't have anything on it is SO tempting to laze in the PJs all day long. My runs add a bit of structure and pressure to my day i.e. I have something to achieve in Little A's sleep time other than washing and cleaning!

"If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it"

I am setting an example
I spend my days trying to teach and guide our little guy and considering actions speak louder than words then the best way to encourage my son to live healthily and embrace physical activity is to do it myself.


Running makes me a good wife
(if not shooting your husband is a measure of being a good wife)

"Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands"
Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)

The secret to a successful marriage. . . who would have thought!?!?

Rest Days

Talk about a love/hate relationship!

Why is it that all week you are hanging out for a rest day and then on the rest day all you want to do is go out and train?

Despite the fact that I am only walking at the moment I am still trying to take a rest day every couple of weeks. The higher the intensity of the training the more important the rest days becomes for the recovery of the body. While walking is only of low to moderate intensity I still can appreciate the mental benefits of a "break" from your routine. But mentally Rest days can also do your head in. Here are some of the things I struggle with about rest days:

1) Seeing that blank spot in my training calendar
2) Missing out on the post training high (that gets me through the day!)
3) Guilt (even as a PT who knows the benefits, importance and science of rest days I still can't shake the occassional pang of guilt)

But there is a lot to love about rest days too. So from now on when ever I feel the pang of guilt or am looking at that empty spot in my calendar I am going to focus on and appreciate the things that only come with rest days:

1) Sleep ins
2) Breakfast with my husband
3) No sweaty clothes to wash
4) Longer showers (more time in the morning)
5) An awesome next session (because all my great sessions are after a rest day!)

Guilt can be good. It is what gets us out the door some mornings. But there are definitely times when its just not warranted. So from now on I am going to love and appreciate my rest days and treat them as an opportunity to nurture and appreciate my body and how hard it works for me every other day!