Yesterday was tough, but tough days are part of it

I’m someone who struggles to open up and rarely ever will, but I have also come to realise that sharing my story is part of this journey. Sharing my story includes sharing my progress, but also a bit of what goes on behind the scenes: the good and the bad.

This is one of the first years where I have been reminded of losing my mum so often. As much as it is a painful reminder, it has been so touching as many have come to share their favourite memories they have of my mum.

Everything the past months has been in purpose of one goal: 100km in 24hrs. Every training from the moment I took on this challenge, was to get ready for next week. Every training was indirectly dedicated to my mum. All the sweat, tears, setbacks, everything had to do with next week and it feels so surreal that it’s just around the corner.

At first I didn’t quite understand why almost everyone called me crazy for taking on 100km. But coming closer to D-day I definitely understand!

Besides the physical there’s a lot of mental elements to this challenge. Hiking hours on end, by yourself to be able to honour your mum is something beautiful and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. But this also means you have hours to reflect on everything; the loss, the illness, the effect it had on your family & on you, the way this has brought people together,…

During my training I often wondered whether I will actually make the finish or if I will make it in under 24hrs, and all I can say now is that I feel ready. Could I have trained more? That’s always a possibility, but I genuinely feel like I can bring this challenge to a good end! And even if for whatever reason I cannot, then that is also fine! It’s about having tried and going out of my comfort zones.

No matter the result of next week, I already consider this journey a succes!

#breastcancerawareness