Virtual Spine Day 31

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Virtual Spine Day 31


Distance Covered Today – 3.00 miles

Total Distance covered – 302.92 miles


Virtual

A very cold day with strong winds building later

So today I just needed a 1-minute walk to reach the 300-mile target but instead did a lap of Holy Island and finished at the castle. A memorable, if not very cold, place to end this awesome challenge. Some unbelievable weather but worth every step.

Reality

A very cold day with strong winds building later

Walk 3.00 miles – Another cold day but it was just a short walk to my mums and back as I passed 300 miles in one month. Think I deserve a day off tomorrow  🙂

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 30

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Virtual Spine Day 30


Distance Covered Today – 11.38 miles

Total Distance covered – 299.87 miles


Virtual

A very cold day with strong winds early on

Timing the departure from Fenwick depends on tide times, so its a check of the time table and it tells me its safe between 6-30am and 1-30pm so its a bright start.  The route from Fenwick on St. Cuthbert’s Way heads to the coast along historic paths and tracks, passing Fenwick Granary, crossing the main east coast railway line and Beal Cast Burn, past World War 2 coastal defences. Having reached the Causeway at low tide I now choose my final approach to Lindisfarne by taking the Causeway Road across to Holy Island. My legs aren’t up to the alternative which is to follow the posts of the historic Pilgrims Path across the sands. With a lap or two of the island to go, I think I’ve chosen wisely.

Reality

A very cold day with strong winds early on

Run 11.38 miles – WOW!!!! That was one cold wind today. My usual Saturday morning run with Ed but in an icy blast. Ran from my house down to Barrowford by which time we had warmed up a little and the drag up to Blacko wasn’t too bad. From there we dropped down to Roughlee and then up to Noggarth shop and along to Harper Lane. This is where it started getting very cold. The bypass and home was a 4-mile slog into a really strong wind that was so cold it was hurting. This was actually tougher than the hills we had done earlier. A bit of walking and running but we got there in the end.

       

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 29

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Virtual Spine Day 29


Distance Covered Today – 11.27 miles

Total Distance covered – 288.50 miles


Virtual

A drier and milder day today

Today I start by running through woodland and a good track along the Cheviot foothills, heading for Yeavering Bell (361m), Northumberland’s largest Iron Age fort.  A lovely path then leads through the heather over Gains Law down to the small market town of Wooler. From Wooler, St Cuthbert’s Way takes me over Weetwood Moor and past some prehistoric rock carvings. Dropping back down to cross the River Till via the 16th Century Weetwood Bridge, quiet lanes lead to Horton, and onto another section of typically dead-straight Roman road: the Devil’s Causeway, which once linked Corbridge and Tweedmouth.  Farmland and woodland tracks lead me up to St. Cuthbert’s Cave, where monks took St. Cuthbert’s body in 875AD as they fled from Viking raids on Lindisfarne. Above the cave on the rocky ridge of the Kyloe Hills, the first tantalising views of my final destination come into sight with Holy Island clearly visible above the glittering sands, and Bamburgh Castle just to the south.  It’s clear to see why this part of the Northumberland coast has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  St. Cuthbert’s Way joins here with St. Oswald’s Way, another long-distance route, following an enjoyable track through Shiellow Wood towards the village of Fenwick.

Reality

A drier and milder day today

Walk 6.58 miles – Felt like a change today and took advantage of a later start, so in daylight, and walked up through Marsden Park and carried on up the hill to the Shooters Pub. Then it was over the tops through Catlow Bottoms, Briercliffe and dropping back down Harle Syke to my office. A tough start with some steep uphills but better than the mundane traffic walk I usually do.

