I am just an ordinary Mum doing something quite extra-ordinary to enrich the lives of others.
I have two children and my husband Robert. I also have two dogs, Cassie (7) and Penny (3) who help me with my training.
I am often asked why did I suddenly jump off the sofa and into the world of elite athletes? I was a very overweight,slow, tired and worn out Mother and wife! I got to 39 and thought "I am too young to die, and didn't want to be fat and forty"! I was nearly 7 stone over weight and I had a young family I couldn't run around with. After the weight loss I went for a check-up with the doctor. I had nothing wrong, just thought it was a sensible thing to do. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholestral and I am on quite a high dosaged medication for both! There is a family history of all sorts of nasty heart and cancer related illnesses. I took charge of my body and lifestyle for longevity. Plus Life is so much more fun now I am able to do so many activities. I have made some amazing friends too, Bonus!
I love the outdoors and it is there that I seek fitness,health,sanity and sanctuary, either on my own or with good friends and family.
I put on weight very quickly, one of life's perpetual Chunkymunkys! I find it hard to keep the weight off, especially as I love real food. I can't exercise to just keep me sleek. I need a bigger incentive and motivation.
To keep my focus on staying fit and health, to do something for others, I train and participate in events for charity. I am also aware of my genes and the curse of angina, strokes and heart attacks in my family. I exercise and eat sensibly for longevity.
Friends, family and strangers have been inspired by my efforts and the enthusiasm to challenge myself and help others.
It is quite infectious and it has been wonderful too others do something similar. I feel honoured and humbled that I can inspire so many and so together we can all achieve to make a difference personally, for others and who knows where else! Many people have also nominated me to be a Torch Bearer for the 2012 London Olympics. A humble thankyou quacks!
I work with the charity DEBRA. DEBRA is the national charity working on behalf of people in the UK with the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). This is a new career path for me. I am a Community Fundraiser. I actively raise awareness of the charity ,EB and promote the charity for fundraising at events or any other ideas indviduals, groups communities have.
I have a love/hate relationship with running! After all my training and events through 2011 - 2012 I took break from August through to November. It was a much needed rest. I am back in the trainers and actually enjoying my daily run. I even miss having a run when I haven't had at least a 20 minute blast.
I love walking, especially long distance back packing. In the past, before running, I improved my stamina and endurance by powerwalking and walking with Nordic Poles daily. I do at least 10-15miles most days, and a whole lot more at the weekend. In 2013 I shall be doing two 24hr non stop walking endurance events.
I also enjoy swimming, especially open water swimming, either in the sea or lakes and tarns. I try and make sure at the end of the day I have a half hour swim and sauna at revive. I am using swimming as my relaxtion and meditation. I have to exercise the mind into coping with long distance,endurance,endless exertion and continued positive thoughts for motivation and focus.
Whilst training for the North Pole I used a harness and tyre, dragging the tyre behind me. Great resistance work out which I love to do! Love seeing people's faces when I waddle by with a bright yellow tyre and Fibdroduck riding shotgun! In the past I have also done White water canoeing, mountain Biking, a little Archery and Scrambling.
I stretched myself out of my comfort zone and did something I never thought I could or would ever do! I started running. My goal was to not just be able to run a 5k or 10k but to train harder and reach deep within myself to run half and full marathons. Not bad for a 47 year old who has been a couch potato most of her life! Not quackers, just quacking!
I have had the pleasure of helping with Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, being a Scout Leader, and working as a Teaching Assistant in Main stream and a Special Needs school. I have a wealth of knowledge on all things camping, especially campfire songs and bushcraft!
What else do I do? I love backpacking, camping, reading and catching up with friends in a bar or coffee shop. I spend a lot of time training, plus being a Mum that works, that I often forget to do some fun things for just me, or include the family if they share the same passion. I also enjoy Zumba which I do once a week. I would love to do more latino style classes, or even tap dance. I have very happy feet! and body that sways and twitches when I hear music!
I have two children and my husband Robert. I also have two dogs, Cassie (7) and Penny (3) who help me with my training.
