On Monday 9th November 2015 I will be blowing out 40 birthday candles.

I will be celebrating, hopefully, not only the enormous achievement of making it to the grand age of 40, but also having completed my 'midlife crisis challenge'! This challenge will begin, on 9th November 2014, exactly one year before the big four zero. In the 365 days which follow, I am aiming to cover 4,040km, lose 40 lbs in weight, inspire at least 40 other people to join me with their personal challenge, and, well, still have enough energy left to blow out those 40 candles. 

So, who's with me?

Here's exactly how the challenge will work: 

In the period 9 November 2014 to 9 November 2015, I will be challenging myself to cover a distance of 4,040km, using only my own man power to either cycle, walk, swim or row. At the same time I will try to lose about 40lbs (18,12kg) body weight, and challenge 40 people to do 40km with me (or any challenge they are able to do). Of course all of this is leading up to my 40th birthday and will be in aid of Reverse Rett. Any funds raised will go towards the potential cure of my daughter Hannah and all girls with Rett Syndrome.

Please support me in my efforts, either by sponsoring or doing 40km in any capacity with me. My wife participated in a challenge called 50x5km in the early parts of 2014, my challenge will be 365x11.07km. Although I will not promise to do consecutive days, I will promise that any missed days will be made up for, and further I promise to do a total of at least 4,040km during this year. Whilst it might not sound much to some of you health freaks out there it will be a massive challenge to an overweight nearly 40 year old midlife crisis dad like me and of course my family, as it will take me on an average 30 minutes per day (if I do the challenge on a bike, longer otherwise), meaning I will be spending out of the 52 weeks at least 1 week non-stop on a bike or in motion. Anyone who knows me and followed my wife in her challenge knows that the distance is not the problem, the challenge is finding that time, determination and willpower to persist for the entire year.

Which is nothing, of course, compared with the determination and willpower it takes to be Hannah, and every other girl or woman living with Rett Syndrome, every single day.

I challenge you to support me in my task by either doing your own 40k during this year or by sponsoring my Midlife crisis, and together we will celebrate; not my 40th Birthday but a cure for Rett Syndrome. You legend!

Love, Vincent