And still it comes.....

I have to say a huge thankyou to everyone who has sponsored me ...... and those people who still are giving me money. Thankyou so much. I know that when I spoke to somone from Clic Sargent last week the total had topped,

£40,ooo.

So seriously great stuff!

The 24seven website (www.24sevenchallenge.co.uk )now has a link to all the photos so you can see just what we were all doing over the weekend. Some great photos and the view from the top of Symonds Yat was phenomenal (cant say I noticed on the day as I was too busy wheezing my way downhill again) so thankyou for taking the photos that show just how beautiful it was round there.

I am really excited about getting the info for the next one (I know, I know you dont have to say it!!!) and scarily I have even found myself looking at other challenges to do in the meantime? How crazy is that? Looks like my coffee guzzling days may be numbered!

As promised..........

Embarassing photos!

Please bear in mind these were taken at the end of the challenge!!!!!!

(I have no excuses for how I looked at the beginning)

Results

To see just how close it was,......and how good I was at stuff that didnt include steep hills the results page link is below!!

http://www.24sevenchallenge.co.uk/Results.php

And the winner of the bike is .............

Emma Wilkinson!!!!!

I have just spent the last 30 minutes writing names on paper and folding them into little squares for Grace to pick one out of a jug!

and very rewarding it was too..........

The bike did me proud but I have to say - I wont miss it.

"Emma you're welcome to it and enjoy!"

(Im going to get a "light as a feather" one to push up all those hills next time! - but of course I'll be so much fitter I'll be able to ride up them this time!)

Just to let you all know

I have decided to just wait until tomorrow for the draw for the mountain bike as Ive had a few late sponsors and want to get as much as I can for CLIC Sargent............but do not worry it will be drawn tomorrow and the lucky name will go up on the blog so watch this space. It has already been cleaned and its difficult to believe it has really been through the Forest of Dean!

At the end of the challenge we had raised just over £36,ooo but with money still coming in who knows where it will end!!

I went to LA Fitness today and said a big thankyou. Left a bottle of champagne for Cheryl (shes on holiday!!). Couldnt have done it without her at the beginning.

The challenge was fabulous and once the photos are up I will let you all see just how silly I looked, and how much fun I was having.

Look out for the December issue of Mens Fitness and Womens Fitness for photos of myself and two other competitors and The Citizen and maybe the Gloucestershire Echo are running stories too.

Awesome!!!

It was fantastic. I think I did ok. I came in 3rd for the individuals!!!
There will be photos to follow and of course the draw for the mountain bike.
Im a bit knackered so excuse the typing.
The weather was great, everyone was really good fun and the challenges were a good mixture of intense physical challenges and some serious head scratching challenges!

I will definitely be doing the next one .....................so start saving now. I was the highest indivual fundraiser and I have all you guys to thank for that.

So watch this space.......................

Bring it on!!!!!

OK well this is it I guess as tomorrow I will be a little busy worrying and packing and repacking and worrying a bit more!
Tonight I train and then thats it - too late!

Joking aside I must admit Im actually looking forward to it. Hopefully I will do all my sponsors proud and finish! (who knows I may even not be last!)

A big BIG thankyou to all who have helped me with my training (moral support by my long suffering husband and family, pschological support by Phil and babysitting by mum, ) and of course to all who have sponsored me - the money will help to make all the difference to families all over the UK and that support makes all the difference - trust me I know!

So..................listen out to Severn Sound and Radio Gloucestershire on Saturday , my dulcit tones should be on both at some time! Very wisely the interviews are before the event! Who wants to listen to gasping after.......................

Oh.....................!

I cant believe that
a) I will shortly be running around the Forest of Dean of my own free will (probabley in the rain!)
b) I have so many lovely friends and family who have sponsored me so much .......THANKYOU SOOOO MUCH

and
c) I have a cold/flu - the whole sneezing and wheezing, temperature, cough etc. !!!!!!! How crap is that!
So I am attacking it with;

Asprin (with caffeine!)
Vitamin and iron supplements (and caffeine!)
Smoothies with loads of good stuff in them (and then caffeine!)
and lots of tissues.................and caffeine.......................................I wonder where I can get some patches.................hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Radio Gloucestershire

Ok so I think I can safely say that the interview was disasterous as far as I was concerned!

I managed to give out an incomplete web address for the blog and I dont think they gave out the website for 24seven, but hey.....maybe thats "show business" or maybe its just coz Im crap!

There were loads of things I wanted to say and didnt and I fear I lost a real good opportunity! So on behalf of all muppets everywhere let me just say "Sorry!"

I will train tonight and keep going till it really hurts if thats any consolation!

