Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

the above spiel was not written by me, and you'll see my quality of writing is far more inferior.

If you told me this time last year that I would be running the London Marathon I would never have believed you, but hey life would be very boring if you had everything planned. 

The name of my page is to do with the fact that  we are running the marathon as bumble bees, and yes we sting.....

Anyway back to this marathon business it’s all that Gillian McDonnell’s fault! 

We started jogging together Summer 2009, and she was adamant she wanted to complete a Marathon before her 40^th birthday.

Alas for me that wonderful milestone has well and truly passed me by!!

Anyway moving swiftly on....We kept our  training up and our friend Anne Marie through her job with the Bank had the chance of a place for the Marathon running on behalf of Help The Hospices.org, Gillian registered and was accepted also. Myself ,I had registered with CHAS the children’s hospice association but they had no places to give, so I then was accepted by Help The Hospices. Org as well.

Gillian downloaded all of our schedule for training and ever since, our schedule has been our gospel with little room for deviation and also I’m  a little afraid of Gillian don’t tell her....

We get one day off a week which is a Saturday, we do body balance that day, which is good stretching.

I can’t tell you how much I hate snow and ice and can’t wait for it to go!!! Our  6 days a week training has for the last three to four weeks been snow and ice bound with temperatures as low as minus 8 for one 9 mile Sunday run!,Don't know how we've survived.  You’d think the weight would fall off but hell no, all I want to do is eat!!

Anyway now that I think I’ve set this up, I shall update this site regularly and hopefully receive some donations too pleeeeeease.

Help the hospices.org is a fantastic charity, especially since they are only 31% funded by the government, shocking when you consider all that they do. In order for them to sustain themselves on an annual basis they need £400 MILLION, every year.......

So I feel quite humbled that along with you lot we can be part of that.

So pleeeeeease help me help others, and I know a few of you will be reaching for your sick bags to chuck at this point but,  when you consider how much you spend on choccie and wine , oh wait a minute that’s me, ha ha, you know what I mean. 

Pleeeeease help. 

Cheers for now.

Training last night was just a little treacherous Gill and I ran in Irvine last night,  a ten miler, and the conditions ranged from dry to snowy to slushy to I can't stand up, but we got there in the end our friend Anne Marie is not very well at mo so we're keeping our fingers crossed for her.

Just got a little 25 mins run tonight so yeay, will report back in tomorrow.

15/01/10, roads really slushy, so for the first time did my 25 mins at the gym, I hate the gym....tonight it's 70 minutes and tomorrow is my day of rest so just 1 hour of body balance tomorrow, lovely stretching.

16/01/10, only managed 6.5 miles last night in 70 mins, conditions even more treacherous than Wednesday and they were bad enough, ran mostly on the verges and as you can see by my ,2 week old trainers and trust me they've been flash wiped, laces on radiator drying, ha ha. lovely sedate body balance today aaah then off to the footy, my son Andrew is Kilmarnock's mascot today yeah, wonder what the chances are of getting some footballers to sponsor me, mmmmm, on their wages probably none!!!! Well 90 mins tomorrow night, hopefully the conditions will be a little less muddy and treacherous....... THANK YOU JOY........

17/01/10,     only managed just over 8.5 tonight, unfortunately had a large lunch (pigged out) and it was like running with a lead weight with constant heartburn and a real acidy tummy, great, won't be doing that again...... but on the up side the ice is all but gone yeay. Just a little 25 minuter tomorrow night with Anne Marie and I'll post a piccie tomorrow night. Also Tesco should be calling me tomorrow for our first (and believe me not only) bag pack date. It's not just about the training it's more leg work on the fund raising front. I'm not even going to mention the Kilmarnock score yesterday but we had the best time,  fantastic afternoon.

19/01/10.....  yeay ok I know my picture taking skills stink, especially with a mobile phone, but wanted to get a piccie of Anne Marie, she's still bunged up wee soul, but I'll tell you it didn't affect the sprint she went off at and maintained! God help me tonight, we did 2.65 in 25 mins last night and we've got 60 mins tonight.

