I am about to go away for a couple of weeks on a much needed holiday, but I feel I should write a brief update before I go. After all, those with a keen eye (or who look at my facebook), will realise that we reached our target of £3100 last week. Of course we are not stopping now and have increased our target to £4000, but I do feel a sense of relief being able to go on holiday and not worry about the fundraising side of things.
We held a quiz at work last week and it seemed to go really well. I was stressed to hell and wouldn't have got through it without the aid of some of my colleagues who came to my rescue when I realised just how disorganised I was (I hadn't considered food until the day before), but much fun was had by all (mostly) and it was worth all the stress to get home and realise we were only £60 off our target. One of my favourite people then sponsored us £60 in order to take us to the magic £3100.
Fitness can now take complete priority, which I admit I'm worried about, especially as I'm about to go on holiday and therefore not go to the gym for 2 weeks. Having said that, I am clearly getting stronger because I carried heavy things on the weekend and was proud of myself for my 'butchness', and of course I will be carrying my rucksack around and walking lots while we're in Munich/Zagreb. I keep saying I will keep doing press ups and squats each day while I'm away, but I'm probably kidding myself there...
See you in a couple of weeks. Feel free to carry on sponsoring us while I'm away.
Monday, 24 June 2013
Monday, 17 June 2013
wish you were here
My week so far without Katie has been unrelenting. The next few days promise no let up whatsoever.
Last Tuesday I met up again with Tom, the Personal Trainer, who gave me a programme to help build up my strength. From now on the plan is that I do circuits twice a week (currently involved press ups, pull ups, squats, the plank, step ups etc.) and if everything goes according to plan, a third visit would be spent doing cardio. Of course, on top of that I also have to keep walking up lots of hills and preparing as best I can for September.
All things considered, I think my first session went well. I woke the next morning to my entire body screaming out in pain, which I take as a good sign. They may be simple exercises, but they are exercises I've not really done before, so I was always going to suffer. Life got in the way for the rest of the week and I didn't have plans to return to the gym until the weekend. Sadly, the heavy rain meant I got no hill walking done, and a pulled muscle (crossing a road outside a pub on Saturday night) meant that my plan to go to the gym on Sunday morning had to be abandoned.
I went after work today and managed two circuits (minus the squats which were just hurting my leg too much), before I felt my leg really starting to pull when I began the third circuit with step-ups, so I decided to quit while I was ahead and call it a day. My plan is to take it easy tomorrow and try again on Wednesday. It's hard to find a balance between keeping up the momentum and not making things worse... that's something I have always struggled with.
The good thing is, a lot of the exercises don't require any equipment, so I can do some of them at home, even when I don't have time to go to the gym. It's handy that my flatmate is so short, because I can use the stool from the kitchen she needs to reach food in the cupboards to do step ups etc.
I've been spending a lot of time preparing for the quiz. It looks like we will have about 70 people there (if everyone who has said they are coming shows up), so it promises to be a good night. With a little help from my flatmate I have been writing the questions over the last few days. I've also procured a trophy, and a small prize for the best team name, so all I need now is a prize for the winners. And of course to buy some food for the evening. I am fairly stressed about it, but flatmate is keeping me as calm as possible. I will be glad to have Katie back on Thursday (D-Day), as she is far better at organising than me and I sort of need her to take over.
Once the quiz is done, my focus will switch to a little R&R, as I head off on a much needed fortnight's holiday. I imagine there will be plenty of walking done during that time (4 nights in Munich, 4 nights on Zagreb), and of course I can be good and keep up with the press ups etc (yeah, right).
88 days to go. On the weekend I started to give thought to equipment, and I invested in some of the more important items I will be needed - a waterproof coat and a rucksack. In the next couple of weeks I will share with you our kit-list, because as much as possible I would prefer to beg, steal, or borrow most of the other stuff we apparently need. If you have any of those items and wouldn't mind lending them to me (or Katie) for a while, then please do drop me a line. It would be hugely appreciated.
