It just feels like I’m popping in for a brew, it’s kind of
like I’m just passing by with a grin and a wave. I’m not, I’m here for another
challenge and now it’s your turn too!
I can honestly say I never thought I would get this far, I
thought that we would be doing at least one of these miles in a wheelbarrow or
some other contraption. I have been exhausted to the point of sickness and have
been fighting an ongoing psychological battle in order to keep myself going. So
many times both my legs and my head have told me to stop and somehow I haven’t
and I still don’t know exactly what has got me through this. But I’m on my way
and with 11 miles complete and three more miles to go over the next three
weekends, we’re nearly there, the finish line is visible now and I’m exhausted
and excited equally.
Some might still ask themselves why I took this challenge on
in the first place and I’ve often questioned myself too! I wanted to push myself,
enjoy myself and also appreciate my own body before it got too broken. I never
want to have any regrets because I know what the future holds for me with this
condition, I need to be able to confidently look my young girls in the eye and
say “Daddy tried” and that’s not a sad thing, that’s a very positive thing.
Despite my condition and weakness I am a determined man and I’ve given myself a
chance to help others and get more people involved too. By moving one mile with
me you have drawn crowds, questions have been asked and donations have been
made and that’s the objective. So many times in 2016 people have said to me
“I’ve never heard of this condition until I spoke to you” and that’s something
I’m very proud and happy about, it has encouraged more people to get involved.
The other thing is the fact that I find it hard to rely on
others and asking for help doesn’t sit well with me, I’ve never wanted people to look at me and
wonder what I’m doing to help myself. Well I’m doing lots and I’m trying my
best. As I’ve said on a few occasions, I would never ask anything of anyone
unless I was prepared to do it myself, I have and I do. Don’t get me wrong, I’m
not blowing my own trumpet, just starting to become overwhelmed and proud of
what we’ve achieved this year, after all it all started from a silly idea. I
haven’t really told anyone until now but this was born from watching Question
Of Sport late at night, a question being asked about Stadia and sporting
grounds and that was the catalyst, another question in the programme was about
the 2012 Olympics, this is where my idea started to come to fruition, I was on
my way.
So as we go into mile 12, I just want you all to know how
grateful I am for everything. This is now becoming a celebration as well as a
massive challenge. Strangely the pain is becoming more bearable and manageable
because I know now what we are achieving (I didn’t feel this way at either
Wembley or Oxford – those were tough, impossible miles!). I have always said
that I will never apologise for constantly going on about this and I won’t but
I must say how happy I am that people are still listening, I realise that
sometimes I am relentless but if I don’t shout then nobody will hear.
I wanted to do something extraordinary and I am, I wanted
you to come with me and you have. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get
to where we are now in 2016 and massive thanks in advance to everyone getting
involved with the 50 mile challenge this weekend – Muscles Matter.
28th Aug – Aylesbury
04th Sept – Olympic Park, London.
10th Sept – Leeds.
Finish.
#MoveAMileForMuscles
#IfICanYouCanToo
All donations are welcome here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Martin-Hywood3
My short Film...