 Doing our first bag pack 6th Feb at Tesco Glasgow Road, 10am so hopefully we'll raise a bit of cash between us. Will report back tomorrow.

20/01/10  another sprint last night with Anne Marie, we were doing brilliantly til the last 5 mins when we had to battle against the force 10 head wind for the entire time, we still managed 6.14 miles never the less.  We're all out together tomorrow night for a 9 miler so will post a piccie of all of us together again at last, aaah.

21/10/01......there we are altogether in Gill's kitchen, nice and fresh before our 9 miles, got the munchies half way through and felt slightly dehydrated, but got there in the end. Gill woke up with a hangover type headache this morning, obviously also dehydrated from last night, she  was kind enough to text and tell us at work that she was going for a nice balance class then a relaxing sauna today, wasn't jealous atall (much). Anne Marie had sore knees so hope she's ok for tonight. Me well I've generally got a niggley left thigh/hip, but show me a runner with no aches and pains.

Got a 70 min run tonight, then the girls have netball rather them than me. I'll be home to have dinner a little earlier than the usual 9 0' clock.

22/01/10.......was pleasantly elated when Gill informed me it was a 65 min run, yeay, so 6.54 miles clocked up so go us, 25 mins tonight hooray.

23/01/10....just Gill and I tonight and we did 2.64 miles. How do we know are mileages well thanks to Garmin and my lovely husband I have a triathlon sat nav watch and Gill also has a Garmin don't know how people manage to train without them!!!! Anyway got to get my son up for footie then get to balance, and also more begging letters been written this morning for supermarket bag packing. The fun in my life never stops, hee hee. Will report back after our gargantuan 2 hours 50 min run on Sunday night if I survive, not so ha ha.......

25/01/10..... Well! The run was actually 2hours 48 mins and we did 15.5 miles, not too bad if you take into consideration 2 pee stops and a sock change as Gill's sock was giving her a blister, so she turned it inside out. I twas quite daunting, Gordon dropped us off 1 mile past the Mearns x Shopping Centre and we had to run home to mine!!!! I had bought 2 head torches as the old A77 is pitch black in places and I'll tell you you don't know you're wearing them and it makes your evening runs far more interesting, ok granted they're not a good look but who cares......A nice gentle 30 mins tonight and then Gill and I are helping our friend Maggie film her body attack video. So will report back tomorrow.

26/01/10....THANK YOU FIONA..........a nice sedate 30 mins last night, 2.86 miles, then Gill and I helped out Mags with her body attack video, Gill night shift so running today by herself, Anne Marie and I running together, got 60 mins, then an early night me thinks....THANK YOU ELAINE.............

27/01/10... a nice 6 miles last night, legs less creaky than they were night before... 50 mins tonight...

28/01/10... 5 miles last night, quite mild for a change.

29/01/10.. 4.5 miles last night, we incorporated tonights 15 mins with the 35  from last night to give us 2 days off before the 13 miler on Sunday, yeay. Report back Sunday night. THANK YOU ANNE.....

 

31/01/10. ....13.1 miles today, not all that pleasant today as we had a head wind the entire way, ran from the Citadel in Ayr to the Magnum in Irvine, the last 3 miles were on the beach, unfortunately the sand wasn't frozen as anticipated, so between the soft sand and the head wind those 3.1 miles were torture, but we made it, with our noses running and our breath laboured, yeay.... day off today, from running and work as I worked Saturday, so off to Glasgow.

2//02/10.... mega shout out to my cousin FIONA and my cousin in law IAIN thank you sooooo much, LOVE YA.

BIG THANK YOU also to VANESSA, who isn't even related, your generosity is overwhelming.

Only got a 30 minuter tonight, but will be floating along with this help.

3/2/10.......a very  nice THANK YOU NIGEL, and let me tell you your money and Joy's is safe!!!!! A nice little 3 miler last night very pleasant, and good news Killie beat Celtic yeay!!!!! Bad news is it's snowing again, aaaargh, got a 4.5 miler tonight in the white stuff with Anne Marie, Gill is night shift. It'll be fine....

