Thank you for all of the support and prayers for Sam's family, Sam and her family really appreciated them.  It meant a lot that our readers and members were prepared to take tim out of their day to send their love.

The next couple of weeks are going to be difficult for Sam and it is really nice to see how much support she will be getting from our Team Achieve family.

Team Achieve have had a really busy week getting organised for some of the events we have over the next few months and taking part in events at the weekend.

Michelle headed up a group for the Summer Wolf Run on Sunday and by all accounts had a 10km long mud fight.  The runs are a great experience and something that our members always look forward too. 

Fran and I headed north for the Team Achieve - 3 Peaks Challenge part 1, the Yorkshire 3 peaks.  I actually think that it is a harder challenge than the National 3 Peaks which we are doing next Saturday.

The challenge is to complete the 25 mile circuit in less than 12 hours.  We managed to achieve it reasonably comfortably in only 11 hours 20 minutes.  That's not to say it didn't hurt, the last peak was a real struggle and some poor foot wear choices meant that there were some really sore feet amongst the group.  

I could barely walk at the service station on the way home because it hurt so much to put my feet down, I need to get some new insoles for my boots before the next challenge.

It was a good test of endurance and gave me confidence that the group can push through their pain barriers and still remain jovial.  We had some good banter on the way a round; I rediscovered that I really do have too many words to fit in during the day, part of my Irish heritage I think.

The group gelled really well and supported each other through the more challenging aspects.

The weather wasn't particularly kind, it was humid and there was a drizzle and mist for most of the day.  I was looking forward to the stunning views of rolling countryside I had read about but for a majority of the day we could barely see 50m ahead of us.

At the end I was really proud of what everybody had achieved during the day and when I got phone reception and heard that everyone had fun on the Wolf Run it brightened up the long journey home.  

Team Achieve are achieving what we set out to do when I changed things around earlier on in the year; we 'help ordinary people achieve extraordinary things'.  That was highlighted at the weekend and will continue to be as the year goes on.

If you would like to join us on any events or simply want to get fitter, eat better and enjoy life a little more, our next Achieve Bootcamp starts this coming Monday (23rd June).  To apply for your space click here:

http://www.achievebootcamp.co.uk/when/application-form/

Darren 'Can walk barefoot again' Checkley