I am often asked why did I suddenly jump off the sofa and into the world of elite athletes? I was a very overweight,slow, tired and worn out Mother and wife! I got to 39 and thought "I am too young to die, and didn't want to be fat and forty"! I was nearly 7 stone over weight and I had a young family I couldn't run around with. After the weight loss I went for a check-up with the doctor. I had nothing wrong, just thought it was a sensible thing to do. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholestral and I am on quite a high dosaged medication for both! There is a family history of all sorts of nasty heart and cancer related illnesses. I took charge of my body and lifestyle for longevity. Plus Life is so much more fun now I am able to do so many activities. I have made some amazing friends too, Bonus!
I love the outdoors and it is there that I seek fitness,health,sanity and sanctuary, either on my own or with good friends and family.
I put on weight very quickly, one of life's perpetual Chunkymunkys! I find it hard to keep the weight off, especially as I love real food. I can't exercise to just keep me sleek. I need a bigger incentive and motivation.
To keep my focus on staying fit and health, to do something for others, I train and participate in events for charity. I am also aware of my genes and the curse of angina, strokes and heart attacks in my family. I exercise and eat sensibly for longevity.
Friends, family and strangers have been inspired by my efforts and the enthusiasm to challenge myself and help others.
It is quite infectious and it has been wonderful too others do something similar. I feel honoured and humbled that I can inspire so many and so together we can all achieve to make a difference personally, for others and who knows where else! Many people have also nominated me to be a Torch Bearer for the 2012 London Olympics. A humble thankyou quacks!
I work with the charity DEBRA. DEBRA is the national charity working on behalf of people in the UK with the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). This is a new career path for me. I am a Community Fundraiser. I actively raise awareness of the charity ,EB and promote the charity for fundraising at events or any other ideas indviduals, groups communities have.
I have a love/hate relationship with running! After all my training and events through 2011 - 2012 I took break from August through to November. It was a much needed rest. I am back in the trainers and actually enjoying my daily run. I even miss having a run when I haven't had at least a 20 minute blast.
I love walking, especially long distance back packing. In the past, before running, I improved my stamina and endurance by powerwalking and walking with Nordic Poles daily. I do at least 10-15miles most days, and a whole lot more at the weekend. In 2013 I shall be doing two 24hr non stop walking endurance events.
I also enjoy swimming, especially open water swimming, either in the sea or lakes and tarns. I try and make sure at the end of the day I have a half hour swim and sauna at revive. I am using swimming as my relaxtion and meditation. I have to exercise the mind into coping with long distance,endurance,endless exertion and continued positive thoughts for motivation and focus.
Whilst training for the North Pole I used a harness and tyre, dragging the tyre behind me. Great resistance work out which I love to do! Love seeing people's faces when I waddle by with a bright yellow tyre and Fibdroduck riding shotgun! In the past I have also done White water canoeing, mountain Biking, a little Archery and Scrambling.
I stretched myself out of my comfort zone and did something I never thought I could or would ever do! I started running. My goal was to not just be able to run a 5k or 10k but to train harder and reach deep within myself to run half and full marathons. Not bad for a 47 year old who has been a couch potato most of her life! Not quackers, just quacking!
I have had the pleasure of helping with Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, being a Scout Leader, and working as a Teaching Assistant in Main stream and a Special Needs school. I have a wealth of knowledge on all things camping, especially campfire songs and bushcraft!
What else do I do? I love backpacking, camping, reading and catching up with friends in a bar or coffee shop. I spend a lot of time training, plus being a Mum that works, that I often forget to do some fun things for just me, or include the family if they share the same passion. I also enjoy Zumba which I do once a week. I would love to do more latino style classes, or even tap dance. I have very happy feet! and body that sways and twitches when I hear music!
A little history on the Rambling Duck from 2010 to 2012
The Rambling Duck was an idea born from a previous team and successful fundraising campaign. One of the team member's wife had fibromyalgia, and were friends of the creator of Fibroduck. We adopted Fibroduck as our mascot, and dressed up as Ducks for all our events.
An old moniker for me was Rambling Jay from a variety of walking forums. I have always loved to talk and walk. So put that together with a Duck and what do you get? The Rambling Duck! I had a passion for walking, powerwalking, dogwalking, endurance hikes, backpacking. I have used that passion and energy to participate in a variety of events to raise awareness and funds for charity. But I am now no longer just waddling long distance for charity but running it!
