12 Challenges. 12 months.

My Story
Approximately 18-months ago, my mother was diagnosed with the very broad condition of progressive Ataxia. Over the course of many years and the experience of different doctors and specialists, she is yet to be diagnosed with a specific ataxia and therefore no treatments have been successful in helping her condition, meaning she has sadly become disabled - losing mobility, coordination and difficulties with speech. As a result, my father has had to give up work to become a full-time carer and adapt their home quite rapidly, and as a family, we have struggled to come to terms with it.

According to a survey completed by Ataxia UK, less than 13% (12.89%) of the UK population have heard of Ataxia. I therefore want to try and raise as much awareness and as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. Over the next 12 months, Sam and I have decided to push ourselves to the limit with a range of - hopefully impressive - endurance challenges and encourage friends and family to join us in training or some of the events.

I would really appreciate any support, no matter how small, and to please continue to share the word about Ataxia. Further details about the condition, charity and, most importantly, the challenges we will be completing over the next 12 months, can be found below.

Thank you x

What is Ataxia?
‘Ataxia’ is an umbrella term for a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, coordination and speech. There are many different types of ataxia that affect people in different ways and it is extremely difficult to get a proper diagnosis.

One of the challenging aspects of ataxia is that many people don’t know what it is or how to explain it. Some examples of people living with Ataxia say:
“I can look and sound drunk, but I am not. I have a rare neurological disease that's similar to MS.”
“It's like trying to walk upright on a moving small boat”
"Ataxia disrupts the messages sent to my nervous system; it disrupts my control over my body and my communication."

If you want to find out any more there is a short video here: https://youtu.be/QEM3aCUnszU

The Charity - Ataxia UK

Ataxia UK is the leading national charity in the UK for people affected by any type of Ataxia. They fund research into finding treatments and cures, and offer advice, information and support to people affected by the condition. 

The Challenges
January – 10,500m (10.5km) walk every weekend in January - DONE
It is estimated that 10,500 adults and children in the UK are living with Ataxia. 

We will be completing a 10,500m (10.5km) walk each of the four weekends in January for the 10,500 ataxia sufferers in the UK.

February – Half marathon walk, Bewl Water (21st February 2021) - DONE
We will be completing the round reservoir route of Bewl Water on the Sussex/Kent border – distance is a half marathon 13 miles (21 km) – 21st Feb

March – ‘Run the Month’ 26.2 miles - DONE
We will be running the equivalent length of a marathon throughout the month of March – varying distances at a time, totalling to 26.2 miles (42km)

April - Scafell Pike Mountain Climb (13th April 2021) - DONE
One of the toughest challenges of them all!
We will be aiming to climb the highest and the most prominent mountain in England, at an elevation of 978 metres (3,209 ft) above sea level. 

We will be staying up in the Lake District between 12th to 14th April. Climbing Scafell Pike on 13th April. 

May – London 2 Brighton Challenge (29th May 2021) - 100km walk - DONE
Starting at Richmond, West London we will be taking part in the London 2 Brighton Challenge - a 100km walk through the day and night, finishing at Brighton Race course. Further details can be found here: https://ultrachallenge.com/london-2-brighton-challenge/

June – 10km Run - DONE
So far, the furthest I have ever run is 5km (after completing a ‘Couch to 5k’ in 2020) so this may not be a big challenge for some, but if I can achieve it, I will be impressed!

Sam and I will both be running a 10km run in June - date TBC

July – Row the English Channel and back again (on a rowing machine) - DONE
Sam and I will be rowing the equivalent distance of the English Channel and back again (46 miles in total, 23 miles each). We will take it in turns on a rowing machine to row varying distances each, but will row the total 46 miles in one day

August – Mudnificent 7 Obstacle Course (7th August 2021) - DONE
We will be taking part in the Mudnificent 7 obstacle course in Warwickshire on 7th August 2021 

The Mudnificent 7 is a unique event and festival which hosts an amazing obstacle course designed by 7 different event companies. The course includes both physical and mental challenges, with obstacles involving a lot of mud and water!

A link to the video of what to expect can be found here: https://youtu.be/aQutSy3_JfM

September – Virtual Ataxia Classic Cycle - DONE

We will be taking part in the Virtual Ataxia Classic Cycle, cycling 100km throughout September

October – Royal Parks Half Marathon Run (10th October 2021) - DONE

We will be completing the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 10th October 2021 - running directly for Ataxia UK who have a team of 10 runners 

November – Abseil down Arcelormittal Orbit
postponed until January

December – Santa Fun Run
Finishing the year we will be completing a series of different challenges every day, which we are calling an advent calendar of challenges 

Postponed due to COVID! 😩🦠

Thank you for your support in advance, we will keep you updated throughout our journey! 

Nicola & Sam x

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