If I Can, You Can: My Arc of Attrition 25 Story

Arc of Attrition by UTMB 25, 2025. You were epic.

Where do I even begin?

Maybe with the checkpoint volunteers – aka the Arc Angels – who greeted every weary runner with smiles, snacks, and pure joy. You made those windy hours feel like a party. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Or perhaps with the anonymous runner who summed it up perfectly:

“I think the views are probably lovely, but I’m just focusing on not dying.”

In that moment, I laughed, I nodded, and I kept moving. You lifted my spirits more than you know.

To the 100-miler with the sore ankles – I don’t know your name, but I’ve been thinking about you ever since I saw you. I hope you're healing. You were still moving forward, and that was incredible to witness.

To the cheer squad just before Portreath – your energy was electric. You cheered like we were storming the red carpet, and honestly? It felt like we were. Every single runner who passed you felt seen, celebrated, and carried forward by your joy.

To the race organisers– what a brutal, beautiful monster you’ve created. Thank you for building a challenge that fills you with strength you didn’t know you had.

To my family and friends – old and new – your love and support held me together. I couldn’t have done it without you.

To Rog, Frank, and Milo – thank you for putting up with the constant Arc chat, the spreadsheets, the training dramas, and the taper tantrums. We can finally move on… to the London Marathon (sorry).

To the chest infection that tried to derail my training – you lost.

And to me – YOU DID IT. 🎉😊♥️

That’s the thing about these big, wild challenges. They seem impossible – until you do them. You doubt, you cry, you laugh, you ache, and somehow, you keep going. You discover things about yourself that no training plan can teach.

And to you – yes, you reading this – whatever your next big thing is, you can do it. Whether it’s your first 5k or your tenth ultra, whether you’re chasing a time or just chasing courage – it matters. You matter. And you are more capable than you realise.

If I can, you can.

Now go and find your Arc—whatever shape that takes.