Saturday, 19 April 2008
Here we are again..
well we did say 'never say never' and here we are again. One year on and the family team is complete. Check out the progress for 2008 here
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Well, only 3 weeks to go to the big bike ride. Did 50 miles today with full panniers into a strong headwind.............do hope the weather settles soon. The thought of 21 days of wind and rain is just a bit too much.
You can read all about my trip as it happens on this site.
Justgiving - 4 Compass Points Cycle
Wish me luck!!
You can read all about my trip as it happens on this site.
Justgiving - 4 Compass Points Cycle
Wish me luck!!
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Thank You
Well.....still in one piece, more or less. Worryingly I actually sort of enjoyed it for a change.... apart from that atrocious rain at the end.A great big thank you to everyone for their good wishes and sponsorship......it really is appreciated.
OK...off to train for the big cycle ride now....hope this rain stops before August!!
Monday, 25 June 2007
We did it!
Well its all over and the team have finally achieved what we set out to do. The official results are on the Highland Cross website but suffice to say we are all well chuffed to have conquered the hill at Allt Grannda,
braved the yellow brick road, and battled the horrendous biking weather (torrential rain and a head wind as reported by the winning lady on "Radio Scotland" this morning!). I made my target of getting across the finish line before Mum but it was a close call, my lack of cycling expertise was nearly my downfall as she was half an hour faster than me on the bike! Thankfully the running conditions were nearly perfect and I managed a cracking time on the run that I am very proud of and managed to get me far enough ahead that she couldnt catch me :O)
The whole day was an amazing experience from beginning until end. The camaradarie along the route was brilliant with runners and walkers all supporting each other. I started slowly - knowing that it takes me a while to warm up, this left me a little further back than I maybe would have liked for the hill climb and as it was single track there was no option but to walk along with the others walking in front. However in retrospect this was probably a good thing as I kept my energy and was able to speed up over the flatter bits later on and start making my way through the field. It was lovely to see my Dad at the bridge at Athnamulloch where he captured this shot.. and I finally passed Mum about another couple of miles after that. Much to our surprise the weather held nice dry and cloudy for the whole foot section, so it was in a bouyant mood I reached the bike change over. I opted like many others not to put on a waterproof when changing into the bike gear and set off only to discover soaking wet roads and heavy rainfall one mile further down the road. After 6 miles I had determined that the best way to warm up was to finish quicker, after 12 miles I didnt dare stop as my hands had seized up to the extent I couldnt move my fingers to control the brakes or gears and was resorting to using my fists and sucking my fingers to get the feeling back, after that it was just sheer stubborness that got me to the finish line. We were all in the same boat though (no pun intended!) so support as other more experienced bikers passed the slower ones was always forthcoming, and the steadfast support from the frozen folk on the side of the road was much appreciated. Never before has a finish line been such a welcome sight as we crossed over like drowning rats in search of dry land. A truly memorable moment. Well done to everyone who finished, and a huge thanks to the support teams. I cant even describe how honoured I feel to have been a participant of such a wonderful event. So would I do it again - well... never say never!
braved the yellow brick road, and battled the horrendous biking weather (torrential rain and a head wind as reported by the winning lady on "Radio Scotland" this morning!). I made my target of getting across the finish line before Mum but it was a close call, my lack of cycling expertise was nearly my downfall as she was half an hour faster than me on the bike! Thankfully the running conditions were nearly perfect and I managed a cracking time on the run that I am very proud of and managed to get me far enough ahead that she couldnt catch me :O)The whole day was an amazing experience from beginning until end. The camaradarie along the route was brilliant with runners and walkers all supporting each other. I started slowly - knowing that it takes me a while to warm up, this left me a little further back than I maybe would have liked for the hill climb and as it was single track there was no option but to walk along with the others walking in front. However in retrospect this was probably a good thing as I kept my energy and was able to speed up over the flatter bits later on and start making my way through the field. It was lovely to see my Dad at the bridge at Athnamulloch where he captured this shot.. and I finally passed Mum about another couple of miles after that. Much to our surprise the weather held nice dry and cloudy for the whole foot section, so it was in a bouyant mood I reached the bike change over. I opted like many others not to put on a waterproof when changing into the bike gear and set off only to discover soaking wet roads and heavy rainfall one mile further down the road. After 6 miles I had determined that the best way to warm up was to finish quicker, after 12 miles I didnt dare stop as my hands had seized up to the extent I couldnt move my fingers to control the brakes or gears and was resorting to using my fists and sucking my fingers to get the feeling back, after that it was just sheer stubborness that got me to the finish line. We were all in the same boat though (no pun intended!) so support as other more experienced bikers passed the slower ones was always forthcoming, and the steadfast support from the frozen folk on the side of the road was much appreciated. Never before has a finish line been such a welcome sight as we crossed over like drowning rats in search of dry land. A truly memorable moment. Well done to everyone who finished, and a huge thanks to the support teams. I cant even describe how honoured I feel to have been a participant of such a wonderful event. So would I do it again - well... never say never!
Sunday, 17 June 2007
Easy last few days
Nice easy 14 mile walk with Jan and Poppy yesterday. We'd taken the van across to the West coast for a long weekend so our stroll was hill and track from Reraig on Loch Alsh to Plockton on Loch Carron and return. Pleasant pause for fresh seafood and real ale at lunchtime (will they have that on the Cross?). This Wednesday I'm organising SNH's Bike2Work rides. For me that'll involve about 22 miles across the Aird and back. Buck's fizz & stirrup cups as we meet colleagues en-route. That'll do me for my final week of training. Still nervous about the foot section - but it can't hurt that much can it????
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
Dont mean to panic anyone in the team but it was 10 days to go today, so that means tomorrow we are down to single figures on the countdown. HELP!
Had a serious panic that Id overdone it over the weekend when I was still hurting even up to last night, but I finally seem to have got the feeling back in my muscles today and managed a gentle jog at lunchtime. Lets hope some careful tapering will leave me strong enough for the big day.
On a cheerful note, theres good news - we've hit a fundraising milestone. Well done team, and a big THANKS to those of you who have sponsored us already.
If you've not got round to it, its not too late. Please click on the 'make a donation' button or get in touch with one of us directly to get your name on the list. Your support is really helping - with last minute nerves.. its good to know there are so many people rooting for us (or is that you just feel sorry for our mental state?!)
Also good to hear Mums foot is on the mend.. I do hope she is being provided with plenty of grapes! I would post some North but suspect they wont travel well :O)
Had a serious panic that Id overdone it over the weekend when I was still hurting even up to last night, but I finally seem to have got the feeling back in my muscles today and managed a gentle jog at lunchtime. Lets hope some careful tapering will leave me strong enough for the big day.
On a cheerful note, theres good news - we've hit a fundraising milestone. Well done team, and a big THANKS to those of you who have sponsored us already.
If you've not got round to it, its not too late. Please click on the 'make a donation' button or get in touch with one of us directly to get your name on the list. Your support is really helping - with last minute nerves.. its good to know there are so many people rooting for us (or is that you just feel sorry for our mental state?!)
Also good to hear Mums foot is on the mend.. I do hope she is being provided with plenty of grapes! I would post some North but suspect they wont travel well :O)
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