I did it!

The night of the Glow Run has been and gone, my flashing bunny ears have lain discarded in the kitchen  and now I have to motivate myself on these dark wet days to go out and run. But that night in October it was all worth it.

With my super-supportive daughter we set out to find Gateshead Stadium on a dark October night. I knew vaguely the direction to go when we got off the Metro but after a couple of false starts we got there and as expected we were first to arrive. (I always get places too early).  We registered and then got ready with glow-sticks and of course the bunny ears which I wasn't allowed to put on until we were outside (only mothers of teenage daughters will know that look of "no mother that is a step too far")

Ready for action, clean and dry but not for long

As we all gathered outside for the warm up, our personal cheerleader and photographer (also known as daughters boyfriend) arrived and then the true benefit of the bunny ears were revealed, he always knew where we were. They were like a tracking device as we ran around the track

I'm confidently telling Kate it's only 4 laps of the track when over the tannoy comes the bad news "This is a fun run (fun!!!!) but if you want to do the full 3K its 8 laps of the track" I could feel my heart sink, it's the same distance but sounded so much further now.

Anyway off we went through the first spray of neon paint which was very cold and very wet. Everyone raced off but like all gold medal athletes I had my plan and stuck to it. Slow and steady wins the race. Every lap meant more neon paint being sprayed but as Kate and I continued to run I felt good passing all those who had sped off at the beginning and were now walking.

Bunny ears in action

Apart from the actual running the hardest part was keeping count of the number of laps we had done. We kept checking with each other how far we had gone and luckily always agreed. I've no idea how long I took but who cares, my target was to do 3K and finish and that's what I did.  I felt so good even if I didn't look so good at the end covered in paint.

We didn't plan for the end very well, I didn't expect to get wet right through to undies and never thought of a towel to get dried with. Nor travelling home through Newcastle on a Friday night with neon paint in our hair and clothes but in true British style, apart from one woman who had a brief flicker of a smile no-one looked twice.

Huge thanks to my running partner Kate who stuck with me all the way through even though I know she can run faster and longer than me and thanks to the official photographer Bashir who I covered in neon paint giving him a hug. Finally thanks to everyone who sponsored myself and Kate, we both exceeded our target of £100 each.


So what's next I hear you ask, I've discovered I'm a fair weather runner but I've bought some warmer and waterproof running gear so plan on carrying on but I'll have to find another target otherwise I'll not go out in the winter. But don't suggest The Great North Run, that's a step too far!

I don't like running

Way back when the Summer was still new and excitement was still high in the McHugh household for our holidays I got a call from my Doctor's "Hello Mrs McHugh, you are entitled to a free health check, shall I make an appointment for you" So off I went and when the results came back apparently the health check told me that I wasn't healthy. Next step, the Nurse to tell me all about healthy eating and exercise. Although I am active that is not enough, it seems for exercise you have to actually increase the rate of breathing.

So exercise was my aim but what should I do? I couldn't see me going to a gym or going to classes, spare time is not plentiful. Walking  briskly to work 3 days a week was poo-poo'd by the Nurse so what did that leave?

I am happy walking anywhere but should I up the speed and dare I say it run. It costs nothing and around here we have quite a few paths where I could go and run unseen but I'm not a runner. From school onwards I've never been able to run. When the Great North Run started many moons ago I tried the training plan but never got further than the first week - walking for 20 minutes.

I did a bit of research and decided to do the NHS Couch to 5K plan. (If you feel inspired here is the link NHS couch to 5K) Decision made, cue several excuses why it couldn't be started that week and the following weeks.

Then on Facebook I saw an advert for the RNIB Glow Run and finally I had something to aim for.

My Dad, who died at the ripe old age of 93, had age-related macular degeneration and there was nothing that could be done for him. Slowly his sight deteriorated and he always thought if he could only see clearly than he could cope with everything else. Losing his sight didn't kill him but it certainly stopped him from enjoying his life. Doing this run will raise money for further research and hopefully prevent others from losing their sight.

My target is to be able to run 3K and raise money in memory of my Dad, who I'm sure will be watching me and cheering me on. I've persuaded my daughter to come along as well so we'll keep each other going on the night.

