finally a training run!

Today, I finally found the energy (and someone to look after Natey) so I could run, this was huge being able to go out at a decent time as evenings I am getting so tired and mornings Simon is off for work,

So, I managed 3 miles, not super fast but definately got there and it has motivated me a little, my leg hurt a bit after, but thats OK, I can try doing more stretches!

Not a bad start maybe I can do 4 miles tomorrow (or even 6)

K

What Kind of Fool,

Fed up of being Lazy and sitting around thinking about another half marathon 2 months ago I signed up for the SF 1/2 Marathon, hoping I could get some running in the UK, but didnt manage much and I have been working and suffering from tiredness related to the time change! Now I have a few days till the race, I am definitely panicking about how unprepared and heavy I am.  How do you have the energy I am asked, I don't but sometimes you have to dig deep and find your reserves! 

There are 2 options for me,

1 - Not to Run

2 - Run 

What would you do???

Every part of me is definitely hoping step 1 could be an option but for me I signed up for this race to know I could still manage 13.1 miles after my broken leg, so,  OK I wont qualify for the olympics but I know there must be a beer tent at the end (there actually isn't) - surely thats enough motivation.

Realistically I will let myself down if I don't go for it,

I wont break 2 hrs, but if I get to the finish line, maybe it will motivate me for the rest of the summer, I have till Nathaniel's birthday in september to loose the 20 lb necessary to fit my clothes again. So hang on to your Zimmer frames, I am off to the start line.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

so tired so tired, what I would do for a lie in been scheduled to work the past 3 days and although I got saturday off they called me twice between 5.30 and 6 so that was the end of my rest, I really feel I need some rest to reboot.

I am having trouble even contemplating my race on Sunday,

Some happy news though I had a new baby born to me on Saturday, baby Iphone has already made mummy very happy and is so great fun, Simon went and got one for both of us so now we can chat non stop, I really do love it , Thanks Simon!!!

Off to see Mamma mia tonight, but first I need to find a nice glass of wine!!!!

3am

what am I doing up, I should be back to bed, I have just told Nathaniel the same, instead I am on the computer and sorting out the kitchen,

my body needs to sort it's self out I am working tomorrow, so will need rest for that!

Nathaniel just informed me that his heart has stopped beating - I think he means he cant feel it just now.

The departed

I sit here writing this at 7 pm, I have been up for over 24 hrs and I am feeling very sleepy and tired, so here is the summary of our departure.

We arrived at the Hotel ibis and was able to go bowling and to Mcdonalds before we retired for the evening, our hotel was actually very good.  The next day started off at 6 am, when i awoke, Nathaniel slept till 7.30 then we got the bus to Heathrow terminal 5, half way round on the bus we realized we had left blankie on the bed (rescue attempts have been success

ful).

Entering terminal 5 I was this time around able to enjoy the whole building and not jus

t the toilets from my arrival with an upset stomach.  It looked wonderful and dropping our bags and getting through security promptly gave us time to explore the shops, we first headed for breakfast at Gordon Ramsay's new restaurant "Plane Food" it was relaxing and very lovely and Nathaniel wanted to go back for lunch but given the option of the plane journey he decided that was better.

Our flight was pretty uneventful, apart from very dodgy TV systems and really crap movies that I had never heard of and a faulty air conditioning system that left me melting.

Finally arriving in SFO, I scrambled about to try and find an ATM to get some cash so I could pay for the bus and taxi that took me about 30 ins and another 30 mins waiting on the bus (wasn't our day), eventually landed home just after 5, please let it be bedtime now, Nathaniel's dose on the bus seems to have given him a second wind:(

Now to download 420 pictures from my trip....................and get some shut eye!!

Plodding on.............to the very end

OK, everyone is going to think I hate the UK, which is totally not true but I do hate travelling for 5 weeks non stop, it is hard, very hard (I know you all think I moan but try it and see what you think), this is the 5Th time I have done it since Nathaniel was born and each time alone, so by the end I am desperate for home, my routine, work, my own bed, see Simon and more importantly a bath.

I haven't had a bath in over 4 weeks (had one since my arrival), that is probably why i am all stung out and tense, I miss relaxing in the bath about 3 times a week, please don't miss interpret that statement, I have been having Showers regularly but for me my bath is my favourite - I definitely don't smell.
The picture above is us on yet another journey, Nathaniel listening to the Ipod as I work out station stops and plan our routes, this journey was taking us into London, it was a fun day going to regents park and catching up with my friend Santosh. Our trip has been good on the mostly getting to catch up with everyone and still missing a few people as despite everything 5 weeks isn't enough. Nathaniel and I are ready for home and with only 3 days left, we can definitely begin to reminisce about our lovely trip. I also apologise for the times I have been abrupt or tired but, it is hard and i get stressed with everything to think about and my main concern has always got to be Nathaniel. I am sure he will definitely remember his trip, even if it is just climbing trees at the Farmers Boy pub, or a playground .

