I always knew riding a racehorse at one of the most prestigious tracks in the UK on a proper race day with more than 25,000 present, would be a huge challenge and lead to a lot of balls being juggled. The reality is no easier, not least because the getting fit for the charity race doesn’t JUST involve an hour in the gym several times a week!
I am trying to fit in a morning and afternoon school run, doing our own horses, riding out, Jack Berry House, equicizer (mechanical horse), fundraising plans, work for the family business, work for Ryedale Mumbler and Scarborough & Whitby Mumbler, housework (hmm….lacking), kids activities (they do gymnastics, football, swimming, rugby, yoga and riding) and not forgetting a family life plus fitting Charlie in too!
Life feels like a constant juggle and it’s hard to keep all the balls in the air! I do love to be busy….but this is slightly extreme! The biggest problem, there isn’t much space for manoeuvre when something goes wrong! Even small incidents, such as the first Parcel Force delivery man thinking it was ok not to bother to attempt to deliver all the Macmillan paraphernalia on a Friday afternoon, seem slightly more serious than they really are – proportion is tricky to keep a lid on at the moment! However where there is a will, there is a way! In the last 5 weeks, I feel like the balls have dropped on my head a couple of times but so far I’ve managed to pick them and get back on track!
There are so many positives coming through too though, including….
The kids have never been so on time! Previously we were often late as I just did an extra job at home before the school run, now we are near the front of the queue waiting with slightly itchy feet to drop off! I don’t want to be late to ride out…
The art of delegation! Previously, when someone offered to help, I tended to respond – “don’t worry it will be ok”, now it’s “yes please!”
I am learning to accept that sometimes I just have to say NO, however hard it may be. Whilst at the same time, I am trying to grasp every opportunity, whether it is for fundraising, fitness or just something nice for the family.
The fundraising plan is taking shape. I am so overwhelmed with the help and assistance I am getting from so many people – some of which I have never met. It is so humbling when people tell me their cancer stories, that they would just like to help as Macmillan helped them so much. It makes me so determined to do my best to raise as much as I can, to do them proud…
There’s a long way to go so the plan is to keep riding as much as possible whilst keeping the fundraising as easy and as stress-free as possible. Sounds easy! The reality is slightly different.
Now I love sleeping, one of my biggest problems is currently getting my brain to switch off as I am doing everything at 110mph! I say that but the last two weeks, i have ridden out 6 and 5 days respectively, that has certainly helped the sleeping, just because i have been so exhausted!
Perhaps it’s time to stop eating cake and sweets….well maybe but June is still a long way a way…..right.
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