Do I need that encouragement - oh yes! For the last 6 weeks I have followed the plan. Starting with jog  for 60 seconds and walk for 90 seconds for 20 minutes.

 Many thoughts go through my head when running:

• why when I am putting my heart and soul into this is time standing still? I'm not allowed to so why should time.
• why is the walking bit so much shorter? (for some reason time speeds up when walking, it's a fact)
• why have I never noticed that this road goes up hill?

Every other day Laura (my podcast best friend) and I go out and slowly the running times have accumulated.

Until week 5 run 3 when Laura casually tells me today we (really) will run for 20 minutes with no breaks. Did I do it......YES.

It wasn't easy and when Laura tells me "If you find it difficult slow down but don't stop" My conversation with her goes like this "If I go any slower I'll stop, so tough" but I kept going. Before this long run I had watched the Great North Run and Mo Farrah doing his famous kick for the final few yards. When Laura told me I had 60 seconds left I decided to do a Mo Farrah kick and speed up.

Finally 20 minutes was over I've done it and felt proud of my achievement. The bad news I have to do it again, several times but I'm told it will get easier. But you know, I still don't like running but the Voyage Award is making me stick with the plan and I will get fitter.

Bring on the 30th October and the Glow Run. In the meantime I need to do a bit more running, but not today as it's raining!

If you want to sponser me follow this link  https://www.justgiving.com/joanna-McHugh/ and thank you

The Sweet Shop Challenge

Quite often the best activities I do with Rainbows spring out of an impulsive idea.

Although we have a kitchen in our meeting place, we are limited in what we can actually cook due to time restraints. So the impulsive idea was why don't we have an activity day devoted to cooking. The team I work with are brilliant and were quite excited at the idea so rather than waiting for the summer holidays to do it we decided to run it in the May half term - giving us 3 weeks to organise...no problem.

I've learnt with Rainbows that its not always what they do but what you call the activity. I found a challenge badge called the Sweet Shop Challenge and thought that's our hook - which child could resist a day all about sweets.

I sometimes felt like the day was all about how many ways to use melted chocolate and sprinkles but we still managed to send the girl home with many edible goodies. During the day they made Marshmallow Pops, Butterflies, Lollipop Flowers, Ballerinas, Truffles, Rainbow cakes and Giant Buttons I'm not totally stupid, I wasn't going to let the Rainbows eat sweets all day with us. We ate Skittles in the morning and used marshmallows for a game of Sweet Shop Bingo which they then ate when we finished the game.

One minute it was 10:00 and we were starting then it was nearly 2:00 and we still hadn't done the Rainbow cakes which was the think that had set me off on this sweetie extravaganza (I know they are not sweets but I really wanted to make them!) So Steph made up the mixture ready so the Rainbows could add the food colouring. Rainbows only go at one speed and could see no urgency when stirring and adding the colouring. Adults on the other hand were clock watching and could see the minutes ticking away. Anyway soon it was 3 o'clock and parents arrived to collect the Rainbows as the cakes came out of the oven and they all commented on how lovely the smell of baking cakes was, if only they knew.

And that's my second Teamwork event completed for the Voyage Award. Although it was another Rainbow event it was a totally new experience to organise a day of cooking and baking so I'm happy that it was a challenge for me.

Where did the summer go?

I cannot believe that my last post was in June (although I have found a draft that I forgot to post). The year is going past so quick and I haven't had the time since then to sit and compose posts and sort out photos. I'm going to put that right now. The silver level of the Voyage Award has to take at least 12 months and I started it in January 2015. I've done a quick tally up of the hours I've spent on each section and I'm on track for completing it in the year (although it can take longer, the 12 months is only the minimum time). 

This is a catch up and over the next few weeks I promise I will put more details.

The Voyage Award is split into sections and for the Silver Award this is what I am doing:

Service:

taking on a new role as a Girlguiding Trainer 

Myself:

trying something new with Colouring-in for Adults and getting fitter by learning to run
Skills: 

learning to crochet

Teamwork: 

organised two events for Rainbows

Explore my World: visited Florida

4th July at DisneyWorld Florida

A Spring Adventure

Part of the Voyage Award is Teamwork and to plan and participate in two events of at least ten hours' duration.

