Those of you who know me will understand that like many people my age I have been through a few really difficult things in life but have had enough ups to help get me through. The breakdown of my marriage though has been something that I cannot describe & will not fully recover from, this may sound too heavy for a blog, my apologies I am new to them & am starting it this way simply to show you how the outdoors has been my saviour & encouraged me to embrace a new life that becomes more thrilling & adventurous with every step I take.

This outdoor life began properly as recently as February 2010 when I blasted up Cader Idris with a foot of snow on the ground to relieve the pressure from within. Of course I’d been up a few mountains before but this was the true beginning for me & I was immediately hooked.

Within a year I’d summited over one hundred 2,000’ peaks in North Wales, entered & more remarkably completed a number of Fell races as well as striding out alone in The Lakes & completing my first Half Marathon in London. All of this helped to get me through the most difficult year of my life & a year & a half later I am still going like some kind of Forest Gump.

Along the way I have met some great people who have encouraged & or accompanied me at times when I’ve needed it, my thanks to them, you should know who you are.

My involvement with the café & Dorina & Gaby has taken my outdoor involvement to a new level, it has been great to meet so many people who have more experience than I may ever have & who share my love of the mountains such an un-expected (although it should have been blindingly obvious) bonus for me.

Enough of the past, but I hope my experiences show you how the great outdoors can help in more than just a physical way, onto the future.

In October this year I have entered my first marathon, yes you’ve guessed, The Snowdonia Marathon, no half measures such as London straight in at the deep end. I’ll plan to update you with my training progress & races between here & then but any advice you may have from training regime, best shoes or race day tactics I’d be delighted to hear from you.

Or if you simply wish to share your own experiences of what getting outdoors has done for you please so, click the ‘view all comments’ below .