The 26 miles in 26 days challenge 💜

For this year's purple day, on the 26th of March, Young Epilepsy (A charity that's very important to me) have created this challenge for people to walk, jog, cycle or run 26 miles in the first 26 days of March.

However, I want to challenge myself even further. So I will be increasing from 26 miles up to 105 + miles, which is equal to 4 marathons. (my super SUPER target will be 126 miles by the 26th) but hitting the 4 marathon mark is the main goal. 💪

The REAL challenge….. Im on a 9am - 6pm (5 days a week) performing arts training course, which is already highly physically demanding, which makes completing this challenge even harder. But Im not one to back down when it gets tough.

In the first 26 days of March, I'll be running the 100+ miles around Liverpool and the Scottish borders to help raise awareness for children and young people suffering with Epilepsy

My story ❤️

I was first diagnosed with epilepsy when I was just six years old. At first I didn't understand what was happening to me. I would experience absence seizures daily, sometimes leading up to several a day.

As well as it being physically exhausting, suffering from multiple seizures a day at such a young age, it was confusing, isolating, and frightening to live with. Epilepsy became a big part of my childhood.

It took a long time to find the right medication for me, and with that came a lot of side effects that would make me very unwell and significantly weaker than children my age.

When I was 12, I became free from Childhood Epilepsy. I was told there was only a very tiny chance it could return in my early adulthood.

Around the time of my GCSEs, that fear became my reality. Unfortunately my battle wasn’t over. I was re-diagnosed with epilepsy. Only this time, it was far more severe and dangerous. I suffer from one of the most severe types of epileptic seizures, The Grand Mal (tonic clonic).

Physically, A grand Mal (tonic-clonic) seizure is the equivalent to running a marathon whilst lifting weights and being bashed in the head with a baseball bat repeatedly.

Going through the re-diagnosis, having to endure multiple Grand Mal seizures over these years and having to accept the constant fear of "what if" back into my life, was one of the hardest things i've ever had to go through.

It brought back so many fears I thought I'd left behind, and it felt unfair to be starting that battle all over again at such a crucial time in my life. As well as it taking a toll on my physical health, it took a huge toll on my mental health. I lost all my confidence and spark because of it, it truly isolated me with anxiety’s and at the time, I only saw my epilepsy as my biggest weakness and my scariest enemy. However there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Now, I'm 20 years old and I’m so proud to be able to say I’m at my best. I'm on a medication that controls and prevents my seizures. Despite the long hard battle Ive had with epilepsy, I never let it stop me from pursuing the dreams I've had since I was little.

I'm currently in my second year of training at the Liverpool Institute for Performing arts, one of the UK's top drama schools. Being a student here is of my proudest achievements because my love for performing has always been the main thing that got me through my hardest days, and having the opportunity to train in it professionally is a blessing after everything I have been through. I've never felt physically stronger or more supported by the people around me. For that I'm eternally grateful for my family and friends.

And even now, at my strongest, epilepsy can still feel like a shadow. Something I'm always aware of. Something I will never fully escape. But it’s also something I’ve learnt to live with, and that's why I'm taking part in this challenge.

I don't want children and young adults with epilepsy to feel scared or limited when they think about their futures, the way I once did.

When I was diagnosed, the thought of running 105 miles in under 26 days would have seemed impossible to me.

5 years later, It now feels within my reach, as much as it is still a challenge, it's something I believe I can definitely achieve. And I want that to be a reminder to my younger self that epilepsy does not define what I'm capable of.

A few of my best mates will be joining me for selected runs during the challenge.

In the last 5 days of the challenge I will be home and my dad is going to run the last few miles with me. Stay tuned for updates and milestones! 💪

This challenge is for every young person with epilepsy who feels frightened, confused, or alone.

It's for anyone who's been told their world might be smaller because of epilepsy. Because I promise you It’s not 💜

- Lucy x

Together we can create a future where every child with epilepsy can live seizure free. Please make a donation to my page today. If you'd like to join me in the challenge then you can sign up here: https://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/get-involved/challenge/26-miles-in-26-days-challengePurple Day

The 26th of March is the International Day of Epilepsy awareness. No child should live in fear of their own body. Seizures can be frightening and they can leave children in pain, feeling confused and alone. Nearly every hour, another child or young person in the UK is diagnosed with epilepsy. Show your support by donating today and help stop the fear of seizures.

Breakthrough treatments and day to day support can transform their lives.