8 LAPS OF PAIN!

PICTURED ABOVE: Jason Nettle with Sam Lewis of AriensCo

Jason Nettle, director of Winchester Garden Machinery, is this year undertaking the challenge of 12 marathons in 12 months for good causes. Here he describes how he got on last weekend, his latest repetitive and painful challenge!

Hi everyone,

Another marathon in the books! Last weekend, I tackled the Spring Marathon held by Phoenix Running at Walton on Thames, which, as it turned out, was eight laps up and down a canal-side path. Let's just say it was . . . repetitive. And painful. Very painful.

But. As always, I'm determined to get this crazy (possibly stupid!) challenge done. I completed the run, and I'm incredibly grateful to AriensCo UK for their kind sponsorship and donation to the charities. Having Sam Lewis from AriensCo join me was fantastic, even if he did get a front-row seat to my suffering.

I likened my pain at the end to the stock situation Sam faced last year when the phone wouldn't stop ringing for spare parts. He just smiled, and said, “It will improve, it's about putting in the hard work”. Thankfully, the stock situation has improved, and I'm trusting that my running will too! Either way, the sentiment rang true.

This marathon was definitely one for the die-hard running enthusiast (which, let's be clear, I am not). Just doing a marathon wasn't enough; we had to do it as eight loops. Sam asked me why, and honestly, the only analogy that came to mind was cancer treatment. I've seen firsthand the cycles of treatment, the discomfort, and the pain that people endure. You know what you have to do, and you just get it done. At least my pain was self-inflicted and temporary.

Despite the discomfort, the canal-side scenery was lovely, and the support from AriensCo UK and everyone cheering me on kept me going.

Remember, I'm running for Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, Naomi House Children’s Hospice, and St. Michael's Hospice. Every step and every donation makes a difference.  A quarter of the way through the year and donations have exceeded £5000.  It truly makes a massive difference knowing that people and our industry are supporting me.

So, how can you help?

• Sponsor me: Every penny counts. You can donate directly to my fundraising page.
• Cheer me on: Whether it's at the side of a course or from the comfort of your armchair, your support will be invaluable.
• Get inspired: Use my challenge as a motivator to get more active yourself. Maybe start with a brisk walk around the block, ditch the lift and take the stairs or join me!

I'd like to be taking some well-deserved rest before I start preparing for the next marathon when actually, it’s only two weeks until the next one! Stay tuned for more updates on this crazy journey.