I was mortified to learn that it had been over a year since I had blogged here. I guess I associated this with my charity run in December 2011.
I did go out for a short run again this week but have to confess it was not great and I was not hugely enthusiastic. Looking back now I do wonder how I managed to fit the training in as time seems to be even shorter these days!
The juggling continues: work is the busiest it has ever been; five-year-olds are just as challenging ( and time consuming) as three and four-year-olds. I had hoped to get back into the swimming pool but that has not happened either.... And with swimming lessons and Rainbows on the horizon time is even shorter.
Even during this Easter break we have struggled for time - probably the malaise of our times.... Does anyone have any tips? Feeling fitter and losing some weight will help....new regime on Monday - when all the chocolate has gone!
Lynne x
Friday, 5 April 2013
Sunday, 4 December 2011
The Finishing Line!
After three months, goodness knows how many training miles, the loss of a stone (and nine inches - yay!), an estimated 20 hours of training time, I reached the finishing line this morning!
Yes, today was r-day - the Challenge Scotland Christmas 5k at Inverleith Park, Edinburgh.
It was not a promising start - sleet, snow and freezing before we left and my heart sank as we reached Barnton and saw the snow on the roofs of all the houses - it had been much worse in the city than in Fife.
However, we had a huge choice of parking spaces within a two minute walk of the start, which was just as well as it was freezing!
The route had been changed slightly and was a lovely run, although I didn't manage to run it all - but I did run more than 90 per cent of it and ran further than I've ever run before before I had to stop for a quick breather.
I had to stop a few times more than I would have liked - the ground was slippy with a bit of slush, but I reckon I still got round in 35 minutes - beating some folk who were definitely younger and fitter than me to the finish line! The race wasn't timed, but everyone who took part was placed and, according to my husband, I was mid-field!
I'm very proud that I completed the race and was delighted to receive a medal and certificate. The best news of all is that I've already raised £425 for Macmillan Cancer Care. It's still not too late to sponsor me, just click here http://www.justgiving.com/Lynne-McNeil1 I've raised way beyond my personal expectations!
After a trip to Morrison's in Ferry Road for brunch (bagel, scrambled egg and bacon and a very welcome cup of tea and change of clothes), it was back to Inverleith Park for the Santa Toddle.
Mackenzie has raise at least £100 for Pitreavie Playgroup after completing the toddle (which she walked all by herself) and had a great time seeing Santa and all the other boys and girls who took part. She too is the proud owner of a certificate and medal.
Again, thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last three months - and an even bigger thank you to everyone who has so generously supported this wonderful cause.
I would do it again, but not for a bit - and I'll definitely not be stepping up to a 10k. My leg and hip are already a bit stiff, although it was a pain-free race!
I'm looking forward to a day off tomorrow to recover and to take Mackenzie for her school nursery induction.
So after a fantastic start to our Christmas festivities, two charitable organisations are now more than £500 better off, thanks to the efforts of the McNeil girls.
Here are a couple of our memories of the day....
The blog will continue - although perhaps not with such regularity over the next few weeks! I've just enjoyed my first piece of chocolate in nearly three months and feel fantastic!
So, farewell for now - have a lovely Christmas and I'll back online again in 2012.
Lynne xxx
Yes, today was r-day - the Challenge Scotland Christmas 5k at Inverleith Park, Edinburgh.
It was not a promising start - sleet, snow and freezing before we left and my heart sank as we reached Barnton and saw the snow on the roofs of all the houses - it had been much worse in the city than in Fife.
However, we had a huge choice of parking spaces within a two minute walk of the start, which was just as well as it was freezing!
The route had been changed slightly and was a lovely run, although I didn't manage to run it all - but I did run more than 90 per cent of it and ran further than I've ever run before before I had to stop for a quick breather.
