Mountain Madness

A week ago on Cadir Idris the sun was beating down on the runners who were trying not to over hear with temperatures of over 20c at the summit. By contrast this Saturday I was struggling against sleet and driving rain and desperately trying to keep warm in a freezing wind as I set off on a long speedy hike in the Lake District. Surprisingly I didn’t meet another sole for hours! Just over seven hours later and after ascending over 7500ft and covering 23.5 miles I descended into the late afternoon sunshine of Ambleside feeling very pleased that I had persevered and had enjoyed my mountain madness. Today I feel like I have been kicked by a mule!

I have to confess that I do quite like wild countryside and wild weather; I find them invigorating and the challenge and immediacy of just putting one foot in front of the other for me is actually relaxing and clears the mind. By launching the MacIntyre 2012 Appeal I don’t expect people to find the same satisfaction as me from such perverse pleasures but I do hope that they will challenge themselves to do something active that will provide similar personal satisfaction and benefits. The idea is for each person to find something that they like doing and want to do on a regular basis that will enhance their feeling of wellbeing and hopeful provide an additional interest in their life. The funds raised from the appeal will help to support this by paying for classes, equipment, transport and membership fees etc.

Thank you to everyone for your sponsorship and good will messages- they are really appreciated, especially during those low periods when my body is telling me it is too hard to continue and my mind is trying to “make excuses”! Many people have been extraordinarily generous but don’t be put off pledging the odd fiver too. Over the remaining three weeks I want all the encouragement I can get but more importantly I want people to be thinking about their own personal challenges; how they might raise funds for the MacIntyre 2012 Appeal or even better how they might support someone with a disability to develop an active and interesting pastime.