THE VIRTUAL SPINE RACE
Virtual Spine Day 19
Virtual Spine Day 19
Distance Covered Today – 10.15 miles
Total Distance covered – 192.25 miles
Virtual
Rain for most of the day
Wainwright labelled the section after the B6292 tedious, dull and complicated. ’if the remainder of the Pennine Way was like this (happily it isn’t), here would be the place to pack it in and go home.’ It’s not genuinely awful, just a bit, well boring, really. And in the torrent of rain that fell today, it was actually worse than that. Its the day I actually say farewell to the Pennines at Round Hill. The day started with a trek along a former railway line, ducking under viaducts, before joining the Maiden Way. Easy walking normally but very sodden today making progress slow.
Reality
Heavy rain for the day with the risk of flooding
Walk 5.30 miles – The boring route again but this time in torrential rain made worse by finding as I set off that my earbuds had run out of charge so no audiobook or music today. So it was just walking quick and try not to get too wet. The sad sight when I got to Burnley of several cars all smashed up and one in 2 halves across the road. An accident a few hours earlier the result of a police chase. Didn’t end very well 🙁
Walk 5.30 miles – Tonight I went home over the tops of Reedley again just to avoid the horrible main road for a bit. Audiobook back on as earbuds charged at work and rain still coming down heavy. I’m certainly being challenged by the weather this month. The Madness Audiobook is now complete and highly recommended 🙂
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 18
Virtual Spine Day 18
Distance Covered Today – 8.80 miles
Total Distance covered – 182.06 miles
Virtual
A dry cloudy day with occasional showers feeling cool in the wind
Starting out from Greggs Hutt in a cold wind and at times rain, today is a thorough test of equipment (waterproofs and working compass essential), fitness, navigation skills and my outdoor mentality. England’s coldest temperature and strongest wind gust were recorded here and I can certainly see why. The fells here were mined, so straying far from the path could be dangerous which just adds to the tough day. A couple of climbs today with Great Dun Fell and Knock Fell before a section of difficult moorland. It really hasn’t been easy as I make it to Checkpoint 4 at Alston. I need sleep and a new body after that.
Reality
A dry cloudy day with showers becoming heavier late in the day
Walk 1.19 miles – The car was in the garage today so took the chance while I waited to sneak a mile walk in around the grounds of Clitheroe castle. Not much but it all helps.
Run 7.61 miles – That really did tip me over the edge. I was feeling tired and weary after work but knew I had to get out and run something. But Wow! was my body not ready for it. A very slow plod with a couple of walk breaks in strong wind with rain. Set off to Alkincaots Park then up Castle Rd and was going to turn down Venables Ave but at the last second I changed my mind and carried on up to the golf course and the Alma forcing myself into a couple of extra miles. It really was bleak up there and very cold, I was at this time cursing myself and showing signs of madness as I gave myself a good telling off for coming this way. The drop down Emmott Lane helped a bit but the long drag back through Laneshaw Bridge had me wanting to throw myself into the cars as I lost the will to live a bit. But thankfully I didn’t and the struggle continued down through Colne and then up Knotts Mount back home. I am now at home trying hard to keep my eyes open, I’m really that shattered and tomorrow I’ve to walk to work and back in the heavy rain that’s forecast. This is getting so tough now.
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 17
Virtual Spine Day 17
Distance Covered Today – 8.65 miles
Total Distance covered – 173.30 miles
Virtual
Dry cloudy day warmer than of late
There’s no gentle walking today with a tough start from Dufton. A long climb gets me to the high fells, then continues over to the summit of the notorious Cross Fell, where navigation requires alertness. Just before the long descent to Garrigill is the welcome sight of the famous Greg’s Hut, a place that is on every Pennine walkers itinerary and tonight’s stopping point.
Reality
Dry cloudy day warmer than of late
Walk 8.56 miles – On very achy legs I went for a walk with Linda today. Down to the canal up to the top of Blacko and round the back of Blacko Tower to Gisburn Track. From there it was down to Slipper Hill seeing a fight between a Heron and a large bird of prey. A lot bigger than a kestrel but not sure just what. The Heron fought for its life then slipped away and flew to the next field. At that point, a bunch of crows in a nearby tree chased off the larger bird. A real-life David Attenborough moment. From Slipper Hill, it was along the canal, up Red Lane to Alkincoats and then back home.
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.
