The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
Apologies if this week's theme song seems a little obvious. I'd been struggling to find the right one and then yesterday, after a week of nerves and niggles, I was driving to singing practice and this came on shuffle on the ipod.
I've already written about how I'd been worrying about the challenge so I don't want to dwell on that really. However, this week the reality of what we are about to do has hit us. We are walking for what will inevitably be more than 24 hours, without sleep, in rain and sun, with busted knees, aching hips, painful backs and, all (due to some unfortunate timing) over the toughest three days of Fran's chemotherapy cycle.
Our team and how we pull together and support each other has become increasingly important and tomorrow it will mean the difference between finishing or not.
Walking 100 kilometres is as much a mental endurance challenge as a physical one. Don't get me wrong, walking over ridiculous distances hurts. A lot. The balls of your feet burn. Blisters have gone from being one of those irritating things that happen when you buy a new pair of shoes, to the difference between being able to bear your own weight or not. But this week I've realised that our real challenge is in our heads. Carrying each other when that challenge seems too much is our real job here. Listening, supporting, reassuring, distracting, laughing together, crying together, singing badly and loudly (probably just me) - whatever we can do to get each other through.
It's not going to be easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. But we will do it, and we will do it together. Writing that, I know I'm talking as much about supporting Fran as I am about supporting our team. Fran's journey so far has been the toughest physical challenge she's ever faced. But it's the mental strength that makes the difference - knowing she has people thinking of her, knowing people are willing to share her journey.
That's what we're here for, isn't it? It's what separates us from the animals - the ability to walk a long road with another human being, see them at their lowest point and know when they need carrying. To choose to join a person for all or part of their journey because you know that some things are easier when you are a team.
Thank you for being part of our team, of Fran's team. We'll carry you with us tomorrow.
Lorna, Stuart, Jamie, Michelle, Emma, Siobhan & Shelly xxx
Our team and how we pull together and support each other has become increasingly important and tomorrow it will mean the difference between finishing or not.
Walking 100 kilometres is as much a mental endurance challenge as a physical one. Don't get me wrong, walking over ridiculous distances hurts. A lot. The balls of your feet burn. Blisters have gone from being one of those irritating things that happen when you buy a new pair of shoes, to the difference between being able to bear your own weight or not. But this week I've realised that our real challenge is in our heads. Carrying each other when that challenge seems too much is our real job here. Listening, supporting, reassuring, distracting, laughing together, crying together, singing badly and loudly (probably just me) - whatever we can do to get each other through.
It's not going to be easy. Nothing worth doing ever is. But we will do it, and we will do it together. Writing that, I know I'm talking as much about supporting Fran as I am about supporting our team. Fran's journey so far has been the toughest physical challenge she's ever faced. But it's the mental strength that makes the difference - knowing she has people thinking of her, knowing people are willing to share her journey.
That's what we're here for, isn't it? It's what separates us from the animals - the ability to walk a long road with another human being, see them at their lowest point and know when they need carrying. To choose to join a person for all or part of their journey because you know that some things are easier when you are a team.
Thank you for being part of our team, of Fran's team. We'll carry you with us tomorrow.
Lorna, Stuart, Jamie, Michelle, Emma, Siobhan & Shelly xxx
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