3/02/10... snow was still on the ground, but just heavy rain all the way, hopefully wash it all away before tomorrow night's run, yum yum, dinner. Anne Marie's knee was playing up a little......

4/02/10..... snow all gone yeay, 30 mins tonight, and  3 miles.. Anne Marie's knee twinging a little towards the end... 

5/02/10...Did 6 miles tonight, Anne Marie's knee not bad at all, oh God bag packing at Tesco tomorrow, I mean oh Yeay!!!!

6/02/10........ 7 hours of bag packing but each of us £230 further on with our money, so well worth it, thank you to all who helped and who also will be helping next Saturday namely  my lovely hubby Gordy, and my kids  Amy and Andrew. Steven, Kirstie, Claire, Hannah, Mairie and my mum..... shattered and back killing me, God I feel old.....

7/02/10......Gill and I minus Anne Marie ran this morning, unfortunately Anne Marie's other half Jamie had a football injury which left him in a cast after a visit to casualty early doors so we hope he gets better soon. We did a very respectable 9 miles in exactly 90 mins so good 10 min miles, we were happy. Housework now, I need a holiday.............

9/02/10......THANK YOU LIZ........last night we had a 55 min run and Gill and I ran 5.46 miles,  tonight we have a 45 min run and then an hour of balance, so some nice stretching aaah.

10/02/10.......4.5 miles last night, and some nice stretching but I have to say I felt knackered.....

11/02/10.....had parent's night for Amy last night which was very gooooood, then 11 very cold miles , back to minus 2 and numb bums all round........back home for a nice bath and bed.........

11/02/10.......We all ran by ourselves tonight. 30 mins and I ran 3.31 miles, quicker than usual, but when you know you're only running a short time pshycologically (not sure I spelt that right) you can run it quicker. it's all about the brain power, don't ask me why!!!! tomorrow it's 95 mins with Gill. I've taken the day off, probably not the best idea, although the schools are off, moves afoot at work and big job losses imminently coming!!!!! hey ho!!!! Report back tomorrow on everything....)::)

12/02/10......off work today, weather is lovely, sunny but cold, ran with Gill today but for some reason we were reeeeally tired, did just over 8 miles but wasn't nice, oh joy bag packing tomorrow.......

13/02/10.....bag packed in Morrison's Stevenson today and a VERY BIG THANKYOU, to all of our friends and family who gave up the day to come and support us. THANKYOU MAUREEN, poor soul you stayed allllll day. £1430 we raised between us so well worth it........

14/02/10.....happy   Valentine's Day........ had a much better run today thank goodness, 9 miles in just under 90 minutes. Anne Marie didn't run as she had a verrrrrry heavy night/morning, Gill and I were at Lesley's (thank you Lesley ) last night stayed far later than intended and left at 1.30 am, great night.......thankfully it didn't effect the run!!!!!

15/02/10.........15 min run today, a 1.5 mile breeeeeze. Found out I keep my job today, very sad for my friends who didn't but congrats to those who did!!!                                                                                                                                              

16/02/10......about to go on a 10.5 mile run, can barely wait......been snowing again and blinkin' freezin. Been off the last couple of days and have to go back to work tomorrow, least I've got a job!! Will let ya know how we go tonight tomorrow.

17/02/10... a good 10.5 mile run last night, unfortunately poor Anne Marie was experiencing pain up the front of both of her shins and had to be picked up by Gillian's hubby David  halfway through, so we hope this is only a temporary situation!!! will keep you posted. The snow was more like slush and our feet were absolutely soaked, the joys. Just got a 2 mile run tonight  so no biggy, got a 9 miler tomorrow night.

18/02/10...2.2 miles last night, and good news Anne Marie's legs seem absolutely fine, so 9 tonight!

18/02/10..........THANK YOU McGEORGES, don't kid yourself JANE you're just as mad as me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

19/02/10...... had a really good 9 miler last night, bitterly cold again, but a slightly different route than usual, making it a little more interesting and also a little more challenging.... cos we so need a challenge NOT. Just done a little 20 minuter tonight, so let the weekend commence......

