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....