Thinking of Oscar’s Post

Completed the Goal. This Sunday I completed my third and final London Marathon and this picture sums up every bit of how I felt after finishing it, following 6x months of training. Running the marathon is amazing on the day, the roller coaster of emotions is like nothing else. Similarly to working on your business or a project, its all of the unseen preparation, the consistent effort and doing the mundane / grey tasks when you least want to, which helps you get it done. The actual day is the fun part (I know it doesn't look it in the picture). Anyone that has known me for a long time knows I wasn't built to be a runner, I was 20 stone at one point, so I didn't set any speed records but I improved each time, got a respectable time and now have a medal for each of the 3x kids. More importantly I have inspired the youngest (8) to start running and he's looking to sign up to the London mini next year and is out training already. I want to thank everyone that donated to Children with Cancer UK through my running page, friends, family, the Target team, my wife who has been super supportive and a number of suppliers/clients who I am truly grateful to work with and donated each and every time. We have smashed out over £17k in three years and that means the world to me. Anyone thinking of running it, that doesn't know if they can, do it, you can, it just needs planning for and consistency when no one is watching. Forget about the 26.2 miles. Break it down into small wins and incremental improvements over 6-9 months and its achievable, you wont regret it. The ballot is open for 2025.. Now for a rest.. and back to work! #targetmaintenance #teamtarget #targetfire #propertymaintenance #facilitiesmaintenance #firesafety #londonmarathon

🏃🏽♂️Running with Purpose: Supporting Firefighters 🏃🏽♂️ Hello LinkedIn Community, I’m excited to share a personal challenge that’s been fueling me in recent months. In three weeks, I'll be running in the Boston Marathon as both a personal challenge and to raise awareness for an incredible nonprofit. This marathon marks the last 26.2-mile leg in my journey to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors—New York, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo, London, and Boston! It’s been an epic seven-year journey of personal growth with many challenges and triumphs. If you ever get the opportunity, I recommend you take on a marathon. I’ve learned so much about myself in this process. Here are some take-a-ways that I think can be applied far beyond running: 1) Go after audacious goals. You will surprise yourself with what you can achieve if you actually go for it. 2) Make a plan, but be flexible. If you need to skip a run because you're hurt, that’s what is required. If you need to run less than planned one day because there was not enough time that day, that’s okay. Keep striving for the benchmarks and return to the plan, but know that life will happen. 3) Lean on your community. Gutting it out on your own only gets you so far. Your community's love, support, and honest feedback will get you to the finish line. I’m excited to support the Last Call Foundation as part of this run. This organization is dedicated to advocating for the safety of firefighters. By running for Team Last Call, I hope more people will look into this organization. The bravery and commitment of first responders inspire me, and this is my small way of giving back to those who put their lives on the line for our communities every day. Here’s how you can join this effort: -Cheer me on as I run for this incredible cause and take on this iconic race on April 15th! Thank you for any support you can offer. It means a lot to me. #BostonMarathon #SixStarFinisher #LastCallFoundation #DareToDream #AudaciousGoals #RunWithPurpose #AbbottWMM #SupportFirefighters #RoadToBoston

LAST CALL for the PRF ‘PARALYMPIC ATHLETE TRAVEL & EQUIPMENT’ GRANT Fact: Not every para athlete receives all the funds they need. A gap in funding is a common distraction and worry when they should be totally focused on training and competition. Are you: 👉 a para rower representing your country at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris? 👉 in need of funds for essential para rowing equipment for the Games? 👉 in need of funds for travel to Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium to compete on the world stage? 😁 Yes? Then this is the grant for you! Para Rowing Foundation is an independent non-profit supporting athletes from ANY NATION to fulfil their potential in rowing. PRF remove barriers to allow athletes’ full focus on training and competition. We do this in several practical ways, including cash grants (like this one, up to US $1000). Apply today for the PRF ‘PARALYMPIC ATHLETE TRAVEL & EQUIPMENT’ GRANT now (https://lnkd.in/eMzyXMwF) or at ParaRowingFoundation.org PRF look forward to receiving your application (before midnight EST tonight). Bonne chance! #ParaRowing #Paralympics

#GreatNorthRun2024 I am very excited and proud to be running the Great North Run again this year, in support of the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. Former Liverpool, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers footballer Stephen Darby and close friend and British Forces Veteran Chris Rimmer have partnered together to launch the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. The average life expectancy is just 2-5 years from the onset of symptoms A third of people diagnosed will die within a year and half within 2 years. MND is NOT a rare disease as often described and doesn’t only affect people aged 50+. There is a serious lack of awareness and more importantly funding. There is a lot of research going on and signs of promising treatments in the future The Darby Rimmer Foundation are contributing to the fight against MND in three different key ways... Awareness- Raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease is one of the foundations aims. The more we can raise and display how devastating MND is, is crucial in advancing to government level. Support- Supporting the particular the financial implications this disease brings. Offering support to individuals and families by offering grants to those who need it. Research- Research into treatments is vital on the journey to finding a cure for MND. At the moment there is no effective treatment or cure but there is promising research going on. Network, any donations would be greatly appreciated, to this great cause!