20/02/10... THANK YOU LOUISE..... Just back from the hairdressers and a nice donation just been made so thanks again.....Got a 115 min run tomorrow, so will report back tomorrow afternoon....

21/02/10....wot a beautiful day!!! Just in from an 11.5 mile run and it was really good, never thought I'd hear myself saying that, ran with Gill. so confidence is definitely growing over the halfway mark now for training, a bit scary!!!!!

22/02/10....just a 20 minuter tonight and went 2.17 miles

23/02/10......THANK YOU GARY....  just back from the Isle of Skye, a joyous 12.5 hour return journey. Stunning scenery minus 15 at Glencoe this morning, was driving an X5 auto, so left leg a little stiff now, hopefully it will loosen off during my 40 min run tonight with the gals. Will let you know......we did a 4 miler and it was great to loosen off my stiff legs, and now to bed!!!!!

24/02/10....THANK YOU ANNE... aaaaaargh the dreaded snow is back and we have a 10.5 mile run tonight, reeeeally looking forward to that, hey ho.....I think a bath will be called for afterwards, will let you know!!!!

25/02/10...there was a bit of a change of plan last night as Anne Marie's train was delayed at Dunlop due to snow on the points, so we did a 60 min run, just over 6 miles, didn't start running til 8.45 pm. We were soaked to the skin, our feet were completely soaked and I have to say the puddles on the Western Road were like swimming pools, but with ice!!!!! So due to the shorter run got another 6 miler tonight and tomorrow night. Doing a half marathon on Sunday. So hopefully won't be as bad weatherwise tonight, although looking at the weather at the mo it aint looking good!!!! 

26/02/10...thank goodness no rain tonight, another 6 miles.

28/02/10....got in from work at 10 to 6 back out running 20 past 6, 5 and a quarter miles, then school disco til 10, and guess wot back at work, this morning, wot a chump, anyway. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH LESLEY................rant over. ha ha.... 

28/02/10........had a really good run today did 13.5 miles in 2 hours 9 mins. We ran from Eaglesham all the way down the Western Rd, then Irvine Rd to .Dundonald Rd back to the lights at the  Grange. Not a bad time, better than 10 min miles today we stopped at the shop in fenwick to pee, ha ha, damn civilised  possibly over sharing sorry, but when you're a runner you don't have much of a choice!!!!! 

2/03/10.....had a night off last night after Sunday, Gill and I did a 4 miler tonight, got a bit of a sore throat, so no balance tonight...

3/03/10....met AnneMarie at the Magnum tonight and did a 7 miler with Gill also, not a bad run all in all.

4/03/10....did a 6 miler tonight and had a little shot of netball Anne Marie and Gill play all the time, they invited me to have a little shot, had a little go at goal defence, but think I will try my old school girl position of goal attack, as defending isn't my thing. Amy's gonna come with me next Thursday too, just got a nice little 3 miler  tomorrow night before the big 15 on Sunday!!!!!!

5/03/10....just back from our little 3 miler and Mo is coming round for some vino soon, yeay..... THANK YOU RAY AND SYLVIA XX for your kind donation much appreciated....

6/03/10......THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH JENNY SIMON AND KATHERINE ):): XXXX means a lot, hopefully see you some time soon, lots of love Di and Gordon xxxx....

7/03/10.....just back from our 15 miler....beautiful weather and not in the minus temps for a change, worst thing was the 4 miles of vertical hills to start with with which brought our time down..... not bad though completed in 2 hours 27, so not bad considering.  So it's shopping, making dinner, then a hot date with the ironing board, yeay, and a very pleasant 5 o'clock rise tomorrow for a 9am delivery in Newcastle, who'd be a working marathon runner......

9/03/10...had a day off from running last night and in light of the fact there was just a 15 min run tonight I did body combat and body balance instead, it was a nice change.

10/03/10....had a 6 mile run tonight in Irvine with Gill and Anne Marie and it was a really good run.

11/03/10....did a 3 miler tonight and then had netball, Amy came along too, she had a really good time. God got a 16 mile run after work tomorrow.......

