My Activity Tracking
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Struggling
Three weeks today and I'm not feeling prepared enough.Increasing my frequency of walking and walking longer distances doesn't feel like enough.
I did 20k steps each day last year during the challenge and lately I've averaged around 9.5k and that's in civvies. I've not done a resi-run in months but I have one last opportunity to push.
I took the fact that I was being more active last year for granted, and that fed into my ability to endure the challenge last year. I'm realising now that I should have started training sooner.
Fundraising has stalled too. I keep pushing but it's resulting in nothing being added to the pot.
My motivation is waning and this challenge doesn't feel like it's being taken seriously.
What am I doing wrong?
My Motivation
I've been asked a few times why this? Why not do a run, or cycle, join a fundraiser with measurable outcomes?Honestly I kind of fell into this solution. I wanted to get as much attention for Combat Stress whilst collecting donations, I wanted to push myself and I wanted to do something out of the ordinary.
I also wanted a way to show my empathy for servicemen and servicewomen. As a civilian, I'm too old now so I can't join the Army and I regret not taking my opportunity when younger.
So, I can't be deployed into action, I can't even do basic training. I'd probably hurt myself even trying.
So what can I do that pushes me in a way that is a bit different, that gets attention and catches the imagination?
Full CBRN kit is something I hear many ex-soldiers say they detest, it's hot, uncomfortable and high burden to body and psychologically.
It also had to be achievable! I'm no athletic youngster, but I have trained for this and that in itself has given me back some of the dignity I lacked prior to this.
I want to do this every year for as long as I can, but I need to increase the challenge to make it worthwhile on the sponsorship side of things.
Last year during my challenge I received some really wholesome comments from vets who understood my commitment, and that really kept me going last year.
Hopefully I don't trigger any bad memories for anyone appearing like this, but instead my hope is that anyone who has served can recognise my passion to endure just a tiny percentage of the suck they've been through.
Whilst I get to go home at the end of my weekend without genuine fear of injury or worse, I do hope in a small way it makes a real difference to those who might benefit from the funds raised.
It's always about them.
First blog entry 2026 - A retrospective of 2025 and motivation for 2026
Looking back on 2025 I feel a sense of pride. I started the year as a couch potato, I picked myself up and completed the couch to 5k challenge, only to get bored after it finished.I decided to up the difficulty by wearing my gas mask to reduce my air intake. It really sucked but taking that mask off after a the first 30 minute run felt amazing, it was addictive. I felt renewed.
I kept going running in darkness so as to not scare my neighbours when my best friend joined me and we both came up with this challenge to be completed at Military Odyssey.
With the gracious approval of the M.O team i was granted permission to represent Combat Stress.
Having never attempted anything like this, it was nerve wracking, exhausting, sweaty, it really pushed me to the limit!
I was kept going by the resounding support from the public, stopping to talk to me, cheer me on, donate and get photos together.
The part most unexpectedly was the parents who encouraged their kids to get photos with me, the tiny faces looking up at me in awe and the tales from children telling me I inspired them.
How could I not do it again? Last year I spent 'all day' whilst M.O was open. It totalled 7 hours on day one, 8.5 hours on day two and another 8 hours on day three.
This year I'm planning to do 12 hours every day, I'll be kitted up before most are out of bed, two short breaks every four hours to replenish water and eat some food, (something veterans who had to endure this kit didn't have the luxury of) and into the evenings where most will be drinking and being merry, I'll still be in my gear and probably ready for bed!
But this isn't about me, not really. This is just one way to raise awareness at an event loved by thousands to bring Combat Stress to their attention with the aim to support those veterans that served for us all and suffered mental challenges in silence, witnessing atrocities no human should see and typically left to care for themselves.
They deserve respect and our support, and this tiny sacrifice is what I want to do to help. I hope maybe you're reading this and feel compelled to donate. Please do!
Thank you for reading this essay! My love goes out to all.
James
I am raising vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.
Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. For over a century, they've helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.
I’m taking on vital steps towards ensuring veterans can get the support they need.
Thank you so much for your support.
My Achievements
Thank you to my Sponsors
£119.79
Steve B-s
£93.27
Jon
Amazing job last year! Keep it up!
£50
James Ducassé
To kick things off, I wanted to donate my own money to reinforce how much I want to hit the goal, you don't have to match it or even give 10%, but every little helps. Thank you!
£33.15
Robin Southgate
Wolfy
£19.38
Joshua Collins
£10