Also have to add that yesterday coming back from talking to a load of CLIC Sargent people about hospitals from a parents point of view I tuned into Radio 2 and listened to a fantastic guy called Steve Rose, he has terminal cancer but was such a great speaker and so funny and upbeat I just have to say go read his blog - hes ace!
www.steves-last-words.blogspot.com

NEWS FLASH..................NEWS FLASH..............

The latest on the mountain bike raffle is......................There are only 12 eligible people for the draw so the odds are good!

I havent dropped or crashed it yet so its in good working order at the moment!

Also Im doing another interview with Radio Gloucestershire on Wednesday next week! So listen out at lunch time! Id love to have reached £1000 by then (only a measley £79 more , nudge nudge, hint hint !!!!!!!!!!!!).

Well Im off for an active weekend to keep those muscles ticking over.

and on we go......

Ive just come back from the gym again! and yesterday I did a run in the evening so it all going ok at the moment. Cant say Ive done any "night training"!!!! as some teams seem to have but then that would probabley just scare me!

Considering its my birthday this week I think Ive trained pretty well................and yes even limited the birthday cake intake! - well ok only slightly but its calling to me from the kitchen as we speak and Im not listening!

Ive started getting pep talks from everyone and wonderful advice that ranges from "eat lots of pasta the night before" to "have you got a life insurance"?!

Id like to say thanks for ALL the advice and I have to say the best bit this week has been the need to shop! I am now the proud owner of a head lamp (small light that goes on your head on a strap as opposed to a large metal car part!). I also have a super duper lightweight, waterproof, breatheable rucksack with "go faster" stripes!

Now if I can only track down those "racing legs" and the latest "marathon runner" torso I should be laughing!.................................................

A Big thankyou!!!!!

Firstly I have to say a BIG thankyou to everyone who has sponsored me.......I will need all the help I can get!

Now there are only 19 days to go I must admit to being a little nervous. You may think its the pain of running that worries me or maybe the canoeing and the chance to fall into icy autumnal water... but no Im worried about the daddy-long-legs!

Yes I know an irrational fear but ever since guide camp.................well lets just leave it at that!

So................I have to "fess up to chickening out and opting to staying in somewhere with daddy-long-legs proof walls.

But I can assure you I will still do the challenge - daddy-long-legs or no daddy-long-legs!

Ive done it again!!

Well you'll be pleased to know that I did actually go to the gym more than once last week! I forgot Thursdays visit again. It was good I managed rowing that I havent done for a while - ached where I havent for a whilethough.
Well this week I will mostly be............. training out of the gym as I need the "real-life, elements, kind-a-thing!!!" or I will be really upset when I realise it can rain on me!
Watch this space..............................................

Oops forgot again!

I keep forgetting to put my training visits to the gym up here now - I blame new academic year and general family life................or it maybe that I am fast approaching my birthday and senility is taking over!
I have actually been to the gym twice since my last posting once to swim and once running and cycling (as usual!).
I was surrounded by people in pyjamas in the pool (I kid you not and no I havent lost it completely,...... they were raising money for CRY as sadly a young woman known to members of the gym died a few months ago - another worthy cause)
Well it has FINALLY stopped raining long enough to take the snorkel off and dig the car out of the mud of the front garden so I aim to go again this evening. Wish me luck!

Back in the warm

I wimped out and went to the gym tonight as its raining and horrible!
I managed 10 kms on the bike in just under 20 minutes - which was cool. Thanks to Jools Holland who was accompanying me on the ole piano!
Back to school tomorrow so Id better go and sort out "stuff"

Out in the real world!

I have just graduated from the hallowed halls of the gym (nice warm DRY halls I might add!)

and I have done my first outdoor run, ............. in the real world, ................. in the wet and windy outdoors!
Id like to say it was fun or even life affirming - but actually it was wet, dark and hurt lots!!!!!!
Aah well, tomorrow wont be so bad ................................and so to bed.

Wednesday!

Well Im back at it. Training started properly again at the beginning of the week and (apart from forgetting to post it on the blog!)its going well.

Im not as far behind as I thought I might be. I can still do 10kms comfortabley and on Tuesday managed to push a little harder and do nearly 15....so its a start!

Ive swum tonight and that was ok too - so maybe its not ALL doom and gloom.

Now as long as I dont eat the doughnut sitting in the fridge...............................................................

aaagggghhhhhh!!!!

Ive been so taken up with summer holidays, keeping kids happy, birthdays, PR and stuff!.............Ive forgotten to train!!

Ok so thats not strictly true - Ive kinda got sidetracked but Ive had my wake-up call in that Ive actually looked at the countdown on the blog for once and its frighten the ##**** out of me!

