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

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

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

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

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

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

My number is here.... got to do it now!

Well, I guess I've got to go through with it now! My number and information pack arrived today from Challenge Scotland!

The portents are good - our house number is 38 and I'm running on the 4th (which, incidentally is also the 12th anniversary of the day I met my husband....)

There's also a map of the route and I was perhaps a bit naive to think it would simply be circuits of Inverleith Park (a nice flat area :-)) Sadly the route is all around Inverleith, through part of Stockbridge (and there are hills there!!!)


Thankfully the emphasis is on fun: entrants are asked to consider dressing up.... my husband suggested that as my Macmillan T-shirt is such a fetching shade of green that I should transform myself into an elf... Mackenzie, who is doing the Santa Toddle is very excited at the prospect of dressing up and is already demanding an outfit!

I was also delighted to discover that I'm already entitled to a bronze fundraiser's badge (thank you to everyone who has already sponsored me and for those who haven't, here's the link to my page...

Lynne's page

www.justgiving.com

Last night I also discovered that training does pay off. I've always preferred doing this sort of thing in the winter time (under the cover of darkness where no-one can see me wheezing!). When I went out last night, I didn't think I would manage the course as it was very cold! However, whilst I never got really really sweaty, I ran as fast as I have ever done, knocking more than minute off my time for one circuit (1.4 miles) and running further than I've ever run before! I also managed to knock a couple of minutes off my overall time and can do the 5k in just over 31 minutes and the route I've been following in 35 - yay! The smell was also amazing - there are loads of pines and conifers around my circuit and the smell of them on a cold night is amazing - Christmas is definitely on the way!

My hip seems to stiffen up the day after a run, however. It's only sore when I'm sitting for a bit and by tomorrow it will be fine. 


Here's hoping I can keep it up for the next four weeks and raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Care.


If you haven't already done so, please consider sponsoring me - and please think about coming along on the day (I think I'll need all the encouragement I can get!) It does look like a great day out as there's a charity Christmas market as well as stalls etc.


Until the next update....
Lynne x

Five weeks and 15 training runs (at the most) until Challenge Scotland 5k in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care....

The date draws ever closer..... December 4 seemed a long way away when I signed up for the run at the end of the summer, but it's now only five weeks on Sunday (with Christmas just around the corner!)

Having skipped a run earlier in the week and missed one last night (playgroup committee meeting), I had a day off today and forced myself to go out while Mackenzie was at nursery - particularly as I'm probably going to miss this Sunday morning (Craig, my husband is staying overnight in Glasgow with my sister-in-law, Lindsay and brother-in-law, Eddie.

Given my time on Sunday, I was not expecting great things, but was pleased to get round the first lap in a pretty decent time and then completed the training run in 37-and-a-half minutes!

Another bonus is that I discovered last night (having measured the course in the car) that the last bit I run is a fifth to a third of a mile longer than I need to and my time was actually around 34.5 minutes.

Feel so much better knowing that! I also managed to ignore my three-year-old who was out for a walk in the wood on the other side of the road  with her nursery as I started the run. All I could hear was 'Mummmmmmmmeeeeeeee!'

I'm aiming to be as close to 30 minutes on the day as I can manage. Does anyone actually manage to run the whole distance (apart from seasoned athletes?)? I would be interested to know....

The sponsorship is also beginning to roll in.

Thank you so much to everyone who has already sponsored me and for anyone who hasn't, please do think about it - you can do it via my JustGiving page (and remember to gift aid to make sure Macmillan Cancer Care receives the maximum amount!) Here is the link  http://www.justgiving.com/Lynne-McNeil1 (any problems, please let me know!)

Until the next time!
Lynne x

Six weeks to go and slowing down instead of getting faster......!

After the successes of last weekend (faster times after missing a week of training), it feels like the training has gone backwards.... two minutes slower today and struggling, although there may be a little bit of a cold lurking around our house - Mackenzie's nose is streaming!

I was disappointed, but still did the full distance, although ran closer to two-thirds, rather than 80 per cent that I've been doing. Part of the issue is that I'm probably getting bored with the route. However, it has been measured out and I'm loathe to change it (even running the other way has even scarier hills to climb!)

