Conquering The Great Wall of China

We did it!  We trekked, walked, ran (and climbed) the Great Wall of China!   I can't believe it's all over - all that fundraising and training over the past 10 months Mairi and I finally came to a conclusion as we climbed the last step of the stairway to heaven on the Great Wall of China last week.  That itself was emotional but having one of our new Scottish friends propose to his girlfriend at the top made us blubbering wrecks!  It was a week of the most glorious, steep, challenging, epic adventure of our lives.  Raising vital funds for the Beatson Cancer Unit (over £3,000 so far) and for Cervical Cancer (Jo's Trust) it was an amazing experience that we will never forget.  Below is just some excerpts of my diary that I kept....

Beijing  After a very long flight with the worst plane food ever (porridge with limp broccoli?!) we arrived in China's capital, Beijing.  With a population of around 24 million and with over 6 million cars, it was a far cry from Glasgow never mind Campbeltown!  The pollution smog was high, so much so you couldn't see far in front of you, and the streets were packed with people, cars and market eateries.  However, we were there on a challenge to run so we ran 3 times in Beijing despite the smog taking in the sights such as the Olympic Park, Forbidden City and even the Beijing Marathon (I'm ever so glad we didn't know this was on as I think we would've been too tempted to enter!) We also visited the Temple of Heaven which was an escape from the bustling crowds where locals congregated to sing, play music, games, knit, play cards and exercise.  It was like an adult playground - with swings, pull up bars, ping pong, keepy ups and tai chi.  Of course, it obviously had it's own tea house where we sampled some of the famous Chinese teas - jasmine, pu'er and jinseng which were all delicious (we are tea lovers) and had to buy some to take home.

Badaling  The first few days on sections around Badaling were my favourite.  Up in the early hours of the morning to see the sunrise over the mountains, we would run in the countryside before a quick shower and packing our rucksacks for the day of trekking and prepare for the cold in the mornings and the heat of the afternoon sun.  We were thrown into some steep and challenging climbs from day 1, with many uneven and large steps, it took us much longer to navigate our way up and down the wall - helping others in the group.  There were some crumbling and unrestored sections at times making it extra tricky to pass.  I found the downhill sections the hardest - choosing to bump down on my bum for some of it.  My legs were shaking at the bottom, reminding me how I felt from coming down from Ben Nevis.  Held 'hostage' in the cold for over an hour made our first day more interesting!  We were thankful of our wonderful Guide Chris who negotiated and spoke to the locals who eventually let us get past to go on to our next lodge for the evening after some calls to the British embassy!  We trekked for 5-6 hours per day on these sections but we also ran 6 miles each day on top of that as part of our personal challenge.  The tops of my thighs were burning for days!

My favourite lunch - after this decline we stopped on the wall for fresh food made by local farmers

Some of our days were forest walking up and around the mountains to get on or come down from the Wall.  There was no clear pathway and we had to scramble through woodlands and over rocks, therefore, lots of scrapes, scratches and bruises for me.  Working as a team, we met some fascinating and inspiring people in our group - all raising funds for various well deserving charities across the UK.  We helped each other and worked together as we scrambled up hillsides, under tree branches and through valleys.

Black Dragon Pools - these sections were to be a bit of a 'recovery' only trekking 5 hours so we awoke early to run through the countryside before our trek through a gorge, up  a mountain before carefully walking down a very thin unrestored part of the wall back down to a reservoir.  

However, we did find some parts of it quite tricky but Mairi and I powered on at the front, even managing to lead the group to a combat session at lunch (and before dinner!)  We were also treated to magnificent views across the beautiful mountains where you could see the wall for miles.

Gubeiko and Jinshanling - some of our longest days trekking where on these sections.  Some of the wall was narrow and crumbling so you had to watch every step.  There was so many steps and hills!  I vowed never to moan about Knockscalbert hill again! 

Mutianyu - this is a reconstructed section of the wall where most tourists near Beijing visit and heads of state are brought.  This was clear to see by the packed buses going up to view it, quite a change from the remote sections we were used to.  There was even a Subway at the bottom where we were given lunch!  1,000 steps to climb before we even got on the wall then it was a further 500 and 2 mile trek to get to the bottom of the 480 heavenly staircase.  We regrouped at the watchtower to take some pictures before tacking our big finish.  I attempted to run this last part and was the first to the top but I didn't break any records!  Of course, we then had over 2000 steps to walk down.  Some opted for the tourist cable car or toboggan down but Mairi and I wanted to finish it as we started - on our feet.

Almost at the finish....

looks disgusting but we devoured it!

