We have included a blog section so that everyone could find out more about how planning for the event is going and how our individual training is going for the event.

Both Craig and I will update the blog when we have info, stories to tell or just feel like having a blether.

Monty

Tues 7 July 2009. Craig's Blog.

Well, we did it!!!! And it was a hundred times better than I thought it was going to be. I really have struggled to find the words that would give fitting tribute to the effort and commitment of everyone who has contributed to make the Race Against Time 2009 a success. We needed drivers and race co-ordinators to organise and present themselves at all times of the day and night. We got them! We needed support in the background to organise food and refreshments. We got them! We needed a team of committed people willing to lay it all out there and give everything they had for one beautiful and very brave wee girl. Boy did we get them!!!!!! A HUGE thanks to everyone involved for making this event something that will live with Gill and myself forever. What our team has achieved will allow Holly to say a great big thank you to 3 very special organisations who have battled to save and rebuild her life.

Over the 24 hours of the Race Against Time 2009 I got the chance to meet some old friends who I haven't seen for a long time and to meet some wonderful new friends. It was a great experience and one that I hope everybody involved in can take something positive away from.

It was Holly's 4th birthday on the start day of The RAT so Monty got the team up to Fort William and got the race started. All day I could feel the butterflies beginning to build in my belly and once Holly's birthday lunch was finished I was dying to get up there and be part of it. My brother Steven was in the first team away from Fort William in what was to prove to be an epic 2 stages. He sent me a text from the start line to tell me he was "bricking it" and to be fair I don't think he was the only one. By now all the runners, no matter where they were joining the race, were all getting focused on the challenge that lay ahead. The training was done and it was showtime!

I can't really describe how I felt when Monty phoned to say that the boys were off and the clock was running. This had been 10 months in the planning and there was no going back or second chances. This was it. I just knew that it had to go well. PLEASE LOOK AT THE RACE REPORT PAGE FOR MORE DETAIL ON THE RACE.

If I am to contratulate myself, Monty, Ian and Brian on one thing about this event I would say that it has been in the planning of it. Or, perhaps we just fell lucky! The planning trip proved to be invaluable in agreeing the checkpoints and the running times also proved to be pretty accurate. This meant that all teams had very short periods of hanging around waiting to run. We also enjoyed pretty decent running conditions. Warm but not overy hot (except stage 1), very little rain (just enough to keep you cool) and a decent breeze most of the time to keep the little biting buggers (midges) at bay. Having said that, I got eaten alive taking down tents at Ardlui on Saturday morning!!

Before the event took place I knew it would be tiring. Being up there way before I was due to run, getting all excited etc. Running, not sleeping, getting all excited etc etc. At the end of the Fun Run when it was all over I felt like every last drop of energy I had had been sucked out of me! And we still had the wee shindig in the car park AND the Race Night to go. I don't think I have ever been as tired as when I got home to get ready for the Race Night. Mike the nutter will vouch for me here. I was hanging together and really didn't feel up for the Race Night at all. Mike used his ultra running expertise to pump me full of salt tablets and liquids. That combined with a few Pro Plus and some food forced down and I managed to make it along still feeling pretty ropey but I was there in body at least. A couple of pints of Guiness seemed to do the trick and the company of friends old and new brought me round.

The Race Night was a great success and I hope all who attended had a super night. There were some fantastic prizes for the race winners and for the raffle; and what can you say about Dames' song at the start of the evening, moving or what? A big reminder of why we were all here and it set the tone to get everyone to dig deep for one last big push to make as much as we could from the night. After the Race Night finished a team of us went back to mine to spark up a celebratory stogie or two and to our surprise a mega junk food binge. Jason and Jamie managed to eek out a takeaway that sold kebabs, pizza, chips, burgers, parkora the lot. It was a well earned treat and certainly replaced some of the calories lost over the previous 36 hours.

The early part of the following week was all about sleep, recovery and putting the house back into shape but now I have had time to reflect on what was an incredible experience. People didn't just turn up to jog along and get through their alloted stage. People turned up and ran like hell for their alloted stage and some even carried on for more until they were ready to drop! We asked for committment and we got it in spades. I can't thank everyone enough for what they did.

Now we have completed the physical challenge, it's all about the money. If everyone manages to collect what has been pledged we will beat the £20k and then some. Hopefully we are looking about £22k and when you add in Gift Aid we could be handing over a sum in the region of £27 to £28K. That is one hell of an effort and one that everyone should rightly be proud. I am very very proud of what we have achieved. Hopefully we will be in a position to hand over cheques by late August. Watch this space for further announcements re final totals.

Once again, thanks everyone for doing what you did and for helping us give something back on behalf of Holly.

Craig.


Sat 20 June 2009. Craig's Final Blog.

Hi everyone. The Big Day is nearly upon us and I reckon this will be my final chance to write as I expect next week to be pretty manic getting everything organised. Speaking to various people involved it is evident that everyone has put a huge effort into this event in terms of training, fundraising and awareness raising. Gill and I are very humbled and so so proud of what everyone has done thus far. Now all we need to do is get out there next weekend and run like our lives depend on it!!! Over the last few months I have banged on a fair bit about motivation and fundraising and you would probably expect more of the same just before the big event. Well, I am not going to. Everyone knows what it's all about and I don't need to get anyone motivated, you all already are!!!!

However to get a proper flavour of what this run really means I have posted messages we have recieved from all 3 charities that we are raising money for, as what it means to them really makes you understand what it's all about.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE, Keep safe and I will try and see as many of you as I can during the event.

Craig.



Pound the paths and raise the pounds!

On behalf of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation I would like to say a huge thank you to Craig and Gill Ireland and to all our superhero supporters who are taking part in Holly's Race Against Time Challenge, to help raise much needed funds for the Sick Kids Hospital.

We really appreciate the very special effort you are all making by participating in this epic event. Although it will be difficult at times, we hope the fact that you are pounding the paths to raise the pounds for sick kids will help to keep you motivated and see you to the finish!

You don't have to be doctor to help make sick kids better!

With your support the Sick Kids Friends Foundation can continue to provide;
*Extra comforts such as welcome presents and toys for our playrooms
*Extra child and family friendly facilities such as family accommodation and fold away parent beds on the wards *Extra Medical Equipment over and above NHS provision, such as the Doppler Scanner
*Extra support for children cared for in the Community
*Extra training and research.

The word 'extra' features frequently above and our provision is extra to that of the NHS, but is very much vital to making a child's time spent in Hospital the best it possibly can be.

Thanks again and the very best of luck for the 26th and 27th June. We will be rooting for you all from Edinburgh!

Rachel McKenzie, Fundraiser, The Sick Kids Friends Foundation


The Meningitis Trust would like to wish all those taking part in Race Against Time all the very best for the event.
We will be thinking of you all and keeping our fingers crossed for good weather.

The support you are giving The Meningitis Trust is very much appreciated by all those families whose lives have been affected by meningitis. The money raised from this event will be used to raise awareness of meningitis and to provide our vital support services.

These services include: 24hour freephone helpline 0800 028 18 28 staffed by nurses, trauma and bereavement counselling, financial grants for specialist equipment, family fun days, and art therapy for children aged 3-14.

In addition, in Scotland we have our community services nurse, who provides emotional and practical support to those families in Scotland living with the impact of meningitis.

Meningitis is a life threatening disease that will always be with us. Even with the introduction of vaccines, there will still be cases of meningitis, particularly viral meningitis. Our long term objective is to be here to support families and individuals for as long as they need it.