I had to stop a few times more than I would have liked - the ground was slippy with a bit of slush, but I reckon I still got round in 35 minutes - beating some folk who were definitely younger and fitter than me to the finish line! The race wasn't timed, but everyone who took part was placed and, according to my husband, I was mid-field!
I'm very proud that I completed the race and was delighted to receive a medal and certificate. The best news of all is that I've already raised £425 for Macmillan Cancer Care. It's still not too late to sponsor me, just click here http://www.justgiving.com/Lynne-McNeil1 I've raised way beyond my personal expectations!
After a trip to Morrison's in Ferry Road for brunch (bagel, scrambled egg and bacon and a very welcome cup of tea and change of clothes), it was back to Inverleith Park for the Santa Toddle.
Mackenzie has raise at least £100 for Pitreavie Playgroup after completing the toddle (which she walked all by herself) and had a great time seeing Santa and all the other boys and girls who took part. She too is the proud owner of a certificate and medal.
Again, thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last three months - and an even bigger thank you to everyone who has so generously supported this wonderful cause.
I would do it again, but not for a bit - and I'll definitely not be stepping up to a 10k. My leg and hip are already a bit stiff, although it was a pain-free race!
I'm looking forward to a day off tomorrow to recover and to take Mackenzie for her school nursery induction.
So after a fantastic start to our Christmas festivities, two charitable organisations are now more than £500 better off, thanks to the efforts of the McNeil girls.
Here are a couple of our memories of the day....
So, farewell for now - have a lovely Christmas and I'll back online again in 2012.
Lynne xxx
Saturday, 3 December 2011
The big day is nearly here....
After three months the big run is only 14 hours away.... and my biggest fear isn't that I'll finish the course (it's a fun run and really doesn't matter about times etc), but the weather.
Please pray for it not to snow in Edinburgh tomorrow between 9.30am and 1.30pm.
I'm very proud of my daughter Mackenzie who is also fundraising tomorrow - she is taking part in the Santa Toddle and is set to raise £100 for her nursery, Pitreavie Playgroup (www.pitreavieplaygroup.com). She is very excited!
At the moment my sponsorship for tomorrow's Challenge Scotland 5k in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care is sitting at £400 - way beyond my initial expectations - and again, a million thank yous to everyone who has so generously sponsored us both.
I'm sacrificing my Saturday night red wine (two glasses), but can make up for it tomorrow night - it's a slight inconvenience, compared with the cost of caring for people whose lives have been blighted by the big 'C'.
Meanwhile, does anyone have any last minute tips for breakfast tomorrow? The race is at 9.30am... I'm probably having the most unhealthy meal you can tonight: fish and chips courtesy of the fantastic Brig chip shop in Dunfermline (and thanks to my husband chauffeur tomorrow, the lovely Craig McNeil x)
Please, if you're in Edinburgh tomorrow, come along and support this fantastic event.
Until tomorrow.
Lynne x
Please pray for it not to snow in Edinburgh tomorrow between 9.30am and 1.30pm.
I'm very proud of my daughter Mackenzie who is also fundraising tomorrow - she is taking part in the Santa Toddle and is set to raise £100 for her nursery, Pitreavie Playgroup (www.pitreavieplaygroup.com). She is very excited!
At the moment my sponsorship for tomorrow's Challenge Scotland 5k in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care is sitting at £400 - way beyond my initial expectations - and again, a million thank yous to everyone who has so generously sponsored us both.
I'm sacrificing my Saturday night red wine (two glasses), but can make up for it tomorrow night - it's a slight inconvenience, compared with the cost of caring for people whose lives have been blighted by the big 'C'.
Meanwhile, does anyone have any last minute tips for breakfast tomorrow? The race is at 9.30am... I'm probably having the most unhealthy meal you can tonight: fish and chips courtesy of the fantastic Brig chip shop in Dunfermline (and thanks to my husband chauffeur tomorrow, the lovely Craig McNeil x)
Please, if you're in Edinburgh tomorrow, come along and support this fantastic event.
Until tomorrow.
