Fundraising for Movember has been an integral part of my life for the past three years.
I’ve walked from the Scottish border to Newcastle (130km) in 32 hours with no sleep.
I’ve walked the length of Hadrian’s Wall (140km) in 38 hours, again, with no sleep.
The motivation to complete these challenges stems from a desire to have my physical and mental fortitude pushed to their limits.
As someone who has faced depression and anxiety for several years, I’ve sought these physical outlets as healthy coping mechanisms.
Sadly, my father didn’t have these same escapes. Instead, he leaned on the vices of life. Alcoholism, intertwined with battling his own mind, tragically claimed his life in February of this year, at just 56 years old.
As a young man, watching the male figurehead in your life pass away as a shell of the man he once was, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
In the wake of my Dad’s passing, I took up running, as I sought solace, direction and an escape from the haze of the extreme emotions I was experiencing. Subsequently, it's placed me in the happiest and healthiest shape of my life, both physically and mentally. It’s helped transform the toughest year of my life, into the best year.
My Movember 2023 challenge was running four x 56km ultra marathons in memory of my father, representing the 56 years of his turbulent, but incredibly impactful life.
For my next challenge, I'm incredibly excited to be running in the LLHM 2024, as part of the Movember team. My Ultras challenge was a solo pursuit, which tested the limits of my physical stamina. However, I'm eager to be back, pushing the pace and aiming for PBs, alongside other Movember runners. I'm determined to cross that LLHM finish line in under 90 minutes. Let's see...
My advice for anyone who can relate to my experience, but feels lost or hopeless, is to always embrace, remember and utilise your why. Do not subdue or ignore your grief, but carry their memory with you. At your most challenging moments in life, remembering your why will always answer the question of why you should keep going.
I know I’ll be completing all my challenges with my Dad. We're Marching on Together.
Find out how you can join one of Movember's challenge events in 2024.