Food - What can I say - any hope of us coming back thinner was long forgotten after our first meal!  The food was simply delicious. We are now pros at using chopsticks!  Breakfasts and lunches varied - some boiled eggs, rice, watermelon and sometimes bread.  China doesn't have many cows to graze so there isn't really any dairy products on offer.  Lunches - rice or bread with meat or salad and more boiled eggs.  Lots of nuts and the biggest apples you have ever seen!  We usually stopped at a watchtower for lunch that provided some shade and on one of the days we even stopped off at a local farmhouse where we bought some tea.  Everyday we drank over 2 litres of water from our rucksacks (in water bladders) and supplemented it with even more jasmine tea.  Dinner was served on round tables with 'lazy susans' where Chinese food such as sweet and sour pork, roast duck, stir fry veg, broccoli, pak choi, boiled rice, kung po chicken, beef in green peppers etc would get brought out for us to sample.  It was tastier than any takeaway I've ever had and after a day on the Wall we were ravenous.  There were no desserts (phew) but Mairi and I soon got into a routine of more tea and Chinese tea biscuits before bed.  And we were asleep in minutes - we were exhausted! 

Accommodation - all fine.  Some very basic and some very cold but all 'reasonably' comfortable.  Toilets that were western standards were few and far between - squatting over holes in the ground were normality so anti bacterial gel and tissues were always packed in our day sacks.  Staff at the lodges were always friendly even without any English tried to make our stay welcoming and even treated us to some of their crazy dancing around a bonfire.  And they all could make a good cup of tea so we didn't complain ;-)

I enjoyed everything about our challenge and I would encourage anyone to do something like this at least once in their lives - you can do anything you put your mind to!  I enjoyed the time meeting new people and hearing their inspiring charity stories of why they were there but I also enjoyed the peacefulness of the wall, giving me time to reflect and think.

Thank you to everyone who supported us and sponsored us or came to our fundraising events.  We have raised over £6,000 for the Beatson Cancer Centre and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust already and overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and kindness.  This amount of money can help these charities so much and we are so glad we could do something so enjoyable and rewarding to help them.

Great Scottish Heart

Like 15,000 others I joined in (for about the 8th time) the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow on Sunday and loved every minute (what a lie).  It was a hilly course, my hip has been sore again (excuses thick and fast) and no Personal Best's were set for me but I was pleased with my time of 1.44 and my husband Stuart's amazing time of 1.19 coming in 83rd!!  The rest of our running club members did brilliantly too.  

The start of the Great Scottish Run going up St Vincent Street (the first hill)

However, the most amazing thing was just seeing so many people out there running and supporting the race!  Particularly so many running for charity and raising funds for a variety of worthwhile causes.  It really is very admirable and shows how Scottish people have such kind hearts!  I met up with the Beatson gang after the race who were so kind to give me some water, bananas and some banners to display on 'the wall'.

Just some of the Beatson runners and supporters on Sunday

OK, so now it's time for the Great Wall of 

China!  Bring it on!

Race Rituals

Running on Sunday with my club top and  'racing' trainers

Do you have a race ritual?  I seem to have.... whether it helps me or not, I usually follow the same routine come race day.  Do other people fear if they break their ritual their performance will be hindered?!  What if I don't wear my lucky pants?!!

With it being race season at the moment, I took part in the Mid Argyll Triathlon on Sunday and surprisingly got a PB!  Not sure if it was due to any particular part of my ritual but I never wore my 'lucky necklace' as I usually did.  Maybe it's better without!?

Here is my 'race ritual':

Evening before:

• Organise race clothes the night before (always the same CRC tshirt and favourite Ronhill leggings or More Mile tri suit for triathlons)
• Charge garmin
• Pin on race number
• Attach timing chip if collected (I have always worn my lightweight asics for races this year and I've got some good PBs from them.  Even though they are falling to bits I will wear them this weekend too!)
• Pasta meal (preferably a tomato based sauce with chicken)
• Lots of drinking water is a must
• 8 hours sleep (it's an aim....)

Morning:

• Check weather!
• Nerves kick in
• Get dressed and check all clothing OK (usually put club hoodie on and my favourite joggers to keep warm)
• Panic as can't find ipod
• Panic as realise ipod isn't charged
• Panic as can't find garmin and it's actually in charger
• Breakfast - Porridge and banana.  Toast with peanut butter.  Beetroot juice.  Green tea.  And a coffee WITH sugar.  
• Toilet (sorry but this has to happen!)
• If it's a late start (like Sunday was) then maybe another coffee
• Check garmin for signal
• Warmup
• Toilet (again)
• Get to the start line/pen
• Hopefully some friendly banter with other entrants and wish them all good luck
• GO!

Afterwards, I try to have a protein shake and lots of water.  Then it's time to meet up with other 'racers' - it's the fun bit!  Congratulating them on their times and sharing race stories.  Normally at large races any toonies or club members meet at the family area at the letter C (we'll be there on Sunday at GSR!)  

And whether it be a sprint or a marathon I always have to reward myself with a treat of a nice meal (thai curry or roast dinner is a favourite) as well as a mojito or two :-)

The real reason I run!

Good luck to all racing this weekend - don't break your ritual!

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 :-)