Healthy Mum – Self-Care at Top Speed

Well, when I say top speed, I’m talking about my top speed.

Which is pretty slow really.

On Tuesday my dearest Eldest went back to school.  He was the last, between the four of them preschool/school holidays had lasted 4 weeks.

These days I like to mark the start and end of terms with a wee bit of R & R for myself. A lunch with the neighbours marked the last week of last term.

This isn’t me running, but some far fitter person. Gorgeous day!

And yesterday I treated myself to a trip down to Manly, to the beautiful beachfront walk that stretches all the way from Queenscliff Beach to glorious little Shelly Beach.  This has long been a favourite stroller walk of mine, has featured in all three editions of Sydney For Under Fives.

But this time there was no stroller, no kids at all, and I was there for a run.  Mind you, when I say ‘run’ I mean ‘jog’ and I was overtaken by mums running with prams, old chaps raced by me with the wind in what was left of their hair.

Lovely Shelly Beach, one of my favourite kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

But I loved it!  Felt all excited and delighted and my senses were wide open to all that I saw, heard and smelt.  Why so joyful?

• After so much rain, a chance to enjoy some time outdoors.
• The smell of the sea and the sound of it.
• Seeing the older guys tanning in their cossies at Manly SLSC, those guys are cool and I’ll be joining them when I’m older.
• Couldn’t really believe that I could do this, I’ve never jogged this far outdoors before.
• Not feeling that I HAD to jog all the way back, there are so many pretty things to look at on the way, so I ambled some of it.

Gorgeous weedy sea dragon sculptures on the rocks. There are all sorts of aquatic sea creature sculpturs to enjoy.

So, this is all a part of my Couch25K journey, my getting fit and healthy kick. I’d like to say a big thanks to some really encouraging bloggers who run, you inspire me Shelly Shoebox, and KeepCateBusy, and most of all Diminishing Lucy, who runs even when she’s tired and hosts the encouraging Drab to Fab meme.

Self care is vital, ladies and gentlespoons.  Especially when we have little ones to look after we NEED to look after ourselves.

How are you looking after yourself today?