A Week of Ups and Downs

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This week started pretty positive. Training was and still is going well and donations are starting to come in. I’m really trying my best to limit alcohol which as always, is proving quite difficult.

 

The positives came in the way of my Brother, Mick Nattrass. He has agreed to be the designated driver for the challenge and he will also contribute to as many runs as he can manage. My Brother knows the roads like the back of his hand so I’m extremely delighted he will be joining us. This is a big thing he’s doing for us, giving up his day like this and especially as our first run is scheduled for 4am!

 

I can also confirm that Multipower have supplied us with energy charge drinks, Multicarbo Jelly and Fit Protein Lite. A special thank-you to Sam Brandon for sorting us out with these. We also have head lamps provided to us by Defender Power and Light. The first four or five runs are definitely going to be in darkness so these will come in really handy.

 

Lee and I have confirmed the schedule for the challenge and will release it shortly. We’re really, really hoping some of you can turn out to show your support. I took a few days off social media this week to concentrate on my training. This mornings run was interesting to say the least, wind and rain both at an angle! We really could do with some more positive vibes sent our way though. We know this challenge is going to be tough. I personally don’t give a sh*t. I just want people to support us and make a small donation to Tiny Lives.

 

I posted this to my personal Facebook wall this morning…

This will be the last time I’ll be fundraising for quite some time.

 

Without sounding selfish, I feel like I’ve done my bit for now. I’m very honoured to have raised the awareness and the funds I have, especially only having a handful of close family and friends and zero work colleagues.

 

I seriously under-estimated how much time is spent planning these challenges and the impact it has at home. I thank-you all from the bottom of my heart for the support you have shown me and my chosen charities over the past two years.

I didn’t post this to receive likes, I posted this because this is honestly how I feel. I guess I just wanted people to know that I won’t be bugging them again. I really did under-estimate how much time is spent planning these things. I promised Amy after taking up 12 days last year that it wouldn’t impact this Christmas. We have just over two weeks until the challenge and unfortunately it already has. I think it’s time to leave this sort of thing to the pro’s and as always, they’ll have my full support.

 

This week has been full of ups and downs but I can guarantee this. Come the 21st of December and whether we succeed or fail, Lee and I will give this challenge our best shot.

Paul

About The Author

Following the birth of his son in 2009, Paul was unfit and sluggish. Since then he's been training using a range of exercise techniques and gained some valuable information over the years. Events he has completed to date are Total Warrior, Pier To Pier, Bamburgh 10k, Hamsterley 10k, Blaydon Races, Newcastle Stampede and over 50 parkruns. In 2012 he created his own challenge called the '12 Days of Christmas.' He raised over £1000 for Percy Hedley by running 60 miles to celebrate their 60 years. In 2013 he ran the '12 parkruns of Christmas' with friend Lee Nyland. The pair raised over £1400 for the Tiny Lives Fund.

6 comments

  1. Paul, I will be there on the day, running with you two (not as far as you two though!) and giving as much encouragement and support as I can muster. This challenge is a huge task, both mentally and physically, but I know that if anyone will do it, it’s you, cos although I don’t know you really well, I do know that you’re a determined SOB when you make your mind up to do something! I’m looking forward to the day (in a terrified, OMG sort of way) and while I might not meet my own personal challenge of running at least a lap at each parkrun, I’ll be sure to keep you and Lee as motivated as possible.

    • Thanks Val! Lee and I really appreciate the support. I’ll be sure to give you a shout-out on my next blog post. I like your comment about the ‘determined SOB’ as it’s so true. I’ll crawl around the parks if I have too. Tiny Lives but gigantic effort. Thanks again :)

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