FUNdRun

In 2019, I set myself a quiet goal: to reach a level of fitness and mental resolve where I could run a marathon whenever I wanted. Today, despite floods of tears at Sydney Harbour Bridge, running the TCS Sydney Marathon amidst the heat and hills, I’m humbled to say that I think I've just about reached that goal.

Running a marathon whenever you like might sound impossible, but it's honestly not. It's about building the strength in your body and the resilience in your mind to tackle any challenge head-on. It’s about those early mornings, those small steps, and the belief that you can go further than you ever thought possible. One day at a time, one mile at a time, you build not just the endurance to finish a marathon but the freedom to choose when to take on that challenge again. The feeling of crossing that finish line, knowing you've conquered the distance on your own terms, is worth every drop of sweat and every aching muscle, I promise.

To see elite athletes glide across the tarmac towards me on the half marathon turn was a moment I will never, ever forget. Absolutely incredible. Brimin Kipkorir Misoi (02:06:17), Chalu Deso Gelmisa (02:08:01), and Felix Kiptoo Kirwa (02:08:17) moving with such grace and speed was a truly humbling experience.

If you're just starting your running journey, remember this: you're only ever racing against yourself. It doesn't matter how fast or how far you go; what matters is that you start. Every runner begins with that first step, and every run is a victory. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate every milestone. And don't take it so seriously that you forget all the wonderful memories and friendships that running can create. Whether you’re sprinting at the front or jogging at your own pace, some of the best moments happen on those runs where you’re laughing, chatting, and simply enjoying the journey.

Personally, I run in quadrants, each side comprising 5km, so 4 sides to pass in a half marathon, 8 in a full, leaving that final bit at the end for a moment of gratitude. Today, every one of those 8 sides was dedicated to a loved one, and let me tell you, some stretches those loved ones were unrelenting. But it serves as a powerful reminder: you can achieve the seemingly impossible if you break it into manageable (5k) parts, bit by bit, step by step. Celebrating each milestone acheived.

This journey, for me, like life itself, a stark reminder to the importance of mental resolve. I'm NOT a runner. Physical strength can only take you so far; it's the mind that pushes you through the toughest moments. When every muscle screams to stop, when the hills feel like mountains, and the finish line seems a world away, it’s your mental strength that keeps you going. It’s about believing in the power of your spirit to overcome any obstacle, no matter how daunting. The mind is where the true race is run, where limits are shattered, and dreams are made reality.

The course was a feast for the eyes, taking us through some of Sydney's most iconic sights. We started with the exhilarating run across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with sweeping views of the Sydney Opera House and the glistening harbour. We navigated through the historic Rocks District, looped around the vibrant Circular Quay, and ran alongside the serene Royal Botanic Gardens, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, and stretches along the stunning coastline offered moments of beauty that fuelled every step. Finally, crossing the finish line at the steps of the iconic Sydney Opera House was a moment of pure triumph.

But today’s run was about more than just completing a marathon. I ran in support of Kevin Webber, a true inspiration and a beacon of hope. Ten years ago, Kevin received a diagnosis of incurable T4 prostate cancer and was told he might have just 2 years to live. Against all odds, he's celebrating his 10-year 'cancerversary' this November. And to mark this incredible milestone, he's taking on his own monumental challenge—running from his home to the The Royal Marsden Hospital and back 10 times within 24 hours. That’s over 160 kilometres, each lap a tribute to the hospital that helped save his life and to the people who supported him.

Kevin is raising funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which supports countless cancer patients. His journey is a powerful reminder of resilience, courage, and the strength to keep moving forward, no matter the odds. He’s asking for just £10—a small contribution that represents each year he's defied the odds since his diagnosis.

I'm asking if you can help support Kevin's mission. If you can spare a tenner, please donate at:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/kevin-webber-ten-years

Together, let's support this incredible cause and the hospital that gives so many the chance to keep chasing their dreams.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to support Kevin! I'm not quite at the 42 tenners yet, so if you can spare a quid or two, please dig deep for this very special man and his incredible mission. Every little bit helps and makes a difference. Let's help Kevin reach his goal and continue to inspire others.

DS x

10 years running with T4 cancer for £10 (please) Help Kevin Webber raise money to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

Tomorrow, I am running in the TCS Sydney Marathon, one of the world's most iconic marathons. This race takes runners on a breath-taking journey across Sydney, including a run over the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Sydney Opera House. With thousands of participants from all over the globe, it's a celebration of endurance, community, and the joy of running.

I'm running in support of a fellow runner and true inspiration, Kevin Webber. In 2014, Kevin was diagnosed with incurable T4 prostate cancer and was told he might only have 2 years to live. Despite this grim prognosis, Kevin has faced his illness with incredible courage and determination, and this November, he marks his 10-year 'cancerversary.'