You know what else we appreciate? YOUR SPONSORSHIP. Go on, you know you want to...
www.bmycharity.com/twoblondesonemountain
Sunday, 9 June 2013
wonderful, glorious
Less than 100 days to go until D-Day and things are hotting up. Since my last update, we've been incredibly busy with training and fundraising, and I am excited to announce that we have surpassed our first target (sort of).
Katie and I are putting our own money in to cover the cost of expenses like flights and accommodation, so that every penny people donate to the trek goes directly to JHT. We've been doing this bit by bit over the last few months and we each have another £200 to put in next month. This means that while our running total currently stands at £2732, with our final payment included we actually have gone past £3100. I don't think either of us expected to have raised so much with 3 months still to go, but we don't intend to stop now. We want to raise as much as we can for the Trust, and with many people still promising to sponsor us closer to the time, hopefully we can keep the momentum going and raise a lot more.
Our next fundraising event is a quiz we are holding at work on the 20th June. Ms Motivator is off on her holidays this week however, so I shall be running the show on this one, which is rather terrifying seeing as I rely on Katie to be the organised, sensible one. But as soon as I'm done here my plan is to get the quiz written, and the week ahead will be spent chasing colleagues for confirmation about whether they are submitting their teams.
Mostly, however, my focus has now switched to the trek itself. Last weekend my flatmate got us lost on a walk and we ended up 'climbing' far more hills than we had intended. My legs got one hell of a workout, and while we only covered 13.4 miles in total, a lot of steep slopes were involved and my legs were aching for a couple of days. I also got rather sunburnt, and just generally felt quite sorry for myself all week. Then of course, there was the short amount of time when we were actually a little lost and found ourselves in a field littered with broken remains of clay pigeon shooting, clearly having blundered into some psycho farmers land. We were certain that if we were discovered he would have no qualms about shooting us (or setting dogs on us), so we retraced our steps sharpish and finally got back on the right track.
Despite all of this, it was an absolutely beautiful walk and I had such a good day, it was almost a shame when it ended (though not really because I thought I was going to die my legs were so tired). We even stopped off in Prestbury on the way home and had a carvery. What more could you ask for on a Sunday?
Last Tuesday I met with a Personal Trainer at my gym and we discussed what help I was looking for with my training. I'm meeting him again this Tuesday to get a programme, so I'm feeling good about that. Tom is lovely, by the way, and when he heard that I was doing this for charity he very sweetly gave me an amazing discount, which I have added to our fundraising total. I'll let you know how I get on with him this week, but first impressions tell me that Tom rules.
I was a little slack with training this week (it took a day or two to recover from last weekend's walk, then I had a busy week of 'things' to do), so I went for a walk on Friday after work, followed by another walk yesterday with flatmate and Katie. Katie and I have decided that we will try to train together more regularly, attempting to walk together at least every other weekend. Of course, this won't always be possible because she's on her hols this week, then I go away the week after, but one day we will actually manage to walk again.
Yesterday's walk was a little more eventful than the norm. We had an encounter with a pissed off landowner (flatmate has beautifully told him to 'go fuck himself', Katie and I awkwardly kept silent - I wish I could stand up for myself like Jo does), and we spent probably coming on for half an hour trying to rescue a poor sheep (Katie named him Gerald), who had got himself trapped in a fence. Of this, I have photos, here:
You will be pleased to know that while we didn't manage to free Gerry ourselves (despite a sterling effort by all involved), we then bravely (or not so bravely in the case of Jo and I who were nervous of dogs, Katie was the truest hero in this scenario) went up to a house to find out who the sheep belonged to so someone could go to the poor things rescue. After our encounter with the knob-head landowner, we walked back via the same path and were relieved to see that Gerry had been set free.
This morning I finished off the week with a visit to the gym. It was pretty uneventful, there were no psycho farmers or trapped sheep, so nothing to report really.
Another week is over, only 96 days until we leave. You know the score by now, if you haven't sponsored us yet, please do so by popping over to our fundraising page here.