Running the miles, raising the smiles.. and raising awareness and funds for the charities I am passionate about. I wanted to make a difference, not just with donations but also awareness and time. Hopefully I have also inspire you to take up a challenge for a charity you are passionate about.
Throughout 2010, the Rambling Duck became a strong identity and brand within my local community (Reading, Berkshire), with friends and strangers I came into contact with, businesses, schools and various social media platforms. I built on that popularity, goodwill, enthusiasm, strength and determination to continue campaigning for personal health and fitness, promoting good causes and charities, and will continue to do a variety of long distance multi terrain walking and running events, for charity, dressed as a Duck.
In 2010 I raised £1000 with my fellow team mates of Team AWNTY 2012. This was shared out to Fibroduck.com, Help For Heroes and Marie Curie. I have also helped raise funds for Cancer Research, Dogs trust and Royal Marsden Hospital.
In 2011 - 2012, I have successfully raised funds for Read College Harship Bursary, Fibroduck and Fibroduck Foundation, Whizzkidz, The British Heart Foundation, The Veterans Charity, Shine (Cancer Research), plus raised awareness. To date the combiined total is £10,000. The ultiamte challenge was realsied in May 2012 when I did 5 marathons in 5 days, The Forces March, for the Veterans Charity.
For 2012-2013 I shall continue raising funds and supporting DEBRA. My work and family commitments have changed so I can not be so actively involved with a lot of charities and events.
A special thank you to all of you who nominated me to be a Torch Bearer for the 2012 Olympics in London. I have not been successful but I do carry your dedications and reasons for choice in my heart. You are all the reasons why I am the Rambling Duck and aspire to my challenges and raising awareness of causes I am passionate about. Conquackulations to all of those people who now have the honourable task to be a part of the torch bearers journey!
An old moniker for me was Rambling Jay from a variety of walking forums. I have always loved to talk and walk. So put that together with a Duck and what do you get? The Rambling Duck! I had a passion for walking, powerwalking, dogwalking, endurance hikes, backpacking. I have used that passion and energy to participate in a variety of events to raise awareness and funds for charity. But I am now no longer just waddling long distance for charity but running it!
Running the miles, raising the smiles.. and raising awareness and funds for the charities I am passionate about. I wanted to make a difference, not just with donations but also awareness and time. Hopefully I have also inspire you to take up a challenge for a charity you are passionate about.
Throughout 2010, the Rambling Duck became a strong identity and brand within my local community (Reading, Berkshire), with friends and strangers I came into contact with, businesses, schools and various social media platforms. I built on that popularity, goodwill, enthusiasm, strength and determination to continue campaigning for personal health and fitness, promoting good causes and charities, and will continue to do a variety of long distance multi terrain walking and running events, for charity, dressed as a Duck.
In 2010 I raised £1000 with my fellow team mates of Team AWNTY 2012. This was shared out to Fibroduck.com, Help For Heroes and Marie Curie. I have also helped raise funds for Cancer Research, Dogs trust and Royal Marsden Hospital.
In 2011 - 2012, I have successfully raised funds for Read College Harship Bursary, Fibroduck and Fibroduck Foundation, Whizzkidz, The British Heart Foundation, The Veterans Charity, Shine (Cancer Research), plus raised awareness. To date the combiined total is £10,000. The ultiamte challenge was realsied in May 2012 when I did 5 marathons in 5 days, The Forces March, for the Veterans Charity.
For 2012-2013 I shall continue raising funds and supporting DEBRA. My work and family commitments have changed so I can not be so actively involved with a lot of charities and events.
A special thank you to all of you who nominated me to be a Torch Bearer for the 2012 Olympics in London. I have not been successful but I do carry your dedications and reasons for choice in my heart. You are all the reasons why I am the Rambling Duck and aspire to my challenges and raising awareness of causes I am passionate about. Conquackulations to all of those people who now have the honourable task to be a part of the torch bearers journey!
When you find a dream inside your heart don't ever let it go
because dreams are the seeds from which beautiful tomorrows grow.
because dreams are the seeds from which beautiful tomorrows grow.