Walk 4.69 miles – Back to a bit more boring route tonight as I head up and over Reedley Hallows before dropping down Chapel House Road and up Larch St, along Glenfield Road and home. That will be my last walk to and from work as part of this challenge. I think I may do this a bit more often in the future though, just not every day 🙂

         

 

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 28

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Virtual Spine Day 28


Distance Covered Today – 6.64 miles

Total Distance covered – 277.26 miles


Virtual

Heavy rain early in the day easing in the afternoon

So with me extending this challenge I now find myself leaving Kirk Yetholm eastwards along the St Cuthberts Way. The day starts by climbing up from Halterburn around Green Humbleton (287m) – the first of many hillforts along St. Cuthbert’s Way – before reaching the national border between Scotland and England.  A short diversion to Eccles Cairn rewarded me with my last views of the Borders and the Eildon Hills.  At the border I crossed into Northumberland National Park, one of Britain’s best-kept secrets and somewhere that over the last few years has become one of my favourite places in the UK. St. Cuthbert’s Way then drops back down via Elsdonburn to Hethpool which is where today’s running comes to an end.

Reality

Heavy rain early in the day easing in the afternoon

Run 6.64 miles – So today I had to go to a school in Blackpool with work. I thought it would be good to take advantage of the opportunity of being somewhere different in this lockdown and do today’s run here. So after id done at the school, I plotted a route taking me from Stanley park northwards to the Tower then back down the seafront before looping back to the park. From there I did one lap of the Autumn Breaker 10k giving me a nice 6.64-mile run. Really enjoyed that despite the rain.

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 27

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Virtual Spine Day 27


Distance Covered Today – 10.12 miles

Total Distance covered – 270.61 miles


Virtual

Very mild today with light cloud and no rain

This is it, the final day and a climb up then drop down to the finish at Kirk Yetholm. It doesn’t take too long and there it is……………the finish line. No fanfares, no crowds, just a small village and people going about their normal day to day lives. I guess they see this all the time but for me it’s magical and I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved. Even the weather was good today with the mildest temperature of the whole journey and no rain or snow.

Reality

 Very mild today with light cloud and no rain

Walk 5.34 miles – This morning may have been the boring route again but I didn’t care because this morning was the moment when I completed this mammoth quest. 268 miles in 26.5 days at bang on 10 miles per day average. I reached work with a huge smile on my face, what an achievement 🙂

Walk 4.78 miles – With the challenge complete I set off home with a spring in my step. A message and donation from a fellow runner had me extending the challenge to try and hit 300 miles before the end of the month. So off we go again.

       

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 26

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Virtual Spine Day 26


Distance Covered Today – 6.22 miles

Total Distance covered – 260.48 miles


Virtual

  Cool and bright day

Today is much like yesterday, only marginally superior for scenery, less boggy but some good sunny weather. It’s up to the top of the Cheviots and back, so a tougher day but that leaves me just 7.5 miles tomorrow to achieve glory as I make my way to the finish at Kirk Yetholm. So close now 😀

Reality

 Milder day than of late with a chance of snow or rain

Run 6.22 miles – Really good run tonight in some very cold wet rain. But the weather didn’t spoil things and me and Ed did the Firemans 10k route which includes the very tough Mount Lane. Its the first time Ed has run up non stop but even better, he did the whole route non-stop. A brilliant run which he finished with a superb downhill sprint. Wish all runs felt that good.

     

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 25

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Virtual Spine Day 25


Distance Covered Today – 10.20 miles

Total Distance covered – 254.27 miles


Virtual

  Cold and bright day

Another lovely walking day today starting by going up Lamb Hill then through a bit boggy ground to Auchope Rigg. It’s following the England/Scotland border again and on the whole very pleasant walking in good weather conditions. The Cheviots really are stunning and a location I will be returning to in the future.

Reality

 Cold and bright day

Walk 5.31 miles – It was the boring route again but I actually quite enjoyed the walk this morning in the snow. Started in a blizzard but then just a nice bright crisp morning on soft snow listening to my Ska collection. Happy Days.

Walk 4.89 miles – Up over the tops listening to my Ska music and just head down. That was until my running buddy Edward Lee caught me up and walked down to Nelson with me. Nice to have a friendly face on the walk to break it up.

