4 Days

Well, as you can imagine, I'm getting pretty nervous/anxious/apprehensive/excited!!!! In four days time I'll be on a Virgin Atlantic flight, heading for Kenya to take part in this most amazing challenge of a lifetime. 400km from the foothills of Mount Kenya through the Rift Valley to the shores of Lake Victoria! I think there are 65 of us in this first group raising funds for Breast Cancer Care, Jo's Cervicle Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action. There were supposed to be 80, but some didn't make the minimum sponsorship, some have had to change group due to ill health or accidents, and some are no longer with us......

Since my last post I have been quite busy training, even did the Pedal for Scotland cycle, 47 miles from Glasgow to Murryfield Stadium in Edinburgh! Was a damp, windy day, but managed it in 4 hours 42 minuts. Actually did 51 miles coz we cycled 1 mile to the start and then 3 miles at the end to get to where we had parked the car. It was lovely meeting some of the other ladies who are doing Cycle Kenya, even though Cassie Cowan and Carolyn McGeachie are in group 3. And thanks to Gavin Paton for his help and support on the day to. Lanark Triathlon Club have been absolutely amazing!!!! Their help, support, encouregement and advice has been second to non. I have even bought myself a road bike so I can actually keep up with them on our cycles, instead of them having to wait at every junction for me so I didn't get lost or too far behind on my mbt.

And the best part of all? Not only did I make the minimum target of £2800 to secure my place on this adventure, but I also made my personal target of £4000 - by £1. I must say once again how touched I am at peoples generosity, and my faith in others has once again been restored. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

PS if you haven't already donated you still can, just click on the DONATE button at the top of the page xxx

PPS I'm hoping to be able to post blogs while I am away, so look out for them xxx

Nearly There!!!!!

Well!!!! To think it's over 18 month's ago that I signed up to do this adventure for charity. 80 women were required to raise a minimum of £2800 each to aid Jo's Cervical Cancer Action, Breast Cancer Care and Ovarian Cancer Action. Now there are 5 groups taking part.

Thanks to my Dad, who provided me with the registration fee, it has just snowballed from there. Car-booting, raffles, sponsors, a Charity Auction, sponsord dog walks and I have raised nearly £4000. Now I only have 8 weeks till I fly out to Kenya with some other amaizing, life fueled women, all with the same aim - to try to make a difference!!!

A lot has happened in the last 18 months! I have met some amaizing people, realised generosity from people who I barely know, from a lot I do know and am so greatful to all of them for it. I'm fitter, with a new zest for life. I had some abnormal cells removed and have just had a check up and am all clear. One of the ladies who was taking part in the challeng unfortunatly lost her fight with cancer, but she will be with us in spirit. But the biggest change was loosing my Dad to liver cancer in January. He was such a great man, didn't smoke, rarely drank and as fit as a fiddle untill nearly a year ago, 4 months later he had passed away!!!! So Dad, this will be for you, in your memory, coz if it hadn't been for you, I'd never have signed up for this Challenge - just wish you were still here to see me complete it xxx

93 days, 10 hours, 4 minutes till Cycle Kenya

Well, all my hard work has paid off! I have reached and exceeded the minimum sponsorship of £2800 I had to raise to be elagable to take part in this challenge, and I hope that by the time I leave for Kenya I will reach my personal target of £4000.

So now all the real hard work starts, and I only have 93 days, 10 hours and 4 minutes to do it - GETTING FIT!!!!

At the moment I can quite happily cycle 30-35 miles, but as it is going to be a hell of a lot warmer in Kenya than it is here, and the first day of our challenge we have to cycle 61 miles, and we need to cycle for 5 consecutive days, I really need to up the milage I do AND how oftern I cycle!!!!

