Back in February 2024, Jane Smith Financial Planning’s director, Nicola Watts, achieved a long-held dream. She summited Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. In 2025, Nicola set herself a new goal: to walk 12 marathons in 12 months in aid of local child bereavement charity, Harry’s Rainbow.
You’ve likely been following Nicola’s efforts closely, and many of you have kindly donated to this incredibly important cause. It’s still not too late – you can donate here, on my JustGiving page.
As the dust settles on Nicola’s latest challenge, she’s been reflecting on some important life lessons these challenges have taught her – and their potential implications for your retirement planning too.
Keep reading to find out more, as we hand over to Nicola.
My charity challenges taught me several valuable life (and retirement) lessons
When we talk about retirement planning, our discussions are often all about the destination: numbers, targets, dates, and simply getting there.
But what if we also spent time appreciating the view along the way?
Over the past couple of years, I’ve taken on several physical challenges and learned some unexpected life lessons during untold hours of walking and running.
Scaling a mountain in 2024 taught me to slow down
In February 2024, I accomplished a long-held dream: climbing Kilimanjaro.
It was unsurprisingly tough, incredibly slow at times, and required months of preparation. But one of the most powerful parts of the experience wasn’t reaching the summit – it was stopping along the way, catching my breath, and taking in the incredible scenery. If I’d focused only on the endpoint, I’d have missed so much of what made the trip special.
Then came my nemesis: running. I don’t like running. I never have. I used to do anything I could to get out of cross-country at school.
Yet, in September 2024, I somehow found myself completing my first half-marathon. It wasn’t graceful, and it certainly wasn’t fast, but it was a reminder that sometimes we push hard to reach a goal, only to discover that sustaining that pace isn’t always realistic.
Unfortunately, the excitement of crossing the finish line was swiftly followed by some nasty cold germs. The running bug was well and truly lost, but I was glad to have successfully completed my challenge, and the support I received along the route was integral to that.
A rainy day in my garage reinforced the need to enjoy the journey
In 2025, I shifted my focus back to walking – an activity that is, for me, far more enjoyable, and therefore much more sustainable.
I set myself the challenge of completing 12 one-day marathon walks over 12 months.
December 2024 and January 2025 were spent training, gradually increasing distances, with the first official walk taking in the sights of London as part of an organised event.
Following that, there were more events, endless laps of reservoirs, and many miles of north Bedfordshire fields and footpaths. And yes, there were low moments. One in particular came on a cold, dark, and rainy day when I chose to spend 8.5 hours on a treadmill, staring at my garage wall.
That was very much not about enjoying the view!
And that’s where the analogy with retirement really hits home.
Retirement saving isn’t all about the destination, but about slowing down and enjoying the view
During a stressful and busy career, you might be tempted to sprint towards retirement – working harder, saving more, and delaying enjoyment in the present for the promise of a life that will begin “later”.
But just like training for a big challenge, there’s a balance to strike. Push too hard for too long, and you risk burnout, ill health, or simply missing the very moments that make the journey worthwhile.
Retirement planning isn’t just about reaching the finish line; it’s about shaping a life you enjoy now and will continue to enjoy in the future.
That’s why sensible and sustainable budgeting is key. And why a firm grasp on your attitude to risk, alongside a clear focus on your long-term goals, is so important.
Enjoying the view might mean slowing down and building flexibility into your plans. Doing so could help you make time for the things that matter most before you officially stop working, whether that’s spending time with friends, experiencing new countries, sights, and cultures, or making memories with loved ones.
Because the truth is, the view is available long before you reach the summit. The challenge is remembering to stop, look up, and enjoy it.
Get in touch
If you’re looking for an independent financial adviser in Milton Keynes or Olney, look no further. At Jane Smith Financial Planning, we’ve been helping clients for 30 years, so contact us at info@janesmithfinancial.com or call 01234 713131 to see what we can do for you.
And if you would like to donate to Harry’s Rainbow and haven’t yet done so, please visit my JustGiving page and give what you can.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
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