14th April 2025

Here ends two full weeks of walking with purpose for Simba. And what a couple of weeks it has been! We have walked, scooted, run, danced, chatted, laughed and occasionally cried our steps away and it has been a delight.

So here is to another two (and a bit) weeks of adventures ahead!

We had to rearrange our day a bit today as Wee Daftie had plans to see a friend that sadly fell through. She was disappointed, of course, but rallied and bundled up to enjoy some wet walking.

I used to run a cafe on the Royal Mile. I have this very clear memory of a wonderful American woman making conversation about her travels. When talking about Edinburgh she said, “I have been to many great, famous and beautiful cities but Edinburgh is the only that still looks gorgeous in the rain.”

I mean, it is Scotland so it does rain a fair bit. I definitely agree with her though. Being Irish and living here, it would seem silly to complain about the rain. And for Wee Daftie and I, a soggy walk usually means a puddly walk!

We took ourselves and her umbrella down past the ducks that reside along Granton Waterfront. It’s not a huge pond but it’s always been a favoured place to visit and it also looks lovely in the rain.

We had a grand time and it gave our step count a really good start…but not enough for my liking.

Seeing as Daddy Daftie is working locally this week, means he is home in the evenings and I don’t have to be. Which, on this particular evening, meant I could head out and do my Monday run.

In the rain.

Don’t start. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

“Am I mad?” Says I.

“Yes,” says he.

“No. For heading out now, I mean,” says I.

“Yes,” says he, again, “Of course you are but I know you’ll do it and it will make you happy. So go be mad.”

I tell Wee Daftie that when I promise something, it will happen because I don’t make promises I won’t keep.

I promised myself when I left and abusive relationship in my 20s that I wouldn’t let anyone try to dim my light ever again. And I haven’t.

I promised myself when I left the worst job I’ve had that I would stand up for myself and not get steamrolled in a work situation again. And I have.

I promised Wee Daftie that I would always try my very best to do right by her. And I really do.

I promised my Mam when I was 25 that I wouldn’t get my lip pierced. It’s been 16 years and still no lip ring!

And most recently, I made a promise to myself to keep up the running routine as I owe it to myself. Which is how I ended up running in the rain.

I’m part of an online baby loss support group (which has been incredibly supportive and helpful), and I was trying to find a good way to describe what living with loss looks like for me.

It’s like running through rivers. Some days it feels hard and slow because the water is deep and drags you down. Other days it is so much easier as the water is shallow and calm and you barely notice it. Either way, you’re always still at least a little bit wet. It’s always there.

The run itself was pretty uneventful, aside from forgetting to double knot my hoodie around my waist and it fell in a muddy puddle. If you take nothing else away today, please learn my lesson with me! I did also notice that the other folk out this evening were either begrudging dog walkers or runners prepping for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival that is happening soon. And I am neither of these. But that’s okay. I’m proud of myself for keeping my promise.

I run for me. I don’t run for medals or even personal bests. I simply put one foot in front of the other, taking it step by step and day by day. 

All of which is adding to our fundraising and that is a great thing.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/carolynne-murphy-3?newPage=true