Introducing the Tour De Pram

In 2012 I got a running pram and with the exception of a 6 month break due to knee injury and subsequent operation, Scarlett and I have been out almost every week. We've got stuck in mud, run through floods, almost wound up in a lake, conquered kerbs and have frequently returned to the paths around Dinton Pastures, where the runs are finished with sharing cake and coffee before hitting the play park for more fun and games.  

It has not always just been the two of us, we have been joined by  my husband Dan (once ;) ),sister Catherine , nephew Monty, brother Christopher and our regular running team mate Karen Gallantry.

Scarlett turns three in a couple of weeks, she has shot up 4 cm in the last few of months and I am not sure how much longer she will want to continue to come out with me in the running pram.

With this in mind and needing something to keep me motivated through the winter , I decided to set myself a challenge which gets us out with pram and visiting new running locations. It loosely follows  the Tour De France format, starting with the name, Tour De Pram 2014/15.

The parameters are:-

• In addition to the normal pram run routes and run sessions we must run 21 stages, which with the exception of the time trial stages must be different.

•  The profiles of the stages need to vary, with a mixture of

o    flat

o   mountainous ( let's be realistic having had a look at the equipment and our stats, bridges and hills count)

o   at least one coastal stage

o   river /canal path

•  2 stages must be time trials, either a race or  PB attempt.
• 1 stage must be a team time trial, either a race or PB accompanied by one or more people who have joined us running over the last couple of years. (The average of the team over the route will be the time to beat).
• At least 3 countries should be run in. (The majority will be in England) 
• The minimum distance of each stage will be 5km 
•  Each stage will be recorded on my watch and posted on this blog and Strava

The challenge must be completed before the start of the Tour de France in July 2015, marking 3 years of Pram Running together.

So what does this mean? Well if the final stage is run in the first week of July it will mean in addition to the normal run routine, adding a minimum of 2 stages a month from October onwards and having 2 months with 3 stages in.

Suggestions for Pram run routes appreciated!