12/03/10.......just back from our 16 mile run, we started on the Humbie Road in Newton Mearns all the way back to Gill's. Exhausted, completed it in 2 hours 39, that's the furthest any of us have ever run, it's a good feeling.

A BIG THANK YOU TO MY MUM AND ALL OF HER NEIGHBOURS IN FOREST GROVE FOR THEIR FABULOUS SUPPORT AND THEIR DONATIONS  TO HELP THE HOSPICES, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT........

14/03/10...happy mother's day...... just a little 3 mile run today then lunch at my mum's dawdle...

15/03/10....THANK YOU MARTIN but I have to ask HAVE YOU BEEN DRINKING????? hee hee, 5 mile run tonight.

15/03/10 just back from my run got a few left knee niggles but they were loosening off, hopefully loosen off more tonight, for another 5 miler....

18/03/10....unfortunately been laid low with some silly virus that gives you a migraine diziness and nausea, lovely. So feeling a bit better today and will have to play catch up tonight, will let you know how that goes, first time since my training began that I've missed, could've been a lot worse!!

18/03/10... did a 6 miler tonight, and seem to have a sore neck and back, still post viral me thinks, h'mmmm.

19/03/10...another 6 miler tonight and when I started I had the most painful sensations down  the sides of my legs, didn't think I would make it, but I did, worrying.... again pain in the neck and back, aw oh......rest day tomorrow and 17 mile run on Sunday...

21/03/10.....Gillian was day shift today so ran at half past six and I have to say fully recovered and had my best run to date, and kept with the 10 min miles so very pleased and relieved that I'm well, yeay....rest day tomorrow.

23/03/10.. a nice little 3 mile run tonight, happy days... got an hour tomorrow night... 

24/03/10....had a really good 7 mile run tonight by myself and did it it in 1 hour 6 mins so quite pleased, was much milder than of late and very welcome it was too....

25/03/10.....had a 9 mile run tonight with the girlies, which in truth I found harder than the 17 mile run from last Sunday, wierd!!!! anyway strangely the 8th mile in and  I got a really strange agonising pain in the top of my left foot, akin to molten ash out of a fire landing on (bit dramatic) it, twice, so painful had to stop, but within 2 seconds all fine, just continued, got home took sock off and a red mark, wot the hell????  verrrry strange!!!!!

26/03/10.....it was raining and windy and it's Friday night, but it was only 30 minutes so just over 3 miles and afterall I am now going to my pal Christine's for cocktails food and a spray tan... God bless Christine, ha ha.....better still she lives less than 100 yards from me!!!!!!

28/03/10........well it's Sunday morning now and thank God it was my day off yesterday!!!! Got my tan Friday see new piccie. Also got to bed at 3 am.... me Joyce and Christine have got good staying power and livers of steel, not that I drink during marathon training of course hic, oops. Just like buses I also had a work's night out in Glasgow last night, but I stuck to sparkling water, I know came as a shock to me too that I am actually quite sensible occasionally!!!!! got home at a more reasonable hour too, midnight, which seeing as it is now British summertime equated to 1am really, so half 11 now in bed still but had my porrige and hot milk and got our longest run today...seeing it's summer might wear shorts hee hee, show off the tan, hope it doesn't rain and wash it off!!!!!! will report back after the dirty deed is done... Poor Anne Marie has a netball match first, that gal's sooooooo fit!!!!! and completely bonkers, makes me and Gill look sane!!!!

28/03/10.......well we did our 18.5 miles today and we were pretty tired by the end and we all definitely need new trainers!!!!! Unfortunately I will have to wait til pay day cos they don't come cheap, so hopefully I will have mine before our 20 miler next Sunday!!!!! Anyway got a nice spag bol made for dinner with garlic bread, think I've earned it, yeay. Up at 6 tomorrow, delivering in Middlesbrough tomorrow morning, got a 4.5 mile run with Gill tomorrow night, so not too arduous......

29/03/10..weather so bad only managed a 3.6 mile run tonight, torture.

30/03/10..same again tonight did a 10km on the treadmill, snow coming down sideyways...., happy Scottish summer....

31/03/10...THANK YOU MAGGIE..... just a little 3 miles tonight and then parent's night.......