These services are a vital lifeline and could not be provided without the support of people like yourselves. Thank you for your fantastic support.

Best wishes Katherine
Katherine Riach, Fundraiser Scotland, The Meningitis Trust

Sun 14 June. Monty's Park Run blog

To keep the miles up of late I have been taking part in the 'Park Run' www.parkrun.com. It is a free to enter event where you register on-line and just turn up and run at a park where the event is being held, check on the website for parks near you. For me it's Hyde Park in Leeds and it's a 5k so it's not any great distance but it is good for keeping the speed up.

Since the latest addition to the Montgomery family it is becoming harder to get out running so the park run on a saturday is a good one to have in the diary and forces me out the door, even with lack of sleep. How days have changed, out on a Saturday morning and on the race start line for 9am. My first run on Sat the 6th of June was wet and it took even more encouragement to get down to the start. I was meeting a couple of guys I know through work who had let me know about the park run. Just after the start we passed a student residency and we were cheered on by some students who were obviously still partying from the night before (like I say changed days). Considering I didn't know the course I did it in a respectable 21:40. I was beaten over the line by a guy in his sixties sporting an eclectic outfit of sweatbands and bushy grey beard, I now have a challenge for future races.

I had my second go on Sat the 13th. Better weather this time and my brother in-law Gavin was up from Reading and decided to tag along. I set my sights on Grey Beard and I was off. I overtook him at the start but I knew he would be back. I felt pretty good and was aiming for 4 min k's and up to the 3km I was on target. I slowed a bit in the 3rd and 4th k but I totally hit the wall at the 5k marker and at this point grey beard man appeared. I dug as deep as I could and tried to stay with him but I just couldn't do it. Better time though at 21:15 and I think next week grey beard man is going down!!!!!!!

Wed 3 June. Craig's Blog

Last Wed night Brian, myself, Alan and Coups entered the Auld Toun 10K in Dunfermline. It was a very pleasant night for running and I am very pleased to report that Brian and I recorded a very decent 45 min 30 secs for a fairly hilly course. This was whilst suffering the cold and starting from way back in the field so we were both delighted with that time and reckon we could have chopped at least a minute or two off that. Alan and Coups came in at just over 52 mins and for them that was a pretty good time also. Both Alan and Coups are unable to compete in the Race Against Time so had raised sponsorship to compete in this event. It is a very humbling experience when you see how much somebody is hurting when they finish a race and the first words out of their mouth are "that was for your daughter mate" as they hobble around gasping for breath. A great big thanks to Alan and Coups for taking part. The fund should be a few hundred pounds better off when their money is added. After the 10K we went straight to the boozer to watch the Champions League Final. Whilst in the pub, still wearing my sweaty Sick Kids tshirt I managed to obtain another £30 in donations from various folk and I think I got a couple of pints as well so it was a top night all round!!





Next came the full dress rehersal of stages 5 and 6 on Saturday night. I had been stuck in a hot, horrible train cab all day on Saturday and was desperate to stretch the legs come Saturday night. I got home and fuelled up on pasta, got my kit ready and headed off to pick my brother Steven and Brian up. We set sail at 2030 and met up with Ian in Crianlarich at 2200 hours after an easy drive across. When we got out of the car the midges were biting so without further ado we jumped back in the car and off up to Tyndrum. At Tyndrum we got all the gear on backpacks, headtorches and lights and most importantly the Avon Skin So Soft. This is well known as a top midge repellant and certainly seemed to be doing the trick. We all decided against the midge nets to start with to see how good this stuff really is. I don't know whether the midges we not hungry or what but I got home and didn't feel a single bite despite being able to see hunners of the wee buggers in the torchlight.

By the time we were ready to go the light was failing nicely and we set off. The run was going along at a nice pace and all the boys were feeling good. I must admit I was well well up for this run. This to me was what all the training has been all about. In the failing light with torches bobbing about and the banter flying around the first couple of miles flew by. By this point it was now proper dark so the torches were really coming into their own. The ones I got from the boy in work are frankly out of this world. We had 2 of them and that could have done for all 4 of us. It was a really exilharating run when all you could see was the path in front of you and by the time we got into the forest with the hills we were all having a great time. The hills were as tough as I remember from the previous time we ran this section but this time you had no idea when they were gonna end, great fun! Both Brian and Ian have been carrying niggly injuries of late so had opted to do 1 section purely to get a feel for the terrain (which was much worse than Brian had expected) and to experience what it would be like at night with all the gear on. We made it back to Crianlarich in a respectable 1 hour 15 mins. From there Ian and Brian bailed out and sorted the transport to pick us up at Inverarnan.





Steven and I then set about section 6 like men possessed and charged over the next 6 miles in just over an hour. This included a 4 or 5 min delay when we couldn't locate the waymarker and ran past it only to have to turn back. This was another good lesson and reason as to why it was important to run the 'dark' stage prior to the big event. We hooked back up with the Brian and Ian at the Drovers. They couldn't even get in for a pint it was so busy. This pub is in the middle of nowhere so where and how all these folk got there is beyond me but there you go. So a few cans of Stella were popped in the car park and we got our stuff together ready to head home. All the boys were in agreement that it was a very worthwhile excercise and for me it was the most enjoyable run I have had by a mile in the lead up to the big day.

We tried to get a team picture but I had the misfortune to ask the first folk who walked (staggered) passed us. The mad burds jumped in and that was fine, next tho the maddest and drunkest burd insisted on taking the boys photo but was so drunk she just couldn't do it. Honest. Point and shoot camera but it was just too complicated so we took the camera back before it got broken and made do with taking them ourselves.







I am also pleased to report that the only injury sustained in the 'dark' run was the one above to yours truly. It was a very hot day and the 'skin top' got left in the car. I must admit I was surprised when I saw this at the end of the run as I never felt it and this top is also not meant to do this type of thing but there you go.

I cannot agree more with Monty (see prev blog). The training work is now basically done, we have planned as much as I think we can, everyone is getting sponsors and now we just need the big day to arrive so we can get out there and do it! I hope it will be a nice day but not as hot as it was last weekend or we could have a few casulties.

Craig.

Tuesday 2 June. Monty's Humber 10k Blog

I have been training quite hard for the West Highland Way challenge. Since my blog on the 22nd of Jan when I said the fog was clearing from my Christmas man flu, I have been running twice a week sometimes more and I have covered 340 kilometers, however this is according to my Nike+ sports band, which is crap, as I found out at the weekend when I ran the Humber 10k and the sports band said I had only ran 8.3k!!!! So It is probably more like 370k I have run. If you had told me when we started this I would run this amount I would have laughed. To be honest I am now enjoying it.

So with all that training I thought I should check out the fitness. As mentioned I took part in the Humber 10k on Sunday. The aim was to beat my previous best in a 10k of 50:30 set when myself and Ian ran the Glasgow 10k back in 2006. However, on hearing that Craig had run the Dunfermline 10k in a blistering 45.28 my competitive juices kicked in and I wanted quite a bit faster than 50mins. Congrats to Craig on a great time, and that was with a cold so I think he could go faster, also well done to Brian who did the same time. Brian will tell you he can't run, just like he tells you he can't play golf and then he goes and wins the annual boys tournament, if I'm competitive then Brian is X100, so I am sure if Craig goes quicker so will Brian!!!!

