Not as tiring as last year...

Half Marathon went well, time a little quicker than last year.  About 1h 52m.  The training must be having some effect as I felt tired but otherwise ok at the end.  At my pace there were people of all shapes and ages. Many running on behalf on "mum" or "nan" or somebody else they were remembering. Quite touching really.
On a lighter note, and I have to say with rather mixed feelings.  I overtook a man with one leg a few hundred metres from the end!  :-)

Lakes etc.

I went to visit the new BBC building at Salford Quays in Manchester a couple of weeks back.  This did mean a rather early start, but I managed to prevent Oscar from going upstairs and waking Hannah at 5:00am with a few cheesy treats. Although I am sure that Hannah wouldn't mind, I doubt if she would get back to sleep.

Since Christmas the children have become pretty self sufficient in the mornings. They often have finished their breakfast before I or Lynda are downstairs. Although it is great that they are becoming more independent, it does feel like we are missing some quality time together. We do still have time to talk in the mornings, although this tends to be more about getting ready for school.

We had a good few days at Cathy's during half term last week. As ever, the weather was a bit hit and miss, but what did we expect in the Lake District in February?

There were some very young lambs in the field outside the kitchen, which the children all enjoyed watching. As well as feeding the mummy sheep with Cathy's wild birdfood!
I took my running gear as I couldn't really afford five days with no training. I found that it is a lot more hilly than the towpaths near home.  Of course I knew this already, but 11 miles felt a lot harder work than normal.

Marathon Training

Less than 11 weeks to go now.  We keep track of key dates like this on a noticeboard in the kitchen.  Another is that it isn't long until Oscar's birthday!
I do a long run at the weekend and get out about four times in between.  Here are some photos taken on the 10 mile route, plus my new running shoes!....

Hannah at the O2

Hannah sang at the "Young Voices" school choir concert at the O2 Arena (yes that one) on Tuesday.  A good time was had by all........

Hannah and Sarah are somewhere top right

Christmas 2010

Had a good Christmas at home.  It is nice to spend some time with the family....

Oscar helping

Zoe's new capo

Unwrapping

Hannah and bracelet

Christmas Lunch 2010

Cathy, mum and dad just before Christmas

Autumn (Christmas next!)

It's been a while, so here are some things that we have been up to since going back to school.....
Relaxing.......














Inset day at Legoland....

Bikes in Holland

Bikes are certainly pretty popular in Amsterdam....