Ah well, I'll have to start putting in some seriously hard work now I guess or its really REALLY going to hurt in October and I'll have the school run to do the day after!

We're famous!

Ok so its only the local paper but hey,........ Grace is impressed!

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Cheltenham-mother-s-challenge-charity-saved-daughter-s-life/article-269533-detail/article.html

Tomorrow Gloucestershire....then the World!!!

Yesterday I did the Severnsound interview and then today Ive been talking to a journalist on the Echo, Citizen , Forester and Stroud papers. We will be in the paper tomorrow apparently barring an outbreak of war, new series of Dr Who or the Americans deciding to invade the Forest of Dean ....................... so watch out for it - and no laughing at our picture please.

Meanwhile

OK so I havent been to the gym for a while but I consider managing three children on summer holidays training in itself - mental if not physical!

Yesterday Grace and I were in Symonds Yat East to have our photo taken for the local papers.

(FOR ALL THE COMPETITORS OUT THERE IT IS APPARENTLY WHERE THE CHALLENGE WILL START AND FINISH....................BUT DONT TELL ANYONE!) I did try to get more info but there is only so long you can hold someone upside down before the general public notices!

Following on in this quest for media domination I did a live interview on Radio Gloucestershire yesterday evening and am doing a pre-recorded one today for Severn Sound Radio. Hopefully it will add some more money to the sponsorship and if not at least its a good opportunity to talk about CLIC Sargent and what they do.

Running again

I have managed to do 10km a bit faster now. Cycled along quite happily to the dulcit tones of Aerosmith last night! Its amazing what a bit of motivational music does, isnt it?!
Anyhow, I have a night off tonight and then hopefully a spin class tomorrow although it depends on getting a babysitter........If I cant I'll just have to go for a bike ride instead (dum dum dum!) Now theres a scary thought - me on a bike on a public road! Consider yourselves warned!

And again!!!!

Im just back from the gym - the first time Ive used the gym and not the swimming pool after a spin class and I really feel it!
Managed a healthy 10 kms on the bike and rower. Have to say a big THANKYOU to my brother who has donated his old ipod to the cause. He's right it is alot easier to train to decent music than just the stuff on in the gym. (need to get some decent headphones though!).
Off to bed before I seize up...............
Looked at the sponsorship pages on the 24seven site today - what are we going to need a ferry ticket for??!!!

Oh yeah, ok ok so I didnt do weights - I'll get round to it!!!!! ;-)

Another spin class

Well, I managed another spin class last night and I'm a little smug this morning as I'm not too achy!

There were loads of us there last night and everyone was working really hard (apart from the two really annoying ones at the back who gossiped all the way through it, didn't break a sweat and could've been sat in a bar for the amount of effort they put in! - "why bother" comes to mind!)

Anyhow, I'm training again tonight and must have a go at the weights I think...........I'll let you know how it goes!

Ive done it now

I went to my first spin class in .......oh I dont know about 5 or 6 weeks maybe. All I can say is OOOWWWWW.
Good points are;

• its over!
• I dont have to go again until next week!
• I did manage the whole class so I am fitter than originally

Bad points are;

• Owww
• Ouch
• Agghhhhh
• the realisation that tomorrow its going to hurt even more!

Ah well, alls fair in the pursuit of fitness, wellbeing, and ....lots of other peoples money for a good cause huh!

Oops I forgot

I forgot to mention my last trip to the gym on Monday night! Probably because it was seriously hard work to even manage 10k but there you go. Some days its easy some times its not!
Anyway I hope to go tonight and maybe even do a spin class?! Depends on how the school hols are progressing!

Daytime visit

Managed to leave the children in various places today (all with childcare specialists as opposed to just left to their own devices!) and I went to the gym.

Decided to swim today as Im still a little achey from yesterdays workout. I did 24 lengths which I was pleased with. Seems like Im actually moving on a bit now (which is good since I have less than 3 months to go!!).

Anyway we are into the last week of term now so things are a little hectic plus my brother will be taking up space on the same land mass for a few hours so Im going to try to get to see him too. I promise this isnt an excuse for missing training, but.........................................

Back to the gym

Well this evening I managed a healthy 13.5kms cycling and rowing. It only took me about 45 -50 minutes too so I feel like Im going forward a bit now. I think I have to go back to the workout Sheryl gave me and start working on the core muscles though or I am going to have serious stomach pain on the second day I think!
Im hoping to get some kyacking in before the event as well just so I know what to expect!
Sponsorship is going ok - next target is £500?!

and again!

