#RowForPhoenix

Attempting to row 50km on an indoor rowing machine represented the hardest and longest physical challenge of my life. The challenge was added to the list before lockdown, and also before the tragic passing, aged just five weeks, of Phoenix Benson, whose mother Sarah is a close friend, work colleague and genuinely inspirational young woman.

For Sarah and her husband Luke to be willing to let me take on this challenge in memory of Phoenix is a real honour and a date of 30 September was set after lockdown forced gyms to close for a significant period during 2020. By mid-August, I had completed over one million metres training on the machine I have in my garage, but as the event drew nearer, the nerves I was already feeling were compounded by a recurrence of a long-standing hip problem and a trapped nerve in my back that had a huge impact on my mobility and ability to put in as much training time as I wanted and needed.

The physical demands of a five-hour row are fairly obvious, but the mental side of the challenge is every bit as tough; and I was been lucky enough to receive a massive amount of help from the world of netball, with over 50 players, coaches and officials sending photos that have been turned into a "wall" (below) that provided much-needed inspiration and motivation. For athletes ranging from Commonwealth gold medallists, to full and age-group internationals, Super League stars to Premier League players to take the time to encourage and support me was humbling and gave me a real boost when the finish line that was starting to seem out of reach.

The event was held at Northallerton Leisure Centre, next to the office where I worked - or at least used to work; I'd only been to the office once in over six months - and when I arrived, a rowing machine had been placed in the middle of a cordoned-off quarter of the main sports hall, with room for socially-distanced visitors. I was still feel anxious when I got underway at 7:30am, but I have to say that I felt pretty good for the majority of the 50km, which I completed in 4 hours 52 minutes and 17 seconds.

Obviously there were some tough periods, mainly caused by discomfort from sitting on the unforgiving plastic seat, and a touch of cramp in my legs, but from 35km onwards, I was never in any doubt that I would be able to finish the challenge - and hopefully do justice to Phoenix's memory. Sarah and Luke came down to support me, as did Elaine and several other colleagues from work. Their company and conversation made a huge difference and nearly five hours passed far quicker than I would have ever believed possible.

The main emotion as I took the last few strokes was relief that I had completed the toughest physical (and arguably the hardest mental) test of my life. At 56, there was no way I was ever going to attempt to train for anything as strenuous, and having done this for Phoenix, the time felt right to bring the challenges to a close.

I'm sure I'll reflect on everything I've attempted and hopefully achieved; but the fact remains that I would have accomplished nothing without Elaine's love and support and the generosity and help of so many amazing people - I will be forever grateful to you all x