So to this end I am planning a training weekend for all the ladies form Scotland from all 5 groups who are taking part in Cycle Kenya, so if you want a wee challenge in the hills of South Lanarkshire on the weekend of 27th/28th August, your more than welcome to come along. B & B is available on site, my boss has room for about 18 at Scottish Equestrian Hotel, where I work and I think she might give a wee discount on the rate, and there is an Italian Bistro on site too, so we will be well looked after in the evening! Let me know as soon as possible if you can come along and am sure we'll have a great weekend.

Back on Track

It's been a few weeks since I last blogged, and as I have now reached and gone over the minimum amount of £2800 I needed to raise to take part in this challenge, my main aim now is my fitness.

About a month ago I had been out on my bike for a nice wee 35 mile run, but, a mile from home I was coming up a hill in the bike lane, and a lorry passed me very close. The result, I wobbled, my peddle caught the kerb and I thought I was going under the wheel of the lorry. So, needles to say, my confidence was knocked a bit and since then I kept making excuses not to go out!

That was till a chance conversation with a mum of one of the kids who rides at the stables where I work. Her other daughter is a member of the Lanark Triathlon Club, so I thought that would be a great way of getting fit, and maybe getting my confidence back to go out on the road again.

So, two week on, I am back on track! Been back out on the road, first with the Tri Club, and a huge big thanks to Pam Mcleod for helping me so much, then with my friends Ash, Lynne and Mitch, total milage last week, 33 miles. Not managed out this week so far, as it's been Lanimers week (Lanark Gala week) and we have had a lot of horses out in parades and ride-outs, but I'm off today, so will be out for a wee 35 miler this afternoon.

Really must say a great big thank you to my brother Stuart. Two weeks ago he had a "Shearing". Basically, he badly needed a hair cut and got his friends to sponsor him. So far he has raised £400 for Women V Cancer, great going Stuart x

My next and last event will be a sponsored dog walk on 23rd July.

Italian Night Charity Auction

Well, this time last week I was getting all nervous and excited all at the same time!!! It wouldn't be long till the start of my charity auction. Had only sold about 30 tickets for it, so I thought if I could raise £1000 I'd be quite happy. Then I got word that the auctioneer from the local market who was going to compare the auction couldn't make it, so I'd have to do it myself - yikes!!!!

Then I got word that some of the people who were intending to come couldn't make it, and I was beginning to think that the night was going to turn into a disaster!!!

Anyway, I sat down for my dinner with May, and then others started to turn up, and after my meal and a glass of red things started to look better.

To start the auction I gave a little speech about what I was doing and thanked everyone for being there, then started the bidding just after 8pm. It's amazing what a glass or two of wine can do for your nerves and I soon got into the flow of things and the bidding was going great, far better than I expected. I had very kindly been given two holidays for auction, the first for a 3 night stay at my sisters holiday house near Oban and the second for a week in a holiday house in Lamlash, Isle of Arran. As you can imagine, when the Oban lot went for more than its worth I was very pleased, even more so when, after some exciting bidding, the when the Arran lot went for £1000!!!!

So, with the above and all the lovely breaks at Hilton hotels all over the country, kindly donated by Kay Harriman, and a few other lots, I sat down at the end of the evening to total up what had been raise.

As I gave my final speech of the evening, again thanking everyone who had contributed to making it such a fantastic night, I was reduced to tears as I read out the total of £2940!!!! But that isn't the final total, as when the lucky winners came to pay for their lots, some of them very generously rounded up their bids. When I have received all the payments for the night I will post a final amount for the evening.

So now all the hard work starts!!! As I have already raised £1000,and with the £3000 from the Auction, my brother doing his sponsored "sheering" for me, and the sponsored dog walk planned for July, I have well and truly exceeded the minimum £2800 I needed to raise. So no more excuses to put off the training any more!!!!

Lazy Day

Had great plans for today, only thing is I forgot we had 20 kids in on holiday and a BHS Stage 2 exam this week...... so with early starts and late finishes result - I'm knackered!!!

So having a lazy afternoon to recharge batteries, and maybe a bit of retail therapy later.