Ive been to the gym this afternoon! Mum very kindly babysat while I worked up a sweat this afternoon doing just over 7 km. The afternoon is really quiet!

Here we are again

Guess where Ive been? Ok OK Ive been to the gym (suprise suprise).

It was a good session. I managed about 10km on the rower, bike and running machine. Sheryl, who designed my programme came by to ask how it was going (while I was dying quietly on the rower!). She then proceeded to row with me on resistance number 9 (I can manage 4!) and didnt even break a sweat ......and managed to talk!

I am seriously beginning to think she has missed her vocation and should be working for MI5 or some "black ops" group - talk about psychological ! ..........it worked though I am inspired (or is that just jealous) and I will be working even harder.

I have some more money to put on the website courtesy of mum and hopefully I'll get to £400 soon.

Back on the road again....

Just back from the gym where I managed a fairly decent 5kms which after a week off was ok. I'll have to work on it though.

Long time no write

Yes I know, quite a gap since the last entry! ........I have to confess Ive fallen off the wagon or is that treadmill.
I am now safely back into training having had a break (apparently a break is not that bad although a lapse of enthusiasm for the whole idea probably isnt supposed to go with it!).

Having had my "wobble" I have now woken up to the task in hand, seen that Im now in double figures for the countdown and will be moving up a gear!

Ive been talking to the PR guys at CLIC and that kinda reminded me why Im doing this and Ive "refocussed" (Sounds good doesnt it! - but no I do mean it so watch this space!)

Last nights efforts

Had a great night at the gym last night! I managed to do just over 10km overall in about 50 minutes. Really pleased with that as it is the first time Ive managed that far and at that speed.

Feels like I may have a chance now........must say thanks to my brother and my husband for their well chosen words of encouragement that spurred me on!!


Cant go to spin class tonight as Im doing the "new school for September" thing and visiting the "big" school. - I suppose I'll just have to run back?................ummmmmm I'll let you know

Retail therapy!

Today I have been leaving posters and flyers all over the place!
I went to,

Boots
Chapmans Opticians
Jack Wills
Starbucks
Blacks
Jamie Daniels - Haridressers
Mini Me - childrens clothes
Martins - Jewellers

Hopefully this will help raise awareness even if it doesnt mean more sponsorship for me. There have to be some more crazy people out there somewhere who want to do the challenge!?!
.......................or is it just me?

To swim or not to swim

Today was a bit of a write off. I swam but not for long, didnt seem to be that co-ordinated ! Just an off-day I guess. Better tomorrow.

Great Idea

We've had a great idea......well actually my husband is the brains behind this one.

"Im going to enter everyone who sponsors me more than £2 into a draw to win my mountain bike after the challenge."

Hopefully I am going to be able to have a stand at Graces school fete in two weeks time and get some sponsorship which is really kind since they are obviously trying to raise money for the school and not really another charity.....so I really appreciate that.

In fact everyone I come across has been SOOO thoughtful its lovely. My faith in human nature is definitely restored and enforced when I come across all these kindhearted people.

I'll stop now before I begin to sound like a disney advert.........

No gym today!

I have just done part of the Cheltenham Circular Challenge today instead of going to the gym.

Mum was doing it as a sponsored walk and I decided to do it for moral support and to give myself an indicator of how my training is going..........We did 6 miles in about 2.5hours - not bad considering our combined age was probably easily over 150! (there were 3 of us mums not THAT old!)

Anyway it was a lovely day - not too hot and no rain this year! and I got to try out some of the clothes and kit Ive bought and it was good. Perhaps now I know the route I'll try it again running and see how quickly I can do it!

Get it out there

Ive just added the event to my local radio stations "charity events" sections so hopefully some extra people will hear about it and maybe register to do it too or sponsor me. You never know!
Severn Sound, Star Radio and Wyvern Radio.
I have a few more ideas but I'll see how they go first!

I forgot again!

Sorry!, I forgot to put a post up last night. I managed to make it to the gym although I only swam (the spin class still completely tires me out!). Did about 12 lengths and then some with just arms so I felt pretty good about it.

Tried the steam room for the first time - its like being dropped into a jar of Vicks and put in a microwave - absolutely disgusting - wont be trying that again soon!! I'll just stick to the sauna.

My countdown timer is beginning to worry me - its nearly in double figures as opposed to treble!
I think I need to rethink my training plan again and take it up a gear or I'll never be able to do the distances (I seem to be stuck at about 10kms and I need to double that!). I'll talk to the nice guys at the gym and see what they think.................watch this space.

Spin me around again

Aaaggghhhhh. Well at least my fingers still work enough to type! What can I say the class is pure agony for 45 minutes and this week I feel like I really pushed myself and now muscles I didnt even know I had hurt!