Katie and I are putting our own money in to cover the cost of expenses like flights and accommodation, so that every penny people donate to the trek goes directly to JHT. We've been doing this bit by bit over the last few months and we each have another £200 to put in next month. This means that while our running total currently stands at £2732, with our final payment included we actually have gone past £3100. I don't think either of us expected to have raised so much with 3 months still to go, but we don't intend to stop now. We want to raise as much as we can for the Trust, and with many people still promising to sponsor us closer to the time, hopefully we can keep the momentum going and raise a lot more.
Our next fundraising event is a quiz we are holding at work on the 20th June. Ms Motivator is off on her holidays this week however, so I shall be running the show on this one, which is rather terrifying seeing as I rely on Katie to be the organised, sensible one. But as soon as I'm done here my plan is to get the quiz written, and the week ahead will be spent chasing colleagues for confirmation about whether they are submitting their teams.
Mostly, however, my focus has now switched to the trek itself. Last weekend my flatmate got us lost on a walk and we ended up 'climbing' far more hills than we had intended. My legs got one hell of a workout, and while we only covered 13.4 miles in total, a lot of steep slopes were involved and my legs were aching for a couple of days. I also got rather sunburnt, and just generally felt quite sorry for myself all week. Then of course, there was the short amount of time when we were actually a little lost and found ourselves in a field littered with broken remains of clay pigeon shooting, clearly having blundered into some psycho farmers land. We were certain that if we were discovered he would have no qualms about shooting us (or setting dogs on us), so we retraced our steps sharpish and finally got back on the right track.
Despite all of this, it was an absolutely beautiful walk and I had such a good day, it was almost a shame when it ended (though not really because I thought I was going to die my legs were so tired). We even stopped off in Prestbury on the way home and had a carvery. What more could you ask for on a Sunday?
Last Tuesday I met with a Personal Trainer at my gym and we discussed what help I was looking for with my training. I'm meeting him again this Tuesday to get a programme, so I'm feeling good about that. Tom is lovely, by the way, and when he heard that I was doing this for charity he very sweetly gave me an amazing discount, which I have added to our fundraising total. I'll let you know how I get on with him this week, but first impressions tell me that Tom rules.
I was a little slack with training this week (it took a day or two to recover from last weekend's walk, then I had a busy week of 'things' to do), so I went for a walk on Friday after work, followed by another walk yesterday with flatmate and Katie. Katie and I have decided that we will try to train together more regularly, attempting to walk together at least every other weekend. Of course, this won't always be possible because she's on her hols this week, then I go away the week after, but one day we will actually manage to walk again.
Yesterday's walk was a little more eventful than the norm. We had an encounter with a pissed off landowner (flatmate has beautifully told him to 'go fuck himself', Katie and I awkwardly kept silent - I wish I could stand up for myself like Jo does), and we spent probably coming on for half an hour trying to rescue a poor sheep (Katie named him Gerald), who had got himself trapped in a fence. Of this, I have photos, here:
initially, we were all a little cautious
but it wasn't long til we made friends
You will be pleased to know that while we didn't manage to free Gerry ourselves (despite a sterling effort by all involved), we then bravely (or not so bravely in the case of Jo and I who were nervous of dogs, Katie was the truest hero in this scenario) went up to a house to find out who the sheep belonged to so someone could go to the poor things rescue. After our encounter with the knob-head landowner, we walked back via the same path and were relieved to see that Gerry had been set free.
This morning I finished off the week with a visit to the gym. It was pretty uneventful, there were no psycho farmers or trapped sheep, so nothing to report really.
Another week is over, only 96 days until we leave. You know the score by now, if you haven't sponsored us yet, please do so by popping over to our fundraising page here.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
watch the world spinning
Charity Challenge sent me an email last weekend, informing me that I had just 16 weeks left before the trek, which was most helpful. Please note the sarcasm in my tone there, because really the last thing I needed was an email telling me how many weeks there are to go and suggesting that maybe I should start sorting out equipment etc. I know that, thanks very much.
It has been a wee while since I wrote, and I have to admit that at the moment I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Life is as hectic as ever and it just doesn't seem to have received the message that I could really do with some smooth-sailing for a while so that I can focus on everything I need to do before September. Someone pointed out to me today that actually, 16 weeks is almost a third of a year so we have plenty of time, but think about the fact that we are pretty much in June already and Katie and I started this 'journey' (forgive my use of such a cheesy term) in January and maybe you will understand my panic.
