It was absolutely AMAZING!!!!

Well as they say all good things must come to an end But my god what a journey it has been!

Firstly Im very proud to say that I managed to complete my parish walk by getting to peel in 9 hours and it was amazing.

I can honestly say it was one of the most nerve wrecking things I have done so far if I'm totally honest a couple of days before the actual walk itself I started doubting myself that I could do this as the journey seemed impossible even with all my training I still doubted I could do it but I really didn't need to worry as on the actual day once you get to the NSC the atmosphere is absolutely amazing and you forget about your nerves as you are to busy taking every moment in then when that gun fires to start the race your heart is beating so fast with adrenaline and excitement you forget every negative doubt you had and live for that moment! People have told me in the past about the excitement of the walk the support the buzz of it all but until you enter and take part you will truly never know how amazing it is!
The parish walk is something I will treasure forever I know that probably sounds dramatic but it really is something I will look back on and say I did it and I bloody loved every minute of it and if I'm honest I smiled and laughed all the way round the more you enjoy the more you forget about how far you have to walk and to be honest I walked with a friend Emma bowers and Would totally recommend anyone doing it for first time to walk with someone as we chatted all the way round and you forget how far you have walked and you can help encourage each other I passed a lot of people on there own and they were struggling and with a few nice good words you seen a smile and a spring in there step and at times when your feeling tired crap and low that's all you need just a smile and a kind word of encouragement.
Well the day itself the weather was crap we had rain for about 3 hours but you know I didn't care as I was loving what I was doing we had decided earlier in the morning that once we had clocked in at rushen that we would stop for a quick break, get changed out of our wet clothes as by the is time the sun had come out and it was hot! We also took this time to refuel our bodies by having something to eat ready to tackle the sloc so once our break was over maybe about 10-15 mins we did the sloc and it honestly wasn't a bother! We took it easy up the sloc and once down the other side we picked up our speed and was flying and we managed to stay at a good strong steady pace all the way to peel.
Well what can I say about getting to peel it was amazing to see that finish line I went through ever emotion I could possibly think off! But crossing that finish line with Emma was amazing we crossed it with family and friends cheering and watching on feeling very proud and even strangers cheering you past that line and then it happened the tears arrived and emotions started to flow I feel so proud to have just walked to peel in the parish walk something I never thought would ever happen but it did and the medal I will treasure forever as my own personal journey got me to that point in my life where I knew I had made it!
To anyone reading this if you have and doubt about doing the parish walk DONT it is amazing and anyone is capable of doing so whether you walk to santon, rushen, peel it doesn't matter it's for the shear fact that you even tried that is an achievement in itself. I would personnaly recommend that you do need to train for it get proper fitted footwear and eat a proper balanced diet as all these factors do play apart in this experience.
I would like to take This opportunity to say an amazing thank you to the people on the island as without you all this event would not be what it is today people were truly amazing with there support there kindness letting you into there homes to go to the toilet cooking food for strangers supplying water sweets sun cream face wipes the list is endless so from me thank you so much I never expected it to be so heart felt from strangers!
I would also like to thank Murray lambden for asking me to write this blog I am truly honoured that you asked and hope I have helped people to take part in this amazing walk and to the people who work tirelessly to make this event happen I thank you also.
But lastly I need to thank my husband Derek family and friends And my mum Lynda brew for your support throughout this journey she was also my support car with my friend Tina hindle and they to really did help us through our walk with there support love back chat and cheek! Aimee Ronan for ,helping me train and next year you will be doing it with me so no getting injured this time! And not forgetting the 2 amazing people who have helped me be the person I am today they are my rock and without them I would still be that lazy bugger sat on the couch talking the talk but never doing anything about it and that is Jane and Mark Preston who run PRESSFIT gym in Castletown they have worked with me to build my strength stamina mobility and totally changed my thinking around food and fueling your body. when I look back to 2 years ago I never thought I would be here 13 stone lighter loving my new fitness lifestyle and being able to say I walked the parish walk and you know what this is just the beginning of amazing things to come!
Also thank you to each and every person that sponsored me and helped raise money for the amazing charity that is Wish upon a dream.
Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my journey sending much love out to you all
Take care and once again thank you
Sharon xxxxxxxxx

Well no going back now!!!!!!

