Kerry's MEGA challenge
From the girl who hated PE and would get a stitch running to the end of the road, to someone who’s now attempting to run, cycle and kayak 105 miles across Scotland this September! Those of you who know me, will know that I enjoy a challenge. I love to push my body to see how far I can go, I love the journey, constantly trying to see what is around the next corner. But I am certainly no elite athlete and the thought of taking part in RatRace’s Scotland Coast to Coast event, though excites me… Also terrifies me!
I normally cycle a lot back and forth from the co-op, to the pub and a few jolly’s around the island. I run when I can (be bothered) and hope that my mediocre exercising keeps me fit enough to enter the occasional 10k or at a push, half marathon. But this event is a whole new kettle of fish and I am actually going to have to properly pull my finger out and do some MEGA training!
So I have accepted the challenge and on September 9th I will be at the start line in Nairn, on the East coast of Scotland, waiting to begin the journey. When the horn sounds, I will run 7 miles before hopping on my bike to cover 48 miles of roads by Loch Ness. The day ends with a 1 mile kayak/run where I can then pitch my tent at Fort Augustus and collapse in a heap! But it is not over yet… The following day I will pull my aching muscles out of bed to cycle 21 miles off road and 13.5 miles on the road through the Great Glen. Just when saddle sore begins to rear its ugly head, I will arrive at Fort William where I’ll then run/trek for 14 miles. It all ends with one final 1 mile kayak, reaching the finish line at Loch Leven. (I hope it will all be over then, but I may still be faced with the cycle ride all the way back to Mull!)
To keep me motivated to train hard and finish the race, I have decided to raise money for the fantastic charity ‘Children with Cancer.’ Every week in the UK, more than 70 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer, including my wonderful cousin Sarah who sadly didn’t survive her battle with cancer at the age of just 21. Every year ‘Children with Cancer’ invest more than £4 million in new research across the full range of childhood cancers which includes research that aims to drive up survival rates in even the hardest-to-treat cancers and to reduce the burden of toxicity for young cancer patients.
This is hands-down, the most challenging physical test I will have ever attempted.
I would love it if you could help me to support the work of ‘Children with Cancer’ by donating in any way you can.
Over the next few months I hope to keep you updated with my training and of course let you know how the event itself goes!
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| Training run |
