My run today (88/365)

3 weeks to go. I'm so pleased with how my training's been going. I've stuck to my plan and its a great feeling ticking each run off. Today I ran beyond what the plan suggested, but I figured that's ok as I wanted to push myself one last time now that the taper period is starting and I start to wind down training before the big day!!

Run kit (87/365)

Tomorrow is my last long run before I start tapering. I have my run kit laid out next to my bed ready for the morning. Biggest struggle with long runs: boredom. Fortunately it's not stopped me so far. Just tomorrow to get through...

Full moon (86/365)

Driving back from Merry Hill this evening the moon was HUGE on the horizon. Typically as I pulled over and found my phone to take a photo it went behind a cloud, so here's my partially obscured picture, but I wanted to remember it never the less.

Busy playing (85/365)

In a world of his own, concentrating hard figuring out his shape sorter car toy

Easter salt dough shapes

I've been missing a trick all these years: I never knew that salt dough can be cooked in the microwave, done in just over 3 minutes! I've been baking it in the oven for 3 hours!! Doh!

I experimented with my microwave settings and found 3 minutes on low, turning it over and giving a 20 second blast on the other side then waiting for it to cool worked well. It continues to cook while cooling so was done by the time it had gone cold.

I'm loving the excitement leading up to Easter Sunday doing lots of crafts and activities with the kids. We made and painted these salt dough Easter shapes today, Eden really enjoyed it and Asher had a little go too, while sitting in his high chair, although as soon as he realised he wasn't getting any food he turned his attention to climbing out instead!

39 months and 12 months (84/365)

Love them :) it's not often they're both still at the same time long enough for me to take a photo of them together, I need to try more often though..

My snowy run (83/365)

I spent yesterday complaining and worrying about the snow ruining my training plans for the marathon. I arrived at the gym today, hoping to use the treadmill, to be told I'd need an induction first, 'council policy'. I'm so grateful that I was turned away! I had a choice between not running at all, thus missing a key weekend of training (taper begins soon so these are the final weeks of upping mileage) or giving the snow a go. I chose the latter, setting off with low expectations of how far I would actually manage. Strangely enough, I managed nearly 2 hours, I was surprised to find the country lanes had been completely cleared of snow, and the rest of the time the snow was still soft underfoot. I was happily distracted by the beauty of the snow around me, the time flew by and I barely noticed the hills I normally struggle up (I'm hoping this is adaptation to my training!) I would even go so far as to say today's run was one of my best, most enjoyable ever! Who'd have thought it!?!

Marathon training: this is not a good weekend for snow

We have a good few inches of snow at the moment, and it's so cold there's no chance of a thaw anytime soon. I'm extremely gutted as it's such a key weekend for marathon training, being the penultimate long run before the taper begins. I was all set for getting up early and heading straight out, being home by 10am. But I'm just not prepared physically, mentally and practically (my trainers wouldn't cope) to run in the snow, in sub-zero degree temps with the windchill; I'd lose my running form and risk injury, especially over a long run. Instead I'm planning a treadmill run tomorrow, but I just can't see myself running the full length of time I'm supposed to without packing it in out of utter boredom, I hate that the only think to watch is the little computer screen that tediously makes every minute pass at snail pace, so we will see how I get on... Come on snow... Be gone!

Spring (82/365)

Easter egg fun (81/365)

Caught in the act again (80/365)

My cheeky boy had been rummaging in the change bag and found himself a pear this morning, managing to munch his way through most of it before I discovered him! Those pesky molars that have been bothering him coming through recently are obviously helping then..

Never to cold for an ice cream (79/365)

(Not if you're 3 anyway)

Excitement (78/365)

Take at the end of a fantastic day catching up with people and places where we used to live in Southampton. The kids were as good as gold all day, and this evening were very excited about sleeping in the hotel room, running up and down chasing each other with much laughter and merriment!

Fort (77/365)

Found E and A playing together this morning in a 'fort' Eden had made, so cute!

Garlic and rhubarb (76/365)

Doing well on the allotment

Bring on the next 1000km! (75/365)

So I've run, jogged, walked and plodded my way over the 1000km mark on my running log. It's taken a few years, it's involved going out in all weather conditions and all moods, when I feel like it and when I don't. I've been pregnant and had 2 kids along the way. You never regret the runs you do, only the ones you don't do. I run for the sense of achievement, the exhilaration, the time with myself, and with God. I run because I can. I run because when I do I feel like I'm the best version of me, empowered to face life's challenges. Bring on the next 1000!

We <3 pizza (74/365)

Homemade pizza is always a winner but it does get everywhere...

Someone loves his new cup (72/365)

First sleepover (71/365)

Eden was adamant she wanted a sleepover in asher's room tonight. She laid her sleeping bag out, got pillow and teddies for her and Asher and was so excited at bedtime!! Both went straight to sleep. Not sure what we've started.... May need bunk beds!

Home straight (68/365)

Today I raced my first half marathon, pleased with my time of 2 hours 17 mins. It was a lovely flat course, comprising of 4 laps around Stratford Raceway. I wasn't sure if running 4 laps would get a bit boring, but I was actually really glad as I got to pass Luke and the kids loads which was fab for motivation. On target for London marathon training, although at the end of today's race all I could think of was how on earth am I going to run twice that distance in just a few weeks time!?? Back to consulting the training plan..

Poorly boy (66/365)

Lots of extra cuddles today for my little man battling a tummy bug x

First birthday (65/365)

Playing with his new train set

Spring weather (64/365)

Asher's first time walking unassisted outside. So proud of him hitting this milestone today, just before his first birthday.