Thank you for having us, but I also have to be totally realistic, with rising costs, school holiday limitations and how all our trips have gone, 5 week trips and touring the country wont be on the agenda for a while, i have to put my thinking cap on to figure something more practical out and for those we stayed with i know you will agree! Nathaniel has been totally amazing, so understanding and polite, it is a lot for a 4 year old to do (cause he understands it all more I have to explain it all) and I know he is looking forward to the moment when he wakes up and doesn't ask the question "who are we seeing today" but just comes through for a morning cuddle on the bed!!

For those who have Skpye - skype us, we would love it, email us for our skype address,

Otherwise........So long from my holiday diary!

sigh...............

sometimes through this trip I just want to do nothing and sit around for a few hours, today is definately one of them, having been on a tight schedule for the past 4 1/2 months and our only free day is Tuesday i definately, feel like being a slob, not that it is an option today.

Oh well, 5 days left till we arrive at the hotel for our last night

The last leg..............................part 1

St Albans is the last part of my journey and after 3 train rides from Birmingham plus a taxi, we made it to St Albans and to Sylvia (Simon's mum's house), It was for us time for a big Sigh, we have reached our final destination, the next place we go will be home to San Francisco.

Shortly after we arrived, Gilli and Stan arrived and he is the most adorable little boy we all had fun chatting, eating and drinking, after dinner, Gilli left and Simon and Sylvia had some fun bonding time writing stories and reading a book.

I am desperate for bed, I was lugging all the suitcases....however Nathaniel has other ideas!!

Eventually..... I got to sleep and suddenly find we have 9 days left, so what have we been upto the past week of our Hertordshire leg

Wed - a relaxing time until late afternoon with Sylvia, I explored the changes in St Albans and Nathaniel and grandma explored the fun of just being together, later that afternoon we headed over to The Pratt Household to spend some days and nights with Isabelle, Jessica, Lily and Nick,

Thurs - we had a playdate with Charlie, Jack and Sean which was a crazy few hours of boy play, the afternoon we hung out in the Garden of lily's house having some much needed out door time

Friday - we caught up with best friend Charlie Duffin, and it was fun, we then moved over to Stanmore to cath up with Greg and Rachelle before they headed out to France. Rachelle and I hit a bollywood night for great food and way too many drinks....of course this was regretted on saturday but we survived and Richard came over for dinner.

Sunday saw us relax at stanmore in the garden before I headed over to Hertford to catch up with gilli, Steve and Stan

Monday and Tuesday have been relaxing days I am getting tired and really beginning to get excited about heading back to the US and seeing Simon and my house. Nathaniel also feels the same.

not long now

Birmingham..............

Nathaniel and I left Newcastle on a very wet Monday morning, using British Rail and our travel card we sped south, The train are looking pretty nice since i last used them a few months ago or maybe it is just the East coast ones that are a bit slummy!!

The journey was only 3 hrs so we played games, dozed and ate our picnic lunch, i was just disapointed I got no phone reception at all. Arriving in Birmingham New Street, Daniel and Neil Robinson were there to meet us, we sped back to their house and had 24 hrs of fun with them and jacky and Frankie, playing, the nice walk along the canal and feeding the ducks, with - you guessed it rain!!!!

The next day we departed for our journey to ST ALBANS our final destination.

Glasgow and beyond

Tuesday - with John feeling a little queezy we decided to drag him round the science Center in Glasgow, as John has all his clocks set hours in advance we arrived there at 10.30 and spent 6 hrs learning how to build Rockets (and fire them across the park), juggle (with scarfs and balls and then moved on to spinning plates), blow bubbles and many other cool science things, we enjoyed a picnic lunch and a Nando's dinner,

then returned home to rest, a long day but........................John is feeling better.




Wednesday - Headed over to Loch Lomond after taking the train from Coatbridge to Balloch, again it was a very grey and wet day but we felt we could still see some amazing sites and it would be a fun train ride. Exploring the woods, seeing the lake and enjoying a pub lunch were some of the adventures we saw and also had the chance to introduce Nathaniel to Midgies, it was so exciting he wanted to back the next day too...




Thursday - Heading back over to Edinburgh to spend time with Julie, Cameron, Andrew and Gracie, after a few hours at their house we headed to Vogrie Country Park for a play and a picnic. The climbing frames were amazing and the kids had a lot of fun playing in the bushes and climbing trees, unfortunately the rain came down and although not too bad and certainly didnt bother the kids as they fished for frogs and tadpoles, during the pine cone hunt it just got so bad we had to make a dash for it! We are still drying off...............................................after a great mac and cheese dinner, we headed home exhausted! The day ended with torrential rain and thunder and lightening which had John hiding under the bed for the rest of the evening

Nathaniel with Cousins Andrew (left) and Cameron (right)

Friday - A very relaxing morning before we drove down from Coatbridge to Carlisle to meet mum who took us back to Newcastle, we stopped at Morrisons for some grub and then headed back, despite the rain, the journey was uneventful and since about 5pm the sun has actually been out making me extremely excited about tomorrow's prospects - we shall see!!



Only 2 days left in the North....................................