Forgetting to Blog

OK so my plan of keeping my blog updated for the Budapest Marathon didn't happen!  I've been busy over the last few months but the good news is that I did complete the!  And I loved it.  I would thoroughly recommend the race to anyone - wonderful sights and architecture around the city, great support from the crowds and a reasonably flat/fast course.  I didn't get the best time (3.47) but I was still delighted - I just enjoyed it and felt good.  I'm looking forward to my next marathon already.

I was going to bore you all with my training runs, not following a specific plan but running off road where I could, a mix of tempo, interval and hill sessions where I built my long runs up to 23 miles.  I was going to bore you with my diet where I tried to take reasonable care to eat well -  well balanced meals every day, a combination of complex carbs, plenty fruit and veg and lean protein (and some protein shakes for after particularly hard sessions).  Of course, there were days were I was ravenous and days I dined out and ate treats - but hey, it works for me.  I also allowed myself a wee treat of a cocktail or glass of pinot grigio now and then.  Well, if it works for Paula Radcliffe, it's good enough for me!

So count yourself lucky that you didn't need to read paragraphs on my weekly running escapades up into the countryside, my new recipes I've tried out or my new passion for yoga that I've been telling anyone who will listen (it's amazing, I love it!)  But below is a wee photograph summary of what I've been up to -

MOKBIKE - 70 miles around Kintyre.  The boys were kind enough to get off their bikes on the last section to help repair Jen's bike!

Been trying out various fishy dishes, yum!  Stuart's speciality :-)

Long walks with friends at the gauldrons in the brilliant weather

Captured some amazing skies

Completed the Great Scottish Run gaining a PB of 45 mins and Stuart coming 23rd!!

Celebrating with TGI cocktails with Mum and Sis who both completed the Great Scottish Run too - go Team McKillop!

Not got many photos from Budapest (Stuart does somewhere!) but I kept my Marathon medal on to celebrate with a beer afterwards.  Stuart for some reason was somewhat disappointed with his amazing 10k time and came 6th!!

We spent a few days sightseeing, spa'ing, river cruising and wine tasting in Budapest - beautiful city

October, honestly!  Macharioch Beach with toasted marshmallows

Trying out new trail runs, looking out over Largiebaan Cliffs in the October break

The boys had some fun at Southend playpark after some cake at Muneroy

Taking Laila a wee walk at Dunaverty

School trip to the World Championships Gymnastics at the Hydro

My 'effort' at baking for the Great Beatson Bake Off where we raised £240!! Delighted - thanks to all who helped

We had some frightening family visitors at Halloween.....

And some tiny ones too!

Stuart win's the Tin Farm 5 race at Ormsary!  Cracking day out and superb run.

And it's now November and it's dark outside.  The wind is howling today and it's pouring.  So, winter training begins.  So let's kick it off with a 4 mile obstacle race that is affectionately known as MACC CHALLENGE!!  All of the obstacles are in place, refreshments organised and entrants ready - we're good to go!  See you all there....

Holidays are Over!

Despite the lack of sunshine in Scotland over the summer, I had a great holiday.  I could hardly complain with 7 weeks off!  You would think I had plenty of time to keep up with my blog but I kept myself busy and packed in lots of activities over the summer months.  Nevertheless, I was really glad to get back to work - I missed it!  However, I've struggled to get back into routine and still in 'holiday mentality'!  So enough is enough, the holidays are over!

Here are some of the highlights from my summer break - 

5 ferries challenge - over 70 miles and 5 ferries in 1 day (and the Arran Whisky Music festival!)

Obviously the 5 ferries had to be followed by cocktails!

Sunning myself on the decking.  Little did I know it would be the only afternoon of sun....

Cheering on the CRC rafters at the RNLI raft race on Campbeltown Loch

Sting and Paul Simon Live at the SSE Hydro - even more amazing than the food in Fanny Trollopes beforehand

Running Ben Lomond for our 8th wedding anniversary (after running out of fuel getting there!)

Stuart winning the inaugural Carradale 10k!  (I even got 3rd senior lady too)

One of my friends and PT clients Gerri celebrating after completing the Carradale 5k.  And having an awesome burger before cycling home

Gigha with the nieces.  And a lovely lunch at the Boathouse

Picnic at Machrihanish after finally running up to Killypole Loch

Taking my new wheels a spin with James and his new wheels.  MOK lighthouse followed by Muneroy :-0

Cappuccinos with Mum at Bellochantuy

Walking the Cobbler on a Saturday afternoon with besties and Mia!

View from near the top of Ben Arthur

We enjoyed a wee drink and some good grub at the George afterwards

The Waverley came to town!  It was so late though the girls and I decided to go for coffee and cake instead of a trip

Beach walks on Westport

Saddell selfie after a rainy cycle

Stuart wins the 2 mile Inveraray Highland Games!

Jen and I travel to India for lots of sightseeing.  We were 'celebrities' everywhere we went

We visited the Taj Mahal at 5.30 am to beat the crowds.  We then ran to the Red Fort instead of using the traditional guides or rickshaws!

The CRC gang travelled to Islay for the half marathon where Stuart WON!

Stuart showing off his 'little' prize for 1st place

Jen and I a bit bewildered at being on the winning podium for MOKTRI

Celebrating with cocktails after MOKTRI

Kelpies selfie!

We cycled down the canal path to the Falkirk Wheel

Enjoying a beer and a Mai Thai whilst visiting Ryan in Aberdeen

Breakfast at a beach cafe

Walking off the breakfast!

Meeting the 'Peach's' at Ballater Highland Games

Beautiful day at Ballater but exhausted after the 5k hill race

We stayed at Carnoustie Golf Club Hotel for a night

Ran along the beach as the sun was setting, worked up an apetite for our 3 course feast at the hotel...

We ditched the bikes and walked around St Andrews for the morning

Stuart is back on the podium for the Tarbert 10k

With the absence of all the usual suspects I crept up on the podium again too!

Family celebration dinner out at the Ugadale.  Lovely meal and company but very slow to get food!  

Sunday cycle round the Kilberry loop with the cycle group followed by great grub at Ardrishaig

Stuart tries to shelter from some of the rain at the Oban Highland Games.  Tough races but good day out where our youngsters picked up lots of prizes and had fun.

Toasting marshmallows with the girls after Catriona's birthday bbq

So.... it's time to get back into serious training (the Budapest Marathon is only 6 weeks away) and improve my nutrition (in other words lose a bit of holiday weight!)  Midweek barbecues, pizzas, chocolate and wine have to go.  Well, at least cut down!  I hope by reinstating this blog it will motivate me to stay on track....