Two NHS Highland nurses bravely took part in the gruelling Strathpuffer 24Hour mountain bike endurance event last weekend with the aim of encouraging some of their patients and colleagues to embrace new challenges and experiences.
Along with around 1,000 other cyclists 54-year-old consultant nurse Chrissie Lane and colleague 52-year-old Lucy Heycock braced freezing temperatures, 17 hours of darkness and miles upon miles along frozen forest tracks at this year’s Strathpuffer event.
And to Chrissie and Lucy’s delight, not only did they complete the course, they managed a podium finish with an extremely credible third in the competition’s ‘female pairs’ category during the event held last weekend.
Chrissie Lane, said: “We work every day with amazing people living with cancer and are trying to support them to be active outdoors which has huge proven benefits to their health and recovery.
Over 1,000 hardy souls embrace winter elements to compete in Strathpuffer
“Making small or big changes to the amount of moving your body does throughout the day have immense benefits for people living with cancer.
“We are promoting anything from short walks, Tai Chi, and cycle rides, to walking up our beautiful hills – this will improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing. It can also help them as they undergo their cancer treatments – even when the going gets tough.”
Daybreak… a welcome sight for those who raced through the night#strathpuffer #mtb #dawn #24h pic.twitter.com/pAbcsOelaL
— Steve Banham (@Steven_Banham) January 20, 2019
Both Chrissie and Lucy hope that their success shows that you can take up and enjoy exercise, even doing an event like the challenging Strathpuffer, at any age.
Chrissie said: “The reason why we took part in the event was to try to be role models for ‘older’ woman to just give experiences a try.
“All it needs is a gritty frame of mind and a sense of humour and fun when situations are not so pleasant.”
