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SAMANTHA MACKAY
It's odd to think that its almost 10 years since I've been racing competitively/nationally/internationally. I'm not really sure where the time has gone (along with my fitness and athletic body :-) ). However not afraid of a bit of hard work, I hope that Challenge 2014 will get me back into shape but also give me those goosebumps and butterflies that I miss since stopping competing.
Challenge 2014 was born while thinking of how to support a friend, who from now (October 2013) all the way through 2014 will be going through their own challenges both physically and mentally while fighting off "the Big C". There are events in the series that will be fun, and there are events that I'm sure will bring tears of pain. But my aim is to complete every single one of them.
Secret Super Power: Its a close call between two (if superman can have lots of powers so can I)....... 1) I would like a remote control esq power in which I can pause, rewind and fast forward. Pause, to tell people what I think or remember that smile or moment when the whole room is laughing, rewind to relive those precious moments - our wedding, friends weddings and those family/friends events, fast forward - those crappy times. 2) I would like to be able to travel through the "Floo Network" (Harry Potter, fire places)...technically not a super power but a wizard power....but means I can see friends/family in a blink of an eye instead of at least a 2 hour drive (or 8 hour flight)
Challenge most looking forward to: I've been wanting to give a Triathlon a go so 2014 will allow me to do this, the coast to coast bike ride and the Scottish Swim
It's odd to think that its almost 10 years since I've been racing competitively/nationally/internationally. I'm not really sure where the time has gone (along with my fitness and athletic body :-) ). However not afraid of a bit of hard work, I hope that Challenge 2014 will get me back into shape but also give me those goosebumps and butterflies that I miss since stopping competing.
Challenge 2014 was born while thinking of how to support a friend, who from now (October 2013) all the way through 2014 will be going through their own challenges both physically and mentally while fighting off "the Big C". There are events in the series that will be fun, and there are events that I'm sure will bring tears of pain. But my aim is to complete every single one of them.
Secret Super Power: Its a close call between two (if superman can have lots of powers so can I)....... 1) I would like a remote control esq power in which I can pause, rewind and fast forward. Pause, to tell people what I think or remember that smile or moment when the whole room is laughing, rewind to relive those precious moments - our wedding, friends weddings and those family/friends events, fast forward - those crappy times. 2) I would like to be able to travel through the "Floo Network" (Harry Potter, fire places)...technically not a super power but a wizard power....but means I can see friends/family in a blink of an eye instead of at least a 2 hour drive (or 8 hour flight)
Challenge most looking forward to: I've been wanting to give a Triathlon a go so 2014 will allow me to do this, the coast to coast bike ride and the Scottish Swim
JOHN MACKAY
Speed. Strength. Athleticism. I have none of these things.
I'm simply a slightly chubby northern chap determined to help make a small difference and support our friend and those in similar situations, in whatever way I can.
So proud to be a part of Challenge 2014, I will run until my legs collapse, swim until my arms fall off and bike until my buttocks...well ok you get the idea...
So here we are then, only 13 challenges left to go...!
Secret Super Power: The ability to replicate Michael Caine's voice. Whilst not a strictly a super-power, it may one day enable me to gain employment as perhaps the long suffering butler to an actual superhero. Or something.
Challenge most looking forward to: All of them! If I had to choose it would be the South Downs Way as I'm fond of adventure, uncertainty and bad weather.
Speed. Strength. Athleticism. I have none of these things.
I'm simply a slightly chubby northern chap determined to help make a small difference and support our friend and those in similar situations, in whatever way I can.
So proud to be a part of Challenge 2014, I will run until my legs collapse, swim until my arms fall off and bike until my buttocks...well ok you get the idea...
So here we are then, only 13 challenges left to go...!
Secret Super Power: The ability to replicate Michael Caine's voice. Whilst not a strictly a super-power, it may one day enable me to gain employment as perhaps the long suffering butler to an actual superhero. Or something.
Challenge most looking forward to: All of them! If I had to choose it would be the South Downs Way as I'm fond of adventure, uncertainty and bad weather.
SARAH BAILEY
It's been 13 years since I gave up swimming competitively and joined the University of Surrey to undertake a BSc in Molecular biology. In the mean time I have been an active part of the University Hockey team, lived in NYC for a year, gained the title of Mrs and then Dr and moved around the South East trying to continue an active career in science. The last time I competed in a race of any type was in October 2010 when I completed the Great South Run. That was 10 miles and this is 12 months of events that are equally or more challenging.
I'm embarking on this challenge as someone who I know starts their own challenging year ahead. My decision to take part was not only to support them but also to remember a dear friend of mine who is no longer here after she survived leukaemia at the age of 19years old but then died in 2008. It is to help people like her enjoy the time to appreciate those things that we take for granted like going to work, owning a pet, having children and growing old with your best friends at your side.
Secret super power: My curly locks can be compared to Rapunzel - I can rescue anyone from and situation with a "swish and flick" of my hair!
Challenge I'm most looking forward to: Bath half marathon - My dad has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged me to beat his time of 2h 10m (he also completed it when he was 31) so here goes...
