THANKYOU.
The responses I have had to my last blog on various social media and my Just Giving page have been astonishing, both in number, kindness, and, most importantly of all, generosity.
Said generosity being the sponsorship so many of you have chosen to take up, every penny of which will go to my chosen charity, The Brain Tumour Charity.
It was great to meet Hannah and Judith from the charity on the day as well as meet with others proudly wearing their bright red t-shirts. Lots of waving and mutual encouragement all round from the Red Machine was in evidence on the day.
I’m sure my Dad, who died from a brain tumour in 2014, would have chuckled at our antics, saying, in his broad Norfolk accent, “go orn’than boy!”
Thankyou, again, from both myself and the Brain Tumour Charity for your generousity and encouragement.
I was a bit nervous, if you remember, when I wrote my blog on Friday. Part of me didn’t think I would be able to do the walk. 25kms isn’t, for many people, very far at all. And I accept that, in the bigger scheme of things, mine, and everyone else achievement in the event on Saturday barely registers a whisper in the athletic hall of fame.
But it was important to each and everyone of us who took part. And THAT is what is important here.
For me, the cork is now out of the bottle. I want more. I would, and I mean this, have done that walk again today if I’d had the opportunity. So I’ll definitely be doing more events of this nature in the future, and, given some of the feedback I have had, maybe even putting a team together so a load of us can do something together.
Which would be wonderful.
Along with my very good friend, Simon M, I finished the event in joint 1,449th place. Out of 1,599 finishers and in a time of 6 hours, 59 minutes and 57 seconds.
Which is great because that means two things.
Firstly, the next time I do this, I will have a higher finishing position than 1,449th. And a faster finishing time as well.
I’m furiously competitive with myself and this now gives me something to aim for. Which is to be better and better at what I do every single time I set out to do an event of this nature.
Feel the fear and do it anyway? You bet.
I’m looking forward to wearing that t-shirt a lot more in the future.
You can find out more about The Brain Tumour Charity at www.thebraintumourcharity.org. Please visit their site and offer them any support you can.