I did not intend to come here this evening to write myself into a panic again. In fact, I have been attempting to take practical steps to organise my time better. This is all down to an Away Day I had to attend for work last week. There was a motivational speaker dude there (though he prefers to be known as something other than a motivational speaker, I forget what he calls himself) and despite my tendency to be a bit of a 'mood-hoover' and a definite cynic, I actually came away from the day feeling in a better place to get myself ready for this trip. It's bizarre and actually a little embarrassing for a sceptic like me to admit, but there it is.
I spent my weekend plotting out the next 16 weeks on an excel spreadsheet (yes, I am a nerd) and giving myself a rough timetable for exercise using a training schedule from the Charity Challenge site as a guide. There is a lot to be said for having a plan, and while it is incredibly rough and random, I no longer feel like I am just trundling along completely blind. I also downloaded an app to track my walks and on Sunday afternoon I walked up a hill and covered just over 7 miles in all. Not much when it comes down to it, but man did my legs get a good workout walking up some decent slopes.
I had hoped to get some walking in one evening this week, but the weather has taken a turn again and isn't looking promising until the weekend. I will therefore have to settle for another trip to the gym (I went this evening), though I also need to fit in a very important hair-cut at some point because I currently have a serious case of Boris Johnson hair and that needs to go.
With training progressing slowly, there is certainly more positive news to share in the fundraising stakes. With 108 days to go, the amount raised currently stands at £2487.87, with more money outstanding in 'promises'. My current focus is organising a quiz at work mid-June, though I am freaking out a little here too because my partner in crime is very inconsiderately going on holiday for a week and not getting back into the country until the day before the quiz. Fair warning to the rest of my colleagues, it is entirely possible that I will be calling on you to keep me calm. Anyone from SH, please, please, let me know you are planning to attend, get your teams together and give me your entrance fee as soon as you can so I have a good idea of numbers. I'm relying on you, guys (guests of the B-T wedding and of course the bride and groom are forgiven for not attending!).
I had some good news when I returned to work after the Bank Holiday this morning. Last week we were voting for the next Charity of the Year. The results were sent out this morning and I was overjoyed to discover that James Hopkins Trust won the staff vote and we will be fundraising for them for the next year. Thank you so much to any of my lovely CCG colleagues who may be reading and chose to vote JHT. I'm looking forward to a year of raising money for a cause so close to my heart. In fact, we start with a dress-down day tomorrow, which happens to coincide with James' anniversary. As we haven't had any volunteers to collect the money yet, this means I will be doing it myself and aiming to get a record amount for the 1st floor this month. Start the way we mean to go on.
I will end with the usual line. Please, if you haven't sponsored us yet and can spare a few pennies, hop on over to our fundraising page, http://www.bmycharity.com/twoblondesonemountain. Your support is greatly appreciated.
It has been a wee while since I wrote, and I have to admit that at the moment I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Life is as hectic as ever and it just doesn't seem to have received the message that I could really do with some smooth-sailing for a while so that I can focus on everything I need to do before September. Someone pointed out to me today that actually, 16 weeks is almost a third of a year so we have plenty of time, but think about the fact that we are pretty much in June already and Katie and I started this 'journey' (forgive my use of such a cheesy term) in January and maybe you will understand my panic.
I did not intend to come here this evening to write myself into a panic again. In fact, I have been attempting to take practical steps to organise my time better. This is all down to an Away Day I had to attend for work last week. There was a motivational speaker dude there (though he prefers to be known as something other than a motivational speaker, I forget what he calls himself) and despite my tendency to be a bit of a 'mood-hoover' and a definite cynic, I actually came away from the day feeling in a better place to get myself ready for this trip. It's bizarre and actually a little embarrassing for a sceptic like me to admit, but there it is.