On the plus side, I haven't been actively trying to lose weight (although I haven't eaten chocolate for nearly four weeks - and I'm not craving it!) but I've shed over half a stone. We don't have a set of scales in our house - and I try to avoid going near them, but I had noticed clothes were a bit looser. So far I've lost about five inches and the weigh-in yesterday confirmed my suspicion - just another four stone to go then.... :-)

I'd probably speed up if I could kick my red wine habit, but I do enjoy it, don't overdo it any more (can't stand the headaches) and only drink it twice a week..... maybe I should try giving it up, but it is sooooo hard! What do you think? The run is on December 4, so I could pick it up again for Christmas....

Ciao for now!
Lynne x

Challenge Scotland 5k now only seven weeks away. Eeek!

Well seven weeks to go and I've finally completed the course - woo hoo! 5k in 38 minutes - not a bad start, especially when I've had the last week off (for various holiday-related reasons :-)) I'm not a serious runner - and never will be! I am feeling the benefit of my three times a week run and am surprised that I've not died of boredom yet!

I am now just praying that the weather holds out until December 4.

I now have my Macmillan Cancer T-shirt - it's a fetching shade of green and I've been told that you have to break it in before the big day.... so if you see me sporting it over the next seven weeks, while puffing - give me a wave! I also had to invest in a pair of serious running shoes (note the new blog pic!) after getting some pain  in the ball of my foot - so let's hope they hold out, especially as they're in my favourite colour.

My fundraising page is also up and running and I'd make a plea to everyone to consider giving even a pound or two - every penny makes a difference to the lives of those whose lives are blighted by cancer. The page is available at Lynne's page - JustGiving

Until the next update.....

Wheeze, wheeze, less than 11 weeks to go

So far, I've been pretty heartened by my training for the 5k on December 4 (walking first week, then two minutes running and four minutes walking for half an hour three times a week). Yesterday, feeling ambitious, I stepped up to the next level - run for three minutes and walk for three. I struggled a bit with this, but still made it round and got further with a slightly improved for the first circuit.

However, I was heartened to discover last night that I can already do two-thirds of the course in half an hour.... I drove round the circuit (for those of you who know where we live, I'm doing circuits around the two estates that form part of the grandly named (Pitreavie Castle.... and there is a Castle, well a big house anyway, that's been converted into flats....!) The distance I covered yesterday is 2.2 miles in 30 minutes (and that's 1.5 circuits) - and I reckon I've got to cover about 3.1 to 3.2, so will hopefully get there by December 4!

I'm surprised that I'm not bored with it yet - perhaps taking the iPod with me helps, or it could be the feelgood pheremones afterwards. The first big challenge will come on Tuesday - it's our wedding anniversary (number eight) and while we're going out for dinner on Saturday, we always tend to have a wee celebration on the day - which also happens to be one of my three training days....decisions, decisions!

Maybe I should also consider giving up my weekend red wine..... or is that a big mistake?

Anyway, the training continues - and still no sponsorship pack from Macmillan..... think I'll have to email them again......

Running the Challenge Scotland 5k for Macmillan Cancer Fund on December 4

It seemed like a good idea a couple of weeks ago when I signed up for the Challenge Scotland 5k on December 4 at Inverleith Park in Edinburgh. In a bid to try and find some meagre level of fitness, I decided to give myself a goal.... 12 weeks to try and run 5000 metres. Only problem is I loathe running (I used to take short cuts on the cross country course at school) and have dodgy knees, so to complete the course will be a major achievement for me.
To spur me on, I decided to run for charity and have opted for the Macmillan Cancer Fund, who have promised to send a fundraising pack and T-shirt.
I will set up the requisite sponsorship page but today was the first training run... and I have to be honest and say it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, although as I wheezed my way through the first two minutes, I seriously considered switching to the six-mile walk instead! Running for two minutes and walking for four was actually okay (perhaps the week of walking last week provided some benefit....) It helped that it was also a glorious September morning - warm - but with a nice cool breeze!
It's not my intention to become a serious runner - it's a goal I want to achieve and if it benefits a good cause too, then that's brilliant! Mackenzie is also taking part in the Santa Toddle which takes place the same day and will be fundraising for her nursery.... Craig says he will be providing support on the day (and it might be more than he realises :-) )
Anyway, keep your fingers crossed that I can do this (and that my knees hold out and that my pathetic level of fitness improves....) and if you want to sponsor me, please get in touch - I'll be posting details here in due course.
Ciao for now....