My challenge tomorrow is to raise as many tenner's as possible, aiming for one for every kilometre I cover—42 in total. Can I count on you to be one of them? I'd certainly be super greateful.

To celebrate his unexpected longevity, Kevin is taking on a monumental challenge—running from his home to the Royal Marsden Hospital and back 10 times within 24 hours. That’s over 160 kilometres, each lap representing a year he’s fought and survived. Along the way, he'll be paying tribute to the hospital departments and people who have played a role in keeping him alive. This run is his way of giving back and supporting the incredible work of The Royal Marsden Hospital, which has helped him and countless others.

He's raising funds for The Royal Marsden Charity's general fund, which supports cancer patients across the board. In his words, he's asking for just £10—one pound for every year he's lived since his diagnosis.

If you can spare a tenner and support this remarkable cause, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/kevin-webber-ten-years

Let's join Kevin in celebrating life, hope, and the incredible work of The Royal Marsden Hospital.

DS x

Kevin Webber Gower Tan

28th July 2024
Sydney Harbour 10k
50.51 - 2nd Pommy Home! 🙂

A bit wind swept in the photos after more really tricky coastal conditions, but a great way to shake the soul first thing in the morning and tick off some incredible Sydney landmarks:

Sydney Opera House ☑️
Sydney Harbour Bridge ☑️
Royal Botanic Gardens ☑️
The Rocks ☑️
Darling Harbour ☑️
Tarongo Zoo ☑️
Circular Quay ☑️
Cockatoo Island ☑️
Luna Park ☑️
Barangaroo Reserve ☑️

What a privilege. Have a great Sunday folks.

DS x

It may not mean much to large corporate companies, but to a local independent business such as The Good Estate Agent - Cheshire & Greater Manchester today is a special day.

Today is proudly marked by the delivery of ‘Boo’. She’s a bonnie wee thing isn’t she!

A milestone that symbolises difference. The difference we make with personal, professional, responsive service in our local community for our local community.

One to remember💚

Our business is 100% geared around our customers, so as you see us out and about whether in Altrincham, Timperley, Sale or further afield please give us a ‘Honk’ of support. Boo loves attention just like her Dad.

And remember, we are actively completing valuations to suit you, morning, noon and night, 365 days per year. So, if you'd like some food for thought give us a call or book online below we will respond within the hour.

💻Book online at https://thegoodestateagent.co.uk/valuation-book

☎ Call 0161 524 7320

Us two and Boo x

The Gladiators are BACK! It's time for the last Semi-Final. Who will secure the last places in next week's Grand Final? 🔥

Watch Saturday at 5.50pm on BBC One & BBC iPlayer.
Follow BBC Gladiators: https://www.instagram.com/bbcgladiators

The summer of 2000.

What about it, I hear you ask? The summer of 2000 was the last time I attended a class led by Ceri-Lydia Hannan. Today, I broke that duck at The International Fitness Showcase At The Wintergardens, Blackpool.

And well, I've got to be honest, he was rubbish. That usually grabs your attention. No, of course not, he was MAGNIFICENT. So much so I asked if I could borrow his body for the rest of the weekend!

So, for someone who always encouraged me to write, let me talk for a moment about Ceri Hannan. I'm going to title it 'The Talent Myth'. It's apt.

It is easy to believe in the talent myth. We look at fitness stars, virtuosos, writers and wonder at their skills. We say out loud ‘he is so talented’, ‘He was born to teach’. But this is not fair. By believing this we belittle the years of sacrifice and hard work that goes into the technique, class or performance.

If you look behind every so-called genius you find nothing but years of dedication to their craft. If you don’t believe me pick up any autobiography and research your idols or those ‘talented’ people you admire and you will find the same answer.

They practised and practised harder and longer than anyone else.
Ceri did not just rock up and put a HIIT masterclass together around Speed, Agility, Quickness and Focus. He spent thousands of hours mastering his technique when others went home. Shelley Moore was the same.

It was their prolonged daily effort that many years later blossomed into the legends they are today. They did not just jump on a stage and the magic happened (well he did a bit but...)

I accept that some people start with a predisposed genetic advantage such as height, speed, or memory. We can all see this. But that is where it ends. It is a slight advantage nothing more.

They might be outstanding in a class of 30 but just OK in a group of 500. If you keep scaling there will always be someone who is just as quick or just as clever. It’s what happens next that matters. Those heroes we admire keep practising.

Key point - over time the playing field levels out. Those who continue to work hard often catch and surpass those who got off to a quicker start. So if you have a dream never give up just because right now you are not where you want to be. Don’t give yourself the excuse that ‘they are so talented’ you can do what they do if you put in the time and effort.