Lynne x
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
The Final Countdown: the 5k is on Sunday! Insights on how sponsor money will be spent by Macmillan....
When I started training at the beginning of September, December 4 seemed an awfully long way away. It is now five days away - this Sunday (gulp!)
I shall be glad when it is all over - and so shall my hip!
I'm very proud of the fact that I forced myself to go out tonight, despite the driving wind, and managed the distance before the rain came in. It wasn't a fabulous time, but my hip, whilst aching a bit, held out.
The spur at the moment is the fantastic people who have sponsored me - thank you all - I have raised more than double the amount I was expecting to and the donations will do so much to help so many.
At the time of writing, one in three of us will contract cancer at some point in our lives. Two million people are living with cancer, whilst in the last year there will have been 300,000 new cancer diagnoses in the UK alone.
The statistics are scary. So far, I'm thankful that my life hasn't been blighted by this dreadful disease - but I know others have not been so lucky.
Macmillan, as a charity, requires no introduction - they have been supporting cancer patients and their families in their homes for many years, but did you know that 99 per cent of their services are funded entirely through the generosity of supporters?
To give an insight into how some of the sponsorship will be spent, let me quote some sobering Macmillan statistics:
£10 could pay for 20 copies of The Cancer Guide, a Macmillan booklet that can help someone recently diagnosed and their families to understand the disease, its treatment and the help available.
£24 could pay for a Macmillan physiotherapist for an hour
£68 cold run a typical small Macmillan Information and Support Centre for an hour
£100 could enable the Macmillan Benefits Helpline help people affects by cancer to claim the benefits to which they are entitled.
£156 could run Cancerline for an hour, which provided an average of 13 cancer patients each hour with essential information and support. In peak hours the team receive 76 calls per hour.
£350 could pay for a much needed convaslcent break for someone with cancer and their carer
£918 could fund a Macmillan nurse for a working week.
£1,393 will pay for a volunteer to be trained to help support the Macmillan Cancerline.
£2,026 could fund a Macmillan rehabilitation support team for a week, providing a range of support, including physiotherapy and advice on diet, to people living with cancer.
Even the smallestl donation can help make a massive difference. Let's see how many people we can help through my wheezing endeavours on Sunday. Please consider sponsoring me at http://www.justgiving.com/Lynne-McNeil1 and let's make a difference to the lives of real people.
Thank you for reading - and to those who have already sponsored me, a million 'thank yous!' - it is thanks to such generosity that Macmillan is able to continue to support so many.
Until Sunday
Lynne x
I shall be glad when it is all over - and so shall my hip!
I'm very proud of the fact that I forced myself to go out tonight, despite the driving wind, and managed the distance before the rain came in. It wasn't a fabulous time, but my hip, whilst aching a bit, held out.
The spur at the moment is the fantastic people who have sponsored me - thank you all - I have raised more than double the amount I was expecting to and the donations will do so much to help so many.
At the time of writing, one in three of us will contract cancer at some point in our lives. Two million people are living with cancer, whilst in the last year there will have been 300,000 new cancer diagnoses in the UK alone.
The statistics are scary. So far, I'm thankful that my life hasn't been blighted by this dreadful disease - but I know others have not been so lucky.
Macmillan, as a charity, requires no introduction - they have been supporting cancer patients and their families in their homes for many years, but did you know that 99 per cent of their services are funded entirely through the generosity of supporters?
To give an insight into how some of the sponsorship will be spent, let me quote some sobering Macmillan statistics:
£10 could pay for 20 copies of The Cancer Guide, a Macmillan booklet that can help someone recently diagnosed and their families to understand the disease, its treatment and the help available.
£24 could pay for a Macmillan physiotherapist for an hour
£68 cold run a typical small Macmillan Information and Support Centre for an hour
£100 could enable the Macmillan Benefits Helpline help people affects by cancer to claim the benefits to which they are entitled.
