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
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
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
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
My number is here.... got to do it now!
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...
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
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