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 21

Distance Covered Today – 8.10 miles

Total Distance covered – 207.41 miles

Virtual

Cold and very windy most of the day

Today I was told I was in for a visual treat and my mind in for a historical treat, but my calves are in for … the opposite of treat. There are lots of ups and downs today along Hadrian’s Wall- the third most ascent of a Pennine Way day (after Cross fell and the first day). On the plus side today is another Pennine Way classic. It follows the wall for 8 glorious miles (12.8km), including its most dramatic stretches. It’s thrilling to walk in the footsteps Roam soldiers and there are magnificent views to match. Wainwright thought the Pennine Way should end here, with Hadrian’s Wall providing a wonderful climax. But no I must walk and run another 60 miles to get to the end. There was a detour to the wonderfully named Once Brewed, which is really only a pub and a youth hostel, or a stop at a friendly farm late on.

Reality

Rain hail and snow early on clearing to a cold windy day

Run 7.04 miles – A bit of a mix up with who was in the office today resulted in me working from home which I didn’t want as I was hoping to walk to work and back rather than run again as my legs were tired. Anyway, it got to lunchtime and I just decided it was better to run in daylight than another cold dark run so I got changed and went out for an 8 miler. Wasnt great but wasn’t too terrible either. I struggled uphill so walked a bit but 8 miles in 1:24 isn’t the worst run. It also took me past 200 miles on the challenge which was a big boost.

     

 

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 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 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.

 

 

Virtual Spine Day 15

Distance Covered Today – 5.36 miles

Total Distance covered – 148.20 miles

Virtual

Cold with severe frost to start then sunny but cold day

It’s an unusually easy day today for a welcome change, the Way starts with a lovely, leisurely amble through pretty, flower dotted meadows and beside the chorusing River Tees. ‘A walk of near perfection,’ said Wainwright. Unfortunately as easy as it was those scenes weren’t evident as there was still plenty of snow around. Nice day though.

Reality

 Icy start but mainly bright day

Walk 5.36 miles – Another walk to work on the boring route but my audio book, Madness – When We Was We, kept me very entertained. Nearly finished it now so need another one for next week. The walk itself was straightforward, thought it was going to be bad ice but it was a frost and not slippy at all which enabled me to race along.

 

 

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.