I've done 2 mtb races already!

So for my mum's last weekend here we took her away as a way of saying thank you for ALL her amazing help with Nicolas. It wasnt because we wanted her to babysit or anything for the entire weekend. But she did. And we happened to go off cycling. Fancy that!
We stayed in a beautiful 5 star lodge very near to Mt Kenya, Benedikt and I had stayed there before and loved it. And needless to say, my mum loved it too. How could she not?!
So after a very bumpy journey there we had a very peaceful and early night on the Friday as Benedikt and I got up early to ride on Saturday. We did a 70km mtb ride... which took me almost 5 hours!! I did have a puncture that needed to be fixed twice and caused a half an hour delay. But still! I DIED. At about 50kms I was facing YET ANOTHER hill I just wanted to get off my bike and lie down in the shade. I was crawling upwards at about minus 10km/h... the sun was baking down on me, I was on my own at that stage and I was not in a good way! Somehow I managed to finish, and I was broken for the rest of the day. What an introductory post pregnancy ride (8 weeks after giving birth) - I couldnt have chosen a harder one! Everyone found it very tough. It was at a high altitude too, all round the Timau/mount Kenya area.
I still managed to enjoy a glass of wine or two in the evening though which perked me up a bit :-) We had a really social dinner with the couple that manages the lodge and the other guests. Mum was very kindly looking after Nic for the night so I could recover and get a full nights sleep.

The next ride I did was 2 weeks later... another 2 day mtb race. Well, I did day 1 while Benedikt looked after nicolas. And Benedikt did the harder and longer day 2. We rode from Tigoni which is just north of Nairobi to Lake Naivasha on day 1. It was a self supported, self navigating team event. I'd done the web site actually and Benedikt had been involved a little with the organising. It was a great weekend, we stayed in a lovely camp site on the Saturday night, with great food and great company. About 40 of Nairobi's cyclists came out for the weekend which was a good turnout.
The distance was 70kms on day 1. And I managed no problem. Besides from an obligatory wipe out or two. Mike and I ended up riding with another 2 teams for most of the ride which made it quite social and fun. And it made sure we didnt get lost as Mike and I were not so hot on the gps side of things. The last 8kms was a flat tar stretch which I absolutely LOVED. How I miss tar!!
Benedikt and Mike went substantially faster the next day and arrived back at the camp by 1 o clock, after I'd had a nice chilled morning with Nicolas. Who was an absolute star. He slept well and adjusted to the new environment no problem. So far the little guy is fitting into our lives very well which is great. I needed to get back into sport after being a blob for 9 months!
I have been running loads and loads (and going to gym and doing yoga) and the weight is coming off quite fast. 3kgs to go! I cant wait to fit into all my clothes again and to feel normal. Benedikt and I are running the Nairobi half marathon at the end of this month. We've been training for it so we should do under 2 hours - lets see. Getting back into cycling is a much slower process as I only get out on my bike once a week... but slowly I will get back to how I was. I am determined! Its fantastic having a nanny as it allows me to get out during the week and for Benedikt and I to train on the weekends. Living in Kenya and having kids is great!