With the help of four other Guiders I organised an event for our Rainbows called  "A Spring Adventure" 

Many more hours are spent planning these events than actually taking part but that's part of the fun.

We trawled the internet and Baker Ross for ideas. I learnt how to set up a Pinterest page that we could all save ideas to and we finally agreed during a planning meeting at the pub our final activities.

Although the girls paid to attend the event we were donated some materials from friends and family. Frontline Audio donated plant pots. Morrisons donated the grapes and tomatoes for our caterpillars

It was a very hectic afternoon but we fitted it all in. They made birdhouse sun-catchers, butterflies, ladybirds, caterpillars, windmills, planted a fairy garden and searched for fairy doors and even had time for a picnic.

67 Rainbows went home with bags full of their crafts, smiles on their faces and a new badge for their uniform.

A North Sea Adventure

I cannot believe its over a month since I went on my Day Sail on the Black Diamond. I haven't had time to write about my experience so here goes.

In 1986 the Tall Ships visited Newcastle and I remember going to the Quayside several times with my family as we were fascinated by the ships both big and small.  I've always wondered what it would be like to actually go on a sailing ship so when I saw the Adult Day Sail advertised on the Girlguiding North East England website I just thought "Yes this is for me"  What could go wrong in a day, even if I hated it I was sure I could survive so before I had the chance to change my mind I paid my money.

Its a big step up and if I miss, the water is very wet!

The Black Diamond (http://www.sailingnortheast.co.uk/) is docked in Hartlepool Marina so early on Saturday morning my very kind husband drove me down. As usual I got there early but it turned out that I although we were told to arrive for 9:30 the correct start time was 8:30 as there is the safety briefing to go through and the very long job of getting into the water proofs and life jackets. The worry was we had to be out of the marina by 11:00 to catch the tide otherwise we wouldn't get out. But nothing was a drama for our very patient two-man crew (and apologies but I've wracked my brain and cannot remember their names so they will be Captain and 1st mate) .

First to arrive

When everyone arrived and safety talks done it was time to get kitted out. I already had on a t-shirt, thin jacket and my dads windproof and waterproof fleece (thanks to my sister for buying it for him a few years ago, I can vouch for the fact it was definitely windproof as I was not cold at all out at sea.) On top of that was waterproof trousers, jacket and life jacket and not forgetting the wellies.

Eventually we were ready to go, at the last minute I decided to take a sea sick tablet just in case as didn't want my day spoilt with feeling ill. So our Captain manoeuvred us out the marina into the lock and then out onto the North Sea.

It was a day of two halves weather-wise. The morning was rolling waves and strong wind so the sails were raised and carried us out to sea. Luckily the place I was sitting was slightly protected from the waves but some of the crew were getting the waves right in their face as we crashed through them. The boat was also on a very precarious tilt but as long as I didn't look at the people above me I didn't worry too much.

The Captain decided, considering the roughness of the sea that we would go into a harbour for lunch to make it easier to cook and eat, he had no arguments there. Until you are actually below deck you don't realise how cramped it is. There is very little room yet a lovely meal was produced by the Captain of pasta and garlic bread which we all devoured. Even the poor person who had been seasick felt able to eat some but I think she might have regretted that when we went back out to sea!

Then there were the instructions for the toilet which went on the lines of pull this lever 3 times and that one 3 times, do what you need to do and then repeat with levers. Never mind the layers of clothes you have to negotiate and I didn't want to even think about how small the actual toilet space was so I decided to refuse another cup of tea and just wait. As we sat and listened to all this lever pushing makes you appreciate a proper toilet.

Unfortunately, in the time we had been in the harbour the waves, rain and wind had disappeared and the sails were no use to us and the engine had to be used to move anywhere.

Returning home

The original plan had been to sail towards Sunderland and return, just as well we didn't do that as we might have been stranded. Instead we tootled around and learnt how to plot your position on a map using the coast and eventually headed back to the marina.