Getting a bit nervous about my charity auction, could really do with selling some more tickets for it and just hope everyone enjoys the night an have plenty of coppers in their pockets!

Also need to start getting my sponsored dog walk organized, made £280 from it last year so hope to get a bit more this year, maybe £500, hears hoping anyway....

Dry at last!!!!

What a lovely day it has been today! After all the rain we have had here in Lanark over the past few days, it is a relief to get a dry day, even if it was a bit windy.

Headed out on my bike about midday, with the wind at my back, even managed to get up to 12mph, only thing is if the wind is at your back on your way away, inevitably it's going to be in your face on the way home, an boy dose that make peddling hard work. It was a nice 16 and 1/2 mile round trip, and the scenery was lovely. Thankerton Moor is just starting to green up a bit, and lots of sheep with their lambs at foot in the fields and loads of people were taking advantage of the good weather to climb to the summit of Tinto Hill. Saw a lot more birds about today too, they are all starting to think about building nests and laying eggs. But please remind me to think about how strong the wind is and in which direction it is blowing before I head out!! Talk about a work out, I felt more knackered after today's run than I did the other week doing 34 miles!

Anyway, now its getting longer light, and hopefully better weather, I'm aiming to get out on my bike for about a 15 mile run every other day, with longer rides on my days off on Thursdays and Saturday afternoons. As I think I mentioned in my last blog, my next big challenge will be cycling from Lanark to Peebles, staying overnight and cycling back home the next day. About a 60 mile round trip, then I need to think about another challenge, if I have something to aim for, then it keeps me more motivated. There is the Pedal for Scotland Challenge in September, you can do either the fun family ride of about 5 miles, the Glasgow to Edinburgh ride of 50 miles or the 100 mile challenge ride, seriously thinking about the 100mile ride, but will wait and see how training is going in a few months time before I enter...... watch this space!!

Spring at Last?

What a glorious day it has been today,sun shining, hardly a cloud in the sky and just a light breeze, so glad it was my day off.

A perfect day to get the cycle helmet on an go for a wee jaunt along some quiet country lanes. The only thing that spoils my bike rides are the 2 miles at the start and end of my run, along a very busy, lorry laden main road!!! Ah well, it is only a couple of miles, and after that its sheep in the fields with their newborn lambs, buzzards in the sky, squirls and rabbits in the hedgerow and even the odd pheasant.

Today I decided to push myself a bit, been to Biggar a few times, that's about 23 miles round trip, so thought today I would try to go as far as Broughton, which is another 5 and a half miles along the road. It was a lovely, easy run to Biggar, didn't stop, just wanted to keep up the momentum and push on. Got to Broughton in just under an hour and a half so stopped at the Laurel Cafe and Bistro for a wee cup of tea, (love a good cup of tea), and had some lovely fruit crumble and cream, then it was time to get back on the bike again and head home. The wind had picked up a bit and it was in my face the whole way home, did walk up a couple of the really steep hills, but surprisingly I managed the whole 34 miles in 3 hours and 24 minutes!

Really need to try and get out on my bike a bit more often though, maybe not 34 miles every night, but as the clocks change this weekend, should manage my 17 mile route a few nights a week and then do a longer run on my day off. Do need to take my bike to Next Level Bikes though, the gears are doing my head in!!!

Next big target is to cycle to Peeble (approx 30 miles), stay overnight then cycle back the next day. Will need to study my map a bit more for that one, but hopefully it won't be too long till I try it!!!!

Long Time, No See!

A few weeks ago I met up with an old work college, Craig, who I haven't seen for 11 years, (surely can't be that long)! During our gossip, Craig happened to mention that someone else we used to work with now had a bike shop in Castle Douglas.

So, as you can imagine, I thought to myself "I really must pay Mark a visit." And, as it happened, I went down to Newton Stewart at the weekend, to catch up with my cousin Audrey who was home for the weekend for my aunty and uncles wedding anniversary, (we had a great night out),so I popped in to Castle Douglas on the way.

