I've never written a post like this before. To be honest, I feel a bit uncomfortable doing it.
But here goes.
In June next year I'm going to run from Land's End to John o' Groats.
Just over 1,000 miles in 35 days. Around 30–35 miles a day. 6 days running, one day off, then do it all again.
Even writing that sounds slightly ridiculous.
It'll be the biggest physical challenge I've ever taken on (obviously), but I'm starting to realise the challenge isn't just the running.
It's the training. The time. The impact on my family. And ultimately being away from them for 35 days.
So if I'm going to do something this big, I want it to mean something beyond whether I can actually run 1,000 miles.
I'll be raising money and awareness for three things that mean a lot to me — men's mental health and suicide, dementia, and the two schools my children go to.
There's a lot more I want to say about why I've chosen those, but that's probably for another day.
I'm incredibly lucky to have a family and people around me who haven't batted an eyelid at this ridiculous idea and a workplace in Lean Tree that has basically said "Yep. Go do it. We'll work it out."
I also know that if I want this to be about more than me just running a very long way, I'm going to have to talk about it.
And probably be a bit more open and vulnerable than I would ever be on here.
That feels almost as daunting and scary as the running!
But if doing that helps raise awareness, raise some money and maybe even encourages someone else to take on something they didn't think they could do, then it'll be worth it.
So I guess this is me putting it out there.
1,000+ miles. 35 days.
Which means I definitely have to do it now.