My name is Adam and in May I’ll be attempting something that still sounds slightly unrealistic when I say it out loud: my first ultra marathon, the Shires and Spires 56km.

Until recently, the furthest I had ever run was a half marathon. During training, I pushed that to 25km for the first time. It felt like real progress, and a very humbling reminder that I’m still learning.

This challenge is about curiosity and commitment. It’s about seeing what happens when you keep putting one foot in front of the other. I’m building towards it the sensible way: a half marathon in February, another in March, a marathon in April, and then the ultra itself. Alongside that are a lot of long, early, sometimes questionably motivated runs in between.

I’m raising funds for YMCA Milton Keynes, where I volunteer as a youth mentor. The role mostly involves listening and turning up consistently. Sometimes it means being the adult in the room who believes in someone when they’re not quite there yet. It’s shown me how much difference steady support can make when life feels complicated, uncertain, or unfair.

YMCA Milton Keynes does far more than people often realise. It provides safe spaces, mentoring, and practical support for young people at moments where the next step really matters. For many, it’s not about dramatic interventions. It’s about stability, encouragement, and having someone who doesn’t disappear when things get difficult.

The funds raised will help YMCA Milton Keynes continue delivering mentoring and support programmes, keep those spaces open, and make sure young people who need guidance and consistency can actually access it. In short, it helps them do what they do best: quietly changing lives, one conversation at a time.

Don’t worry — I’ll take care of the running, the training, the miles, and the questionable quantities of pizza and carbs along the way. If you fancy it, feel free to join me for a few challenges and a bit of fun as the journey unfolds.

If you’re able to donate, no matter the amount, or simply share this page and follow along, it all genuinely helps.

You can also follow the training and runs on Strava here:

https://strava.app.link/UoWQuUj3g0b