Pleased it's not me manouevering into dock

During the day whenever sails were put up and down or ropes were loosened or tied it was a general shout out for someone to help and I was never quick enough to volunteer or move (it was hard to move quick in a small space surrounded by people who are all a couple of sizes bigger than normal with all the layers we were wearing) But I did do some tasks and enjoyed the whole experience, I would do it again.

If you click here there is a write up on the Girlguiding North East England website and it is thanks to Guiding that I had this experience as I would never have done it otherwise

Going back to the Tall Ships I have a new admiration for anyone who is involved in this type of sailing. I don't know if I could cope with staying on a boat for any length of time but never say never.

When I lived in Whitley Bay my Mum and I would often walk along the prom and look out to sea and wonder how far the horizon was, well Mum I never reached the horizon but it was a good days sail.

In the words of Heather Small.......

"What have you done today to make you feel proud?"

This is a bit of a reflective post. I got my Bronze Award with a pin badge at the County AGM and was all excited until I couldn't actually open the catch to pin it on. But never mind, brought it home and a bit of brute force from husband fixed that and I put it with my promise badge on my Trefoil Guild Hoodie and I will wear it with pride. We re-formed our Guild in 2013 as we thought it would be good fun to organise meetings for adults. I looked at the Voyage Award and thought I'd give it a go. Little did I know it would at times take over my life but I never regretted it.

Without the award I would never have knitted 100 hats in 100 days and felt so proud to see my hat on a baby in the Ugandan orphanage.

As Chairman of our Guild I was proud that we collected tinned food, packets of dried food and toiletries and handed them over to Churches against Poverty to help those who desperately needed help. The Vicar told me by the afternoon it would have been distributed to families.

I would probably got around to doing the Rainbow sleepover but this give me the push to do it now and I was proud to see my Rainbows taking that big step to go on the sleepover and that parents trusted me and my team to look after them.




I'm proud of my Blog and I love looking at the statistics that show where it is read.

I know people in England, Northern Ireland, Canada and Dubai so can understand why its read there but wonder who is it in Poland that reads it!







So Heather, I can safely say I am proud for my personal achievement and it doesn't end there.

Next month I am off to sail on the North Sea for the day with North East England Girlguiding on the Black Diamond of Durham which is a 10 berth 45 foot Ocean Racer for a bit of "hands on " sailing. It was an impulsive decision but looking at the grey North Sea today I hope I don't regret it.

Me, Dancing Queen and Comic Relief

I started the first stage of my Silver Voyage award by taking part in the Comic Relief Danceathon.

Girlguiding and Comic Relief had set the challenge of raising money for Comic Relief by being sponsored to dance for 6 hours. I helped to organise an event and we asked units to come for 2 hours at a time with the goal being that as a Division we would have someone dancing in the room for the 6 hours which was the Comic Relief Challenge.

My Rainbows started at midday, they went home at 2 o'clock but I decided to stay.

At 4 o'clock when it was just me and the DJ there was no question it had to be Dancing Queen that I requested. With the whole floor to myself and my favourite song how could I not dance.

For 6 hours I didn't sit down (except for the loo breaks) but moved with varying degrees of energy.


I think my legs have now recovered  (just) but it was worth it.  I'm proud to be part of  our fantastic Benton Division where each person from the smallest Rainbow to the Adults all contributed in their own way to help raise over £1,000 for Comic Relief and the money is still coming in. Its good when we all do our little bit and it adds up to make a difference.




We have a page set up for sponsors if anybody would like to contribute  click here for the Giving page of Benton Division Danceathon and to those who already have, thank you.

Bronze award completed now on to Silver

This week I received my letter to say I've achieved the Bronze award, I was so pleased because until I got that I was worried that what I had submitted wouldn't be acceptable.

What did I do to get it?

From 22nd February 2014 to 21st January 2015 I have spent:

Service
12 hours on duties as Trefoil Guild Chairperson
28 hours helping out in different Guiding units

Myself
27 hours learning about and developing a blog
16 hours exploring local history with Newcastle City Guides

Teamwork
11 hours planning and participating in the Rainbow Christmas event

Skills
30 hours getting a Girlguiding qualification by organising and taking part in a Rainbow sleepover

Explore my world
20 hours getting involved with a global charity by knitting my hats for Uganda (I went way over the hours needed for this)

Overall I've probably done more than these hours but this was the amount recorded for the award.

