I love a challenge!!!

Pushing myself, competing against myself and living my life to the max. I just can't help myself...it might just be trying to catch the runner I can see ahead when out for an easy 5 miler or cranking up the treadmill so I faster than the bloke next to me...

So when I was challenged last June to join a Running Streak. I thought 'why not!'. It is NOT naked running...The challenge being to run at least a mile every day for a year. The experience so far has been inspirational....within a month I had decided to enter a Half Ironman and after 6 months I thought why not run another marathon. I have never felt fitter...so I want to take on the challenge while I can.

My little family have supported me every step of my journey, Cade has been pushed 'Buggy Running' for 10's of miles and Ayla has progressed from joining me for a scooter mile to now running a mile a week (her choice!). Obviously Mr Gouch is the childcare when I am off Forrest Gumping it for hours!!

In April I shall be running the Greater Manchester Marathon (my second ever Marathon after London 2007 and saying never EVER again!). In June I shall be competing in The Outlaw Half Ironman (1.2mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run!!). 

On June 30th 2014 I will have completed my original  Streaking Challenge and it is fitting that we end the year with a family event. At the end of June we shall be completing the MUD RUNNER. Team Gouch will be getting filthy running a 5/10km obstacle course. Joining us will be TEAM BARGUSS (my sister, bro-in law and the 3 crazy kids!). Bring it on!!

With such a mammouth year on the cards the whole of Team Gouch want to get involved. Mr G has decided on a Cycle Sportive (July) and is streaking through June ;-)

Ayla wants to run up and down a mountain (we have settled on walking!!). I love that they have been inspired also and long may it continue....

Sadly, no challenge we put ourselves through will come close to the challenge faced by Dementia sufferers and their carers.

Several years ago my Dad was diganosed with frontal lobe dementia. This is a rarer form of dementia and one that often goes missed for years. Life has been to say the least CHALLENGING. A challenge which he did not choose and one that does not bring rewards or that rush of adrenaline. It is also a massive challenge for my Mum who is Dads carer 24/7.

It was my Mum and Dad who encouraged me in to sport. A childhood spent swimming competivley, with my Dad taking me swimming a stupid o'clock before school, then Mum taking me after school....and then driving around the country for galas and open meets. Inspiring the next generation...is that not what it is all about.

For our family, especially my Mum, each and every day is a challenge, so it seems fitting that we should try and raise some money and more importantly raise awareness for Dementia.

Dementia is soooo much more than becoming forgetful. 

So please donate...

Money on our JustGiving Page

and

Time, to a relative or a friend. Please this year pop in for a cup of tea with a carer, they may not have been able to get out for several days. Or sit with someone who can not be left alone so their carer can walk the dog. Everyday things can be a challenge.

Finally.....

We challenge you to challenge yourself!! Do something a little bit scary just because you can. DO IT and raise money for Dementia when you do!!

 

 

 

 

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