I spent my weekend plotting out the next 16 weeks on an excel spreadsheet (yes, I am a nerd) and giving myself a rough timetable for exercise using a training schedule from the Charity Challenge site as a guide. There is a lot to be said for having a plan, and while it is incredibly rough and random, I no longer feel like I am just trundling along completely blind. I also downloaded an app to track my walks and on Sunday afternoon I walked up a hill and covered just over 7 miles in all. Not much when it comes down to it, but man did my legs get a good workout walking up some decent slopes.
I had hoped to get some walking in one evening this week, but the weather has taken a turn again and isn't looking promising until the weekend. I will therefore have to settle for another trip to the gym (I went this evening), though I also need to fit in a very important hair-cut at some point because I currently have a serious case of Boris Johnson hair and that needs to go.
With training progressing slowly, there is certainly more positive news to share in the fundraising stakes. With 108 days to go, the amount raised currently stands at £2487.87, with more money outstanding in 'promises'. My current focus is organising a quiz at work mid-June, though I am freaking out a little here too because my partner in crime is very inconsiderately going on holiday for a week and not getting back into the country until the day before the quiz. Fair warning to the rest of my colleagues, it is entirely possible that I will be calling on you to keep me calm. Anyone from SH, please, please, let me know you are planning to attend, get your teams together and give me your entrance fee as soon as you can so I have a good idea of numbers. I'm relying on you, guys (guests of the B-T wedding and of course the bride and groom are forgiven for not attending!).
I had some good news when I returned to work after the Bank Holiday this morning. Last week we were voting for the next Charity of the Year. The results were sent out this morning and I was overjoyed to discover that James Hopkins Trust won the staff vote and we will be fundraising for them for the next year. Thank you so much to any of my lovely CCG colleagues who may be reading and chose to vote JHT. I'm looking forward to a year of raising money for a cause so close to my heart. In fact, we start with a dress-down day tomorrow, which happens to coincide with James' anniversary. As we haven't had any volunteers to collect the money yet, this means I will be doing it myself and aiming to get a record amount for the 1st floor this month. Start the way we mean to go on.
I will end with the usual line. Please, if you haven't sponsored us yet and can spare a few pennies, hop on over to our fundraising page, http://www.bmycharity.com/twoblondesonemountain. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
clap your hands
I have been pretty useless at writing an update over the last couple of weeks. I keep meaning to get round to it, but life has been hectic and things keep getting in the way.
With 120 days to go, I am once again starting to feel nervous about all the training and how completely not fit I am, but I know that there is still plenty of time to prepare. I just need to get my act together, keep motivated and learn how to make myself go to the gym or for a walk, even when there is nothing I want to do less.
Our fundraising is at a pretty amazing £2337.87, which is reassuring. As promised (though slightly delayed), this week I have been wearing a dress to work each day. I have mostly kept my promise of not moaning about it, though I have to admit I've probably slipped up a few times.
Anyway, here is today's dress, borrowed from a friend, which most people have agreed is their favourite of the week.
I'm not really made for this girly dress-wearing malarkey. Yesterday involved a very traumatic 'ladder' incident, and I desperately wandered around the building until I found someone who was going to tesco at lunch to pick up some new tights. I don't even know how I did it. I mean, one minute I was sat at my desk, happily working away and the next minute I saw THIS:
Very embarrassing. And seriously, no idea. Speaking of embarrassing, on the very same morning I was spotted walking through the car park on my way into work. That day's dress was rather short (you may be able to tell that from the photo. I apologise for showing so much leg), and I was wearing the aforementioned tights. By the time I walked through the door, one of my colleagues had persuaded everyone who was around at the time to stand at the door to greet me and applaud as I walked through the door. It was hilarious, but made me cringe. Yes, people, I HAVE LEGS. And with all this bloody gym work and walking I'm doing, admittedly they've never looked better. HA!
I'm going to finish up here for today, because it's late and I'm tired. Do me a favour and pop over to our fundraising page to sponsor me. After wearing dresses all week, I think I deserve it. It's for families like this Katie and I are doing this, so have a read and then donate.
Ta.
With 120 days to go, I am once again starting to feel nervous about all the training and how completely not fit I am, but I know that there is still plenty of time to prepare. I just need to get my act together, keep motivated and learn how to make myself go to the gym or for a walk, even when there is nothing I want to do less.