I had a meeting today in Taunton for the parent support group Im part of and being able to get involved, doing the website and talking about the issues that effect the patients and their carers just reminds me why Im going to do this so I guess I can cope with a bit of discomfort.

In the big scheme of things its not a big deal to do the challenge and I appreciate that "wakeup call" every now and then it reminds me that my husband, my children and all my family and friends are the reason for living and the rest is just wrapping - nice but not the best bit!

If anyone ever said can you think of something good that came out of your daughter having leukaemia, Id have to say, although Id rather it hadnt happened every time, since I cant have that, the best thing is - now we know EXACTLY whats important and what and who we dont want to do without. And thats something that very few people get so we're lucky.

Nothing like concerted exercise to get you all philosophical...................................... I'll be wondering if LA Fitness is really there once I leave next!

Oops I forgot....

I forgot to put an entry on for last night! I went to the gym after walking about 3 miles with mum during the day! Ran , cycled and rowed another 9km at the gym and then had to come home as I was absolutely knackered.

There were lots of banners for CLIC up in the entrance when I went in and when I read the sign they are raising money as a member of the gym has a child who has just been diagnosed. I felt I had to say something so left my email in case they wanted to get in touch - hope its passed on.

It always hits me when I come across someone else who is going through it all. I desperately want to help them but actually when I think about people I met early on you dont really believe what they tell you as you cant take it in - but maybe the fact that I still remember what they said does mean it helped after all so I'll carry on giving my email - if they want to get in touch they can, if not Im sure they will be surrounded by lots of people who love and care for them who will support them.

Let the cycling begin!

Ive done it! Ive bought the mountain bike. Quite scarily it took me ages to make up my mind - talk about choices. Rear suspension? Dual suspension? Disk brakes? Aluminium? Steel? Go- faster stripes? Coffee machine? Web cam for the handle bars?.......ok ok so the last few weren't options but honestly it was more stressful than buying a house!
Anyway the upshot is.......... I will now need to ride it! so this week I will mostly be riding my bike instead of going to the gym!
This weekend Im also walking between 7 and 12 miles on a sponsered walk my mum is doing for CLIC ( -The Cheltenham Circular Challenge) All good training and hopefully it wont be as wet as last year when we all grew gills!

Sinking or Swimming?

Well, I swam last night as I was still too achey from the spin class to do anything else without falling over!
I can certainly do a lot more exercise than before I started so I must be fitter. I am a little worried that I wont be fit enough for the challenge though. Time will tell I suppose.

Another Spin Class

Went to my spin class again. Boy is it hard work! It really is a good workout though and this morning everything aches so I must be doing something good! Dare I say Im beginning to enjoy it!?!

A new Slant

I decided today to try a slightly different attack on the training and insted of going to the gym I went into the "Great Outdoors".
In the burning hot midday sun I, my mum and my son (in a pushchair, and I might add, asleep for most of it!) walked 5 miles around the suburbs. Its nice to be able to say it was easy although I was really aware that in October I bet its going to be a lot colder!!!
Now if I can just double the distance and half the time...................................

Ouch!

Went to the gym last night. I did all my reps for my arms (So I'll be able to paddle!) and then managed loads of running, cycling, rowing and more running!
I have to say my neck hurts this morning from the weights but suprisingly my legs dont! I had to wait about 5 minutes in the car last night before I could drive as I was so wobbley!

Pool time

Ive been swimming tonight. I did as many lengths as I possibley could and in the end had to stop before I swallowed the entire pool. Its amazing how unco-ordinated you can get when you get tired!
Im really pleased to say that I now have some sponsorship! Yippee! Thank you very much guys its a great start.

Spinning round and round and......................

The spin class is pure hell. I have come to this conclusion after three weeks! But unfortunately it is also probabley the most effective and useful bit of training that Im doing - so it had better stay!
My brother (who does loads of crazy stuff like this challenge, half marathons and marathons!)told me when I started that I'd need to listen to my inner voice when I trained and not the whiney one that tells me it hurts. Well, that whiney voice is using a megaphone at this precise moment!

Earlier today I went to talk to the guys in the cycle shop and they were cautiously helpful. They've offered me a discount and lots of good advice about the type of bike I'll need so Im glad I went.
Im going to aim to talk to the local paper next week and see if I can get some PR sorted and also maybe send out some posters.
Someone asked me what amount of money I wanted to raise today and to be honest I havent even thought about an amount - I just know I want it to be "HUGE". Not much to ask for now is it!

