At the beginning of July, I set myself a challenge: run a half marathon every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month.

By the final 2 km of my eighth half marathon, I felt every step. My legs were tired, my body was exhausted, and every kilometre demanded more than the last. But I had made a promise to myself, and I was determined to finish what I had started.

8 Half Marathons.
42.2 km every weekend.
168.8 km throughout July 2026.

Almost everyone I told about this challenge said I was crazy or completely nuts.

Maybe they were right.

But for me, this wasn’t about doing something extreme. It was about preparing my body for the challenge that lies ahead—the 50 km Ultra Trail Race in the Drakensberg on 12 September 2026.

Every kilometre was another step towards spending more time on my feet, building endurance, and preparing both physically and mentally for race day.

This wasn’t just running.

This was training with purpose.

Along the way, there were rewards for the hard work. Out of the eight half marathons I completed, I earned five Silver medals and two Bronze medals.

While the medals are something I am incredibly proud of, they were never the reason I took on this challenge. The real victory was proving to myself that I could keep showing up, keep pushing forward, and keep growing stronger with every race.

After being diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), I never imagined I would be able to run like this again. There were days filled with fear—fear of paralysis, fear of the unknown, and fear of what the future might hold.

Today, those fears no longer define me.

Instead, I lace up my shoes, head out the door, and keep proving to myself that no matter what life throws at you, you can still set ambitious goals and work relentlessly to achieve them.

The Drakensberg Mountains are waiting.
I can almost hear them calling my name, reminding me why every early morning, every training session, and every sore muscle is worth it. My goal is to complete the 50 km Ultra Trail Race in 8 to 9 hours.
The furthest I have ever run is 32 km.

Fifty kilometres is a completely different challenge. It will not only be my first 50 km Ultra Trail Race, but also the greatest physical and mental challenge I have ever faced. I know it won’t be easy, but I believe I can cross that finish line within the goal I have set for myself.

In less than six weeks, I’ll know my final finishing time.

Until then, I’ll keep showing up.
I’ll keep running.
I’ll keep training.

Because every step today brings me closer to the mountains tomorrow.

Movement. Fitness. Persistence. Motivation. Strength.

“The strongest people aren’t the ones who never struggle; they’re the ones who refuse to stop moving forward. Every step you take today brings you closer to the person you’re becoming.”