Well here we are less than 24 hours before the big walk I can do no more I have have my last sport physio massage by the amazing Rachel croft at port Erin who I will also see after the event next week and think I will need it but for now I'm feeling sick, nervous, anxious, excited so many emotions right now.
When I look back over the last 2 years of my amazing journey I sit and think to myself I would not even have ever thought that in the year 2015 I would be taking part in a amazing walking event as the parish walk it's something that you always say "I would love to do that one year" well finally this is my year!
I still actually can't believe I'm going to do this and I don't think I will till I'm stood at the start line with 1500 other people competing for the same thing. On paper I have a great chance of getting to peel as I have put the training in week after week no matter what the weather I have got fitter and stronger with my training at Pressfit however that all means nothing if your mentally not in the right place! I need to truly believe I can do this and I will do this however I am also sensible enough to know that if my body is telling me it's had enough then I need to listen! No matter how far I get I will be proud of what I have achieved and also what I a have gained I have gained a love of walking and competing in competions its amazing the people you meet and the support you get for strangers I would truly recommend anyone to start taking up exercise/ sport no matter what it is as it opens a whole new world of opportunities and to feel fitter healthier stronger nothing beats a feeling like that!
Well I have my mum as my support car tomorrow and I'm glad as she also has done the parish so has a understanding of it and what is involved and to have her support means the world to me I have my food all sorted after listening to previous walkers and getting advice on what is best to eat and of course Jane and marks input I have also have my first aid kit and spare clothes so I'm good to go.
I would like to thank everyone that has had a helping hand in this whole process and that there has been lots of great advice on the parish walk website and it's an amazingly run event.
Well there is no more for me to do but thank my amazing mum family and friends for all your support, patience and love  over the last 6 months when I started my training for this and of course not forgetting Jane and Mark Preston at PRESSFIT in Castletown who have got me to where I am today they have been my rock having to listen to me moan and groan laugh and cry but they never gave up on me and continued to push me to my best abilities so thank you xx
I feel very honoured to have even been asked to write this blog and thank you all for reading and sharing my journey I hope I have changed some people's thinking that next year they too will compete in the parish walk and experience the amazing journey I have been on!
I will write my last blog after the event so take care and chat again soon xx

Nearly time to stop the talking and do the walking!! Eeekkkkkkkkkkk!

Well the time is nearly upon us! I can't believe how quick it has come around from talking about it to mark and Jane at pressfit at Christmas time to it being in 10 days!
I have to say it really has been one the best decisions I ever made as it has really helped me focus on my training and the walking I have been doing my long walking nearly every Sunday apart from maybe 3/4 times when I've either been ill or had a hangover! (Tut tut Sharon) but to be honest if I haven't been able to do my long walk on a Sunday I have made up for it and done it through the week I personally think that if you have committed yourself to something then you give it 110% or you might as well not bother it has been great for me and my dog as I have taken steel on every walk some might disagree with this as I don't get a proper walking rhythm! but as long as I'm out pounding the streets then I'm getting the miles in my legs! I could not leave my boy at home as would feel too guilty as there is no-one else to walk him and if I could I would bring him on the parish walk with me lol I have been doing lots of fast little walks but I really do enjoy the long walks just me my boy and my music even on the days when I really can't be bothered I feel so much better for getting out and doing some good.
I have also been for my very first sports physio massage and it was amazing! I went to see a lady called Rachel Croft who is based at rushed football club and is also the physio for the Isle of Man ladies football team I was very nervous and scared if I'm honest as I have some body issues regarding my loose skin but she made me feel so comfortable with her friendly aurora it was to last 1 1/2 hours and was £35 for a full body massage and it was amazing don't get me wrong some points were sore but I felt great for it afterwards and will continue to see Rachel in the future she is also doing a special package for parish walkers so get in touch her number is 465738 you will amazing yourself with what magic she does!
Well tomorrow is the 10 June so will be my last long walk before the big day and after that will do some running and short walks then slow it down towards the end of next week to make sure I'm rested enough.
Well will leave it there for now but will write my last before the walk blog next week
So chat then guys
Take care Sharon xx

New trainers are amazing!

Hi guys and girls

Firstly I need to apologise for taking so long in writing my next blog, I don't really have an excuse apart from being slack......just being honest xx

Well the new trainers are amazing I bought a pair of brooks and I really didn't realise the difference a proper fitted pair of trainers make I know that sounds stupid and even how to lace them and tying them the proper way so your feet don't slip and ever wondered what the extra hole was for on the very top hole of your trainers well google it and find out as what a difference it makes! 