Water therapy

I decided to try something else today after last nights disasters!
I spent about an hour in the pool. Lots of lengths including some with just legs and some with just arms. Boiled in the sauna for 5 minutes and that was me done. Now Im home I ache so it must have been worth it!
The sponsorship finally went live today so Im hoping that I will soon be on the way to making loads of money for CLIC.

But then again........

Went to the gym tonight. What can I say - it was a crap night.

The new exercise plan hurts like a hell, all the machines were taken (monday nighters - weekenders with a guilty conscience!) and in the weights room I think you could call me the "lightweight"!

To add insult to injury when I drove home I was divebombed by the dumbest pair of baby pigeons on the planet - and now they're not (on the planet!).

I had no way to stop as I had a car behind me and unfortunately amid a flurry of feathers they exited this world taking pieces of my radiator cover with them. End to a perfect evening!

Thankfully I managed to miss the rabbits further up the road! I suppose it could have been worse though - I could have been on a mountain bike!

Its ok I've got a plan!

Just got back from the gym. I decided I needed a new plan as some of the old one was getting easy but also because I want to strengthen my knee which Im a bit worried about! (The new plan is at the bottom of the page - if you're interested)

So.......I saw lovely Sheryl again (although after some of her hideous additions to my routine Im not so sure shes still lovely?!). No, kidding aside, she has done it again and I know I'll be moving forward if I can get my head around the routine and practice it all the time! Shes given me loads more exercises that will help me paddle the kyack (oh, canoe you know what I mean!) and if I can balance long enough I should be able to strengthen my knee for the cycling.

I told her Id done 2 spin classes and I know shes dead impressed! I think shes taking one soon.............no way Im doing one of hers though its her favourite exercise!

I had a go on one of the low impact running machines (Ive forgotten what you call them) - very weird but maybe a good idea for this week as I push my knee with the new exercises.

My fundraising goes live on the webpage on Tuesday so Im all excited and will have to link it up to here if I can figure it out.

Watch this space.................................................

Thursday night

Managed another night at the gym. Did 20 minutes on the treadmill - mostly running - not a great distance but at least Im upping my stamina. Aslo managed some rowing although my legs really ache from the spin class yesterday.

Ive been in contact with a local bike shop today and will go to talk to them on Tuesday next week about maybe getting some help with getting a good bike for the challenge. I hope they can help.

I want to publicise the event soon so that we can get as much money as possible for CLIC they have provided so much help I honestly dont know how we would have got through it all without them.

There was a CLIC nurse who is just fantastic. They see the children all the way through their treatment and beyond. They are the ones the children trust and they are the ones who know you as a family. She visited us at home every week during treatment saving weekly trips to the hospital for blood tests. She also introduced new procedures to our daughter which meant she was not so worried about them. She also talked through everything with us, listened to our endless questions and worries and supported us.

They are funded by the charity even though they work from the hospital and without them most of the children would spend a LOT longer in hospital. In some parts of the country they cover huge distances, like down in Cornwall or over Exmoor.

They deserve funding without a doubt and CLIC now do that throughout the UK and it costs loads of money. Alot of the hospitals wont fund the nurses themselves so we need to keep that money available and so thats why Im going to run, cycle, paddle, limp and proabley swear my way around the course for your money!

Ooh Yes!!

Went to my second spin class today and ..........managed to do the whole class and just had to do ordinary cycling for the last 5-10 minutes maybe. Good huh?! Boy can I feel it now though. It must be doing something seriously good for my butt and legs because every muscle below my waist hurts!..... No actually my abs hurt too!

I was sooo glad I took the towel this time - it says its good for weight loss on the LA Fitness website and they're not kidding. If I ever get to the stage where I can do this class without it hurting I will know one of two things - Im either seriously fit or dead!

Im getting excited about it getting to June now. My sponsership goes live on June 1st and then I have to get £300 before I can do the event so I will have to get organised and start begging people. Its then that I will find out more about the challenges as well so that will be good.

Anyway Im off to have a shower before I sieze up completely. Its half term so I need to be able to keep the kids entertained tomorrow. Theyve had 2 days of full-on playing in soft play areas and leisure centres so I figure maybe lots of walking tomorrow to keep them tired out. They are being so good its been really nice to watch them all together. As they grow up their own little characters are really beginning to come out and they have loads of fun (until they get to the stage where they want to kill each other!) but I guess mum can be written "referee" sometimes!

Daily visit

Went to the gym last night - had to wait until the kids were asleep. Its quite weird to train in the evening rather than the morning but I'll get used to it.

Didnt get much done last night as I have a bit of a cold (courtesy of the kids!) so I was sweating buckets and really tired.
Managed to increase my time and distance on the bike and treadmill though and managed a good time for the rower.

