My story

Up until recently I’ve been lucky not to know much about cancer. But over the past few years my niece, auntie and cousin in Spain have all had to battle cancer. My aunty and niece are in recovery after two years of hell, and my cousin is on the way to getting her life back.

My rugby captain of Harborne RFC Simon Dowle, the person who welcomed me to rugby in England also died a few years ago. His optimism and great character influenced me and many others, leaving us with fond memories, and a wonderful game that we play each year between the school he went to Bromsgrove and the club he was captain for – Harborne RFC.

Then in January this year, much closer to home, my best friend, who I have worked for and with for the last 12 years was also diagnosed. Seeing the way she has taken on this news alongside supporting her young family is inspiring, and remarkable, with a bright smile and telling herself “I’m going to beat this”.

My challenge

Because of this, I decided I wanted to help raise money to support those fighting this cruel and unfair illness.
I’ve spent some time trying to find some out-of-the-ordinary challenges to push myself. However, there’s nothing similar to the pain of people fighting cancer, both physically and mentally. Wanting to put myself miles out of my comfort zone I have found what I believe are some very unique and tough challenges - weight-bearing running events which the top UK special forces (Paras, SAS and Marines) have to pass as part of their selection tests.

I’ve been playing rugby and going to the gym most of my life, but as a sprinter, most people know that running about 45mins max is my absolute limit!

So in January 2020 I signed up and began training with 2 amazing groups:

Bournville Harriers running club - who (despite thinking I’m mad to be doing these events) have encouraged me so much to believe I can run these distances.

Elite Outdoor Fitness - an inspiring group of ex SAS, army and ultra-runners of all ages, managed by an ex SAS recruiter and fitness coach who have taught me there’s no such thing as ‘can’t’.

My 2020 events

Since I started my training in January, Covid-19 happened, so alongside many other UK running events, it has slowly meant that all my events have been officially cancelled. 
Many people would think well that’s a shame, I’ll do it next year/another time, and in fact it would be much easier for me and my family for me to postpone. BUT I took the decision back in January that no matter what could or would happen, I will still do all of these challenges. After all, no one with cancer has a chance to decide when they fight back, they have no option they just keep going, fighting until the end.
So, I will be running these three events myself/with support, making things trickier mentally and physically!

1. Parachute 10 miler, A parachute regiment event-10miles with 35lb on my back.
Originally 16 May - now solo running on 5 Sept 2020, along the Birmingham and Worcester Canal towpath.

2. The Fan Dance, Breacon Beacons. An SAS selection test match. Half marathon, with army boots and 35lbs on my back, up and over Pen Y Fan and the infamous Jacobs Ladder.
Originally 19 Sept, I will now be doing it with a few friends from my group of elite outdoor fitness. https://youtu.be/J5F0uO79R7s

3. Commandos 30, Dartmoor National Park (aka Mordor!). The last test for the Royal Marines prior to earning the famous green beret. 30miles wearing army boots and 40lbs on my back, in approx 10hrs. Considered one the hardest events of any army in the world.

Originally 12 Sept 2020, this is a much more challenging event to organise solo due to the distance and expected time of 12 hours. Navigating extremely difficult terrain and trying to finish in daylight. Luckily, I will now be running it with my brother-in-law, Tom Macer-Wright, a well-known and inspiring (famous!) runner on the Ultra Marathon circuit, alongside his friends who have kindly offered to support me, with checkpoints, water refills and first aid etc.  
https://youtu.be/LCJ04lFmq-4

My setbacks

On top of the news that these events weren’t officially running, I picked up an injury called IT band syndrome, (common in runners) but after 2 weeks of rest, lots of physio exercises and a numbing injection kindly provided by Dr foot Birmingham, it’s starting to hopefully disappear to allow me to do these challenges .

Despite these setbacks, on the positive side my commitment to the cause is still intact, and my determination to do it in these circumstances is even stronger.

Lots of people have been helping to get me over the line, from my physio Jezzie Samra at Achieve Physiotherapists, to the expert Hussein aka Dr Foot Birmingham, my coaches Nick and Duncan, the team of Elite Outdoor Fitness guys, the race organisers, and my family and especially my partner Mills who have seen me go through highs and lows, from celebrating achievements to embracing the bad news when injuries arrived.

Blood, sweat and tears, you name it, I’ve had it all in the last very long 36 weeks of training and it’s been by far the hardest thing I ever done in my life – but what did I expect, signing up to these mad events!

Last but by no mean least, thanks to everyone who has donated to this cause so far, your donations are keeping me motivated to keep going, and I promise to give 100% and more... 

Thank you all for making this possible!