On Sunday August 15th 2021, my good friend Michael Seigel tragically passed away after a fall on the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye. 

I'm a climber and wannabe long distance runner, and I met Mike 2 years ago through our climbing club, The London Rock Climbers. 

Mike was the kind of person you felt like you'd known for years 15 minutes after meeting him. He was the kind of person who would show up on a climbing trip even if an injury prevented him from climbing - just so he could hang out with us all, support us, and keep a watchful eye on me (the outdoor climbing newbie) to make sure I was doing everything safely. 

Mike lived life in the moment in a way that I've always aspired to do. His passing has been beyond heartbreaking for myself and my friends at the LRC and I don't think there will come a time when I can fully comprehend this loss. But I will always feel truly grateful for having the privilege to witness his unabashedly authentic and joyful presence, even if it was for far too short a time. 

So, in memory of Mike, I'll be running 31K (19.26 miles) on Saturday October 16th, with the goal of raising funds for Skye Mountain Rescue, a group of 35 volunteers who worked tirelessly to find Mike and help my other 3 friends who were with Mike to get safely off the ridge in the most unbelievably traumatic of situations. 

I had originally planned to do this run a couple of days before my 31st birthday last month (hence the 31K), but COVID had other plans for me. I'm far less prepared now than I was a month ago, but I know doing this run in Mike's memory will help me focus and push on when things get tough.