So less than a week to go before running the 84 and no doubt a couple more miles of Hadrian’s Wall which I have now been training for during the last few weeks.
I’ve managed to up my mileage from around 30 to between 75 and 85 miles each week. The emphasis has been more on just covering the distance and time on feet as opposed to any fast-running other than one and sometimes two sessions a week designed to just keep a degree of sharpness in my legs what with all the slower stuff.
Am I confident of doing it? Well, yes as if not I would not be doing it; but it’s not just a long way, the terrain is very extreme too so subject to not getting injured and this time not busting a gut to break 24 hours as we did in 2018, I am sure we will achieve.
I have a great team of friends running with me in Craig Bowen Jones, Karen Grapes and Chas Allen for which we will keep each other going.
One other bonus is that two of my old running mates from the North East are coming along to drive the support vehicle in former GB International and World Cup Team captain Ian Bloomfield and Alan Whitfield, who was also a top distance runner during his day whilst representing England as a master. I got my first GB vest with Ian in 1987 and raced with Alan in Malta in 1989.
Apart from the run commemorating what will be me having ran every single day for 43 years on July 24 (and going through to the following day which will signify the start of my 44th year), it is also the desire to raise awareness and funding for the causes we are running for - the Norfolk-based young person’s charity Nelson’s Journey, The Hallswood, Hillside and Pact animal sanctuaries plus the Fox Angels Foundation, Pawpers in the Ruff (dog rescue) and The Northern Inuit Dog Rescue. Without a doubt – seven magnificent causes and whilst our target is £3,500 (£500 each), as I write this, we are just under £400 short of achieving this goal already.
If we can go past our target then even more brilliant, and of course a bit more money for each cause plus a little for what is another superb cause, The Mirkwood Rest Home for Retired Sheep Sanctuary run by Andy Bailey and who lots of people will know of through the amazing Mandy Foyster.
One issue I do have is that one of my beloved Huskies, Luna, recently tore her cruciate ligament and prior to having it operated on this week she had her bloods taken which came back abnormal. She now has to have more tests next Tuesday, the day before we start the run. I am not sure how I will cope if it is bad news, but whatever happens I will be there one way or the other.
This challenge really has given me some much-needed impetus as mentioned a few weeks back. Having a goal is so very important in all aspects of our lives and when you also attach such things as doing your bit for others ie fund raising, this also helps when it comes to focus and determination.
Once again it really is a huge thank you to everyone who has so far kindly made donations.
If anyone else would like to help us hit our target then even just £1 would be greatly appreciated and all part of what has been a pretty amazing journey up to now. You can donate here.
Finally, I must just say a huge well done to City of Norwich AC’s Michael Clark who I wrote about back in March. Last weekend, Michael became the English Schools 3,000 metres champion when winning in a very fast 8:31.95 seconds. His very proud coach Jane Clarke was so happy as this was a race and title they had targeted for some time.
Have a good weekend all, wherever you might be running…
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