I get a badge and certificate for doing it which will be presented to me (and those who know me will know how much I'm dreading that) but more than that is the personal satisfaction I got from achieving the award and the fact I've done some things which I wouldn't have tried if not for my participation.

So now its moving onto the next stage when the hours required are increased and I have to think of different activities but I'm mulling that over with a few thoughts to get me started. One thing I do know, I  will continue with this blog as a record of all that I do.

The Journey of my 100 hats

You may remember that I set myself the challenge of knitting 100 hats in 100 days which I accomplished.

Can you imagine my excitement when amongst the photos posted by the team that go to Uganda on Crafty Aid  was not one but two of my hats!

So I decided to give a pictorial history of the journey of my hats.

100 hats on the start of a long journey

From Forest Hall to Uganda

Thats my hat!

If you would like to see more of these beautiful babies have a look on  Youtube

9 Sleeping Rainbows and 1 Wide Awake Leader

One week on and I am still excited at the thought that I did my first sleepover and it was a success. I have helped at sleepovers before but this was the first where it was my responsibility.  I was well-organised and knew what I had to do but Rainbows are an unknown quantity  and none of them had slept away from home unless at a friends or relative so it was a big step for all of them. I had one girl drop out at the last minute as she was ill and another arrived late as she had been unwell in the morning (just as well she turned up as we needed her DVD to watch at bed-time but we made a back up plan involving going to Asda to buy the DVD)

The girls arrived all excited laden down with sleeping bags, airbeds, pillows, teddies, little suitcases and several other essential items, unbelievable to think they were only there for one night but I was just as bad.



Our theme was Frozen so we had many crafts and activities about snowmen, snowflakes, ice, trolls, Elsa and Anna (the main characters from the film in case you have succeeded in missing the film). Rainbows were a hive of industry sewing, painting, gluing all with a generous smattering of glitter. Stopping only for tea the Rainbows were busy all evening always asking "What's next?"




Finally we all got ready for bed and  watched the film. Just in case I didn't know what was happening in the film there was always a Rainbow eager to tell us what was happening or what was coming up. And of course they had to sing along with all the songs. I could tell, as the film went on more and more were getting tired and at 10:30 they went to bed. Of course that meant they were suddenly wide awake  It was a lovely sight to see them all lying in bed reading their books until we put the lights out. It took a long while for them to go to sleep but they were never noisy and so those who couldn't sleep didn't disturb those who could.

The leaders went to bed at 1:00 and there were still some Rainbows awake but eventually they all slept. Only one Rainbow woke up crying during the night and wanted to go home but my very capable young leader sat with her until she settled again though in my mind I was already going through the "come and collect your daughter" phone call. The most annoying part of the night was my airbed going down but fortunately one of the other leaders was in a very cold part of the room and was freezing, so I sent her upstairs to a warmer room and pinched her air bed.

The first Rainbow awoke at 7:00 but again just lay quietly and as they one by one started to wake up they read their books until I said they could get up.

For Sunday morning we changed the focus of activities to the summer (a girl can only take so much of snowmen and winter). A few Rainbows  were a bit more subdued on Sunday due to lack of sleep but they still joined in. Before we went home I asked if they wanted to do another sleepover and one Rainbow said she wanted to do the whole sleepover again and do it exactly the same.

I am so relieved it was a success but that wouldn't have happened without the fantastic team that supported me. If they saw anything that needed doing they just did it without being asked and kept everything ticking along so that I could concentrate on keeping the whole event on track. So thank you to Kate, Irene, Gail and Janis, without them it wouldn't have taken place.


Its probably fitting that the badge we got was "My first Rainbow overnight" as I don't think I slept.  I might have dozed for a few minutes but that hasn't put me off. I now need to complete the paperwork to gain my Overnight license and then look forward to planning the next sleepover (after buying a new airbed of course)