Late one evening around Chrismas 2012, a call from my old pal Barry goes like this:

*Ring ring*

Me: Alright?! Merry Christmas!

Barry: Merry Christmas!

*About half an hour of drunk chat*

Barry: So, I’m going to run 6 marathons in 6 days for cancer charities – do it with me?

Me: Hell yeah! I’ve run 10km before so why not 6 marathons in 6 days?

Barry: Great! Think about it properly though, cos I mean it

Me: Of course! I could totally do that.

Barry: I’m calling you tomorrow morning about this so don’t dick about.

Me: OK, just you do that! I’m all over this.

Barry: Right then, bye!

Me: Totally doin’ it! Bye!!

 

The next morning:

Text message from Barry Smale: I wasn’t joking, I’m doing 6 marathons in 6 days and you said you’d do it too..

Me: Honestly Barry? There’s no way I can run 6 marathons in 6 days. You are mental.

Barry: Well I’m doing it.

Me: I’m up for doing ONE. How about you find 5 other people to do the others?

 

And here we are. Barry, you’ve inspired 6 runners and 3 awesome support crew to come on this crazy mission and I’m humbled by you every day for taking it on. You’re amazing, and this is going to be a brilliant adventure. From your motivation for doing it to your dedication and support in the training, I love you to bits. My hero xx