JOHN O'BOYLE

ME.

After being reasonably sporty, but nothing special, as a young man I found myself pushing 18 and a half stone in my early forties. Stress eating and poor diet after long working hours, coupled with too little exercise, were the main causes. Inspired by others, including members of the Black Sheep flock, I discovered tabbing (and started to run again). Completed my first load bearing Fan Dance in Summer 2018 followed by my first sub qualification-time Catterick Paras 10 in the September. Two weeks later my life turned inside out as my wife and I received a call from our wonderful daughter, 21 at Uni, to say she had experienced a funny turn which we soon found out was a bleed on her brain. In the days and weeks that followed she had numerous 'life saving' procedures and operations but, after a period of hope, sadly passed away.

NOVEMBER 2019 UPDATE:

"Having completed my 2019 goals (not the fastest but managed to get around) setting myself up for a big push next year - doing 20 in 2020, or words to that effect!

Want to complete 10 marathons - entered 3 city events (Manchester, Edinburgh and York/Yorkshire) and 7 trail (the Hardmoors 26.2 series in North Yorkshire).

Doing the 2 Paras 10 events and 6 Fan Dances through AEE and TSFE (2 Load bearing singles in the winter and 2 combos, Gemini and Black Edition, in the summer).

Biggest goal to complete the Black Sheep Beast in April. If I don't manage to get through the Stairway to Heaven in June (20 reps is a lot!) intrigued to see what the 'Dog Eat Dog' has in store in August?

Although I've come to realise that nothing will repair the void I'm experiencing after losing my wonderful girl, I hope that I can at least honour her memory by trying to make the most of every single day and being brave enough to push to my limits."

WHAT DO I WANT TO ACHIEVE?

(As of April 13th 2019 - six months since my daughter passed) I want to find a way to, once again, love and value life. I want to learn to co-exist with the demons in my head and make my wife and son proud. I want to find motivation, optimism and self-belief emerging from the abyss. I want to honour and preserve the memory of our wonderful daughter in the hope that the story of her life and her legacy can bring comfort and purpose to others experiencing similar circumstances to ourselves.

WHAT CHANGES AM I MAKING?

I am going to rediscover a 'can-do' attitude. I intend to get my arse out of bed earlier on a morning before work to get my training back up to at least 40+ miles a week (running, tabbing and/or long distance hiking). I know I will still end up eating shite and drinking too much on occasions but at least I will burn it off.

MY PLAN FOR 2019 AND BEYOND.

I plan to complete the Paras 10 at Colchester and Catterick (my eighth and ninth of these events). I plan to complete the Wharfedale 3 Peaks, the YOMP and the load-bearing Fan Dance Double Tap in July. I plan to participate in Black Sheep Events and complete at least the Black Sheep Half Marathon in June. Before this all happened my biggest aim for 2019 was to complete the LDWA 100. Although too late for this year I will endeavour to build back up to that or a similar event in 2020 or beyond.

MY PERSONAL PROMISE.

To honour and preserve the memory and legacy of Cerys Elizabeth O'Boyle. To find the courage to once again live, love, laugh and roar. To find the mental strength to be the best version of me. To uphold and exemplify the core values of the Black Sheep Flock.