For 58-year-old Cathy Griffiths, 2022 was her fourth attempt at the challenge, and it was health fears that gave her the boot up the bum she needed to get her across the line
‘I first took part in the challenge in 2019 with all the usual good intentions of getting fit, losing weight and being a paragon of healthy virtue. I failed, failed again in 2020, and failed again in 2021. But finally, in 2022, I did it with a couple of weeks to spare!
Personal motivation and my in-built self-destruct button are my biggest obstacles. Life, the universe and myself get in the way and it's easier to procrastinate than it is to motivate myself.
My motivation for 2022 was being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in March. It was a serious kick up the butt, and time to face up to my unhealthy lifestyle and fix it.
With seven miles to go I hurt my back – nothing serious, but it meant life for the last week of the challenge was a hobble. I may not have sped through the finish line in a blaze of glory, but I did it, finally. Look out 2023!
I've lost three stone, which has gone a long way to keeping my diabetes under control. There's another three stone to lose and I'm getting married this year, so it's going to be a big part of 2023. Everything I can do to kick diabetes into touch really helps and if it means I can look and feel good on my wedding day, then it’s a win win.
To others I’d say don't give up. I gave up in past years and I know I could probably have still done it if I hadn't. A setback is not the end and even if you don't do the whole 1000, every mile is a mile walked, not time spent sitting on your butt.’
