Hello ,

How was your Summer?  Did you manage to get away from it all and relax for a few days and enjoy time away from work?

I successfully cycled 240 miles from Cardiff to Caernarfon, raising funds for Odyssey Challenge Cancer.

I met a wonderful group of people. We cycled through some amazing scenery, had many memorable moments, a few 'incidents' and a fabulous time.  Hard work getting up and down the many hills but we were all there to support each other and share an amazing experience.

Thank you to everyone who’s sponsored me and made it all worthwhile. You can find out more and help me to raise even more towards my total here.

I originally signed up for the challenge as a way of motivating myself to get fit after months of treatment and relative inactivity. It’s good to have something to aim for that gets you out of your comfort zone or gives you a reason to get out of bed.

In terms of challenges, cycling the length of Wales may not be on the scale of climbing Everest or sailing single-handed around the world but sometimes even small challenges can seem daunting.

It's too easy to just trundle along and get stuck in the day to day. One day you wake up and think “Hang on a minute, there must be something better than this” or "It doesn't have to be this way".

We all need a shake up every now and then.  It helps us keep things in perspective and to realise what’s really important in life.

Often these come along as significant life changing moments. At other times, something someone said, something you read or saw that catches you out or makes you look at life differently.

It’s when you're challenged you learn who you really are and what you're capable of.

When you overcome small challenges it gives you the confidence and motivation to take on the next challenge.

Earlier this week I was talking to someone who said they wanted to start running but "just didn’t have the time". Too busy with work, looking after the family and all the other things that take up time in their busy lives.

However, after a brief conversation, asking a few questions and making a few suggestions, I received an email later the same day saying they’d just been out for a run!  They were ecstatic, had surprised themselves and were now looking forward to their next run.

“We are what we repeatedly do - Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” - Aristotle

While you might not be ready to take on the commitment and intensity of a fitness or activity challenge (although I can highly recommend it), you too can complete your own challenge.

Start by making changes to your way of thinking or behaving. Is there something you’d like to change or something you've always wanted to do but 'never have the time'?