One of my major past times is training, whether it be running a half marathon or lifting weights. I tend to alternate between the two on a daily basis and switch it round each week to maintain my interest and keep my body guessing.
Like a lot of us, I was horrified when I heard of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, I spent hours watching the coverage on BBC news and looking for more information on both YouTube, Facebook and other social networking websites.
There was one question that kept bubbling up, how can I help? How can I do my part?
I debated various ideas, from covering the war on my news website, donating funds and even not getting involved at all.
However, when I heard reports of the murder of innocent civilians, that for me screamed you have to help in anyway you can.
53.8km for Ukraine
Civilians, right from the beginning of the war have been displaced. They were heading west, anywhere to escape the fighting.
Some of them travelling hundreds, potentially thousands of miles across terrain that in some instances is life threatening, yet they still pushed through.
I knew it would be impossible for me to share their pain, their anguish and the sheer fear that those civilians, particularly the children, would be feeling.
However I knew I wanted to feel at least some pain, the challenge would have to push me to the core, it would have to be hard, tough going, difficult and most of all long.
Endurance running
Running has always provided some level of pain especially when completing a half marathon.
I had heard of trail running and had completed an 8k trail run with my PT, Craig Washington, when I was back in Torbay. My PT had also told me about some of the major running events he had taken part, including a 50km run.
That for me was the event I needed. I found an event, the Exmoor Trail Run in July.
So on July 30th I will be running the 53.8km or 33.4 miles in the Exmoor Trail Run to raise £2,000 for The British Red Cross. One of the longest runs I’ve ever done, let alone the longest run I’ve ever done on trails.
You can follow my progress and donate on my JustGiving Page, it really doesn’t matter how much you donate, with every