Taking the Challenge

In less than a week the MACC challenge is full! Congratulations if you are 1 of the 100 entrants that have signed up for a muddy assault course which will hopefully raise money for the Kidney Dialysis fundraising in Campbeltown - please get sponsored, forms are on www.campbeltownrunningclub.com 

If you didn't manage to get a place don't fret, you can still get in on the action by marshaling, helping, sponsoring or even just spectating on the day... There might even be an opportunity to soak participants ;-) Thanks to everyone who has helped so far and donated goodies - rope, netting, tyres, logs, hay etc VERY much appreciated! 

That weekend looks like it will be a great weekend for Campbeltown with the lights switch on, a big Xmas fayre and market in Springbank malt barns and even an ice rink in Burnside Square! I can't wait! 

So... with only 2 weeks until our China charity trek and the rest of my weekends filled with races or courses it was time today to get out to MACC to create some obstacles!!

James and David at one of the 'easy' obstacles created

Having fun with fermer David :-)

David's tractor cut a pathway for the first part of the route

The Challenge Is On

It has been a monumental week in Scotland with the independence referendum debate engaging 85% of our population to stand up to allow their opinion to be counted, voting in what was a tense and tight ballot that lead to a 'no' majority.  Despite your political views, democracy was in action yesterday and everyone should respect that. I hope that now everyone can move on and unite together in trying to make Scotland a better place.  There is no point in being bitter, arguing or fighting.  We may not be independent but every single one of us can make a difference in making this wonderful, beautiful country even better than it already is.  And by voting, we showed that we all cared about Scotland.  And we CAN make a difference.

So what can we do?  We can do anything we want to.  We can be nice to each other.  We can help each other.  We can volunteer.  We can make our voices heard.  We can care.  We can make more time for family and friends.  We can work harder.  We can help local causes.  There are so many things, tiny things, that people can do to make change happen!

You may have heard of the Kidney Dialysis fundraising appeal for Campbeltown Hospital.  Some locals in the area have to make the long, tiring journeys up to the Vale of Leven Hospital 3 times per week for dialysis as this is not provided in the town.  The rest of their week they spend recovering.  This isn't fair!  They should have the equipment locally and a committee have formed to help make that happen and big respect to them!  

To try and help them (even in a tiny way), James (Creamy) Murdoch and I along with the support of Campbeltown Running Club and Machrihanish Airbase Community Company are organising the MACC Challenge.  A 4 mile obstacle course race in the grounds of the former US military site in Kintyre where participants will face around 20 obstacles and lots of mud on Saturday 29th November.  With a £20 entry fee you will certainly be put through your paces and rewarded with a tshirt, medal and refreshments but also help with raising funds for the Kidney Dialysis appeal so you will be doing something worthwhile.  We would also love if every person could raise a few pounds in sponsorship so that the group will have enough money by the start of 2015 to set up a unit in Campbeltown Hospital.  And if jumping over hay bales, crawling through trenches or cargo nets isn't up your cup of tea then why not volunteer to help or marshal?  We'll be needing a team of people to help out and we would be grateful to anyone who would become involved - just give us a shout!  

Can you see him?  James in one of our obstacles....

Do you dare take the challenge?  Go on, we all could make a difference - and have some fun :-) www.entrycentral.com/maccchallenge

Highland Fling

The West Highland Way gave me a taste of the Scottish Highlands and I wanted some more...  This weekend's destination was Crianlarich, Portnellan, and it didn't disappoint.

My husband and I met up with some of our best friends and their families in the tranquil countryside a few miles North of Tyndrum to stay in beautiful self catering cottages and lodges.   The accommodation had the most wonderful views over the hills and lochs, with not much nearby it was fantastic for a peaceful retreat but with plenty of roads, tracks, canoes and forestry paths to keep me amused.  The owner of Portnellan lodges, Cameron, was a keen triathlete and was extremely welcoming.  He took the time to chat to us, show us route maps and chit chat about training in the area.

