The AWWC is well under way!

I'd like to introduce you to next victors in The Any Which Way Challenge - Tracy and Amelie!

In the middle of May Tracy braved her first ever race which she ran as part of the AWWC to fundraise and raise awareness for Lyme disease.  Her supporters raised over £900 in an amazing show of generosity.  Again, I thank you all so much.  Amelie took part in the mini mile too, bless her little legs!

For me the best part was that I was well enough to travel and cheer them on!  This would have been unthinkable three months ago and really shows how far I've come.

The isolation that Lyme brings is something that you have no choice but get used to.  Part of it is the extreme fatigue (I don't mean tired, I mean, do I have enough energy to put a wash on or have a shower?).  The pain and immobility means that driving is difficult for me.  I was reliant on others to ferry me around if I was up to it which wasn't very often.  Throw in the noise sensitivity and confusion that it brings and you can see why Tracy and I have not seen much of each other in the last 3 years!

It was a very emotional day and I loved it being part of it.  Thank you Tracy xxx

In other news...

Paul Smith was also busy starting his part in the AWWC.  He is doing not one, not two but three triathlons!  The first one has been successfully completed.  It was the Snowdonia Slateman which involved 1000metre swim across a very cold lake, a 51km swim and a 10km run.  Crikey! Of course, he totally nailed it and warmed up in the hot tub afterwards :-)  More photos to come and next challenge is 14th June and involves swimming in the River Thames.  Rather him than me.

Sadly Andy is injured so the Ultra marathon planned in June is off.  He's discussing a kayak challenge with my husband so watch this space.

A new addition to the team is Laura Klimaszewski.  In June she is going to tackle the Welsh 3000's which involves climbing 15 mountains in Wales, usually within 24hours!!!  This challenge is only suitable if you are an experienced and very fit mountain walker, which luckily Laura is!  She is fundraising for me and also for her local search and rescue team.  I'm so excited for her and very jealous, this sort of challenge would have been totally my thing a few years ago.  It is now on my list of things to do to celebrate my recovery. 

 Well, that is all the Any Which Way Challenge fundraising news for now!  If you are feeling inspired and what to get involved, please let me know!

Over and out, Sarah xxx

The Any Which Way Challenge Chronicles Part One

As you may have read, our transatlantic challenge began in earnest last month with the legend that is Matt Hogg undertaking a dirt bike adventure in the Himalayan mountains with some of his buddies.

 

The news of the devastating earthquake arrived to me by Matt himself and never have I been so grateful for facebook.  Matt had just returned to Kathmandu after successfully completing part one of his trip and his girlfriend Kim was due to arrive that evening.  The day before he and his friends had travelled directly through what would be the epicentre of the next days earthquake.  Really scary stuff.  We were so thankful that all the team were unhurt especially when so many others had lost their lives, our hearts go out to everyone in Nepal.

Kim and Matt were due to hike in the foothills of Everest for the next 3 weeks but wisely followed advice to leave Nepal so this adventure remains on their to do list.

Matt covered 745 miles over ten days travelling through the villages and national parks. He took in the massive scenery, friendly wheelie encouraging locals (Matt fell off and needed xrays!) and gruelling, rocky terrain. I think one of his posts on facebook speaks for itself  "This is the best motorbiking I have ever done by far, I'll be back!".

Matts friends and family raised over £500 towards my Lyme treatment funds and I would like to give a big squeezy hug to them all for supporting me.  Below are some of Matts photos from the trip which he very kindly allowed me to share, plus a link to an interview they both gave just after the earthquake.

 Matt and Kim were interviewed about their experiences during the earthquake - http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-couple-caught-apart-in-kathmandu-by-nepal-earthquake

Next blog will be concentrating on the amazing woman that is Tracy Griffiths.  She is running a 10k and her two children are also taking part in a mini mile.  Her friends and family have raised over £600 already.  I'm also very excited as at the moment it's looking likely that I'll be well enough to go and cheer them on...more to follow xxx

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/sarah-s-lyme-recovery-/300766