Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.
Yes, you have guessed it, we must be mad!
After seeing the ad for this event, I took the bull by the horns, and persuaded my sister to join me dog sledding in the Arctic to raise money for a very worthwhile cause. We grew up in a home where there were animals all around us, horses, dogs, cats, chickens, hamsters, goldfish and even a ferret. Although Kate and her family recently lost their springer spaniel, Barney, to old age, I have three crazy dogs. Our house is dominated by two labs and a hyper-active, deaf, approximately 2 years old, rescued collie.
In March 2010 my sister and I will be hundreds of miles north of the Arctic Circle driving our own teams of Alaskan huskies across some of the most exceptional arctic terrain in the world. Our first day, which is our training day, teaches us how to look after and harness our dog teams as well as learning how to use a sled. We will be covering approximately 30km this day, so you can imagine how many km we will do in a week!
We have just received our manuals and training schedules, which immediately prompted phone calls to each other (we live just over 200 miles from each other), first with extreme bouts of panic, then with absolute excitement. We then realised, belatedly perhaps, just how cold this might be and difficult too. But, we are not quitters! We shall be off to find the warmest thermals, the thickest of socks, the cosiest of hats, and those all important self-heating gloves (does anyone make these?)! As well as checking out the local PT instructors too!! We will keep you updated, through this page, as to how our preparations go and, more importantly, how much we raise. Which is down to you really!!
P.S. Don't forget to gift aid too.
Update:
We have both joined our respective local gyms. Kate in Dunfermline and me in Thurso. Having never been regular gym-goers this is a whole new experience, but we are enjoying it. We both have muscles aching where we did not know we had muscles, but the goal is worth the pain. My hubby and I have even started going to jive classes - I thought the gym was hard work, but this....
Kate has got herself into East End football stadium (Dunfermline) for the Dunfermline v Inverness game on the 19 December. She and several helpers, will be there with buckets to collect from all of you lovely fans, so if you are attending look out for her and please put something in the buckets!!
EEEKKK!!!!! It is getting closer now - nerves and excitement are starting to set in. We still have all of our kit to buy - which is daunting. Both of us are really looking forward to the challenge.
1st March. Well it is getting closer, 11 days to go and I can't believe it has come round so fast. The training has been going well. Lots of walking, weights, press-ups, push ups and planks being done. Please keep donating just need to get over the final hurdle now. Thank you.