It was so good to see Mark again, he's not changed a bit, well maybe a bit older and grayer, sorry Mark!!!! Anyway we had a cup of tea and a chat, it's amazing what your learn from people, like the guy who works with Mark (sorry, can't remember his name, I have a memory like a sieve), has been in Kenya and was saying about how the humidity will be hard to cope with and how I should make sure I have a camel pack so I have a constant supply of water and I should take some boiled sweets to keep my mouth moist. Then he was saying about all the dust and dust storms, so to have a proper cycle face mask, and other things I would never have thought of......

Anyway, Mark said that next time I go down to Newton Stewart I've to hand in my bike and he will service it for me, and if I need anything he'll get it for me at cost, all I have to do is sport a Next Level Bikes tee shirt, and email reports back on my trip to Kenya. All I can say is a great big thanks to Mark and Next Level Bikes and please check out their web site.

Listen to your body!!!

Thursdays are my usual day off, and as it was a lovely day yesterday so I deiced to go a wee run on my bike. Wasn't feeling quite up to it, had a bit of a cold, but nothing serious, but it took a lot of self persuasion to get my cycling gear on and out the front door.

I really should have stayed at home, curled up on the sofa, watching the TV, nice and cosy.

But I didn't!!!

I got on my bike thinking "once I get going I'll be fine!", and I was fine for a while, but then the hills all seemed to be twice as big as usual and every mile seemed like 10. But I eventually got to Biggar, had some lunch, a wee look about the shops then back to Lanark.

Now I don't know if it was just coz I was tired from my cycle yesterday, or if it was because I have a bit of a cold, or because I haven't been sleeping very well, but I have had one hell of a bad day today! I though I had been coping with my Dad's death quite well. Focusing on raising money for Women V Cancer, organizing fund raising events, researching Kenya and what vaccines I need for going,

but today!!!!!!!!

Well, lets just say I went through lots of hankies this morning, enough said!

Thankfully I'm feeling a little better now, got it out my system, but for how long? Been told grief is like that, one day your fine, the next - your not. So, back to focusing on Kenya again, and raising lots and lots of dosh, coz I know I started raising funds because of the scare I had this time last year, but any breakthrough against cancer is well worth the effort of putting my body through all this training, just as long as it helps in the fight against this monster most of us have come into contact with, we need to find a solution against it!!!!!

To Biggar for an Ice-cream

Well I was on a mission yesterday. Got up nice and early with the sole intention of cycling from Lanark to the lovely Borders town of Biggar. It was a bit gray and drizzly when I set off, but I was well prepared for it. Had my spares kit, phone, juice, lip salve and most important, a few pounds in my pocket for some lovely Taylor's of Biggar ice-cream.

It was a bit tough going, the wind was in my face a lot of the time, putting up quite a resistance and then I started to feel the burn in my thighs. But the thought of the ice-cream with a flake, sprinkles and some raspberry sauce spurred me on up over the hills.

When I got off my bike in Biggar, my legs were all wobbly, but it was worth it, the ice-cream was delish!!! After checking my map I got back on the bike and headed back to Lanark, a slightly different, shorter way, but the scenery was just as lovely and the sun had come out. It was a lot easier too, or at least that was how it felt, except for the 11% gradient hill I had to cycle up, but I made it all the way to the top without having to get off and walk. Cycled a total of 26 miles in just over 2 and a half hours, and best of all, today I feel fine, no sore bits, legs are fine, now planning my next trip, will try for a 30+ mile circular route, hopefully going through Biggar again so I can stop for ice-cream again.

35 weeks to go!!!

Just been on Face Book and one of the other ladies taking part in the challenge pointed out it's only 35 weeks today, till we fly out to Kenya.