So the Humber 10k was the challenge and Neil and Mike were going to be running as well. Neil passed up his opportunity for a faster time and paced me round to try and beat the 50 min target. It was a hot day but there was a reasonable breeze and the route took us over the Humber Bridge so there were some hills but nothing to extreme. We set off at a reasonable pace but as with most races we were held up a bit at the start. We soon got into our stride and as we went out over the bridge I was feeling good.

After what did not seem like a long time, probably the 4k, marker the leaders were already heading back over the bridge in the opposite direction which sickens you a bit when you feel you are running full tilt. Neil's cousin won the race in 34:40 a time he was not happy with!!!!! At the turn I was still doing fine but the long drag up the bridge on the return did take it's toll. Neil was soon on my case and from about the 6k marker in he pushed me to get the pace up. We passed Mike at about 7k, but Mike is just starting to get into it at that distance (check out Mikes blog http://www.ultramarathonmike.co.uk/blog/index.php/2009/05/31/10k-nightmare?blog=1 he went on to do a 7 miler after the 10k). Also have to say that Mike's little girl Meg, aged 3, ran the whole 2k fun run prior to the actual 10k race, just as mad as her Dad already............

We had a good strong finish and I completed the 10k in 46:28, a time I am delighted in. Thanks to Neil for pushing me on, I did think he would kill me at one point, but had he not been there I doubt I would have pushed as hard in the last 2k. Think it was more a jog in the park for Neil, he talked most of the way round, said hi to people, and told me about the history of the humber Bridge, all of which I was oblivious to.

So all in all very happy with my fitness, seem to be in better shape than I was in 2006 and I feel like I am ready for the challenge now. It is going to be tough, there are more hills and the distance I will be covering will be longer, but I have done the prep and now I just want to get on and do it. Bring it on!!!!




Tuesday 26 May. Craig's Blog

Now I have a bit of time and can access the site to write I have lots to say. Please bear with me if I am rambling.

As Monty described earlier, we had our Race Planning weekend a few weeks ago. It was very useful to see all the changeover points. A couple have been altered due to horrific road access but generally the plan remains the same. I have been working on THE BIG PLAN, which will be emailed to everyone hopefully by the weekend. Any questions can be mailed back to me but it is pretty straightforward. Every stage details the runners, times, contact details and transport arrangements as well as details of who will be Race Co-Ordinator at that point. There will be a Race Co-Ord at every checkpoint to ensure all runs smoothly and also be in radio or mobile contact with every team whilst they are out running. There will also be some runner guidlines sent out giving tips on required kit, personal and group safety and keeping together as a team.

It was great to get out on the course and see what its gonna be like. It certainly wasn't easy and the underfoot conditions were pretty rough in places but we managed to complete our stage within the time we had allocated so that bodes well from a planning perspective. It was muddy, wet and boggy in places, but it had been raining, and we had to run through a herd of cows that had strayed onto the Way but it was all good fun. Except for Monty's heels and Ian's run in with the Bogeyman at the campsite!! I know you will all be dying to hose it into them about both events but please, lets wait till the Race Night and we can all do it together!









On Sunday Dames Lee, Chaz Leung and Scott Meikle also went out to pre run their stage (stage 11). Again they completed their stage within the time allocated (a very respectable 58 minutes, well done lads!!!) but like our pre run didn't do it way ahead of schedule either. This was also a good stage to pre run as it has the most awkward change over and access points of all in the challenge.

Training has been going ok. Haven't been doing as many runs as I would have liked due to other commitments but the WHW run was a good un and had 2 killer runs last week when I was over in Spain with the Weeman to visit my folks. When he had has nap (ie early PM) I went out to run. Boy was it hot!! Like a typical eejit Scotsman I had on no top or cap and couldn't be bothered carrying water or having that suntan malarkey on. After 4 miles I had practically no spit left in my mouth and the sun was beating down on my head big style so I turned back. Had been aiming for 5 miles out so wasn't too despondent at that point. However the 4 miles back were pretty bad to put it mildly. I have run much futher than this back here but it was a real effort to get back to my mums house. When I staggered through the front door I was incapable of speech, drank 2 litres of water in about 30 secs and spent the next 15 mins in a cold shower!

How Mike could do this for all those miles in the desert is beyond me. Respect Man! This was a real lesson learned. After about an hour or so and something to eat I did feel great though and was raring to get back out better prepared. 2 days later, with top, suntan lotion and a "Froot Shoot" bottle (300 ml) filled with water (nowhere near enough); no hat, don't like them, I was out again and managed a 10 miler. By the time I got home I was not quite as bad, it had been hotter than last time, and still a pretty near death experience. The extra prep had helped, but the extra 2 miles hadn't. No talking to maw and paw on my return, back in the cold shower for 15 mins, but ok to drink that night so must've been ok. How quickly I recovered from the ordeal would lead me to believe that I am actually now reasonably fit. A fact that I am quite proud of. If 6 or 8 months ago someone had told me I would choose to go out running when on holiday I doubt I would have believed them (laughed in their face more like). What it has triggered in my mind tho is that if we do get a hot day, unlikely as it is, there could be some very tough stages out there.

Did a 14 miler on Sunday as haven't done a long un for a while and doing the Dunfermline 10K tomorrow night. A few of us are going out to support a guy called Coups who cannot do our run cos his wife is due a bairn on the same day. He has raised a few hundred for our fund so we are all getting Sick Kids TShirts on with our web address on the back to advertise our challenge. The incentive to get round quickly is that we are all going straight to the pub to watch the Champions League Final!!!

On Saturday night there is a few of us going up to do a trial run of the night stage, Tyndrum to Inverarnan. Its gonna be a full dress rehersal. Midge nets, repellants, head torches the lot. I must admit I am really excited about this. This is what all the training has been all about. Watch this space for a full report early next week. A guy in my work called Stewart Williamson, who is a mentalist nutter cyclist is giving me these mega head torches and wait for it.......... a headcam. We will be able to record our run, swearing, trips, slips and all, as we do it! Brilliant!!!! You just cannot beat blokes and gadgets. It will also mean that burds, parents, grans etc etc can get a flavour of what this has all been about, and maybe catch some nice scenery too. Better get a new battery for the swear bleeper!!!!

On the fundraising front, things are going very well at my end. I have raised well over a grand from my work and have been hearing very good things about other folk too. A big final push over these last few week would REALLY be appreciated. Remember every donation, no matter how big or small WILL make a difference. It will all mount up. With everyone putting so much effort into the training and the run we DESERVE to make this 20 grand, TOGETHER, AS A TEAM!!!

As I have said before, there have been other events taking place that have or will be helping us reach our goal of £20K. Holly's old nursery donated £100 to our fund from their Open Day and the Dunfermline Womens Inner Wheel also donated £100. Thank you very much to both organisations. Your donations are appreciated.

There is also a group of guys from First ScotRail, led by a guy called John McCargo, doing a charity event on the same weekend as our run. Among them are my current boss, my old boss, one of the guys who trained me to become a driver and a few others who I go a long way back with. They are climbing Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis in a Two Peaks Challenge to raise money for charity. When they found out about our charity event they decided that they would like to donate 50% of the money they raise to our fund. This is a gesture that is really appreciated and everyone in the Race Against Time team wish you all well in both succeeding with your challenge and your fundraising activites.

Gill and Brian have been beavering away behind the scenes working on the Race Night. I promise you, this night is gonna be an absolute belter! The hottest ticket in town. By the weekend Gill will be emailing everyone the list of prizes for all of the races. What you need to do is place a bid for a horse to run in the race(s) to win the prize you fancy.

