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30 DAYS OF DISCOMFORT
Each month in 2021 I am challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone.

JANUARY - COLD
What started off as a New Year's Resolution quickly became an obsession.
Every day for the entire month of January, I got out of bed and sat in the icy River Thames wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.
It was tough. It was uncomfortable. It was, at times, painful. But throughout it was exhilarating and hugely beneficial to both my mental and physical health.
On Jan 31st I finished the cold water challenge by sitting stationary in the 1.5C water for 30 minutes whilst raising over £2,500 for charity.
I now have a chest freezer in my garden that I've converted into a permanent ice bath. #obsessed
Every day for the entire month of January, I got out of bed and sat in the icy River Thames wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.
It was tough. It was uncomfortable. It was, at times, painful. But throughout it was exhilarating and hugely beneficial to both my mental and physical health.
On Jan 31st I finished the cold water challenge by sitting stationary in the 1.5C water for 30 minutes whilst raising over £2,500 for charity.
I now have a chest freezer in my garden that I've converted into a permanent ice bath. #obsessed

FEBRUARY - HAULING
February's challenge was a bit ridiculous looking back at it now. I carried a 50kg bag of rocks everywhere I went; the shops, work, dropping the kids off at nursery. Got quite a lot of funny looks that month.
February ended with what I called the Mega Haul. I spent a whole day climbing a local hill 20 times - the equivalent of Ben Nevis - with the rocks on my back. Not going to lie...it was savage.
February ended with what I called the Mega Haul. I spent a whole day climbing a local hill 20 times - the equivalent of Ben Nevis - with the rocks on my back. Not going to lie...it was savage.

MARCH - CLIMBING
I love mountains and I love scrambling my way up them. Living in the middle of the English countryside hasn't made scaling mountains particularly easy but in March I decided to try climbing what we have in abundance; trees.
After a little bit of research, I set about free climbing as many trees as I could over 30 days. What I learned was that adventure is right there in your back garden if you want it and I promise you, hanging off a branch 30m in the air definitely gets the adrenaline going.
After a little bit of research, I set about free climbing as many trees as I could over 30 days. What I learned was that adventure is right there in your back garden if you want it and I promise you, hanging off a branch 30m in the air definitely gets the adrenaline going.

APRIL - BMX
Can an old dog learn a new trick? That was the goal for April as I set about trying BMXing for the first time in my life.
I've always watched people at the skatepark with such admiration; the discipline, confidence and commitment to do what they do is incredible.
So I gave myself the challenge of learning to 'air out' of a quarter pipe on a bmx I'd just bought with nothing other than Youtube as my coach.
I've always watched people at the skatepark with such admiration; the discipline, confidence and commitment to do what they do is incredible.
So I gave myself the challenge of learning to 'air out' of a quarter pipe on a bmx I'd just bought with nothing other than Youtube as my coach.

MAY - EXPLORE
May was all about exploring new paths and I challenged myself to cover every road and footpath within 3 miles of my house.
It turns out that there are quite a few.
Whilst this wasn't particularly uncomfortable, it did force me to get back out there exploring and it was a great reminder to what amazing little spots you can find so close to home if you just venture away from your usual routes.
It turns out that there are quite a few.
Whilst this wasn't particularly uncomfortable, it did force me to get back out there exploring and it was a great reminder to what amazing little spots you can find so close to home if you just venture away from your usual routes.

JUNE - THE LONGEST ASCENT
As I got to June I decided my 30 Days of challenge had to take a step up and so I committed to The Longest Ascent; a 220 mile walk/run from my home to the summit of Snowdon over 5 days.
As this was such a mammoth undertaking (and I was pretty unfit and out of practice) this became a 90 day challenge.
It was time to fix my body and prepare for departure on August 30th.
I partnered up with James from Wild Training who has been helping me train and prepare for this big event.
As this was such a mammoth undertaking (and I was pretty unfit and out of practice) this became a 90 day challenge.
It was time to fix my body and prepare for departure on August 30th.
I partnered up with James from Wild Training who has been helping me train and prepare for this big event.

JULY - THE LONGEST ASCENT II
As my training for The Longest Ascent continues, I took on my first 50 mile training day. It ended in agony with horrendous blisters and a real step backwards in terms of my mental preparation.
My physical strength and fitness is increasing at an incredible rate but now it is about preparing my body and mind for the repetition of long miles, sleep deprivation and self-sufficiency.
My physical strength and fitness is increasing at an incredible rate but now it is about preparing my body and mind for the repetition of long miles, sleep deprivation and self-sufficiency.
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