Menopause Cafe News

2026-05-12

I heard that it’s good to run 15K in training, so that the 10K feels easy on the day. So I plotted a 15km route to the Bluebell Woods near Almondbank, and back.

The bluebells were beautiful, the woods were peaceful, but I was tired, hot and out of breath. I started running home, but slowed to a near-stationary jog. At 12.5km I conceded defeat and walked the rest of the way home.

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better” as Dad used to quote. So I will try again next weekend.

Thank you to everyone who sponsored me. If you haven’t yet, and would like to, here’s the link: JustGiving
#EMF #EdinburghMarathonFestival

2026-05-01

#ReluctantRachel discovers the meaning of place names!

Sponsor her to run 10K for our charity and show that menopausal women can learn to move.

You can read more about Rachel’s training on her JustGiving page. Do share!

2026-04-26

#ReluctantRachel is glad that in four weeks it will all be over.

She will be even gladder if you will push her over the £2000 sponsorship mark.

She is currently at £1954….

https://www.justgiving.com/page/emf-2026-10k-menopausecafe

2026-04-14

#ReluctantRachel sounding less reluctant in #Wick today.

Sponsor her to run 10K for our charity and show that menopausal women can learn to move.

You can read more about Rachel’s training on her JustGiving page. Do share!

2026-03-27

#ReluctantRachel is even more reluctant to run this week. Or is she?

Mixed feelings.

If you want to read about her Dad, click here: https://www.icr.ac.uk/about-us/icr-news/detail/remembering-professor-robin-weiss–a-pioneer-of-viral-oncology-and-former-icr-director

If you’d like to sponsor Rachel to run 10K at Edinburgh Marathon Festival in May go to her Just Giving Page

#MenopauseOnTheMove

2026-02-23

Reluctant Rachel finds a gradient in a strange town.

Sponsor her to run 10K for our charity and show that menopausal women can learn to move.

You can read more about Rachel’s training on her JustGiving page. Do share!

2026-02-20

Breaking news – Reluctant Rachel has run 10 kilometres for the first time!

We are now hopeful that she WILL manage the (hillier) Edinburgh 10K to raise money for our charity in May. Fingers crossed!

“I ran 10K!!! Admittedly it was in very flat Norwich, and I stopped numerous times to walk for a bit, and it took me over an hour and a half, which I think is the maximum time allowed at Edinburgh Marathon Festival. But I did it! And I survived. Next up a shorter run in Wiggle Bottom Park, because I think it’s such a funny name!”

You can read more about Rachel’s training on her JustGiving page. Do share!

15th Feb 2026

Reluctant Rachel is training in Norwich this week. But it’s been snowing!

She’s aiming to run 10K for our charity in May at Edinburgh Marathon Festival .

Her longest run to date is 6.8K, will she break the 7K barrier today?

Norfolk is flat, which should help. Edinburgh is not.

Inspired by Norwich strong women, Julian Of Norwich and Edith Cavell, and by the generous people who’ve sponsored her on Justgiving , off she goes!

Rachel is also channelling “Mind Over Mood” by @popupcbt , since there is a distinct lack of endorphins.

Cheer Rachel on to 10K and help make menopause part of everyday conversation by donating to Menopause Cafe charity HERE

Yay – Menopause on the Move team has reached 5% of its fundraising target!

Yay – Menopause on the Move team is no longer a team of one. Rachel has been joined by Valerie!!! Valerie is also a middle-aged woman, showing that women can learn to move more.

Our bone and heart health decline post-menopause, so it’s important to move more, preferably raising our heart rate and bearing our own weight. What do you do to move more?

Photo of Rachel at the St Andrews Parkrun last weekend, with bride-to-be Zoe. Zoes’s hen party weekend included doing the parkrun on the morning-after-the-night before!

Cheer Rachel on to 10K and help make menopause part of everyday conversation by donating to Menopause Cafe charity HERE

7th Feb 2026

Reluctant Rachel is feeling cheerier this week, as she manages the St Andrews parkrun despite the wet, windy and cold weather. Not as hilly as last week’s Oakhillparkrun Route B, thank goodness! But not as flat as her home turf at Perth parkrun.

Sponsorship now at 2%, so we’re gaining momentum! Cheer Rachel on to 10K and help make menopause part of everyday conversation by donating to Menopause Cafe charity HERE