£156 could run Cancerline for an hour, which provided an average of 13 cancer patients each hour with essential information and support. In peak hours the team receive 76 calls per hour.
£350 could pay for a much needed convaslcent break for someone with cancer and their carer
£918 could fund a Macmillan nurse for a working week.
£1,393 will pay for a volunteer to be trained to help support the Macmillan Cancerline.
£2,026 could fund a Macmillan rehabilitation support team for a week, providing a range of support, including physiotherapy and advice on diet, to people living with cancer.
Even the smallestl donation can help make a massive difference. Let's see how many people we can help through my wheezing endeavours on Sunday. Please consider sponsoring me at http://www.justgiving.com/Lynne-McNeil1 and let's make a difference to the lives of real people.
Thank you for reading - and to those who have already sponsored me, a million 'thank yous!' - it is thanks to such generosity that Macmillan is able to continue to support so many.
Until Sunday
Lynne x
Monday, 21 November 2011
Less than two weeks to go and a sore hip - eeeeek!
As some of you may already know, I haven't trained since last week.
My hip and foot were giving me grief during my last training 5k and I've been resting it since.
On Friday (en route to my in-laws in Portpatrick), I did a quick dash from the car to the public toilets south of Girvan and the same pain set in immediately.
A good friend, who also happens to be a runner and a nurse (hello Gillian!) has suggested resting it until it doesn't hurt (or hurt as much!) I have to say it is still a bit sore, but I'm hoping to attempt a training session tomorrow night as I'm missing it - or rather not missing the inches I've lost since I started running in September.
With less than two weeks to go, I'm beginning to feel a bit nervous especially as so many people have so generously sponsored me (there's still time to do it here http://www.justgiving.com/Lynne-McNeil1). The money raised will make a huge difference to those people struggling with the scourge of cancer, so thank you to all who have taken the time to donate to Macmillan Cancer Care on my behalf.
I promise now that even if I have to hobble round, I shall do so! I am determined to complete the course.... the lure of chocolate (which I haven't eaten since September) is my major incentive, followed by Christmas.
Mackenzie was delighted to receive a very nice note from Santa last week (she's doing the Santa Toddle for under 6s to raise funds for her playgroup). Apparently she's on the 'very good' list for taking part (although we keep threatening her that she'll be moved to the naughty list if she doesn't behave....!)
Hopefully the hip and the weather will hold up for December 4.
Please feel free to come along and cheer me on - I may well need it!
Until the next time.
Lynne xxx
My hip and foot were giving me grief during my last training 5k and I've been resting it since.
On Friday (en route to my in-laws in Portpatrick), I did a quick dash from the car to the public toilets south of Girvan and the same pain set in immediately.
A good friend, who also happens to be a runner and a nurse (hello Gillian!) has suggested resting it until it doesn't hurt (or hurt as much!) I have to say it is still a bit sore, but I'm hoping to attempt a training session tomorrow night as I'm missing it - or rather not missing the inches I've lost since I started running in September.
With less than two weeks to go, I'm beginning to feel a bit nervous especially as so many people have so generously sponsored me (there's still time to do it here http://www.justgiving.com/Lynne-McNeil1). The money raised will make a huge difference to those people struggling with the scourge of cancer, so thank you to all who have taken the time to donate to Macmillan Cancer Care on my behalf.
I promise now that even if I have to hobble round, I shall do so! I am determined to complete the course.... the lure of chocolate (which I haven't eaten since September) is my major incentive, followed by Christmas.
Mackenzie was delighted to receive a very nice note from Santa last week (she's doing the Santa Toddle for under 6s to raise funds for her playgroup). Apparently she's on the 'very good' list for taking part (although we keep threatening her that she'll be moved to the naughty list if she doesn't behave....!)
Hopefully the hip and the weather will hold up for December 4.
Please feel free to come along and cheer me on - I may well need it!
Until the next time.
Lynne xxx
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
The Challenge Scotland Christmas 5k is just over two weeks away....