I’ve just got back from a long run where I spent most of the time reflecting on the similarities between marathon training and coaching, and the idea of trusting the process. A quick google search of the phrase and some help from AI, explains ‘trust the process’ as ‘a strategy to remain patient and persistent, even when the desired outcome isn't yet in sight’ and it struck me that this could be applied to coaching, counselling, marathon training and probably much more. I’m 6 weeks out from my next marathon as part of my ‘Doing it for Dad’ challenge (5 marathons in 10 months, raising money for Asthma + Lung UK in memory of my lovely Dad) and having to tell myself most days to trust the process. My training plan’s longest run is 3 hours – I’ll probably cover 16-17miles during that time, so how am I going supposed to pull another 10 out of the bag on race day? Trust the process. On some training days I’m struggling to run for 1 hour at my desired marathon pace – how am I going to manage this for 5 hours? Trust the process. It’s a challenge, but I am challenging myself to stay present and focussed, and trust in the process and my own hard work. Malaga Marathon will be race #3 in my #doingitfordad challenge – we are reaching peak training weeks which are tough enough on their own without slogging it out in the dark. I know times are hard for everyone right now, but I really appreciate all donations, however big or small, to keep me motivated. Thank you everyone 😊 #trusttheprocess #marathontraining

It’s been exactly 1 month since I completed my first Olympic Triathlon to raise money for the MS Society 🏊♂️🚴♂️🏃♂️ Here are some reflections from the experience: 1. Consistency: Progress is built day by day—every small step (or pedal) adds up. 2. New Skills: Mastering bilateral breathing in swimming was tough but rewarding. 3. Facing Fears: Cycling in London and open water swimming pushed me out of my comfort zone— worth it in the end though! 4. Motivation: Being in sales, I’m naturally goal driven, so a goal like this really motivated me and made every training session meaningful. 5. Community: I couldn’t have done it without the support of family, friends and colleagues. Even with MS, I proved that limits are often mental, not physical. Thank you to everyone who supported me - thrilled to have raised so much! Here’s to the next challenge🥂 https://lnkd.in/eWiujzFY

What do you know about Ultra Running? In 2022, I met limo kipkemoi, an ultra running #architect who in his free time rans up mountains, valleys, across deserts and any terrain possible. This guy once ran across all 47 Counties in Kenya... (Covid-19 time). He also organizes these runs, even though it is an individual target, the Ultra Runners do it as a community. And yes, there is a vibrant ultra running community in Kenya. I digress. Limo promised he would take up a cervical cancer elimination challenge. He wanted to do 10 summits in 4 days. To raise money and support free screening, for at least 5000 women. In 2022 December, he took time out of his crazy busy schedule, to attempt the 10 Summits. He ran up Mt. Kenya, up and down, different routes, non stop - only taking short breaks for meals, and a shorter snooze. December weather up the mountain is not the best, wet, slippery and just plain simple dangerous. The December weather was not in his favour. It poured heavily, he got soaked to his skin - literally - and his feet bore the blunt of it. Soaked, blistered and just painful to watch. But Limo was not to be deterred. He had a team of fellow runners who were supporting him in what others termed ultra madness. He still wanted to continue even with hurting feet. We implored, cajoled and begged that he would stop, for his feet's sake. We eventually prevailed, and he agreed to stop. A total of 5 summits, times in 2.5 days done! In his own words - "it is a DNF, but we shall revisit"... So. What do you know about Ultra Runners? They are long distance runners, that have a high level of endurance, strength, and mental fortitude. I witnessed this first hand, yesterday all day, (and today morning they are still at it), Running at a fast pace - doing 6.7KM every hour. 220 Runners started at 8.00 yesterday at the Nairobi Ultra Marathon. The race is still ongoing, we still have runners doing this challenge today morning, 28 hours later. I will be posting here about my interactions with them yesterday - watch out for the 3rd post. My 2nd post is about the funds that Limo raised in 2022 Dec, and what we did with it in 2023. But in the meantime, head on to twitter and see what we posted in 2022 Dec see link below. Our X handle is @KILELEHealthKE and you can also follow Limo's escapades on @Limo_kipkemoi https://lnkd.in/dwkT3iEK

