Sitting this one out

Bad news from mami headquarters in London.

Mami, or Runner 13196 as she would have been known will not be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon as planned on the 10th of October. I repeat, mami will not be running the half marathon in October due to an ankle injury.

At this time I ask that you be very kind to mami and let her sulk and cry alone. Daddy and I have stood back and let her be. But I hope that she does hurry up and get over it. I can't take much more of her whining!

Bottom line: She is NOT happy!

I think she has been in denial for a few weeks now. Ever since she took that big fall at the 4K mark at Adidas Women's 5K Challenge at Hyde Park and sprained her ankle, she has been hoping to be able to heal in time.

 Mami won't be needing these

"Maybe I can still run it. Its only 3 weeks away, I can run 10 miles then I'll be okay" she said a few weeks ago.

Daddy just looked at her and said "That's not such a good idea. You could cause permanent damage"

Mami just looked away biting her nails.

"Arrrrgggggg, I REALLY REALLY want to run this race! I have been waiting for so long! Can't believe I fell!"

Daddy and I just sit back and let her get it all out.

"And I've put on weight! I need to get out there" She told us this weekend.

Poor mami. She is frustrated and yes, she is getting a bit chunkier. Just the other day I saw her trying to wrestle her way into her jeans. They fit, but won't button.

She will start running again, but won't be racing anytime soon. However, she has plans to do a half marathon in the Spring and she is looking for company.

How many of you are up for a major challenge?

Let us know! 

Why mami runs

Mummy to 5K

Okay, some of you many know that mami is training for the Adidas Women's 5K Challenge to raise awareness and funds for Arthritis Research UK and also running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October.

Today mami and daddy put me in the running buggy and we all went for a 5 mile run.  She didn't look well, and had a hard time breathing, but she made it!

After we got back I had my milk and pulled up my chair next to mami and she answered a few questions. So here it goes!

 Weeeeeeeeee!

Mami, how did you feel during the run today? Your face was really red and you were breathing very loud.

Well Little M, mami had to run slower because I'm not very fit! I've been very busy having fun with you and I have been too tired to run. Also mami has gained weight and I haven't run that far in a long time. But you and daddy were very patient with me and helped keep me going.

Oh yeah. You do eat a lot of cookies! But you also did a lot of walking, I thought you had to run the whole way?
Hmm? Yes I did walk, but its good to have a little break every once in a while. If I push myself too hard this soon I could hurt myself and not be able to run later.

Daddy mentioned that you sign up for a lot of races and then don't do them. Are you really going to do the 5K and half marathon?
He said that? Oh, well, yes! I am definitely going to do the 5K and the half marathon. I am very excited but nervous about doing them, I just have to keep at it!

A lot of mamas are doing the 5K with you. What advice can you give them?
Oh! I am no expert, but if I can run anyone can run! Drink lots of water, get a good sports bra, and good trainers. Otherwise it could be very uncomfortable! Start out slow and work your way up.

That's what daddy told you! And you are running for ARUK - do you know what causes ju-ve-ni-le ar-th-ri-tis?
Good job! You said it right! But I don't really know Little M. And that's why I am running for them, so they can do more research. We don't want kids to hurt anymore.

So how can someone get it?
Well, that's just it. It is difficult to understand, even for us adults. There is no proof that it can be passed on by mamas and daddies, however, they do know that a child's genetic make-up is a factor. It's possible that some illnesses act as a trigger, and that there is an interaction between genetic and other trigger factors.
Don't worry if you don't understand - what is important is to let others know about it and learn as we go along.

Oh, okay. I don't really know what that means, but maybe others reading this might. So why do you run if it's hard for you?
Lots of reasons. For one, it doesn't cost any money. I also like to feel the wind in my face and it is the best way to keep fit and healthy. Also because daddy likes it and we can share some time together. He started me running you know!

I can run too!
I know you can! I'm usually right behind you. But when you are bigger you can go out running with daddy and I. For now you have to stay in the buggy.

I do like it when you go fast and the buggy bounces up and down. Can you go faster next week?
Ha ha! I will sure try mi amor. But mami has to make sure she doesn't get too tired!

And that's it! In mami's own words. Oh, and please visit mami's JustGiving page to make a donation and help ARUK - we both appreciate it very very much!

Any running questions? Ask me!

bye bye

Mami runs. Part two

My mami is running. And not just after me!

Let me explain. First she is going to run a 5k (or 3.2 miles) in Hyde Park in September and then a half marathon (13 miles) in October.

If memory serves me right, I have seen her run before...but that was back in my baby days. I’m a big boy now!

The excuses

“Shouldn’t you be training for the Royal Parks Half Marathon?” daddy asked mami as she was a about to eat another chocolate reindeer she had in the fridge.

“Arrrrg, yes! I know, but I can’t run now, I’m tired!”

“Well, you have to start soon, otherwise it will be painful”

“Ok! OK! I’ll start this week, I’m just not motivated” and ate the chocolate.

The miracle

Then on Sunday, it happened. Mami went for a run. And not just her, but daddy and I too! I cheered her on from the buggy and held her water bottle. When she needed some I would hand it over to her.

The challenge

What pushed mami out the door? A very nice lady from Arthritis Research UK had contacted mami and me that week and said she had seen my blog. She asked if mami would run the Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge on their behalf to let other people know more about juvenile ar-thri-tis.

I really don’t know what that means, and it was really difficult to spell (I cut and paste it!). But after listening mami talk to daddy, I can tell you a little more about it.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis or JIA is a group of illnesses that share similar symptoms. Idiopathic arthritis is arthritis with no known cause and, just as in adult arthritis; it causes inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints. Ouch!

It is very sad because 1 in 1,000 children in the UK hurt from this and can begin at any age and is more common in girls. But the good news is that JIA doesn't turn into the adult kind of arthritis. There is more information, but I didn’t understand it all.

I will try to blog about her training each week and let you know more information on juvenile arthritis as I learn more along the way.

Mummy to 5K

Oh, and its not just mami running! She was able to get some of my blogging friends out and running too! They started the “Mummy to 5K” hash tag on twitter and Rachael @karamina made a pretty badge for everyone to put on their blogs. I put one up for mami. See it on the side?

Each day other mamas are joining in on the challenge. So far, I see that: @cafebebe @karamina @kahanka @climbingtikes @jennypaulin @ngowers and mami @verybusymama are all set to run! If you want to join in, just click on the Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge Link and register and leave your link below!

And daddy (who is a runner too) says don’t forget to get a good pair of trainers – otherwise it will hurt!

Happy running!

Bye bye!