It kinda feels like an omen for 2017 doesnt it?!
It is always my hope that what I have been doing helps someone, one person is enough to make a difference. One person impacts the people around them, the knock-on or domino effect. As for the Marathon des Sables, many ask why should people pay for me to go and have fun, to go and do events I wouldn’t normally afford. This is about so much more than running in events, it is raising the profile, raising awareness of a charity/charities and some monies. It is doing something that some see as impossible, a massive stretch to the human body.
Without the support of those who have donated, given their time, their conscious effort to make a difference and to help I would not have gotten as far as I did. It is with great sadness and a feeling of letting others down, of failing my charities, that I say I did not manage to secure sufficient funds to attempt this challenge – #80degrees. However, I am very grateful to the sponsors for trusting me to secure the funds to enter the event in January 2018 – I have a goal.
In addition to my friends, clients and those sponsors, a big mention must go to Vickie Saunders. Vickie is behind The Sponsorship Consultants, they work with individuals such as myself and but also many top level athletes. Vickie has been instrumental in shaping my perspective on sponsorship. She has shown me and illustrated that all is not as it seems. You do not have to be the winner of every race, you do not need to be or have to be a household name to secure sponsorship. Vickie has taught me a huge amount about connecting with teh right people, that everyone has worth and connects with others, thank you!
#80degrees (My name for the challenge) was meant to be my next challenge to further raise awareness of the fantastic work carried out by DAMH (Dundee Association for Mental Health) and SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health).
These two events are run by David Scott through his company Sandbaggers – check them out if you are looking for something different. An 80 degree turnaround!
Running through the Namibian desert in +40 degrees with a second marathon at -40
degrees in Outer Mongolia. The mental strength, capacity and determination to do these types of challenge mimics real life. My experience in the Sahara is testament to this. I have tried to ultilise and speak of my own experiences with mental health to demonstrate that those who face these challenges do not always fall into the stereotypical ideas that society has.
Mental health challenges and welbeing affects people from all walks of life. We bounce back and sometimes we don’t so quickly (By the way this is not a reach out – Im all good).
I have much to keep me busy in the coming year, so this is a failure?
No, it is an opportunity to grow, refelct, evaluate and improve my approach to come back stronger and more knowledgeable. If you would like to keep up to date, I will endeavour to be better at posting my blogs. I am being published by Positively Scottish so keep an eye out on there also.
Whats coming up:
My Marathon des Sables experiences
My prep for #80degrees
Training for the West Highland Way (June 2017)
Deadwater (July – Aug 2017)
Finally but by no means least, a huge THANK YOU to my sponsors who have stayed on board to ensure we can continue to raise the profile of DAMH and SAMH.
Heal Physiotherapy Carol S & Kay L and many more fundraising
Bloc eyewear Murroes Primary School
Icebug UK/ Running Sisters Tayside
Clarks Bakery Henrys Coffee House
The Gas Technology Partnership Ltd.
Running to Find Myself 