Our fundraising is at a pretty amazing £2337.87, which is reassuring. As promised (though slightly delayed), this week I have been wearing a dress to work each day. I have mostly kept my promise of not moaning about it, though I have to admit I've probably slipped up a few times.
Anyway, here is today's dress, borrowed from a friend, which most people have agreed is their favourite of the week.
Very embarrassing. And seriously, no idea. Speaking of embarrassing, on the very same morning I was spotted walking through the car park on my way into work. That day's dress was rather short (you may be able to tell that from the photo. I apologise for showing so much leg), and I was wearing the aforementioned tights. By the time I walked through the door, one of my colleagues had persuaded everyone who was around at the time to stand at the door to greet me and applaud as I walked through the door. It was hilarious, but made me cringe. Yes, people, I HAVE LEGS. And with all this bloody gym work and walking I'm doing, admittedly they've never looked better. HA!
I'm going to finish up here for today, because it's late and I'm tired. Do me a favour and pop over to our fundraising page to sponsor me. After wearing dresses all week, I think I deserve it. It's for families like this Katie and I are doing this, so have a read and then donate.
Ta.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
brighter than the sun
It always amazes me just how much a little bit of sunshine can lift my mood. As someone who is a bit of a mentalist, I have learned not to take those rare sunny days for granted. This afternoon I got out of work a little early, intending to head to the gym. Just as I was about to get off the bus, I had a call from Fi-Fi (my flatmate), insisting that it was far too lovely to be indoors, so she picked me up and we headed off on a walk up Leckhampton Hill.
Fi-Fi being Fi-Fi, she picked all the steepest paths and my legs got a thoroughly good workout trying to keep up with her as she bounded excitedly up the hill. To begin with I felt a little bad for not following through with my plan to go to the gym, but how could I really feel anything other than joy as I stood at the top of the hill, the sun shining down on me, warmth on my back. And really, walking up a hill is better training for me than sitting on a bike or rowing at the gym.
We walked on and came across some cows. Neither of us was entirely convinced that they wouldn't get spooked and charge at us (yes, you can call us wimps), so we took an alternative path just to be on the safe side. Of course, we were immediately confronted with another cow blocking our path, and just as I turned to Fi-Fi to ask which she thought was the least menacing, I spotted a wee calf clambering over the top of the slope, who was then joined by a second. There were many squeals of excitement (from me, obviously) and I managed to snap a quick photo of one of them, though I didn't get too close incase mummy cow got a bit overprotective and pushed me over the edge or something (yeah, ok, I'm a little scared of cows. So sue me).
Look! Baby cow!
Eventually we left the cows behind and continued onwards, finally returning to the car after an hour and a half of walking. It was an awesome way to finish off my day and I am hoping that the sunshine continues so that I can get some more walking done in the evenings. Flatmate and I are even considering getting up mega early some time and walking before work. I'm not sure how successful this will be, because I love my bed, but I'm willing to give it a go. I'd also like to do Snowdon at some point in the next couple of months.
This is absolutely achievable, guys. It's going to be hard work, I know that, but I'm feeling motivated and positive and like I could take on the world at the moment. So please, keep sponsoring us and supporting us, because that's what keeps us going and gets to the gym after a long and exhausting day at work.
If you haven't sponsored us yet, but would like to, why not do it RIGHT NOW and follow this link... go on, go on, go on, go on, go on!
Fi-Fi being Fi-Fi, she picked all the steepest paths and my legs got a thoroughly good workout trying to keep up with her as she bounded excitedly up the hill. To begin with I felt a little bad for not following through with my plan to go to the gym, but how could I really feel anything other than joy as I stood at the top of the hill, the sun shining down on me, warmth on my back. And really, walking up a hill is better training for me than sitting on a bike or rowing at the gym.
