09 Aug 2020 - Still here, still training

So it’s been a while since I posted, but given everything that’s happened this year, it didn’t feel appropriate to write an update on my journey to Everest, which is trivial compared to everything that has been going on in the world at the moment.

That being said, I’m also conscious that with Covid-19 not going anywhere anytime soon, we have to adapt to our new lives and press on as best we can (and, if possible, to cling onto our dreams) whilst doing what we can to be considerate to others and keep those around us safe. With respect to my Everest journey that’s meant moving back to Cambridge to be closer to family, dealing with the disappointment of the cancelled expedition and having to find the will and desire to keep training and pushing my body for another year, with no guarantees that we will be able to climb in 8 months’ time, but where being under-prepared could have the same dire consequences that I've written about before.

With that in mind I just wanted to say that I haven’t forgotten about everyone’s support and generosity in helping me raise money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK in connection with my climb that with the help of my brother and his girlfriend (who have helped me to build a gym at their place to train in), Rat Race (for putting on virtual endurance events to help motivate and mix up my training), my 7 month old niece (for preparing me for nights on the hill where I will have little sleep) and both Reebok CrossFit Reading and MVMNT Box (for providing virtual gym classes during lockdown) I am still training hard and hope to do everyone proud next year assuming we are allowed to travel to Nepal and climb.

As always, your support means the world to me, it very much hasn’t been forgotten and keeps me motivated to train in these unprecedented circumstances.

I’ll do an update again soon but in the meantime stay safe, look after one another and never stop chasing your dreams.

DB