Despite still feeling a bit rubbish with the residue of Mackenzie's cold and cough, I forced myself to go out tonight as the conditions were perfect for me - slightly cold and a slight breeze.
The cough and cold had an impact - I couldn't run as far as I have been running. But the training has paid off - the difference this time is that instead of simply walking, I still ran a bit then walked a bit and still managed to get around in about 34 minutes, which made it all worthwhile!
However, I am beginning to feel the strain. I'm very proud that I completed tonight as the ball of my right foot was aching - which has happened from time to time - but, for the first time, my left hip was aching too. My hip has been stiff after some runs, but never during and I suspect both aches are related!!!! I hate getting older!!!!
I just wish the run was this weekend instead of a little over a fortnight away just in case these aches and pains worsen.
One side benefit: everyone is noticing that I've lost weight. The scales don't necessarily tell a big story, but the measuring tape shows that I've lost 8.5 inches since I started training in September. Hopefully I won't put it all on again over Christmas!
Anway, until the next update.....
Lynne x
The cough and cold had an impact - I couldn't run as far as I have been running. But the training has paid off - the difference this time is that instead of simply walking, I still ran a bit then walked a bit and still managed to get around in about 34 minutes, which made it all worthwhile!
However, I am beginning to feel the strain. I'm very proud that I completed tonight as the ball of my right foot was aching - which has happened from time to time - but, for the first time, my left hip was aching too. My hip has been stiff after some runs, but never during and I suspect both aches are related!!!! I hate getting older!!!!
I just wish the run was this weekend instead of a little over a fortnight away just in case these aches and pains worsen.
One side benefit: everyone is noticing that I've lost weight. The scales don't necessarily tell a big story, but the measuring tape shows that I've lost 8.5 inches since I started training in September. Hopefully I won't put it all on again over Christmas!
Anway, until the next update.....
Lynne x
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Less than four weeks to go .... and craving chocolate!
As anyone who follows this blog will know, I've given up chocolate (at least until race day, December 4!)
I have to confess that I haven't missed it - until today, which was a bit stressful!
However, I still haven't succumbed to temptation - and after a couple of hiccups on my last two training days (had a bowl of pasta on Thursday and managed less than half the distance and then couldn't get going on Sunday) I managed to get out and complete the distance, albeit three minutes slower than last Tuesday!
The sponsorship has also been rolling in - thank you so much to everyone who has supported me so far. Like everyone who runs to fundraise, this is now beginning to fill me with trepidation - it was okay when I was just running for me, but now the reality is a charity will be relying on everyone's sponsorship!
My real fear was that there was going to be ice and snow on the ground. My first effort on Sunday was thwarted by black ice - which was very scary!
Thankfully, the BBC long range forecast suggests that we're not in for a repeat of the last two years: wet and grey seems to be the forecast for around the time of the race... but who knows? Last year's big freeze did not seem to be predicted or prepared for....!
Until the next time....
Lynne x
I have to confess that I haven't missed it - until today, which was a bit stressful!
However, I still haven't succumbed to temptation - and after a couple of hiccups on my last two training days (had a bowl of pasta on Thursday and managed less than half the distance and then couldn't get going on Sunday) I managed to get out and complete the distance, albeit three minutes slower than last Tuesday!
The sponsorship has also been rolling in - thank you so much to everyone who has supported me so far. Like everyone who runs to fundraise, this is now beginning to fill me with trepidation - it was okay when I was just running for me, but now the reality is a charity will be relying on everyone's sponsorship!
My real fear was that there was going to be ice and snow on the ground. My first effort on Sunday was thwarted by black ice - which was very scary!
Thankfully, the BBC long range forecast suggests that we're not in for a repeat of the last two years: wet and grey seems to be the forecast for around the time of the race... but who knows? Last year's big freeze did not seem to be predicted or prepared for....!
Until the next time....
Lynne x
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