The real truth about talent is that it’s just a spark of passion developed and honed over time through dedicated practice that creates something beautiful.

Point 2, It's never too late. Wayne Buffey and I talked about this as we watched Ceri, he makes everything so accessible. He makes everyone feel they can complete the movements in the class and excel, that's a brilliant quality hey.

Now it might sound strange talking about “it not being too late...” When you are so young. But the thing is that this type of thinking kicks in at such a young age and then haunts us for the rest of our lives. So, knowing my mix age group of followers, I'm gonna say it right now.

Lots of your friends will stop playing team sports during school and think to themselves - it's too late to get back into it in just a few years. This is not a mindset that happens in your 40’s and 50’s it will start to creep into your world at a much younger age.

So I want to get this out there - it's never too late whether you are 13 or 83. Don’t allow this mindset or excuse to enter your world. All it does it put a lid on your adventures.

Of course there will be those obvious things that might pass you by such as swimming in the Olympics (so that's a no with your knee Wayne) but on the whole, to a more or less degree everything is still possible into your very old age.

As you know I am a breaker of conventional wisdom and you should be too. Just because it's not seen as “cool” to do a certain thing does not mean you cant.

I grew up playing rugby and I would love nothing more than to play but this is too late for me. My body won’t let me anymore. But there are thousands of other things it will let me do such as run, swim and hike. Ok, it's not quite the same but I still can enjoy sport.

Just imagine all those boys I grew up playing rugger with who in their teens stopped playing a game they loved. So many of them will have made those type of statements - it's too late I am too unfit to play. But the truth is they can in some form, they just need to want to.

Just imagine the girl who loves netball who gives it up because of other commitments or because she thinks it's not cool anymore and makes the internal excuse - it's too late I can’t play anymore. How sad is this when the truth is she can still enjoy this sport of years and years to come.

What about all those budding artists who leave it all behind for a busy life and never come back to their passion because you guessed it, it's too late. Why is it too late?

It might be too late to be Picasso or run like Bolt (the example Ceri used today), but who cares. This is about you enjoying something that you love. Whether that's group exercise, rugby or painting in watercolours.

It is fear of what other people think that holds us back so often. So my message to you is this - whenever you hear those words in your head or variations of - remember this note and if it is fear of what others might think that’s holding you back - then do it anyway and see what happens.

Thanks for your continued inspiration Ceri. Love always.

DS x

Hello,

We have seen a huge influx in new customers over the past couple of weeks, so we thought we would say hello & reintroduce ourselves!

The Good Estate Agent Cheshire & Greater Manchester is owned and managed by David & Rebecca. We are both local to the area having lived in Sale, Timperley and Altrincham between us over the last 30 years.

Our aim is to offer a service completely tailored to your requirements. We don't utilise a 'One Size Fits All' approach. Instead, we listen to what you need, we offer our expert opinion, and we work to provide you with the best possible outcome.

Given we are out of the office and active across Greater Manchester and Cheshire this week, we have some last minute availability for free, no obligation property valuations 🏡

So, if you are thinking of selling/letting your home why not get in touch and see how we can help you?

We work around you offering evening and weekend appointments as standard, and can tailor our services to meet your individual needs.

Appointments can be booked online at:

https://thegoodestateagent.co.uk/valuation-book

Or call 0161 524 7320 and we will be happy to help you.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-67956347

Gladiators: Youngest star 'feels like a superhero' Student Emily Steel, aka Dynamite, says she is humbled by the response from fans of the new show.

Another stunning sunset 🌅 over base tonight …. Who will be your COTY 2024? Would you choose local and life saving as a choice for your business? 💚 let me know if you would like to hear more and make a decision that will help protect communities and your own loved ones and families

Ben Sisson Great North Air Ambulance Service

[email protected]

May the game commence.

Watch Gladiators on BBC One and BBC I Player from Saturday 13 January at 5.50pm.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1015324976607161&id=100043890045430&sfnsn=scwspwa

Small but EXPLOSIVE, it’s Dynamite 🧨 Watch #Gladiators on #iPlayer from 13 Jan

My first try at indoor track tonight, severely hindered by nerves in what is a very elite environment but great to work hard, admire the ability of others and reminisce.

Gosh, how things change, all those years ago I was parked in the coffee shop with a pint of lager and a sausage roll. I never dreamed I’d stand on the track on club night.

It’s not quiet where it all began but it is a venue that had played a very significant part.

Emily Steel M Squared Fitness Rainhill Trials, Manchester Sportcity The Rainhill Trials

You’ll never be ready. Just start.

Don’t worry you don’t have all the answers yet. A year from now you’ll wish you started today.