Training has been going well I have to say I have even started running not far and not fast more like a slow jog and I can't believe how much I actually like running after months of moaning to mark and Jane at pressfit about how much I hate running and would moan and tut when they would make me do it lol but my longest so far is about 4-5 miles but I do stop a couple times to nearly die lol

The walking is going well I still do my little short faster walks through the week with my dog obviously and my long walk on a Sunday but Sunday has been a bit lonely as my friend Aimee who was walking with me has picked up a injury and also it means she now can't do the parish walk!...bad times so it's just been me and my boy on a Sunday but I'm happy walking on my own listening to the music and probably talking crap to the dog who I'm sure is thinking is this walk ever going to finish! Lol 

I also competed in a charity walk on Sunday called the harbour2harbour was a lovely 10 mile walk from port Erin to port St Mary and finishing at Castletown but didn't take the dog this time as I wanted to try up my pace and keep it steady rather than stop start like I do When I have steel with me and was great as I even got to walk with the famous Robbie callister haha who was very encouraging helping people and chatting along the walk it's nice to see the pros in action lol However for all of the race I walked with a girl from pressfit called Rachel charker and she was brilliant to walk with really kept me at a good steady pace and I even think I have persuaded her to sign up for the parish and she is going to walk with me which is great as she really will help and encourage me through the laughter and the tears I'm sure. 

Well will leave it there for now as I have circuit training soon as I am still doing my training at pressfit 5 days a week as well as the walking and running helps keep me fit and healthy something we should all strive to be! 

Well will write again soon will stop being such a lazy arse and get fingers to iPad and write to keep you updated

Take care guys 

Sharon xx 

Bad things happen but the journey must continue 💕

Hi guys
I know it has been along time since I last write my blog but unfortunately me and my family had have a terrible time as my nan passed away to cancer over Xmas and we only had a couple weeks notice then sadly a man who was like a brother to me passed away also over Xmas in a car accident so it's been a tough couple of months! So I am really sorry that it's been so long since I last wrote.

Well over Xmas I did go off track a little I found it really hard to get myself back to "normal" what ever that is but with the amazing support from Mark and Jane at PressFit who could see I was struggling They helped me find the light again!

So I have been very busy with my indoor training doing 5 days a week now but unfortunately I have not been doing as much walking as I would like during the week maybe just a hour a day as the weather has been terrible and I wasn't well for a couple weeks but I have been going out for long Sunday walks with my friend aimee doing between 12 and 15 miles we even challenged the sloc which to be honest I found great however we had only walked about 4 miles before not like on the day! Lol but it was good to try the challenge of it to see how it felt however Sunday just gone was the hardest walk yet with lots of Steep hills very steep hills lol worst was we had to battle in the wind, rain, snow sunshine I actually think we walked in all elements of the weather that day 😨 but as they say you have to walk in all weathers so I reckon I have now 😃.

I have also been busy meeting with Lesley Turnbull from the charity Wiah Upon A Dream for whom I am raising money for as the charity is amazing it aims to make the dreams and wishes of terminally ill children Come true so please if you would like to donate I can be found on facebook "sharon sloan-okeeffe" and donate anything you can as this charity touched my heart and in talking to Lesley she is a truly amazing women for the hard work and effort she makes and does not ask for a penny in return if only there was more people like her in the world! 💖

Also this weekend I went to see Chris at up and running in Douglas to buy some new trainers for the parish and what a true gent so professional I was in there 1 1/2 hours and learnt so much in this time with his amazing advice and knowledge and it very high tec buying trainers in there he makes you walk on a treadmill to see how you walk and decide which trainers would be best suited to you but he also sells amazing clothing, food he has everything you could possibly want! I would defiantly recommend anyone to go to up and running as they were so friendly which I also found helped when you haven't got a clue like me! Lol

Well guys I will leave it there for now but I promise and I mean promise I will write more now I'm sorted so to speak oh and I will let you know how the new runners are going.

Love and best wishes
Sharon xx

When times get hard!

Hey guys and girls I am sorry I have not been blogging much but unfortunately we have received some very sad family news recently so things have been hard and it's not going to get easier!

However since my last blog I have continued with my regular training after taking with Mark at PressFit we decided that we would get christmas and new year out of the way and then sit down and but a training programme together for the parish whilst getting ideas from past parish walkers so be warned I will be asking lots of questions! Lol
I also need to be looking at getting some new trainers which after chatting to a few people the best place to go is up and running in Douglas so I really need to do this sooner rather than later to wear the trainers in so this is a must after new year well that's if Santa doesn't bring me any!
I have to say after competing in the Sid quirk half marathon I have learnt a lot as I suffered bad with my feet and was unwell for couple days after and this I have put down to not drinking enough water while on the walk and my trainers I had tied too tight but it is all a learning curb and as I am a novice at this I can only grow with training, knowledge and guidance.
My training since the marathon has been my usual 4 days a week with Mark and Jane at PressFit who have been great fitting me in around my job at the post office as it so busy this time of year but as normal they understand this and have been amazing. I have also been out lots walking with my dog steel which I have been trying to squeeze in around work generally walking 5-6 miles before work just to keep the legs going it's so very hectic but after new year it will be much easier.
Well I would like to wish you all a very happy christmas and a happy new year xx

I thought I would show you a before and after picture as you can see in my before picture I was so big I couldn't even fit in the photo! x