We walked on and came across some cows. Neither of us was entirely convinced that they wouldn't get spooked and charge at us (yes, you can call us wimps), so we took an alternative path just to be on the safe side. Of course, we were immediately confronted with another cow blocking our path, and just as I turned to Fi-Fi to ask which she thought was the least menacing, I spotted a wee calf clambering over the top of the slope, who was then joined by a second. There were many squeals of excitement (from me, obviously) and I managed to snap a quick photo of one of them, though I didn't get too close incase mummy cow got a bit overprotective and pushed me over the edge or something (yeah, ok, I'm a little scared of cows. So sue me).
Look! Baby cow!
Eventually we left the cows behind and continued onwards, finally returning to the car after an hour and a half of walking. It was an awesome way to finish off my day and I am hoping that the sunshine continues so that I can get some more walking done in the evenings. Flatmate and I are even considering getting up mega early some time and walking before work. I'm not sure how successful this will be, because I love my bed, but I'm willing to give it a go. I'd also like to do Snowdon at some point in the next couple of months.
My current good mood is about more than just the improving weather, though. I've got a lot in my life to be feeling positive about. I think I can speak for Katie too when I say that over the last four months, at times this challenge has felt overwhelming and we have both had some sleepless nights. For me, certainly, I switch from being stressed over the training to fundraising and back again. But fundraising-wise we are in a great position, with officially over £2000 raised (some yet to be added to our bmycharity tally) and lots of plans for future fundraising endeavours.
Our wine tasting evening last weekend went brilliantly and I have to say a HUGE thank you to Katie, Angela and everyone who came along to taste some wine and have a laugh. In fact, we couldn't have asked for a better result, and I even tasted a wine I liked (sadly at £30 a bottle I doubt I'll be drinking it again anytime in the near future - maybe we can treat ourselves and celebrate when we get back from Morocco, Katie?) I wish I had thought to take photos, but unfortunately I was so busy stressing about being a pourer and not dropping one of the bottles that the thought didn't even cross my mind. Next time, though.
And so, with the £2000 target met, I feel like my focus can switch back again to training. I had a good weekend in that respect too, with trips to the gym on Friday and Saturday, and a 5+ hour walk up to Cleeve Common on Sunday.
Our wine tasting evening last weekend went brilliantly and I have to say a HUGE thank you to Katie, Angela and everyone who came along to taste some wine and have a laugh. In fact, we couldn't have asked for a better result, and I even tasted a wine I liked (sadly at £30 a bottle I doubt I'll be drinking it again anytime in the near future - maybe we can treat ourselves and celebrate when we get back from Morocco, Katie?) I wish I had thought to take photos, but unfortunately I was so busy stressing about being a pourer and not dropping one of the bottles that the thought didn't even cross my mind. Next time, though.
And so, with the £2000 target met, I feel like my focus can switch back again to training. I had a good weekend in that respect too, with trips to the gym on Friday and Saturday, and a 5+ hour walk up to Cleeve Common on Sunday.
This is absolutely achievable, guys. It's going to be hard work, I know that, but I'm feeling motivated and positive and like I could take on the world at the moment. So please, keep sponsoring us and supporting us, because that's what keeps us going and gets to the gym after a long and exhausting day at work.
If you haven't sponsored us yet, but would like to, why not do it RIGHT NOW and follow this link... go on, go on, go on, go on, go on!
Thursday, 18 April 2013
put on that dress
I hadn't intended to leave it so long before blogging again, but life has been a little hectic lately. I can't believe we're coming up for the end of April. How have Katie and I been planning this for 4 months already?! That is a truly frightening thought, and probably a sign that I should be stepping up my training. I've just added a countdown to the blog, and it says we have 148 days until we leave. 148 days!
Training has been going ok-ish, I have been forcing myself to go to the gym, though not as often as I probably should. But I've been twice since Sunday and on Saturday I'm going to do some hill walking with my flatmate, which will be good for me. A couple of my friends have been hassling me that I'm not training hard enough yet. Apparently, it's time for me to get some help from a professional and build up my strength so that I can cope with carrying my pack (this is your reminder... advice, please). Admittedly, I am going to have to work on this, but I think part of me is in denial. One minute I think 148 days is ages away and plenty of time to get sorted, then I realise that actually, it really isn't and it's time to get cracking.