If your bid is one of the top 8 bids for that race and you horse comes 1st 2nd or 3rd your winning a prize.

First Class rail travel to London and west end show?
VIP audience tickets for Deal or No Deal with overnight stay?
Manchester United tickets?
Boutique Hotel in Glasgow?
Knockhill Racing? Edinburgh Zoo? Deep Sea World? Concert tickets at Edinburgh Castle?
Professional photographs? Restaurant Meals? Limited edition whisky? Banksy reproduction prints? Gym Passes? Moet and Chandon Champagne? Grey Goose Vodka? Cocktail Mixology Books?
Booze booze and more booze?

Keep a look out on your email for more info. If you don't have email or want more info contact us via the discussion pages.

Gill has also updated Holly's page so please read. She is still coming along and is already better than most of the docs thought she would ever be. Sky's the limit now as far as we are concerned!!!! It's taking time, but we can be patient.

Go on Holly! Keep going sweetheart! We are doing this for you, so you keep on doing it for us!
You have no idea how many people are rooting for you!!!!

Thanks for reading,

Craig.


Sunday 24 May. Craig's Blog

CONGRATULATIONS MONTY AND LORNA.

The latest addition to the Monty Clan, baby Harris Walker Montgomery arrived on Saturday night. Harris was 2 weeks early and had a rather bruising arrival into the world, coming out face first. He is a little swollen and sore but otherwise fine as is mum.

On behalf of all of the team I would like to pass on our best wishes to the ever growing Monty clan. Yet another reason for a good old knees up at the Race Night. The Scottish tradition of wetting the babies head will be the order of the evening.

Apologies for not updating much recently. We have been having problems getting onto the site to write but rest assured there will be lots more info to come soon.

Craig.


Tue 12 May. Monty's Blog

So we went for our planning trip on the 2nd of May. Myself, Ian and Craig ventured up to check out the change over points on the race to get the logistics right. We also did a run of the sections to check it out.

The run:

We drove up to Inveraran and left the car at the Drovers Inn. We then got the bus up to Tyndrum and we planned to run back down covering two stages of the race, Tyndrum to Crianlarich, Crainlarich to Inveraran. We started well and there was a nice run through some farms and along a river bank. We then hit some quite steep hills with some quite rocky surfaces, these were real lung busters and in the wet the paths will definitely required some good off road running trainers. At this stage I started to develop some serious blisters on my heals and on inspection they had already filled with blood and we were only about 3 miles in. Poor sock choice, trainers that seem to cause me problems and the fact that I can't change my feet means I always develop blisters, but these were bad.

We continued though, going up hills was a problem for me as this seemed to cause the most pain. Both Craig and Ian were in good shape and despite the blisters I felt good. We made it to Crainlarich in about 1hr 15mins and that was with stopping to get correct directions and tending to blisters. Point to note though is that these sections will be in the dark and that will make for some interesting surfaces and navigation. We are going to sort GPS systems to make sure we are going in the right direction.

At Crianlarich I bailed out. I knew I would be called all sorts later but my feet were a mess. If I could avoid hills I would be ok but I couldn't guarantee the next section would be flat. Turns out it was. Ian and Craig said this section was a lot flatter, the path had more rocks which made the going tough but the section was flatter and the guys finished in about another 1hr and 30mins. Great work form them and I think they felt good from having completed about the length they will do in the race.

For me I got needles, wipes and plasters form a local shop, did a repair job on my heals and then got a taxi to the car. Wasn't all bad I had a two pints in the Drovers Inn waiting for the guys to arrive. Over the dinner the slagging duly started with the suggestion I should be ordering Shandy's.......note to everyone though the steak and ale pie at the Drovers Inn is top notch!!!!!

We camped up for the night at Inveraran, we had two two man tents so it was Ian in one due to his past record of snoring and me and Craig in the other. Jamie had driven up from Glasgow for dinner and he joined us as we had a few more beers that Craig had brought (a full cool box of about 24 500ml cans). After the days excitement we only managed a few beers and headed off to sleep. Some slept better than others.........at 3am Ian phoned my mobile to tell me he thought there was someone outside his tent and I was to have a look! Needless to say the boogie man was nowhere to be seen and despite 'the wind' we did get some sleep.

The planning:

On the Sunday we headed off to Fort William, the plan was to drive up then come back down stopping at ever check point to get the logistics of handover points marked. We didn't make it to Fort Bill as the traffic was crazy, but the start of the race is quite straight forward. We did make it to every other check point. The trip proved invaluable, we had to change the running order slightly as getting to Inversnaid by car proved a bit of an ordeal and as a result we have chosen to not make this a check point and run straight through. There will be minimum disruption to the group by this change.

Overall a good planning trip and Craig is going to get a plan circulated in the next week or so to finalise details.

I have put some pictures below to whet the appetite................






Wed 15 April. Craig's Blog

Firstly, I want to commend the absolutely incredible achievement of one of our team members. Mike "The Nutter" Blamires successfully completed the Marathon Des Sables (150 miles Sahara Desert Ultramarathon) in 32 hours
29 minutes, coming in 288th place in a race of over 800 runners. This was Mikes first attempt at a race that in the ultra running world is universally recognised as the toughest footrace in the world! Bar none! I am sure I speak for everyone in the team in saying "WELL DONE MATE!" It goes without saying that having guys with experience like Mike on our team can only help our challenge.

Last week Gill, Holly, Ross and I attended the official opening of the "Sensory Garden" at High Valleyfield. I feel it is very important to mention this because it really rammed the message home as to why fundraising is so important. The materials for the garden cost 12 grand and EVERY SINGLE PENNY was raised by people like ourselves for all these wonderful children to enjoy. Then the army came in and did all the donkey work free of charge! I can honestly say that the garden is absolutely awesome. All the senses are attacked the minute you walk out onto the rubber chipped floor! Sight, sound, smell, touch; it is all there for the children to enjoy and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this new environment will help Holly and many other children with the developmental issues they face. When I left the CDC that day it really re-inforced my determination that our bunch of waifs, strays and bandits leave a lasting impression on places like the CDC for others to benefit from. Other people have done it to provide a beautiful area for our Wee Team Captain so we need to do likewise for the next intake of children. I cannot stress enough how much the CDC has helped Holly; and the fundraising of others before she arrived there has helped us recover some of the amazing wee girl we lost. Just about everyone should have their sponsor packs now, so lets get out there and get some money. With a lot of effort I KNOW we can reach our target, so lets everyone beg, cadjole, bribe, bully, whatever. We CAN do this!

To paraphrase Bob "needs a wash" Geldof; "Just give us the f**k*ng money!"

This last week or so has made me realise just how much we rely on family to help us get by at the moment. Our 2 main helpers (Gills mum and Gills sister Marion) have been away in Hong Kong. Couple that with the CDC being closed Friday and Monday for Easter, throw in a throat infection for Ross and conjunctivitis for both Holly and Ross and we have one big party! NOT! It has been a very tough time, esp for Gill as both the kids have been very clingy to her. Holly doesn't like me very much at the moment and will not let me feed her or do pretty much anything else just now. However, I am taking this as a good sign as, at times, before she was ill she was very particular about who did what with her. I think it is her showing her true personality again. Don't worry, she will love me again soon! I hope!

We have been fortunate that Emms, Dames and Brain have been around to help us over the past week or so or we really would have been demented by now.

