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.....