Let's move on for now and allow me to continue to live in my happy bubble of denial for a little longer. Fundraising is going really well. We are currently at £1630 (not counting the gift aid JHT will receive on top of that!) and I am mega proud of me and Katie for reaching halfway to our target already. Of course, we don't plan on stopping at £3100, and we are keen to surpass that amount by as much as possible, so don't let the fact that we are doing well stop you from sponsoring us *cough cough*
This Saturday is our Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting evening and Katie has done a magnificent job in making it all happen. We've sold 39 tickets and are looking at making a tidy profit to add to our tally and it won't be long before we hit the £2000 mark. You may not remember the significance of this, but I'm nothing if not honest. Everyone is well aware that the lovely Ms Motivator is the brains of this little duo, and I am the comic relief. So far I have gone ginger (my hair will be going blonde again imminently) and humiliated myself in a onesie. However, I did say that when we reached £2000 I would wear a dress to work every day for a week and not complain about it (those who know me well will realise that this is quite a challenge for me). So, if you want to witness that hilarity sooner rather than later, maybe it's time for YOU to sponsor us! Look, I'll even supply you with the link again to make it easy for you to give us your money. CLICK ME.
This means it is time for me to start sourcing dresses to wear. I don't really want to spend too much money on dresses I will never wear again, so this is a call for anyone who is a size 8/10 (probably mostly size 8) who would be prepared to lend me a dress that won't make me look like a twat. I mean, I'll feel like one anyway, but it would be good to wear dresses that aren't completely ridiculous and not very 'me', you know?
The next question has to be, what on earth am I going to do to celebrate reaching our £3100 target? I mean, I've gone ginger, I've worn a dress... how else can I humiliate myself?! Suggestions, as ever, gratefully received.
Training has been going ok-ish, I have been forcing myself to go to the gym, though not as often as I probably should. But I've been twice since Sunday and on Saturday I'm going to do some hill walking with my flatmate, which will be good for me. A couple of my friends have been hassling me that I'm not training hard enough yet. Apparently, it's time for me to get some help from a professional and build up my strength so that I can cope with carrying my pack (this is your reminder... advice, please). Admittedly, I am going to have to work on this, but I think part of me is in denial. One minute I think 148 days is ages away and plenty of time to get sorted, then I realise that actually, it really isn't and it's time to get cracking.
Let's move on for now and allow me to continue to live in my happy bubble of denial for a little longer. Fundraising is going really well. We are currently at £1630 (not counting the gift aid JHT will receive on top of that!) and I am mega proud of me and Katie for reaching halfway to our target already. Of course, we don't plan on stopping at £3100, and we are keen to surpass that amount by as much as possible, so don't let the fact that we are doing well stop you from sponsoring us *cough cough*
This Saturday is our Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting evening and Katie has done a magnificent job in making it all happen. We've sold 39 tickets and are looking at making a tidy profit to add to our tally and it won't be long before we hit the £2000 mark. You may not remember the significance of this, but I'm nothing if not honest. Everyone is well aware that the lovely Ms Motivator is the brains of this little duo, and I am the comic relief. So far I have gone ginger (my hair will be going blonde again imminently) and humiliated myself in a onesie. However, I did say that when we reached £2000 I would wear a dress to work every day for a week and not complain about it (those who know me well will realise that this is quite a challenge for me). So, if you want to witness that hilarity sooner rather than later, maybe it's time for YOU to sponsor us! Look, I'll even supply you with the link again to make it easy for you to give us your money. CLICK ME.
This means it is time for me to start sourcing dresses to wear. I don't really want to spend too much money on dresses I will never wear again, so this is a call for anyone who is a size 8/10 (probably mostly size 8) who would be prepared to lend me a dress that won't make me look like a twat. I mean, I'll feel like one anyway, but it would be good to wear dresses that aren't completely ridiculous and not very 'me', you know?
The next question has to be, what on earth am I going to do to celebrate reaching our £3100 target? I mean, I've gone ginger, I've worn a dress... how else can I humiliate myself?! Suggestions, as ever, gratefully received.
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