May 26th 2012 my life changed,

My partner Captain Stephen Healey was killed whilst on routine patrol in Afghanistan. He was my everything and we had so many amazing plans for our future together. 

To to get me through his loss I channelled all my emotions into something positive and ran 415miles from October 7th 2012 until October 6th 2013. Steve was the 415th British fallen soldier in Afghanistan. This challenge involved running 10marathons 1 ultra marathon (50km) and 9 half marathons. I raised alongside others who also joined me on some if the events a total of £16,174.15 for Blind Veterans UK which was a charity Steve supported and he had completed various challenges alongside some of his men prior to his deployment. 

Steve supported Blind Veterans UK after one of his men was visually impaired following an explosion in Afghsnistan in 2010. Shaun was severely injured loosing both legs, one eye and was left with minimal vision in his other eye. I have had the honour of meeting Shaun and other veterans since Steve died and they are so so grateful to the help and support the charity Blind Veterans UK have given them to lead independent lives. 

Shaun has progressed so well since his incident and he is a true inspiration and after visiting the rehabilitation centres and getting more involved with the charity and their veterans I just want to keep supporting them in all I do :-) 

So..........

During 2014 I plan to complete:

Auckland Half Iron Man (1.6mile swim, 56mile cycle, 13.1mile run) 19th January 2014

New Zealand Iron Man (2.4mile run, 112mile cycle, 26.2mile run) 1st March 2014

Cotswold '113' Middle distance triathlon (1.6mile swim, 56mile cycle, 13.1mile run) 15th June 

Long Course Weekend (Iron Man distances over 3 days) 11th July - swim, 12 July - cycle, 13 July - run 

Iron Man Wales (2.4mile run, 112mile cycle, 26.2mile run) 14th September 2014

Completing the Iron Man is a personal challenge. I started to train for Triathlons the week Steve left for Afghanistan in March 2012. I joined a club and really enjoyed it. Following Steve's death I stopped but I gradually returned and June 2013 I completed a middle distance triathlon and now my goal is to complete a full iron man. I chose to go to New Zealand to do this as I feel I need some time out from home. I have friends out there who I have not seen since I visited in 2007/08. It is also a country Steve wanted to visit - so I want to return for the both of us xxxxx

For further information on the charity Blind Veterans UK please visit: http://www.blindveterans.org.uk

For further information on my journey / progress throughout the year please visit www.facebook.com/415miles or follow me on twitter @daviesthea 

Thank you all so much in taking the time in reading my story and if you can spare a few pounds then please do donate to an amazing charity that supports past, present and future service men and women who are battling a visual impairment - nobody should fight blindness alone xxxx

Thank You xx

P.S Watch this space for a possible exciting event / challenge myself and a few friends may complete in August xx