Due to our domestic arrangements just now, training has had to be squeezed in wherever possible. Last Wednesday I did my run before the kids got up. I was out running at 0530am in the freezing cold and pouring rain. I was, at first, questioning my sanity but once I got into it I rather enjoyed the run. Was good practice for my stage in our race as it was very dark and you really have to concentrate on underfoot conditions due to the lumps and bumps. Once the rain went off and the day began to break I felt like I could run on for a good while. I had to get home for 0730 for the kids getting up so I managed 14 miles but reckon I could have managed 17 miles no bother so really pleased with that.

On Sunday, Big Ian and I had a nice run with lots of hills back in the old stomping ground of Paisley. We ran in the Glennifer Braes up to a place locally known as "the car park in the sky" which at night offers great views of Paisley, Glsagow Airport etc etc. It also has wee guys and their wee burds in their wee souped up fiestas doing donuts in the car park etc but we wont go there. It is Paisley after all and we have all been young once so we cannot criticise too much! We ran about 9 miles with a good 4 or so miles of constant uphill terrain. This was good training for what will face us in the R.A.T. and I really felt that the winter training in the garage with the rucksac of weights has paid off. Legs feeling reasonably strong and recovery time becoming less and less so its all good.

Apart from the above, not much else to report. Planning weekend scheduled for beginning of May. After this we should have confirmed changeover locations and much more info to share on times, schedules, terrain etc etc.

Craig.


Tues 31 Mar. Craig's Blog

Our wee trip down to Montys went well and it all went fine back up here leaving the kids for the night. A big thanks to Auntie Emms and Uncle Dames for giving us the opportunity to get a night off.

The weekend itself proved in equal measure why it is good having a mate like Monty and also the opposite. 10 miles were ran at a pretty impressive pace (1hr 15mins). All good I hear you say. However, 10 beers were sunk at an absolutely reckless pace. Top this off with a 3 course meal which finished with chocolate fondue, throw in bottles of wine, G&T's and a huge block of stilton back at his and you start getting my drift.

Going to eat well this week and train hard to try and reduce the damage done last week. Going out for a 14 miler tomorrow and golf on Thursday so should be back to my best shortly. Will follow this up with another long un on Sunday, knees permitting!

Was good getting a run in with a fellow R.A.T. runner to see where we both were. Fitness looking decent, stamina ok and pace also very similar so hopefully if we have teamed all runners up like this the event should go well. The weeks are fair flying in now but if everyone puts in the effort just now we WILL succeed in our quest!

Sponsor packs are now being distributed and you should be getting yours very shortly either by post or from, Monty, Ian, Brain, Jason or myself. I feel the time is now right to start asking folk for cash as the run isn't a million miles away now. Good luck on the fundraising. Remember every penny will make a difference!

Nothing much to report on Holly just now. Just plodding away and working hard but nothing significant to report. Gross motor movement in her weak right arm beginning to show signs of more life. Hopefully Gill will give a more in-depth update on Holly's Page soon.

Friday 27 Mar. Craig's Blog

Well it's been pretty hectic in the Ireland house over the past couple of weeks. Both kids now over the chicken pox but Ross also had tonsilitis last week. He has just started nursery and is picking up everything but hopefully it will calm down soon.

As Monty has mentioned below, we were on TV on Wednesday night. We think it went very well and in publicitiy terms we hope that it will encourage more sponsorship. It has already led to more donations by people Uncle Dames knows and one donation of £200 from the mother of a friend he hasn't seen in a good while was particularly generous. It was strange seeing Holly as she used to be as I usually can't bring myself to watch old footage. I am sure you will all agree she was, and still is, a super wee girl and we hope that over time more and more of the old Holly will come back to us. In terms of motivation for doing our event the TV clip does much more than I can ever say so I am not going to even bother. Watch it and you will know what I mean.

Sponsor packs are now all made up and will be distributed this week so lets all really get going now and get this 20 grand!!!!!!

Training is going well, up to 14 milers now but they do take it out of me. It takes at least 2 days to recover from the knee pain but as my section is 12 miles I am not overly concerned. Did a short sharp hill session the other week with a bag of dumbells in a rucksac on my back. The pain in the legs meant I didn't notice the constant thudding of the weights into my lower back until after the run. On inspection I had a large dumbell shaped bruise for my trouble in the pit of my back. Every time I sat on the sofa or lay in bed it was a reminder that this was not a good idea so I doubt I will do that again! As Monty said earlier, we are going down to his at the weekend. We will run, come rain or shine (the forecast is rain!) and it will be done before the beer. We can then reward ourselves with the amber nectar afterwards. It will be good to run with a partner and see where we are in terms of pace,distance, stamina etc. Will report back findings next week.

Last Sunday my bother Steven was in Rome doing the marathon. He managed it in just under 4 hours despite it being very hot. I am told that after 20 miles he thought he wasn't going to make it and when he did finally stagger over the line some Italian burd wanted to take him away on a stretcher he looked that bad! Just goes to show that even experienced runners need every last bit of training and mental strength to get them through. If we have a hot couple of days for our challenge it could be very tough going indeed so it's worthwhile to keep plugging away at the training. It WILL make all the difference come June. Steven has raised money for the Sick Kids and we look forward to receiving his donation! WELL DONE!!

Mad Mike starts his crazy attempt on the MDS on Sunday. I am sure I speak for everybody in wishing him all the best and that the experience is all you hope and expect it to be.


Thursday 26 Mar. Monty's Blog

Hi everyone been a while since I put a blog up. My Internet has been down at home and this me just back on-line. My training has been going quite well, still managing once during the week, distance about 6k, wish it was more but just can't get the time, hopefully the light nights will help with that but the important thing is I feel much fitter and the pace is getting better. At the weekend I am up to about 10 miles and feel like I could do more, just need to find a longer route. So quite happy with progress. I also bought a Wii Fit for my wife (Lorna) and have been doing some stuff on that, I tried the muscle workout and it nearly killed me.

I am sure you have seen the notes from Craig on the media attention Holly has been getting which is great, here is a link to the coverage from Scottish Television - http://news.stv.tv/home/84537-parents-hope-to-raise-cash-for-meningitis-charities/

Craig and Gill are visiting us in Leeds this weekend and sad as it is Craig and I have a run planned in. We will probably need it to run off the beer we will no doubt consume.

Keep the training going, if you need inspiration then watch the TV or read the papers and a story about a girl called Holly......................

Sunday 15 Mar. Craig's Blog

A few things to say about fundraising today. It is well and truly under way now despite us not having issued the sponsor forms etc to everyone yet. Sorry about this, we will get them out to everyone very soon.

Firstly a really touching story about two wee boys in our estate called Murray and Hamish. I think they are about 5 or 6 years old and they read the newspaper article about Holly and our challenge. Brothers Murray and Hamish have obviously been good wee boys at school and received good report cards from their teachers. As a reward their parents gave the boys £20 each for doing so well. When the boys heard about Holly and "how brave" she has been they decided that they wanted to donate their reward to our fund. I have to say that this is a really really touching gesture from the boys and unsurprisingly had Gill in tears when their note and donation dropped through the door. Well done boys and thank you very very much.

Secondly, I was contacted during the week by a colleague of mine who I used to work with about 4 years ago. He had been passed a copy of the paper from another guy I used to work with. Anyway the guys name is Willie Black and a while ago he was elected to the post of Employee Director within First ScotRail. When elected to this post you are awarded extra money in your salary for performing this role. However, Willie had stated in his election statement that the honour of representing the staff at board level was more important to him than financial gain and that he would pledge money to charity instead of being personally rewarded financially from the role. Willie has pledged to donate £2500 over the next few months (money is paid quarterly) to our cause. This is a huge boost to our fund and gets us off to a very very positive start. Willie is also a runner and will be taking on a stage of the challenge at some point so it is great to have him on board.