Let's talk squash secrets! 🤫 ↓ Did you know that hitting the squash court can do wonders for your body and mind? It's not just about the game; it's about boosting your physical fitness and mental wellness in ways you never imagined. Here's the scoop: Squash isn't just a sport; it's a holistic experience. It enhances ➣ agility, ➣ strength, and ➣ cardiovascular health while ➣ sharpening focus, ➣ improving mood and ➣ reducing stress. Plus, ➣ it's a brain booster, ➣ promoting better concentration and ➣ cognitive function. But wait, there's more! 🤫 Behind the scenes, squash holds educational benefits too. It teaches ➣ teamwork, ➣ time management, and ➣ problem-solving, skills that are invaluable for academic success and personal growth. If you want to add more, tell us in the comments! ↓ Join us in empowering youth through this incredible sport. Donate to Squash Inspire today and be a part of something truly transformative! 💪🎾 #squashinspire #sports #transforminglives #unleashingpotential #youthdevelopment #youthempowerment #squashsport #sportofsquash #sportscommunity #donatenow #donateforchange #donatetoday #nonprofitorganization

Back in 2022, I reached out to Media Fight Night, not knowing what I was getting myself into. At the time, a heavy smoker, weighing in at 18 stone, and feeling stuck. Seeing peers post about their own journeys into the ring every year on LinkedIn sparked something in me—I thought maybe boxing could be a way to reset, get fit, and shake things up a bit.   But what I’ve learned has gone so far beyond that initial goal.   When I first stepped into the gym, it was rough. My footwork was off, I could barely throw a jab, and everything felt unnatural. I was nowhere near “fight-ready.” But somewhere in the process, boxing became more than just a fitness goal; it became a powerful routine that tested and shaped me. It was the ultimate reminder that we can always improve with effort, discipline, and resilience.   Now, with just days to go, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. 24ish months of training come down to a few rounds in the ring, and knowing I’ll be out there with all eyes on me is intimidating. The idea of facing my opponent, Dory Tse, who’s trained just as hard, is a lot to think about. But despite the nerves, I know that every tough training has prepared me for this. I’m ready to put it all out there.   The discipline this journey has taught me is something I carry with me every day. I wasn’t chosen for the squad in 2023, which was hard. Many people train all year and don’t make the final 16. Starting over after that was tough, but the desire to return better has been my biggest motivator. If anything, boxing has taught me that resilience is everything. The injuries, setbacks, and long training hours have shown me how much you can overcome when you commit fully to something.   As the fight draws closer, I’m looking forward to stepping into the ring and giving it my all—not just for myself, but for Carney's Community and the amazing support they offer to kids in South London who need a guiding hand. If you’d like to support us, please consider donating to our fundraising page; your generosity means the world to all the boxers and charity and your words of encouragement are a massive motivator. https://lnkd.in/dznGBK4U   Thanks to everyone who’s been following this journey. Now, it's time to see what these months of training can really do. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a win on November 7th! 🥊💪 If you haven't heard, as I know, tickets are gold dust, the event will be streamed on YouTube (I'll pop the link in the comments). A final shout-out to this year's incredible squad ❤️ , coaches and support system: I'm going to take a couple of days off to get my mind in the fight zone. Dory Tse Charlotte Ford Nicole Hansen Hannah Marshall Mira Childerhouse Gareth Cross Xavier H Keenan Wayne Mensah Mark Burborough Paul Evans Kenny Maxwell Jamel Green Seun Odeneye DJ Agahi John Maloney Ashley Newman Sarah Jolicoeur   #MediaFightNight2024 #BoxingJourney #Resilience #MentalToughness #SupportSystem #CarneysCommunity  

From ICU to Ironman Kona 3 months ago, I faced my toughest challenge, serious illness put me in Intensive care. With my organs failing and a 50/50 chance of survival, my life was on the line.… I’m now on the road to recovery #backstronger. As an 11-time Ironman and endurance athlete, I was training for my 12th Ironman when this happened. Now, I’m not only focused on returning to the sport, but also raising over £20,000 for UK based charities. 💪 How can you help? Your support will not only aid in my journey back to the race but also have a lasting impact on charity partners, helping causes that matter. Here’s how you can get involved: • Donations of £500+ will be recognized on social media and featured on my race day triathlon suit. • Donations of £1,000+ include all the above, plus an opportunity to collaborate on content. • The largest donor can select a charity to receive 50% of all funds raised. This is more than a personal comeback story—it’s a chance to inspire and give back. If you or your organization want to be part of this journey, I’d love to connect and discuss further. https://gofund.me/3f7247a2 If you can’t donate… please share my story. Let’s make a real impact together. 🙌 #Ironman #Resilience #Endurance #Charity #COVIDRecovery #Inspiration #AthleteJourney #Fundraising