On May 9^th 2020 I had an accident, at home, which unfortunately completely shattered my right ankle. During these unprecedented times, this involved me going into hospital for a major operation. I was awake for the 4 hours during the operation because it was just meant to be a small reconstruction of my ankle involving 2 screws and maybe a metal plate. But after they opened me up the extent of the damage was quiet extensive which led me to having 3 metal plates and 12 screws to reconstruct my right ankle. These will be a permanent feature, which are for keeps, how lucky.

During my convalescence my muscles in my right leg wasted away, they are so lazy if you don’t use them. As soon as I was free from my plaster and then my support boot I started to cycle to build up my muscles again. (July 2020) During the month of August I joined a gym (First time ever) and started various cardio exercises (Step machine, trend mill and bike) I was building up my cardio and muscles week by week and made steady progress.

Unfortunately, due to another lockdown in November my road to recovery seemed to be put on hold so I wondered what it might be like to run 5km, as everyone has heard of Couch to 5km. I am 54 years old and the last time I had run was cross-country at school. I stared with 2km and then 3km and still able to some cardio workouts. Sticking to a circular run near my home in case I might have to hobble home. I had no idea how my ankle would react to the constant pounding of running. On the third week I completed the 5km under 30 minutes and can now do that distance under 24 minutes.

To cut a long story short (Feb 2021) I now do 2 No 5 miles and 1No 10 mile and half a marathon each week. 

I have entered three 100km Ultra Challenges continuous walks. Jurassic Coast (late May) Cotswold Way (late June) and the South Coast (early September) all 2 day continuous treks. I am hoping to complete each of the events within 24 hours. All three events seemed the perfect events to raise money for my chosen charity Prostate Cancer UK.

I have set up this page so instead of trying to raise money for the three separate events. People can kindly donate just the once. 

I know how lucky I have been and wanted to give something back. Let’s hope I make the distance, its all about pushing your own personal boundaries.

During this time a dramatic and emotional change to my personal circumstances knocked the wind out of me. The fact that from my injury I am being forced to rehabilitate has given me a new direction and an unconventional therapy in my life when I needed it most.

Funny how life works out sometimes but I honestly believe if I hadn’t smashed my ankle to pieces I wouldn’t have gone to the gym or even started running.

As you get older it’s about giving something back.