Bear in mind that this is a local paper and these other guys live on the West coast (ie 50 miles away) it shows that the power of media, and a bit of luck can go a long way!

No run today as I have been suffering from a cold over the last few days. OK with giving it a miss today and letting the body rest a bit as the knee has been a bit sore of late so I will give it a chance to recover. Ran for between 13 and 14 miles on Wednesday and was out for just under 2 hours. Was really delighted with that although I must admit the last couple of miles were very very tough and I was really toiling towards the end, knee was very sore as was pretty much every other part of me! However, its another milestone, breaking the half mar distance so very pleased overall.

It's been pretty manic this week as Holly now has chicken pox, it never rains eh? This means she can't go to the CDC until the spots scab over and we are due to film for Scotland Today on Wednesday so we are unsure whether this will go ahead. If not then hopefully we can re-arrange. As the newspaper article has shown, the power of media can only help our cause.

Craig.


Tues 3 Mar. Craig's Blog

Welcome back to Monty and Ian after their warm weather training stint in Dubai. I have just read Monty's blog below and spent a few moments reminiscing the days of a mis-spent youth when your biggest worry was where your next pint was coming from or what burd you were gonna end up with at the weekend. How things have changed!!!

It was a most enjoyable read and also a stark reminder that the WHW is no kiddies party. Yes we were unprepared, yes our kit was poorly chosen (esp the gaffer tape and the tins of beans), yes we looked like a scene from both Platoon and Dads Army mixed together, and yes big knives are bad; but yet somewhat cool when strapped to your lower leg.

However, the point I am making is that if we are not fully prepared for this then it could easily come crashing down around us. Its not just fitness that we need, its being properly fuelled and mentally prepared for the event. To me the fitness is the easiest part. If you haven't experienced the scottish midge in full flow you won't know what's hit you. Any exposed skin is fair game for these wee buggers (even when you go for a pee!) and if you get the warm, damp, no wind combo then Guantanamo Bay and waterboarding will seem like a walk in the park! Actually, theres a great idea for the CIA, torture by midge, you read it here first! Nearer the time we will produce a kit guide, which unlike Mikes Tips (which is more to do with the running side of things) will concentrate on the conditions in the hills of Scotland in late June. Both will be of great value, trust me!

Today, I got a delivery of my latest running gear. I have taken Mikes Tip on board about the undergarments and purchased a Nike Skin Top. Boy is it tight, I look like something out of a very early Boyzone or Take That poster but it should do the trick. With the runs getting longer and the weather (allegedley) getting warmer, the chances of sustaining friction related injuries increases, so it should be money well spent and I am really keen to get out and try it. Will be out tomorrow come rain or shine.

No run last Sunday as Gill and I had our first night out away from the kids since Holly fell ill. It was kinda strange but something we needed to do and all went well babysitting wise so a big thanks to Auntie Carol and Auntie Emms for giving us the opportunity for a wee break. Dinner and overnight in a hotel, followed by a plate of heart disease (ie the full scottish breakfast) the next morning meant that running was not the best idea but a psychological milestone was overcome so I can live without the run.

We have our first big publicity for the challenge arranged for tomorrow. We have a two page spread (Front Page!) in the local free paper (circ approx 55000) and hopefully this will generate more media and sponsor interest in the challenge. If I can I will either link to the online version if there is one or post copy on the site.

Sun 1st Mar. David's back from holiday Blog

I am just back from my warm weather training (holiday) in Dubai. I was there with the family and Ian's family and we were visiting friends. Myself and Ian still managed to keep up our training regime although the diets did suffer a bit. On the 24th of Feb we both did a morning run of 9.5K which was 3 laps round the community where our friend Matt lives. It was hot, that's an understatement it was probably about 30 degrees (Mike I now really feel for you on the MDS), it didn't help because it was laps and we failed to take water and about half way through I was suffering. Ian suffered more at the start but seemed to settle better than me and by the end was pushing on ahead which was great to see. What was good is Ian and I look to be going at the same pace and I seem to be a faster starter which helped Ian and then Ian helped me near the end. By the end I was knackered, I could hardly walk but a dip in the pool helped us both recover. One issue for me is I am getting blisters on blisters and I need to sort my feet out (I have now fully read Mike's tips and will take these on board rather than just persevering).

We then both did a run on the 26th of Feb but this time not together. I had a few too many beers the night before so the morning run was out for me. Ian went out and did another 9.5K in the morning again it was hot and he said it was harder without someone to run with. I went out later that day just as it was getting dark, it was a lot cooler (probably only 25 degrees!!) so I felt quite good, I went at a slower pace but my blisters started to get worse and I was also having to dodge some crazy driving as there was no path and I was running next to the road. So I only managed a 6.5K run but at least I was out.

So all in all I was quite impressed that we kept at it even on our holiday.

Whilst away myself and Ian also reminisced about the last time we attempted to walk the WHW and I thought this would be a good time to share our last attempt.

Put it this way it really was an attempt........There was a group of 5 of us (Ian, Jamie, Craig and myself from this challenge). We were about 21 or 22 at the time and I would say we were relatively fit. The WHW is normally walked over 7 days but can be done in 5. This involves doubling up sections, in our case we decided to double up the first section and walk about 26 miles from Milingavie to Rowardennan. You can also pay on the WHW for people to carry your packs and drop them at the end of your section for pick up, we decided against this and carried everything, tents, several tins of beer and tins of food.

On top of all this we looked like something out of Deer Hunter as most of us decided to walk in army boots which we used to wear on the door of the nightclub we worked in. We had taped up out feet as we knew we would get blisters so we used high grade gaffa tape (another great idea). We were well prepared though, Jamie for example had brought a 6 inch hunting knife "just in case", it was straight out of Rambo and had a matt finish so as not to catch the light and scare off your prey (whoever that might have been). Add to this Jamie's NYPD tee-shirt, army fatigues and boots and he was a right picture. I think we must have cleared out the local army store as we had bought used army ponchos which also doubled as a ground sheet, they were great if it rained but weighed a ton.

About 12 miles in we were already suffering, it was a hot day which was unusual, the weight in the packs, the gaffa tape in army boots was not doing our feet any favours and we had little water and food that you could actually eat quickly. Some where about that point Ian gave up and jumped a taxi from the main road and took the packs on ahead. The rest marched (staggered) on. I remember at one point Craig starting to hallucinate with lack of food and water. We did make it though and on route some other friends had driven up from Glasgow and met us at the pub in Rowardennan for a few pints. We were shattered it had taken us all day probably about 12 hours. We pitched the tents and went to sleep.

In the morning we were getting attacked by the good old Scottish midge, we were stiff and our feet were in tatters. One of our group then suggested that he give his friend a call who just happened to own the Ardlui hotel on the other side of Loch Lomond from where we were. Scott duly obliged and came to pick us up in his boat. He put us up in his caravan park and we spent the next 4 days at the bar of the Ardlui hotel where Scott kindly let us run a tab. The first night we were drinking abstinth that Scott kept under the bar. I remember settling up the bill and seeing pint after pint after Jack and Coke on the tills screen, it was a considerable bill. when we phoned home to get picked up you can imagine the response when girlfriends and family found that we hadn't made it past Loch Lomond after 5 days.

