Z is for Zooooom

This morning, once we'd got the kids their breakfast, we tried to get them dressed. My wife was busy this afternoon, so the plan was to try and get to our allotment to plant some broccoli and artichokes seedlings that are ready, before getting back to get lunch before she went out. Needless to say, this plan didn't run smoothly; first they wanted to 'help' mummy print some documents, by standing by our printer in the spare room and shouting (down-the-stairs) as each page printed, and then they wanted to do some printing themselves.

Finally, at about half-ten, with baby number 2 sat in the car waiting, we realised that baby number 1 simply wasn't going to put his shoes on anytime soon, so I left him and mum at home and went alone with our youngest. However, once we got to the allotment, Theo decided he wouldn't get out of the car, and I made the decision that forcing him to stay while I tried to plant seedlings was a losing game (he's only two after all). So, back home to drop him off, back to the allotment, and at about 11.15 I finally started planting. Only of course, it was a mad rush by then, as I had to get back after an hour to hand over the childcare.

And so the day continued - I got home at about 12.30, had a five minute chat with my wife as I handed over the car keys, wolfed down lunch, and then the boys were waiting to go out on our bikes as we'd planned in mummy's absence. Snacks, drinks and changes of clothes hastily thrown into bags, and we were out - chasing a steam train and then riding on it, cycling around Bristol harbour, and then eating an ice-cream. We got back about four, and once the washing was hung up I managed to sit still for about five minutes before my wife arrived home with some shopping and we got cooking, and then descended into the dinner/bath/bed routine, which went on until about 7.30. This was then followed by the general tidying/washing up that always needs to be done before the following day's onslaught, before finally collapsing into the sofa to read the paper and write this blog. Zoom indeed.

When I was a kid, I often wondered why my mum and dad showed so little interest in going out to the cinema or for dinner or whatever. It's not so much of a mystery to me now.

Y chromosones

My bonus day off today (thanks Kate and Will!) was lovely. The kids bedecked the house in bunting in the morning, and then watched the wedding, while I got a chance to do a bit of digging at our allotment (and there's always digging to be done there). We then rode to the park in the afternoon and climbed on logs, and I even got out for a run tonight. (Back to my allotment to pick up a jumper I'd left.)

I got to wondering as I ran just how far my current life is defined by the luck of the draw in procreation. We managed to pull two Y chromosones from the deck, and I wonder what where we'd be if we'd got to Xs instead? Certainly our two beautiful boys keep us on our toes, and it's fair to say our household is loud, active and full of trains.

As a boy myself I have no problems with any of this, indeed having the opportunity to ride my bike and climb on logs every weekend is fantastic. I'd like to think that had I two girls instead I'd be just as encouraging of them to clamber around in the woods - whether they'd be quite as keen on the clambering as me though is the great unknown. Would our lives be essentially the same, or would they have different interests and likes that would have taken us in completely different directions? Not that it matters of course, it's just interesting how your life can be shaped by such arbitrary factors as which chromosones your children have.

Running log
Distance: A couple of miles or so
Pace: Slow - I'd been digging the allotment for three hours this morning
Location: Ashton Gate, Bristol

View this running route at FriendFit.com

J is for Just William

I missed yesterday's post - the combination of two sick children meant I was literally left holding the baby last night, as my two-year old's blocked nose meant he could only sleep while upright. . . To make up for lost time it will be two short posts tonight.

My J is Just William, which I'm half-way through reading to my eldest son as his bedtime book. The truth is it's probably a bit too old for him yet, as he's only five, and he happily admits to not understanding a word of it. He doesn't seem that bothered though - I think he likes listening to the rhythm of it rather than the story - and I'm persisting because I've never read it before, and it's hilarious. Between working and running around after two small kids most of the reading I do these days is to my children - so it's lovely when you come across a gem that you're glad to be reading anyway.

Running log
Nothing since Monday, and I think I'm getting my kids' virus, so this state might become catching.

C is for cycling

I was worried the other day that taking part in the A-Z challenge would necessitate blogging without running. But having been for a run today I've discovered a more fundamental problem: today I was running without thinking. Well, that's not entirely true. But, rather than letting my thoughts wander where they might, I spent most of the run racking my brains for an interesting C. In the end, given this is nominally a blog about running, I decided that I'd talk about cycling.

I love cycling. As the youngest of three, in an attempt to keep up I learnt to ride a bike pretty early - I must have been about four, but certainly I don't remember not being able to ride. And throughout my childhood I spent a lot of time on my bike (a Raleigh Striker (that's not me on it though) and then a BMX). I had a pause from cycling in my twenties, but got back into it, first in London, then in Bristol as a cheap and reliable way of getting to school work on time.

Aside from commuting, we've recently discovered how much fun cycling can be as family activity; I've got two boys (they're five and two respectively) and the eldest is already whizzing around, while the younger one has a seat on the back of my bike. And for the last few weekends we've managed to all get out around Bristol together, exploring some lovely nooks and crannies. It sure beats pushing a buggy to the park, or driving twenty minutes to go somewhere 'natural'.

I think it's the freedom that a pedal bike brings that is so great. You can go where you want, you don't have to worry about traffic or parking, and you get to enjoy your surroundings as well. What's not to love?

Running log
Distance: 3 miles
Pace: 24 minutes, 8 and a half minute miles
Location: St Webergs, Bristol

View this running route at FriendFit.com