What a difference a week makes…a couple of weeks ago I was feeling on top of the world.  I’d got my mojo back after struggling a bit with the onset of autumn/winter, was loving my training and felt invincible.  Sadly it was short-lived.  What started as a bit of a headache and sore throat deteriorated into acute sinusitis and a completely debilitating headache.  3 days in a darkened room unable to think, unable to function and unable both literally and figuratively to see the light.  The dark clouds descended and I sobbed – was this it?  But I’m lucky enough to have access to medical help, so I saw a doctor, was prescribed some antibiotics and now, just a few days later am well on the road to recovery.

Aside from being a timely reminder just how important it is for us to raise funds for UNICEF for those without access to essential medicines, this has also been a stark reminder of my/our vulnerability.  Knowing that altitude causes headaches and seeing how I completely shut down is more than a little frightening to be honest.  I generally consider myself to be pretty tough, not to mention having a high pain threshold, but I was helpless and in this instance needed my family’s support – on the mountain it’s going to be my team.

This adventure will undoubtedly test us all in ways we haven’t imagined, but I have complete faith that we’ll get through this together.  We have already built a strong bond and continue to grow as a team together despite our geographical locations.  So I both promise and trust team Twende, that in the words of the Rembrandts, “I’ll be there for you…’Cause you’re there for me too”.

A little reminder of some happy days…the best is yet to come 🙂