Lakeland 100 — Challenge for Better

What a week. 105 miles of walking in the bag and my first challenge since having my boys (Zac 8, Sammy 5). I’ve previously shied away from committing to all of the epic challenges that my husband takes great pleasure in suggesting and doing. My inner chatter or Mind Monkeys as I call them conjour up stories of busyness and mum guilt when it comes to the time it takes to train. The elaborate tales of worthiness and self belief weave their way through the intricate thoughts in my head — ‘I’m not fit enough’ ‘what if I don’t finish it’ I’m not strong enough’ ‘If I do this for myself I’m not putting my children first’. I spend so much time preaching self belief, confidence and self care, but yet I am as guilty as anyone when it comes to letting these crucial things slip.

Lock down has been a real eye opener for me, the forced pause of my business has been a valuable lesson of ‘Time — The Currency of Life’ How do you want to spend your precious time? It’s a BIG question.

So my mum came over, had a great time with the boys, and Mark and I walked… 105 miles. We started with the Yorkshire 3 Peaks with it’s breath taking loveliness and climbs. I had had a wobble over this when I found out we were going as part of a group. The Mind Monkeys again challenged my self belief, ‘what if I fail?’ ‘what if the pace is too fast?’ ‘what if everyone has to wait for me?’ All of this unnecessary inner chatter, time wasted worrying about not being enough. I had the best day with incredible people and I would do it all again in a heartbeat… Next time without the self doubt. I’m not telling you this for a sympathetic ear, I’m trying to emphasise the fact that I am completely utterly human, this is all part of the shared human experience, we all feel it at some point in our lives, and it’s okay to do so.

So we walked, talked, listened to music, taped up our feet, laughed, had moments of silence, and at the end of each day slept. But there was something that stood out to me. The sense of community and shared love. The snippets of peoples life stories, the highs, the lows and the inspiration. Again, the stand out fact that we are all human, and life isn’t easy, it’s complicated and ranges from feeling pure joy to the deep dark depths of sadness and shame. It’s all there, and it connects us inextricably. We are all connected. We are all in this together and together is definitely better.

On the last day we were asked to climb some steps and wear green, in memory of a strong and courageous little boy Jacob Willet who lost his battle to cancer just aged 3. The moment had arrived, the moment of realisation that life is short and so very precious. So I have made a promise to myself, I’ll let the Mind Monkeys have their say, but then I’ll be brave, I’ll have courage, I’ll be kind to myself and I will go out there and kick fears ass. I will prove to myself that I am enough and that anything is possible when your willing to give it a go. I’ll do it for me and Jacob and those who have gained their wings and fly through the sky confused at our incessant need to worry.

A huge thank you to all of the organisers, sponsors, supporters and athletes. You all played your part in touching so many hearts and souls in the ‘Challenge for Better’. Hearts and happiness all of the way.

All my love,

Kate