I’ve got a bit of difficult news to share. After everything I’ve been through with my Achilles, I was finally feeling like I was getting somewhere. My recovery from the reconstruction has been going really well, and I’d started looking ahead to something that has meant a huge amount to me.
The 7 Marathons in 7 Days charity walk. Seven days. Seven marathons. Over 180 miles on foot, raising money and awareness for The Second Half Trust. I’ve been training, planning and mentally preparing myself for it, and I was determined to make it happen this year. Unfortunately, my Achilles has decided otherwise.
I now need to have a second, minor operation to put a few things right. Thankfully, it isn't anything like the original reconstruction and I've been recovering well, but it does mean I simply won't be ready to take on seven marathons in seven days this year. And I'm not going to lie... I'm absolutely gutted. I've put so much into this. There have been days when my Achilles has hurt, days when I've doubted whether I'd ever get back to where I wanted to be, and plenty of people who probably thought I was mad for even attempting it! But the challenge was never just about walking 180 odd miles. It was about showing that when life knocks you back, you can find a way forward. And that's exactly what I'm going to do.
I'm not cancelling it. I'm postponing it. The new date is May 2027. That gives me the time to have the operation, recover properly, rebuild my strength and make sure I'm genuinely ready. I owe that to myself, but more importantly I owe it to everyone who has supported The Second Half Trust and believed in what we're trying to build. There have been times in my own life when I've felt completely lost. I've struggled with my mental health, I've questioned myself and I've wondered what my purpose was. The Second Half Trust came from those experiences. So maybe this is another reminder of what the Trust is all about.
You don't always get to choose what happens in life. But you can choose what you do next. I'm disappointed. I'm frustrated., I'm gutted. But I'm not giving up. I'll get this operation done. I'll do the rehab. I'll get myself fit again. And in May 2027, I'll stand at the start line. Seven marathons. Seven days. One massive challenge. And we'll do it properly. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, especially my family, who have been there through every twist and turn of this journey. The challenge might have changed date. The goal hasn't changed.
May 2027. We go again.
#SecondHalfTrust #TalkTrustHeal #7Marathons7Days #MentalHealth #CharityChallenge #AchillesRecovery #May2027 #NeverGiveUp
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