Running with my daughter by smish

Well it has been a challenge lately to get my mileage in. I have Around the Bay coming in 2 weeks and it is a 30km race but trying to be ready for that one as well as doing the training with my 13 yr old daughter for the Ottawa Half is proving tricky.  I want her to be very well prepared but how to do that without sacrificing myself to the running gods??

Last week we started hills...this has never been Natalie's strong point. Off we went with a group in a driving wind. The way over to the hill was something else...dust and wind made me run much of the way with my eyes almost closed. We got over to the hill and started up. I told her we would each run the hill at our own pace and if I was ahead, I would wait for her at the top and run back down together. Just after starting, I heard her scream behind me and when I looked back she yelled that she had stepped on a dead squirrel. Yuck. On the second hill repeat, she said a hello to the squirrel...now her BFF according to her and by the end of hills, she had named him George and was wishing we had a camera for photos! Whatever gets us through hills I say!! She kills me!

In order to get in some extra mileage, I put off her long run (10km) until today since we can easily do that on a week night. It has been a bit of a jump since out biggest run has been d a few 10ks but in prep, I did a 17km 2 weeks ago (terrible), a 22km last weekend and now a 26k with my usual training buddies. Each run was progressively easier. Thank goodness for muscle memory. I think I will be fine for the 30km race in 2 weeks. It feels good to be back out there for those longer distances again. I will let you know how week 2 of hills goes!

Lastly, I was talking with my ex last week and he told me that he sees a difference in our daughter's self-confidence since we started to run...my evil plan is working. It makes me very happy for her and very proud.