I wrote this post two months ago, to get my thoughts down as I came to terms with my new status. I'll keep on blogging, from the running/adventuring whilst with child angle. I'll try to keep it suitable for squeamish ears.
So you're a fellrunner and you discover you're pregnant. To be completely honest, my first feeling was one of disappointment that I wouldn't be able to continue to dash about the fells on ever more hair-raising escapades, but I quickly had a word with myself and reminded myself that life is long and this was an exciting new adventure. For the last month or so I've been waiting for the hammer to drop whilst I've been out running. A few big events in the weeks where it was a bit "am I...really?" went well. I ran a road half marathon and got a new PB, and then the following weekend was proud to be part of Glossopdale's first ever mixed team at the Hodgson Brothers relays. I kept up with my partner, the formidable Caity Rice, to boot.
Then two weeks later came the FRA relays, I was running on a leg which seemed made for me. I enjoyed every minute whilst feeling glad I was up to it as by then I knew the baby was definitely on board. Thankfully I've not committed to anything major towards the end of this year and I'm currently just coasting along, telling my clubmates that I'm letting up a bit on the running to spend more time with mates and family. And hoping that they don't catch me wincing a little as I tighten the chest strap on my backpack..
That's the hardest thing, the not telling my clubmates . I'm expected to be up for pretty extreme and long stuff. That's what I've spent my summer doing; big, tough memorable events, and yet now I have a secret which I just want to share, so they can understand why I'm easing up a bit. I'm not so sure on the convention of keeping a pregnancy secret until you're past a certain stage, there's something about opening up the conversation about why that tradition exists but that's not for this blog. My line in the sand is, once I've seen it, then it's real. Then I'll tell. So a few weeks time and I will.
So for now I'm doing as much running as I feel like doing, and trying to avoid conversations about the High Peak Marathon and the Trigger because there are limits to what I think I'll be able to do. Short events I'll manage, I'm sure. Just don't expect me to push to the red line. Whatever kind of running I do as time goes along, I'll be taking advice from professionals who know how I can best look after myself and my passenger. I'm buoyed up to see that the NHS advice online and in leaflets strongly advocates keeping an active lifestyle whilst expecting.
I'm honestly worried about how easy or hard it will be to get back into it again next year after the big event but if you know me, you'll know I'm not one to fade at a challenge. I've some excellent friends and clubmates who I hope can tolerate me being a bit flaky. I'm well up for doing a good few stints marshalling and road support as otherwise I fear I will miss the community I love being a part of.
I could be deluded. One promise I will try and keep is not to lose my fellrunner identity in parenthood. I'll keep blogging and you can see me either perform a complete about face, or not. Whatever happens it's going to be totally new to me.
So you're a fellrunner and you discover you're pregnant. To be completely honest, my first feeling was one of disappointment that I wouldn't be able to continue to dash about the fells on ever more hair-raising escapades, but I quickly had a word with myself and reminded myself that life is long and this was an exciting new adventure. For the last month or so I've been waiting for the hammer to drop whilst I've been out running. A few big events in the weeks where it was a bit "am I...really?" went well. I ran a road half marathon and got a new PB, and then the following weekend was proud to be part of Glossopdale's first ever mixed team at the Hodgson Brothers relays. I kept up with my partner, the formidable Caity Rice, to boot.
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| The plucky Glossopdalers at the Hogdson Brothers Relays 4 October 2015 |
That's the hardest thing, the not telling my clubmates . I'm expected to be up for pretty extreme and long stuff. That's what I've spent my summer doing; big, tough memorable events, and yet now I have a secret which I just want to share, so they can understand why I'm easing up a bit. I'm not so sure on the convention of keeping a pregnancy secret until you're past a certain stage, there's something about opening up the conversation about why that tradition exists but that's not for this blog. My line in the sand is, once I've seen it, then it's real. Then I'll tell. So a few weeks time and I will.
So for now I'm doing as much running as I feel like doing, and trying to avoid conversations about the High Peak Marathon and the Trigger because there are limits to what I think I'll be able to do. Short events I'll manage, I'm sure. Just don't expect me to push to the red line. Whatever kind of running I do as time goes along, I'll be taking advice from professionals who know how I can best look after myself and my passenger. I'm buoyed up to see that the NHS advice online and in leaflets strongly advocates keeping an active lifestyle whilst expecting.
 |
| A sunny October day with GDH mates |
I'm honestly worried about how easy or hard it will be to get back into it again next year after the big event but if you know me, you'll know I'm not one to fade at a challenge. I've some excellent friends and clubmates who I hope can tolerate me being a bit flaky. I'm well up for doing a good few stints marshalling and road support as otherwise I fear I will miss the community I love being a part of.
I could be deluded. One promise I will try and keep is not to lose my fellrunner identity in parenthood. I'll keep blogging and you can see me either perform a complete about face, or not. Whatever happens it's going to be totally new to me.