I have spin class tonight - lets hope I can do a little better than last week. Still dont want to push my knee too much though as it is complaining more at the moment.

Have to try and source a mountain bike this week sometime.

Met a canoeist yesterday who gave me details of a good place to go and train where I can hire the canoe. Will try to get that sorted one day after the kids are back at school.

Spent the afternoon with some families of children on treatment for cancer and leukeamia or in remission. The kids get to run around with some great play leaders who tire them all out playing games and we all get to chat. It was really good to see everyone and catch up on all the news. Everyone was so positive about my challenge I came away really encouraged whereas the day before had been a hard day so its great to have their support.

We had a good laugh at the pictures they'd taken of the Dragon Boat races from a few weeks ago. Some of the dads and doctors and nurses had all dressed up as a wedding party to raise money for CLIC - lovely dresses lads!

Weekend training

Well, I missed out Saturday as it was a family celebration (Ruby anniversary for my in-laws!) but I have managed to drag myself to the gym this afternoon. I need to after all the food we had yesterday - Thank you Cafe Rouge!

It was a beautiful day yesterday, sunshine and a warm wind and then today.........rainy and cold - typical bank holiday weekend weather I guess.

I did 2km on the bike, 2km running and then 2.5km on the rower. Its funny but when it begins to hurt I only have to think about chemo and I can find an extra bit (- remembering childbirth seems to have the same effect too - who says women dont have an advantage ha!ha!)

I was looking at a bike shop website yesterday evening and Im even thinking about doing a duathlon in July that they had a link to. I figure it would be a good indication of where I am in terms of training. I cant quite believe that 2 weeks into training Im considering doing an event like this. Its quite cool to be getting back into training. I definitely have more energy (which with three kids is always a bonus!). It is a bit of a nightmare organising the training though, or will be as Da is about to go abroad working for a few weeks. Hopefully he will be able to see a difference when he comes back though!

It was a good idea to put the countdown on the blog. Keeps me focused - or for focused read terrified!

Back in the gym

Ive been swimming and done 2.5km on the rower this morning. Enjoyed my day off yesterday I must admit but its good to get going again.
Beginning to think about the event now.

The day after....

Im not as bad as I thought I was going to be - which is nice!


Had to roll out of bed but have been upright ever since - so couldve been worse!

My knees still work and haven't swollen up .

I think I'll have a rest day today - well as much as you can with kids and it being the last week of term!

My first Spin Class!

I have just come back from my first spin class - yeah! I hear you cry........well one small set back...I couldnt actually get my bum off the saddle without my "dodgey" knee giving way ........BUT on the plus side I managed 45 minutes cycling (and thats after warming up with 2km on the ordinary gym bikes and 1km on the rower!). The class was great - really loud dance music pumping out, some serious sweating and lots of shouting! I will have to remember two things if I go next week - take a towel and a bigger bottle of water!

I dont think my knee is going to be as much of a set back as I thought at the time as it doesnt feel too bad now. I will have to get my programme changed tomorrow though so that it includes some serious knee strengthening exercises so I am well prepared before the challenge.

The last thing I need is to have a dodgey leg again. For those of you who dont know we're talking about a Duke of Edinburgh expedition that "went bad" ! and I ended up with a broken leg just under my knee cap and lots of ligament damage, plaster and crutches for months and loads of physio. But that was back in the mists of time and it hasnt caused too many problems over the years just had to be a bit careful thats all.

I got in the car to go home, switched on the radio and they were playing "Thats life" which I thought was pretty apt. I think someone up there is trying to tell me to "quit whining and get on with it". So onward and upward..................

Waiting for water

Just come back from the gym although since I didnt get back from Bath til this afternoon I decided to just go swimming. Of course I forgot to check the schedule for the pool and so when I got there at 7.10pm I then had to wait until 7.45pm when the aquarobics session finished!
Serves me right for not checking I guess......but I used the sauna and am actaully quite proud that I didnt take the easy option and use the fact that I needed to go to the supermarket on the way home as an excuse to go before they had finished.
As it was I had a really good workout doing lengths with just legs and just arms and some sprint lengths so now Im achey and maybe just a little bit nearer my goal!

On the move again!

Hi from a very sunny Webbington Hotel nr Yeovil and Bath. Im visiting hospitals for The Hub - the South West paediatric cancer and leukaemia support group that Im a member of. (check out the website link at the bottom of the page!). Ive been to Yeovil this morning and Bath tomorrow. I have lots of work to do on the website but I thought Id get some training in first.