31/03/10.... cold head wind  tonight, but did my 3 miles in 27 mins, and then went to a very good parent's night for Andrew.....

1/04/10....just another 3.25 mile run tonight.

2/04/10....aaah Easter Friday, was supposed to run with Gill tonight but didn't finish work til 6, so straight in and out for another 3 miler, biggy on Sunday.... Day off tomorrow.....

4/04/10... 20 miles, omg, was a beautiful day, not very acclimatised to sunshine!!!! Completed in 3 hours 14 mins.....only took one gel, need to take more me thinks!!!! rest day tomorrow,Easter Monday but working alas!!!!

6/04/10......THANK YOU STEVE..............rain's coming down sideyways here again, so possibly the treadmill tonight me thinks. no treadmill, in typical scottish style sun splitting sky at 7 o'clock, so very clammy 4.77 miles in 45 mins. Got an 8 miler tomorrow night.

7/04/10......8 miles tonight which ended at the top of a lovely steep hill, stiff legs again, ho hum...

8/04/10....left knee gowping, was even limping at work today so resting it tonight.

9/04/10..... knee not quite so painful, did 5 miles in 45 mins on treadmill tonight. Got Alan's 50th tomorrow night.

11/04/10.......Party was a great success and a lot of fun, Mo had made enough food to feed at least 2 armies!!!!! Just had some porridge and waiting for Anne Marie to pick me up to go to Gill's, got a 15 miler today and the weather is beautiful!!! Hopefully my leg will hold up, fingers crossed!!!!........THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH DREENA,GREGOR, AMANDA, ELIZABETH AND KEITH,MEANS A LOT!!!!!! OMG how hot is it today???? we walked the last 2 miles today, we all have new shoes and breaking them in hasn't been pleasant even though they are exactly the same ones we had, they're killing our toes, now I know that sounds trivial, but sore toes are agony when you're running, trust me, coupled with the heat, absolute hell, though good acclimatisation for London!!! Looked in the mirror when I got in the car and I had lines of salt down my neck, attractive!!! I took my socks off and there's a white line where they start.... Think summer's definitely here for this week, hee hee. Off for a nice sedate walk now with Gordy and Andrew. Just in case you were wondering yes I did shower!!!! 

13/04/10......THANK YOU ROD..............well we had a rest day yesterday and a late run tonight, quarter past 9 as I got home late from work, so a little 3 mile trot, to break us back in for the week.

14/04/10..........THANKS FOR THAT LEE, WILL TRY NOT TO, HEE HEE......did a 6 mile run tonight in Irvine with the gals, got a 10 miler tomorrow night.

16/04/10.....did our run last night and a 3 miler this morning, got a 12 mile run on Sunday.

18/04/10.....lovely day and done our 12 mile run, panicing a little about how we're getting to London to register on Saturday, don't really want to incur another expense on a train but may have no choice, who'd've thought!!!!!!!

WOW WARWICKS WOW, THANK YOU.............................. 

19/04/10......just a little 25 min jog tonight, it was absolutely baltic...

20/04/10...got a 45 minute run tonight, think we'll be booking a train as well!!!!

20/04/10.... just over 4.5 miles with the lovely Gillian and Michelle.

21/04/10.......had a 12 hour day today, but kept well hydrated and had a good 7.2 mile run with the gals, ran round Irvine tonight, soooooooo excited!!!!!!! and the plane all good. THANK YOU MARK,  THANK YOU FHIONA...

25/04/10.....I know I missed a couple of days on the training blog there, but hey ho....ALL OVER 4 hours 48 minutes 27 seconds, all that training certainly paid off and we all finished together, sore tired and pretty much unable to walk, poor Anne Marie got a bit cyanotic but let me tell you, it didn't stop her getting to the line, Gill was brilliant and I just wanted to finish, with a big blood blister on my toe, who cares. and just in case you're wondering N0 we're not running a marathon ever again, spectate yes, run no.....Wot an experience and THANK YOU to everyone who supported and sponsored us all, this page will remain open for another month or so, so if ya want to still give, be my guest. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will attach pictures later today!!!