Throughout 2018 my husband, Dean, has been taking part in a whopping 20 challenges - I’m talking half, full and ultra marathons, three marathons in one weekend, 20 mile obstacle races, seven triathlons in a weekend, 100 mile cycles, mountain climbing, and lots more besides. 

So, whilst I have been there cheering Dean along at every event this year, I also thought it was only right that I stepped up to the mark and actually took part in a few myself (albeit with slightly more modest distances in some cases). 

At the beginning of the year I blithely signed up to four events. All of which were a HUGE deal to me isolation. In totality they were mind-blowing (particularly given said exercise-phobe tendencies). 

But this was never meant to be comfortable. In fact, it was meant to be decidedly uncomfortable. Because no matter how tough / daunting / painful these events felt, it's NOTHING compared to what Dean's mum and those who are supported by the work of Breast Cancer Care go through.

So my challenge year has looked a bit like this...

* June: Rat Race Runstock - I completed five 5k laps of the course, plus a fun one to 'enjoy' the obstacles. (That will be the obstacles that my husband had neglected to tell me about when I signed up). It was 30-excruciating-k in total, and by far the furthest distance I have ever run (and perhaps ever plan to).

* June: Three Peaks Challenge - we conquered Yorkshire's three peaks in less than 12 hours. And man, was it tough. But man, the views were beautiful.

Come July my body didn't know what had hit it. I've got toenails that still can't be sure they are going to live to tell the tale, and I'm convinced my knee and hip joints will never be the same again. 

And Dean had completed 10, much crazier, challenges to my two at that point. We both still had the same amount of challenges left on the calendar to complete, respectively.

Then came the outdoor swimming challenge..

* September: Swim Serpentine - I completed the one mile open air swim. Swinming in a wetsuit is infinitely more tiring than you imagine it will be. Fact. And sharing your morning swim with herons, fish, swans, ducks... is not as idyllic as it might sound (depending on what floats your boat) thanks to the side order of bird poo. 

And now we are on to the final countdown. 

* November: Winter Wolf Run - I will be taking on a 10k obstacle course with Dean and a 'Wolf Pack' of over 55 INCREDIBLE people who will be joining us for his last challenge. We were aiming for 45 people as an ode to Dean's Mum's memory (a fabulous idea from our wonderful friend Lesley, deputy of the Wolf Pack). I'm so proud of Dean, and this bunch of crazies, who are going to help us raise awareness and pennies in Linda's honour. 

Any pennies that you can spare to support us along the way are very much appreciated. 

Donations on either mine or Dean's pages both contribute to a team total - but you can also find Dean's page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dean-t-walsh