       

     

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 24

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Virtual Spine Day 24


Distance Covered Today – 7.83 miles

Total Distance covered – 244.07 miles


Virtual

  Cold and bright day

In a nutshell, this weekend was brilliant. around 24 miles along the top of the loneliest hills in the least-populated part of England. Route-finding is surprisingly easy and the path often follows the fence that marks the border between England and Scotland. There are bogs, of course, and up here they’re of the ‘where’s my walking pole gone?’ variety. It can be exposed, too, and this is also a military training area (blank firing only), so making sure I don’t touch anything strange, metal or bomb shaped is the order lol. I survived though and now its just one week left with only 24 miles to go.

Reality

Cold and bright day

Walk 7.83 miles – A lovely walk with Linda over the tops from home, down through Trawden, Winewall and back to Colne before heading home. Some lovely views with the snowy ground and blue skies. Found that a pleasure rather than the chore some of the recent walks and runs have been. Great weekend with this walk and cracking snowy run yesterday 🙂 Now less than 24 miles to go and a full week to do it in.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 23

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Virtual Spine Day 23


Distance Covered Today – 17.94 miles

Total Distance covered – 236.25 miles


Virtual

Very cold and bright day

Todays 18 miles is a comparatively easy day to reach the demanding but glorious Cheviots. The section is split into two clear stages: heathery moor with wonderful views but bog hopping skills required; and forests which have no bogs but few views either. Today there were plenty of bogs to contend with after all the rain and melting snow of late. The moors come first and include some enchanting stretches of purple heather in September, shame its January. But time and again I see my feet disappear into that squelchy, murky underworld we call bog. So the dramatic change to stony forest track roads was welcome, at first. But the monotonous pounding takes its toll and has me hankering after the soft, comfortable swamps. I just cant be happy 🙂

Reality

Snow for the morning turning brighter and colder later in the day

Run 13.66 miles – So we thought it was going to be a bright sunny morning but instead we started the run in a blizzard. Was actually really good to run on the fresh snow that had landed as we set out over the back roads to Kelbrook, down to Earby then along the old railway line to the old Thornton Station. Then it was up to Thornton village, out to Greenberfield Locks and on into Barnoldswick. The worst part was the canal section but before we knew it we were back in Colne with over 13 miles done. Not quick but definitely enjoyable.

Walk 4.28 miles – Was expecting an easy afternoon after my run but Linda had other ideas. After a quick lunch, it was out with her for a 4-mile walk. Great for the challenge but tough on the legs.

        

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 22

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Virtual Spine Day 22


Distance Covered Today – 10.90 miles

Total Distance covered – 218.29 miles


Virtual

Cold and bright day

This is a long day and feels it. Plus there’s the culture shock of suddenly walking with lots of people, some of them wearing clean clothes, as the Way briefly teams up with Hadrian’s Wall Path.  At Rapishaw Gap I break from the stones and crowds towards the silent Wark Forest, then farmland and a little bit of moor. The day’s finale, along the road to Bellingham, is tortuous and will be a favourite for the Worst End To a Day’s Walk on the Way award. Got down under 50 miles left to go now so I’m on the home straight 🙂

Reality

Col start to the day with icy roads

Walk 5.40 miles – Usual boring route to work and other than listening to some awesome Ska music it was fairly uneventful.

Walk 5.40 miles – Came home over the top of Reedley tonight but then did a bit of an extra bit towards clone and under the viaduct resulting in me leaving myself going into the weekend with less than 50 miles to go. A good boost as I enter the final 9 days.

       

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider sponsoring me for this mammoth challenge, it’s for an incredible cause and inspired by an incredible person in Laura Nuttall 🙂

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gd20in20

My motivation for this has come from a very special person called Laura Nuttall who in late 2018, was diagnosed with terminal multiple brain tumours at the young age of 18. Her determination and positive attitude to not only live her life to the full but also to help others as an ambassador for the charity is just incredible and I’m proud to join the fight in whatever way I can. You can read Laura’s story at the following link. Please be generous and help this great charity to raise much-needed funds for researching a cure.

https://www.facebook.com/DoingItForLaura/

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we’re moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. We’re set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And were doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can’t wait.