The nice thing about 1/2 term is that you don’t have to do the school run, so in theory you get a bit more time in you day. Time, I thought, to up the training and get some more miles under my belt.

Nice theory! My three children are aged between 11 and 14, and they had other plans. It was eldest son’s birthday, and he celebrated becoming a teenager, by organising two sleep overs with equally smelly, hormonal, teenage friends. I am not sure why they call it a sleep over, they stayed up most of the night eating pop corn, watching movies and chatting!

Daughter and eldest child organised to sleep over at a friends house (that was the sensible option with so many boys around!). But rang at 11.00am the next day to see when Mother would be picking her up; unfortunately she had to rearrange her schedule to fit with mine, as pick up was much later that afternoon after I had finished work.

Not to be left out youngest son, organised for his mate to come and stay. This was a much more civilised; but probably not for much longer.

In-between sleep overs and work I seem to spend all my time in the car, driving children from A to B and back again. I did manage to up the miles during half term, but unfortunately they were mostly in the car and not so many for my training. I must do better this week!

I was firmly in my comfort zone. Everything was very safe and familiar. I had lived in the same house for 12 years, I had run the same business for 10 years, and home life revolved around the kids and what activity or friends house they need taking to next. I was stagnating!

I signed up to the Polar Race to provide some challenge, experience some personal growth and learn some new and exciting things. I am now so far outside my comfort zone … I am petrified! My family and colleagues would probably say I am stressy!

Do I wish I had stayed where I was all warm and cozy? No! I am scared, but my fear of all things unknown from raising sponsorship to organising charitable events is far outweighed by the excitement and opportunities. Failure is not an option!

Four of us have signed up to do the MoonWalk in May 2010 (This was before any thoughts of the Polar Race!); as part of our training we have agreed to try and fit one long walk (18 – 22 miles) a month into our very busy family schedules. The boys whilst being very supportive of our little venture, are not so happy when we disappear of for the day, leaving them to juggle all the various activities (we have 14 kids between us!)

Stonehenge Stomp 31st Jan 2010 (31k)

On Sunday we donned many layers (it was -6ᵒ C), hats and gloves and squished sandwiches and thermos flasks of hot drinks into our rucksacks. We met bright and early at Amesbury Sports Centre. The event was hosted by The Amesbury Walkers, and it was fantastically well organised. There were 5 check points on our walk (you could opt for 10, 20, 30 or 40k). At each point you were signed in, and there were sweets, biscuits and cold drinks to keep you going. All this for an entry fee of £2.00! Our route took us South of Amesbury towards Wilsford Cum Lake and down to Great Durnford, before looping us back round Stonehenge to Amesbury. We all knew we had walked 18 miles, but were pleasantly surprised with how good we felt on Monday morning. 

Having walked 6 miles on Thursday and 10 miles on Saturday it was a good week!