Wed 25 Feb. Craig's Blog

Firstly, on behalf of everyone invoved with our challenge, I would like to wish Mad Mike the best of luck with his crazy attempt on the MDS, 150 Mile Sahara Desert Ultramarathon, which takes place very shortly. To us novices this challenge is unthinkable and even for experienced runners it is a really really tall order. It will certainly sort the men from the boys. We hope you are successful and come back in one peice (preferrably not in a wooden box!) as we need you for our wee run in the woods.

It's been a strange last week or so. Not many hospital visits, which has been good. Just the one to see Holly's neuro consultant. He is pleased with her progress and we are changing the meds for her seizures. This seems to be having a positive effect. Not stopped them yet but they seem to becoming a bit less frequent and less severe so fingers crossed we are getting on top of them. The CDC was closed for the week so Gill was very busy with the kids but we got through it ok.

Had a 7 miler last Wed trying to incorporate more hills. It went ok but after it I felt a wee twinge in the ankle/achillies area so I gave Sunday a miss which was disappointing but I am glad I did and gave it time to recover. Did my longest ever run today. Out for 1 hr 45 mins. It was pretty cold and windy and I really felt it in the dodgy right knee but I think I must have ran roughly about 12 miles so very pleased overall. Was in a bit of pain afterwards but the ankle was ok. Have consumed a few of the remaining Tigers (no where near 120 these days) purely for pain relief you understand and it is doing the trick.

Things pretty quiet on the sponsorship/organising front just now. Once Monty and Ian get back from their warm weather training camp (holiday/pissup) in Dubai we will get the stages out to everyone and their sponsor forms etc. We can then really get the ball rolling. Speaking to folk who are invloved though I am getting the feeling that everyone is right up for this and getting themselves into good shape which is very pleasing to see.

The 1 year anniversary of this terrible thing happening is just around the corner and for me, it brings into focus how important it is that we do this challenge right. We raise as much money as we can and do our bit to say thanks on behalf of Holly and all the other people affected by this truely horrible disease.

We are looking for companies etc to donate prizes for the Race Night so if anyone reading this knows anyone or works for a company who might be able to help then please get in touch.


Tues 17 Feb. Craig's Blog

I will start off with the running. I have ran on Sunday and the Sunday before and having taken on some of the 'tips about the nips' and the 'dreaded chaffing' I am pleased to report no further injuries aside from the obligatory stiff knee which eases up after a day or two. Have had 2 great runs of between 11 and 12 miles in decent times. Am pleased about the distances and now feel I am ready to tackle more challenging terrain etc in preparation for our big event. When this thing first came about I really thought I would hate every minute of it and to start with I really did but now I am much fitter and more mentally ready for the challenge. I want to enjoy the big day as opposed to just surviving it and by putting in the work over the winter I think I stand a much better chance of doing so. It will still be tough but I am feeling more confident in myself with every week I get under my belt.

On Saturday, Monty, Ian, Dames, Brain and I had a big pow wow about the challenge. We have managed to slot names into stages and all will be revealed very soon. I hope everyone is ok with what they are being asked to do and if you need to change your stage, please let us know. Lengthy discussion took place about logistics and transport planning and a fair dent was put in the 120 Tigers during this discussion. It is becoming very apparent that there is a LOT to organise and that we will need a fair few support teams out there over the 24 hours. However, we are in a lucky position where we have a good few volunteers ready to take up these positions, and some of them have been over the course before (maybe not in 24 hours) so know what they are talking about. This will be very helpful at changeover points and for setting up sites for rest and food etc.

We finally got good news last Wed when Holly went to the eye doctor. Her vision has made virtually a full recovery which is amazing considering how badly it had been affected and how long a path it is from the eye to where vision is in the brain. This news has given us all a real boost and we hope that over time more good news follows as we have had more than our fair share of bad news in the last 11 months.

Going to see Dr Eunson, Holly's neuro consultant tomorrow about her seizures so Gill will update Holly's Page in due course. Hope everyone's training is going well!

Sun 15th Feb. A lesson in hill training

The training has been going well for me. I am managing a run mid week, normally a short one about 5k, I then do 12k on a Sat which takes me about and hour and 10k on a Sun. I am going to start running home from work once a week, which is about 8 miles, this should help get the miles up. I am still way off the pace at about 6 min kilometers. However, this weekend I learned a valuable lesson (apart from the nipple issues, see Ian's discussion thread) about the need for hill training. All my training has been on flat routes. Today I ran round the golf course at King's park in Stirling, it had some testing hills and it was muddy. I managed 4K in 45 mins!!!!! and I was knackered. I will need to focus on hill training as this is what the WHW will be all about, it was also good to get some real off road running as again this is what we will have to deal with.

Monty

Sat 7 Feb. Craig's Blog

After my positive outlook on last Sunday's run it turned out to be a bit of an anti-climax (no pun intended from prev blog). I learned some very valuable lessons tho that will help me in the weeks ahead. Lesson 1. Read Mikes Tips. I was about 5 miles into my run when the heat, sweat and poor choice of underwear resulted in the dreaded 'chaffing'. This in itself would not be enough to make me quit the run until lesson 2 kicked in. Eat properly! Couldn't be bothered really last Sat evening and had 4 cajun chicken breasts for dinner (no potatoes or veg etc). Great for protein but no carbs! Again about the 5 mile stage the mind was willing, the tunes were on but the fuel tank was empty. Add that to the fact that the return leg of my run was uphill and against a very strong headwind it is safe to say that the teeth were gritted very tight just getting home. 8 miles achieved in quite testing circumstances. A bit disappointed in the overall mileage but just glad to have got through a reasonable run and as said before, valuable lessons learned for the future. Tonights dinner consisted of 2 x venison steaks, 1 huge baked potato and roasted carrots and red onions. Sounds good eh? Pity it's being washed down with a few of the 120 Tigers and a bottle of red but (snow permitting) I will be out there better prepared albeit maybe a wee bit thirsty.

Been a very busy week with Holly. Read Hollys Page for in depth update. Didn't get out for a run on Wednesday but had time for a quick leg session which again I think I will see the benefit of when the going gets tough on the WHW. Next week is slightly less hectic and the appointments we do have are ones that we feel much more confident about. We are seeing (another pun) the Opthamologist (eye doctor to you and me). Since we last saw (sorry!) him Holly's sight has improved dramatically. I don't need a doctor to tell me this, I just know. So we are looking forward to getting his professional opinion. Holly also has an orthotics appointment for new leg splints. She is growing very fast and the old ones are getting too tight. Hopefully the new splints will encourage her to get her feet on the ground as she has been a bit reluctant recently. Overall tho her physio is very pleased with what she is doing and she had a great session in the hydrotherapy pool on Friday. The strength in her right leg is really improving and quicker than I had hoped or expected. Brian, Holly's acupuncture man is also treating her right arm with some new techniques that he wasn't so keen to do before. This is another positive sign as he feels that she is now ready for more direct and aggresive treatment that will hopefully encourage the right arm into functional movement.

Got a text from my brother last night. He is going to Rome for the marathon over there in March and he has already over £500 in sponsorship so the fundraising is already starting to gather pace. We have a few more on line donations too so its all looking good for now. We have also been emailed by Gavin Wilson (Montys Bro In Law), who cannot make the challenge. He is doing the London Marathon in aid of the Meningitis Trust and he chose this charity because of what happened to Holly. I would like to take the opportunity to wish him well and to say thanks for selecting such a worthwhile charity. Holly and all of the WHW team salute you!!!