I have used the gym and pool and although Im really pleased that Ive managed to beat my time for the 5000m on the rower by 5 minutes I cant help thinking about the fact that it is only 5000m....... Im going to be doing a h*** of a lot more than that for the challenge. I just have to keep it up I guess and see what happens its not like I want to do the fastest time I just want to finish it and make lots of cash for CLIC.


My eldest daughter is being very supportive - she had strict instructions at the start to tell me to go to the gym even when I think of an excuse or whinge.......and she is REALLY enjoying it! It always makes me smile to hear her telling me off (I mean encouraging me!).


I had the day off yesterday as apparently you should have a rest day when training.... and she and I went to Starbucks - my concession was to order a "Skinny latte" and although she opted for doughnuts (they come in 3s - they're very small!!!) she took great delight in saying (loudly);

"you can only have one mummy because you're training so Id better eat the other one"

Anyway Id better get on as I need to get this information out on the web or its no use to anyone!

Todays visit

I managed to go to the gym again today! Had to wait until 8am though - practically mid-morning in our household but there you go I guess even the super-fit gym guys need a lie in at the weekend!

I did loads of cycling and all 5000m on the rower - nearly killed me but as its not really very far when you work it out in miles!..........thought Id better get on with it!

I then went swimming - a little un-coordinated in the pool but still managed 4 lengths before flaking out completely.

I think I'll need to buy a mountain bike soon and ride to the gym?! Scary thought.

Another day at the gym

Im quite pleased as I managed to go to the gym again today at 6.30am!

A big THANK-YOU to my husband and children for supporting me and doing stuff like getting the kids breakfasts, getting into school uniform (the kids not my husband!) and generally getting on without me. (I expect secretly they enjoy it).

So.....this morning I went through my entire training schedule Sheryl wrote for me AND I managed to do 5 minutes running on the treadmill at the end!

It has to be said my shoulders really ache but the rest isnt too bad at all. Im really suprising myself by being able to do ab curls and even some squats!
I think perhaps I need to speed up or up the resistance perhaps.......and of course there is the small matter of not being able to run anywhere near 2 miles let alone 7.5miles followed by mountain biking for miles and kyaking for a few more!

Swimming

Just a quick note - managed 12 lengths this morning 6.30am!! and a nice rainy morning too.
Ho hum.

A beautiful day.....

It has truly been a beautiful day today, kids have been cute, weather has been glorious and then ......I went to the gym!
I had every intention of going to my first Spin class - for those of you not in the know its a class you take in a room full of exercise bikes the idea being that you all copy the instructor sprinting etc (I had to ask!)
Unfortunately for some reason my optimism seems to have deserted me and suffering a large lack of self confidence when I looked in through the window and saw all the "fitter than me" people in the room I chickened out!
In my defence I then beat myself up about it while I did 6500m on the rower and spent 15 minutes on the bike - both on a harder setting than I was supposed to!
Suprisingly I think Im going to find it quite emotional doing this. When it hurt today I found myself thinking of all the chemo our daughter went through and I think that will be a really good way to make myself get on with it although perhaps with some tears. (Maybe next time I'll be able to think of that when I need to walk into the spin room - at least I dont have to cope with having no hair) - compared to her attitude during her treatment Im severely lacking today ! I'll make sure I do better next time and stop whinging.

Feeling very self rightous!

Today Im amazed that I dont feel worse to be honest. I was shattered last night and really stiff after spending a few hours doing this blog so I expected to need at least a gallon of coffee, a few paracetamol and maybe a hoist this morning.....but no I fairly hopped out of bed.

Ive been in Barnstaple all day though and the hours in the car have identified a few pains in my legs and bum!
But.....and I think I need a fanfare......I have just used the hotel gym for weights exercises I learnt yesterday and some running on a treadmill (admittedly only 1 km in 10 minutes! but hey Im not worried I have 16 weeks.) Its a good thing this doesnt come with a webcam because that was a very worried look. AND then I went for a swim (10 lengths!).
Good start I think.

Aaagghhh!

Ok its official I am seriously unfit!.......but I have 16 weeks so there is always hope.

I have just spent an uncomfortable hour with a lovely lady called Sheryl at LA Fitness and with her help Ive even managed to come out of there a) walking b) talking and most importantly quite optimistic and a bit physched up to "do this thang".
It was great I have a fitness plan that hurt ( but not too much) and I have to go to spin classes!

So roll on October I'll be ready for it..................but for now Im ready for a bath.

The first step!

Well here we are.............. Im about to go to the gym for my first 1-2-1.So wish me luck and when I come back (if I still have the use of my limbs and the will to live) then I will write up all about it!