Hell, I'm still counting in months, makes me feel as if I have longer to get fit and to reach my £4000 fund target. Although I only have 6 months to raise the money, we have to have a minimum of £2800 deposited with the charity 2 months before we depart so that'll be August.

Really need to go and get a passport photo done too, need to renew it as it runs out in August, can't believe I've had it for 10 years and it runs out 2 months before I get to use it.

When do the clocks change? can't wait till the lighter nights come in, feel like such a couch potato just now. Then at least I'll be able to get out on the bike a bit more, can't wait!!!!

Raffle Result

First of all I want to thank Kay Harriman for donating this great prize of dinner for two at the Caledonian Hilton, Edinburgh. Also, I want to thank everyone who bought tickets for the chance to win the prize.

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the prize, kindly drawn by Stacy MacDougal of the Stables Bistro, is Debbie Law. Hope you have a great evening Debbie.

The best thing is that the raffle for this prize raised an amazing £320 for Women V Cancer, Cycle Kenya 2011.

Once again, thank you everyone for supporting me in my mission to raise £4000 for Women V Cancer, raising funds to help fight breast, cervical and ovarian cancers.

lol xxxxx

Only two more days to buy Valentins Raffle Tickets

Raffle ticket sales going really well, still got lots more on offer, but you only have two more days to be in with a chance to win this great prize! Dinner for two at the Caledonian Hilton, Edinburgh, inclusive of a bottle of house wine , a tenner for five chances to win, well worth it!!!!

So come on everyone, stick your hand in your pocket and donate to this very worthwhile charity.

lol xxx

Raffle update

Well, only been selling tickets for a day, but going good so far. Looking forwards to selling lots more. Considering the prize is worth between £175 and £200, I don't think £10 is too much to ask for, and it is going to a great cause.

Remember, you can buy the tickets by donating £10 here, and just leave a note with your phone number so I can let you know if you win.

Received the first of my auction items in the post today. A signed picture postcard of Chris Hoy, he's quite hot looking!

lol xxx

Valentines Day Raffle

Well, hopefully I'm on a roll now, got my first fundraising event of the year on the go. It is a raffle to win tickets for dinner for two at the Caladonian Hilton, Pompadour Restaurant, Edinburth. It includes a bottle of house selected wine and can be taken anytime in the next 5 1/2 months.

Tickets are £10 for a strip of 5 tickets and if you would like to buy a strip just donate £10 per strip here, and leave a note that you would like raffle tickets, then I'll put a strip in the hat for you. The raffle will be drawn on Valentine's Day.

Good luck everyone x

Not such a Happy New Year

Sorry it has been so long since my last update.

If you are a regular follower of my blog then you will know my dad hadn't been very well, and, unfortunately he passed away on Sunday 16th January in Newton Stewart Hospital. He was with loved ones and it was peaceful at the end, and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, the one comment I kept hearing was that he was "a true gentleman".

So you can imagine I have been a bit preoccupied these past few months, but now I am focused! If it wasn't for dad I wouldn't be doing Women V Cancer, Cycle Kenya, as he put up most of the money for my registration for the event, so now I am doing this in his memory.

Training has resumed, got the dust cover off the bike, it's been all checked over, new lights, oiled and have been out on it a few times. As soon as I've finished this blog I'm off out on a wee bit more of a testing ride, just to see how unfit I have become!!!!

Fund-raising has been attacked with a new vigor, I have lots of lovely stuff to take to car boot sales, also organizing a Pizza, Pasta and Charity Auction for mid May, full details can be found on its own page on this blog, but so far I have managed to obtain a signed Hearts strip and match tickets, a signed autograph card from Olympian Cyclist Chris Hoy, weekends away, meals for two and just received a call from my friend Ash, who saw my update on Facebook and she and her husband, Mark,an ex army fitness trainer have donated a voucher for the use of a personal trainer (Mark)for half a day. Any other auctionable donations will be very gratefully received.

In memory of Alexander McKnight, 1930-2011.
Much loved and sadly missed xxx