MS Society: Borders Branch

Linda's on a mission to row 10 million metres.

Hawick born yachtsman, Sir Chay Blythe was keen to come and meet Linda and learn about the rowing challenge she is undertaking.

Super-fit Linda Forrest has set herself the target of rowing an incredible 10 million metres - that's the equivalent of 237 marathons or a quarter of the way round the world - to raise money for and awareness of Multiple Sclerosis.

It is an astonishing endeavour and would be daunting for anyone but it is all the more remarkable because Linda herself has had MS for the past 25 years

The 40-year-old from Hawick visits her local gym five days a week and puts herself through a punishing schedule of 10 km a day on the rowing machine as she makes waves towards her goal.

It is a backbreaking regime that has other gym members stunned.

Linda, who is married to Alex, has no doubt that her fitness helps keep her debilitating condition in check and fights the devastating effects of MS fatigue.

The qualified aerobics instructor has had MS since she was just 16 although it was not diagnosed until she was 23.

"I had a trapped nerve in my foot and I remember wondering what I had done to it," she says. "I had a constant tingling. I kept ignoring it but eventually had to go to the doctor when I began to get problems with my vision.

"There was a feeling like having a film over my eye. I lost central vision in one eye and then had double vision. I was forced to go to the Western General in Edinburgh for tests.

"A doctor just came straight out and told me I had MS. It was a bolt from the blue and really unexpected.

"I was shocked and it was frightening to wonder what was ahead. It wasn't going to stop me though - I was constantly exercising and teaching classes. In fact I taught 18 classes a week for another 12 years after I was diagnosed. It was only a perforated ulcer that stopped me or I'd probably still be teaching them now.

"Now I teach a seated exercise class for the elderly. I do two or three of these a week and put my all into it. You've got to do something. There is no point otherwise."

Linda is as bubbly as she is determined and doesn't let her MS get in the way at all.

"The guys at the gym can't quite believe it and say that they couldn't do it," says Linda. "They say they don't know how I manage it. Of course it is hard work but you've got to keep forcing yourself on.

"It began when the owner of Thinkfitness gym in Hawick put up a poster from the rowing machine's manufacturer, challenging people to row a million metres. I thought I would give it a go.

"I did the million then the next challenge was five million so I decided to go for that."

Now Linda is one of "a very few people in the world" taking up the 10 million metre challenge. She has racked up a formidable 8.4 million metres over the past four years.

"Fingers crossed and all being well, I will complete it in around 12-14 months from now. I've still got a big challenge in front of me but I will not stop till I get there."

Linda's longest single stint on the rowing machine was when she did the equivalent of a marathon in one session. It took her a stamina sapping five hours 33 minutes and 47 seconds to complete the distance but she was sponsored all the way for MS.

They say there is no gain without pain and Linda testifies to that.

"I was getting blisters on my bottom," she laughs. "But I've got round that by wearing cycling shorts with extra padding. My shoulders and joints ache too but it won't stop me.

"Keeping fit is undoubtedly the way to go. Having all your muscles functioning well is so important for anyone with MS and the rowing machine works most of the body's muscles.

"I am doing it for all the other people out there with MS who would love to be able to do it themselves."

Linda being filmed at the Thinkfitness gym in Hawick by Border Television on Friday 19th May.

You are currently reading an article first published in the Sunday Post (May 14, 2006), written by Craig Robertson.

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