Sun 1st Feb. Training progress

I have been making better progress with my training. Managed 12 miles last week, mostly made up of 3 mile runs which doesn't sound a lot but was progress for me. The week included a couple of runs in the dark with the head torch on which was also good training for the challenge, if I end up doing one of the night sections.

I have found a good loop from the house which is just under 5k and today I managed two loops so just under 10k. Felt good and was thinking of a 3rd loop but will save that for the week ahead.

So all in all good progress being made with training. Weather is not helping as the low temp is a struggle esspecially when the wind gets up. Will be investing in some new gear this week so that I can keep up the outdoor training.

Monty

Sat 31 Jan. Craig's Blog

Last Sunday saw me do my longest run so far. Somewhere between 11 and 12 miles and it felt great. Conditions were excellent and the head was not to fuzzy so it was 'all systems go'. There were a few 'bad mo-fo's' of hills in there too which really had me struggling so I gave Wed's run a miss in favour of some leg strength training. Was walking like John Wayne till yesterday but feel that I will benefit from doing more sessions like this in the long term.

Kids in bed and wife has amazingly gone out for a curry with her pals so the beer intake tonight will be less as I am 'in charge'. Looking to do at least a 10 miler tomorrow before the bad weather hits. Supposed to be snow for the start of the week. Received a pile of tshirts, forms etc from Meningitis Trust yesterday. Tshirts are bright yellow so we won't be missed on the WHW. Hope to have CDC stuff very shortly.

Next planning meeting is set for 14 Feb (Valentines Day). Monty's romancing has already gotten him into enough trouble for now!!!! and neither Gill or I have a romantic bone in our bodies at the moment so while all the lovers are out wasting their cash we will be planning on how we get people to give to a more worthwhile cause. If they want to spend £100 quid which will ultimately lead to people fumbling around in the dark then give the cash to us. The feeling of satisfaction will last much longer!

Holly has lots of appointments next week which Gill will update you with more fully on Hollys Page. She has a hearing test, not too hopeful of what we will find out. An EEG as we are struggling to get on top of her seizures and an orthotics appointment for new leg splints as she is growing very fast. All this on top of 4 mornings at rehab, hydrotherapy and her acupuncture means that its gonna be a hectic week. Need to fit in time to work unfortunately and there is the Wee Man to think of as well. Training might need to be put in the back burner so actually hoping for snow as this would curtail the training anyway. On the positive side Holly can now go from lying, up to sitting and is sitting very well. This is a big milestone and one of the fundemental 'building blocks' to our aim of getting her back on her feet. The movement and strength in her right arm and leg are really beginning to show signs of progress so fingers crossed that this continues.

CRAIG, ISLES, HOLLY'S DADDY

Sat 24 Jan 2009. Craigs Blog.

This is my Saturday night. Several beers in front of the PC working on stuff for the big event. It's not as sad as it seems!! Honest. Gill and the kids in bed, the house is quiet and no alarm getting me up at 4am for the 1st train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Its ok for the passengers, but if your the driver the 40 winks is somewhat out of the question.

It has been as busy week. I have been to RHSC to collect TShirts and sponsor forms. They think we are all a wee bit mental but are delighted to have us doing what we are doing. They have a monthly magazine and we will get our mugs in it. They will also offer any other support we need. I also found out that we as fundraisers have a say in how our money is spent, ie we can direct the cash to specific projects or wards within the hospital. I have also seen Holly's Consultant (Dr Eunson) and asked him if he would consider joining the challenge. He is a really fit man and usually runs up mountains so a stage or two would be a walk in the park to him. He seemed quite keen. It would really mean a lot to Gill and I if we could get him along and I think it would add a lot of clout to our challenge to have one of the finest Neurologists in the country taking part.

This week I have had lots of contact with the Meningitis Trust. They are very impressed with the site and more specifically the challenge name (I thought it up and am rightly proud of it!!!). They think that this will generate lots of media interest and we will be meeting with their Communications Team at some point prior to the challenge. From this they will send out a Press Release to the media and we will see where it goes from there. Gill and I think we are ok about talking about what has happened. We will find out soon enough.

Holly's Key Worker Pat, at the CDC is organising the Tshirts and sponsor forms for their part of the challenge. The organising team is meeting soon to allocate names to stages, discuss transport, the Race Night and all other stuff. From this we will be sending out a pack to every runner with sponsor forms, tshirt etc etc. Due to tax implications etc we cannot just lump all the cash together and divide it between the charities so all participants will be asked to raise money for one of the 3 specified charities. If anyone has a specific preference for one of the three nominated groups, please let either Monty or I know asap. We may not be able to accommodate all requests but we will sure try.

The Race Night venue has been booked. It is at Dunfermline's football ground. It has recently been renovated and it is a really nice, big suite. It has 2 bars! They will both be needed! I have also booked the Race Night operator. There will be races, betting, a buffet and a disco with real cheesy floor fillers. It promises to be a real good night.

The training is going well. When we got out of Hospital I was 13st 4. I am now down to 12st 2. I can happily run 8 hilly miles or 10 on the flat at a decent lick. Cannot wait to get out there and do it now and it is still months away. I am really up for this and I hope all you guys are too. I hate to admit it but I am actually enjoying the training. I never thought I would say that but I am the fittest I have been in at least 10 years. I usually run on a Wedneday and Sunday morning and I know for the fanatics out there you will think my logic is mental but here it is.

"I have a few beers (usually quite a lot) the night before. I can't drink other nights due to work commitments and one thing I am not giving up is my beloved beer! So I go out and run when I am feeling at my worst. Sometimes, especially at the start of the run, its so bad I feel sick and my gut feels like I am being stabbed! The weather isn't helping either, the cold really gets at my bad knees. Last Sunday I felt like I was running on the spot at times against the strong winds. However, if I can run for 8 or 10 miles when I feel like my head has had an anvil dropped on it, then I must be doing ok. The sense of achievement, or it might be relief, when I have accomplished what I had set out to do has really stirred something inside me. I can't see me chucking it once we have ripped the backside out of the WHW."

BTW. Morrisons supermarket. Tiger Beer, 4 btls for £2. Got 120 bottles for £60 so that should last a few weeks. Its all to do with the Chinese New Year, despite the fact its from Singapore. Anyway, "Kung Hei Fat Choi" to all my friends. This is the traditional greeting (in Hakka Chinese) for everyone to give for celebrating Chinese New Year. It has something to do with being prosperous and healthy in the coming year, which I hope we all are. The year of the Ox begins on 27 January so I guess that the sensible diet is out of the window for a few days. Off to gorge on soya chicken, suckling pig, roast duck and Tsingtao (proper) chinese beer. Be back up at 13st before the week is out!

CRAIG, ISLES, HOLLY'S DADDY

The fog is clearing
22 Jan 2009

I have been suffering with Man Flu since Christmas I seem to have had every ailment including, sore joints, headaches, fevers, allergic reactions. Not ideal for training, and everything had been going so well before the Christmas break! It is even more frustrating when I hear how well Craig is getting on with his training but good on him he is doing fantastic, well done mate.

But the excuses (as Neil in my work puts it) are now fewer, the fog is clearing and I feel energised and ready for my training push. Have planned some running for the weekend, don't think it will be as adventurous as the 8 miles Ian has planned though. I will keep you all posted.

Monty