In other news:  To further support Michael in his fundraising efforts, Fiona and I will be taking on the Tiree Ultra this September. 

We're both novice runners and the race involves a 35 mile circuit of beautiful Tiree!

The name Michael's Way was dreamt up because Michael, my father in law, has very different ways of doing things.  He has to run with a guide and cycle with a pilot so he can do a triathlon Michael's way.  

He has to be guided on a walk and use his balance and sense of touch to find his way so he will be doing the hike Michael's way.  This is replicated in every day life too.  How he gets around, eats, cooks, washes and communicates.  It's all done Michael's Way.

Michael has been a member and director of DeafBlind Scotland for many years and their support, advice and help has been unparalleled when it comes to giving him access to information, social events and generally just getting out and about. 

Dual sensory impairment is the loneliest disability imaginable and depression is a common occurance in the community.

To give something back and help make The Field of Dreams, a new learning and development centre for deafblind people in Scotalnd become a reality he is tackling a series of challenges in the coming year and I will be supporting him train for the Triathlon, guide him on his hike and cycle with him.

This is what we will be doing to support him:

• St Columba's Way - Starting on 6 May 2016 this is a 200 mile/317km self supported backpacking trek from the island of Iona across Scotland to St Andrews with over 5000m of ascent.  The walk will take approximately 2 weeks and will involve wild camping on most nights.
• Tiree Ultra Marathon - 35 mile/56km continuous race around the hebridean island of Tiree on 4 September 2016.

In addition I will be running the Edinburgh 6.55km Kilomathon in March and Great Women's 10km Run in Glasgow this June.