It's been 13 years since I gave up swimming competitively and joined the University of Surrey to undertake a BSc in Molecular biology. In the mean time I have been an active part of the University Hockey team, lived in NYC for a year, gained the title of Mrs and then Dr and moved around the South East trying to continue an active career in science. The last time I competed in a race of any type was in October 2010 when I completed the Great South Run. That was 10 miles and this is 12 months of events that are equally or more challenging.
I'm embarking on this challenge as someone who I know starts their own challenging year ahead. My decision to take part was not only to support them but also to remember a dear friend of mine who is no longer here after she survived leukaemia at the age of 19years old but then died in 2008. It is to help people like her enjoy the time to appreciate those things that we take for granted like going to work, owning a pet, having children and growing old with your best friends at your side.
Secret super power: My curly locks can be compared to Rapunzel - I can rescue anyone from and situation with a "swish and flick" of my hair!
Challenge I'm most looking forward to: Bath half marathon - My dad has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged me to beat his time of 2h 10m (he also completed it when he was 31) so here goes...
CLAIRE FIDDEMAN
Hello! I'm an honorary Northerner who has been living in Cheshire since leaving university where I met the lovely Mr and Mrs Mackay. I love an outdoor challenge - particularly those that involve swimming, cycling or walking and look forward to supporting the Challenge 2014 team to raise money for an amazing cause.
Secret super power: To be able to spin around once and be transported to another destination in the UK or world - so I can drop in on family and friends who live a distance away for an evening, or even just a coffee.
Challenge most looking forward to: Coast to Coast cycle ride - although this is also the challenge that I'm most nervous about!
Hello! I'm an honorary Northerner who has been living in Cheshire since leaving university where I met the lovely Mr and Mrs Mackay. I love an outdoor challenge - particularly those that involve swimming, cycling or walking and look forward to supporting the Challenge 2014 team to raise money for an amazing cause.
Secret super power: To be able to spin around once and be transported to another destination in the UK or world - so I can drop in on family and friends who live a distance away for an evening, or even just a coffee.
Challenge most looking forward to: Coast to Coast cycle ride - although this is also the challenge that I'm most nervous about!
THE DUCKWORTH'S (Matt, Teri & our youngest member Penny)
When Sam and John told us about the challenge and the reason behind it we jumped at the chance to help out. The fact that the same could happen to any of us at anytime highlights the need to take action and do our bit, however small, towards funding reasearch to beat cancer.
Matt secret super power: The ability to create a Jamie's 30 minute meal in only 30 minutes. Either that or know how to bring about instant world peace
Teri secret super power: To multiply whenever needed, so I can devote my full attention to having fun with Penny whilst simultaneously clean up after her, cook the dinner and have a nice relaxing bath to myself.
Challenge most looking forward to: Tube Challenge (Matt) - As I only visit 3.7% of Underground stations on my daily commute I thought it'd be good to see the other 96.3% at some point so why not just do it in one day?
Christmas Run (Teri) - Seeing Matt push Penny's buggy through deep mud in the freezing cold could be quite fun!
When Sam and John told us about the challenge and the reason behind it we jumped at the chance to help out. The fact that the same could happen to any of us at anytime highlights the need to take action and do our bit, however small, towards funding reasearch to beat cancer.
Matt secret super power: The ability to create a Jamie's 30 minute meal in only 30 minutes. Either that or know how to bring about instant world peace
Teri secret super power: To multiply whenever needed, so I can devote my full attention to having fun with Penny whilst simultaneously clean up after her, cook the dinner and have a nice relaxing bath to myself.
Challenge most looking forward to: Tube Challenge (Matt) - As I only visit 3.7% of Underground stations on my daily commute I thought it'd be good to see the other 96.3% at some point so why not just do it in one day?
Christmas Run (Teri) - Seeing Matt push Penny's buggy through deep mud in the freezing cold could be quite fun!
LIBBY BASNETT
Hello! I'm really looking forward to being able to join in with the challenge and support this great cause. I love my bike but only really cycle in cities, so can't wait to get out to the countryside. The rhythm of cycling often makes me sing when I ride - just a bit of prior warning to the group....
Secret super power: I'd like to be able to summon dragons on request in order to ride and fly them around the world. And of course use them for solving world peace at the same time.
I'm really excited to be tagging a long with the group for the coast to coast ride. I've been talking about doing a challenge like this for years, but never have. Time to put my money where my mouth is! I'll be cycling the distance I'd usually cover during 6 weeks commuting over a period of 3 days (plus hills!) ....puts it in a bit of perspective! Bring it on!
Hello! I'm really looking forward to being able to join in with the challenge and support this great cause. I love my bike but only really cycle in cities, so can't wait to get out to the countryside. The rhythm of cycling often makes me sing when I ride - just a bit of prior warning to the group....
Secret super power: I'd like to be able to summon dragons on request in order to ride and fly them around the world. And of course use them for solving world peace at the same time.
I'm really excited to be tagging a long with the group for the coast to coast ride. I've been talking about doing a challenge like this for years, but never have. Time to put my money where my mouth is! I'll be cycling the distance I'd usually cover during 6 weeks commuting over a period of 3 days (plus hills!) ....puts it in a bit of perspective! Bring it on!