Just one of the fantastic views at Portnellan on a wee afternoon walk

A hilly 10 mile run on the Saturday morning as the sun split the blue sky sweated out the mojitos and fajitas from the evening before and rewarded us with magnificent view over to Ben More and the loch below.  Loch Katrine was only a short drive away so we headed there en-mass, hangovers in tow, where we dined and had a tour on the Sir Walter Scott.  The banter and drinks flowed later into the evening after a bbq but finished slightly earlier than the night before since many of us were still a tad fragile and I clumsily spilled hot chai tea all over me (maybe too much ginger beer for me!!)

Loch Katrine on the Sir Walter Scott

Sunday morning was a 22 mile flattish bike ride into Killin to see the stunning Falls of Darroch.  With hardly a soul about it was a lovely cycle to clear the mind and take in the scenery.  Perfect timing to arrive back with my husband making breakfast for the group, my favourite scrambled eggs and toast for me, followed by a little canoe in the loch before making the drive back to Kintyre.  A brilliant weekend.

It was all a bit too much fun for Stuart.  Afternoon nap required.

I'd definitely recommend the area, perfect for outdoor activities or just relaxing with friends and family.  Check out Portnellan's website if you fancy a Highland Fling!

Compression Socks: Training Tool or Torture Implement?!

Ouch!

I haven't worn these bad boys since my marathon training - compression socks!  Wowza, mine are tight!  It doesn't help I've got big calves but they did help ease off some strain I had in my lower legs.  They aid recovery after a hard run or workout.  However,  remember to take them off after a max of a few hours or they may cut off circulation!!

View from the mast

With only 6 weeks until the China trek, Mairi and I have tried to fit in some hill walking on top of our normal fitness training so as it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon we walked up to the mast again where we got spectacular views over the town.  Afterwards, we were treated to meeting Willie Henderson - a Scotland and Rangers FC legend.  He was at the Burnside Bar where he was carrying out fundraising for Cervical Cancer.  It was lovely to meet him - he was a total gent.  He informed us the unfortunate story of how his daughter, Michelle, died at the young age of 28 from the disease.  Such a sad story but it was inspirational.  Since then he has tried to raise funds (now over £130,000) to give equipment to hospitals to treat the illness as well as raise vital awareness of how to prevent it such as urging all women to get screened.  He was delighted to hear that we were fundraising for a similar cause and wished us all the best - even giving us his contact details to stay in touch.

It was an honour to meet Willie Henderson on Sunday

Ever Presents John and Darren

It was the final SKSC 5k race series on Tuesday, organised by CRC - a flat course around Campbeltown Loch.  It went extremely well with about 40 people taking part.  It's handicapped by time (thank goodness) so it's open for any ability to win.  The 5 races of the series took place in different locations around Kintyre and different terrains.  I found the flattest ones the hardest!  My time was 23.40 which isn't anywhere near a PB and my legs felt heavy.  However, I did enjoy it and I realised my legs are heavy for a reason - possibly over-training with no rest days at all.  I'm going to evaluate my training as I really want to improve.  I'm going to try reduce my fitness classes and see how I do....  My target is a 46 minute 10k by the end of the year.  I think that might be outside my realms but I'm going to go for it.  Well done everyone who took part in the race series, particularly Darren Renton and John Galbraith who has taken part in every SINGLE race since the series started a few years ago.  Impressive.

With only a few weeks until the Mid Argyll Triathlon I finally managed to get back out on my bike, not just in a spin studio!  It was a very enjoyable Sunday morning cycle, stopping off at Glenbarr for a cappucino - perfect.

It's an exciting week in running - it's the biggest half marathon in the world on Sunday, the Great North Run in Newcastle, with the likes of Mo Farrah on the start line.  And my wee sister!  I'm so proud of her - this is a difficult half marathon (jam packed with people and hilly) and only her second after Amsterdam.  Good luck Mazza!  I would have loved to go down to support her but she had planned to stay to celebrate on the Sunday evening but I would've needed to return for work myself so leaving her with the support of Mum, Dad and Joanne.  Mairi will do fantastic, her training has went well and she's even roped my mum into doing an easy 5k the day before to loosen the legs.  Good luck Mum, Mairi, Mo, Joanne, Darren, Alison and anyone else taking part in GNR - I will be watching on the TV :-)