We have signed up for a race called HYROX, taking place in Manchester on 23rd January, which in simple terms is what happens when someone decides running on its own isn’t painful enough. The idea is: run 1 kilometre, do a workout station, run another kilometre, do another station… and repeat this eight times while silently regretting signing up but pretending to be fine about it.

We are not pros in any way — in fact we only decided to take on this challenge at the end of last summer. What we do have is grit, determination and hopefully a bit of something extra in between that will keep us going.

Quite honestly, we’re nervous. This is very much out of our comfort zone. But we have each other, and we also know that for a short amount of time we just have to get it done.Because the truth is, this challenge is nothing in comparison to what people go through when facing cancer.

Between us, we have friends and family who have been diagnosed, who are receiving treatment, who are fighting the physical and mental load, and there are people close to us who we have lost to cancer.

We are taking on this challenge for every single one of them — for the warriors out there, for the families who support them, and for those who no longer have that person in their lives anymore.

WHAT IS A HYROX CHALLENGE............

Over the course of the race we’ll cover 8 km of running, but the real fun is what’s waiting between those kilometres.

Things like simulated skiing on a SkiErg — and seeing as neither of us can actually ski, you’d think this bit would be easier.Then there’s pushing and pulling weighted sleds, which we have only just mastered today.After that come the dreaded burpees — and let’s be honest, no one likes a burpee!!Then it’s onto the rowing machine, carrying heavy kettlebells, and finally wall balls — which involves squatting with a weighted ball and throwing it at a target that we didn’t realise was quite that high, ideally with a bench to sit on as we come back down.

And that’s exactly why we’re raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support — because they provide vital physical, emotional and practical help for people living with cancer and for the families supporting them.Our challenge may be small in comparison, but it’s our way of showing up, and we will give it our all.

If you’re able to support us — whether through a donation or just cheering us on — we are hugely grateful.

Thank you so much.

Lucy and Juliette