“A, when Daddy gets home from work, Mummy is going for a run with the group, OK?” I said to Miss A when she woke up from her afternoon nap and after she’d used the potty.

We’re in our potty-training era, and, well, I’ve also decided this year is my return to running – my running era … or something like that.

Might need to start a running sticker poster and put it on the wall next to Miss A’s potty training sticker poster … there’s nothing quite like getting a sticker to motivate you!

And yes, I may have made the same (or similar) proclamation at the start of last year, but things got hectic, there were too many excuses made, and, honestly, I feel I’m a lot more ready to make my return to running this year!

Plus, it really feels like it’s taken me TWO YEARS to get my pre-baby body back, and I’ve been craving that run-fit feeling I had when I was, well, super run fit before we had a baby and all. More on that here if you want to read.

So anyway, this year is my return to running, and to help me on my quest, I’ve signed up for the Brisbane Half Marathon in June.

It’s way too easy to sit (and stay put) on the couch, so by committing to the half-marathon early, I’ll have no excuse and will have to lace up and head out the door.

Plus, running always makes me feel good once it’s done – something I have to remember when I start moaning and groaning about having to out for a run.

I’m also on a bit of a reading streak (see @booknookmargs if you want to follow along!) and am currently halfway through Haruki Murakami’s ‘What I think about when I think about running’. It’s a great read so far, and – bonus – it’s providing some extra motivation.

I also have to remember that much like potty training, getting back into running and regaining my running fitness is going to take consistency – regular practice and all that, no matter how much easier it is to sit on the couch … or to wear nappies.