Pukie & Ian's Hadrians Wall Path Challenge

With the lack of events due to Covid19 we are left to our own devices. During this lockdown period I have done a marathon outside my front door, 13,000 laps around my washing line. Then I successfully tried to beat my Half Marathon time and then failed at a sub 3:30 marathon attempt. So it's time for the next adventure.

Welcome to the Hadrians Wall Challenge, all 84 miles of the path.

This will take place on Saturday 18th July at 6:30 pm. My aim is definitely under 24 hours but hopefully under 20 hours, though this will be the second longest distance I have attempted.

I will also be doing it alone. No organized event, no other runners to chat to, no checkpoints to rest and eat at. Just me with all the kit and food I will need. I will however meet up with Sharon occasionally to top up my water supplies. The actual run from start to finish is on my own.

The route starts in Wallsend, Newcastle and finishes in Bowness on Solway, Cumbria. At around 52 miles I will be within 3 miles of home so hopefully I wont feel the urge to quit.

I have had the urge to do this route for a few years, many miles have been run on parts of the route. It's not all easy or as romantic as it sounds. There are trip hazards of rocks and tree roots and if raining bits can get a tad boggy. It will take a lot of mental strength to keep going at times, I think that will be my biggest challenge.

The reason for a 6:30 pm start is hopefully it will be cooler over night.

Besides the urge to do this I also do these things for NSPKU. A charity very close to home. They are a self funded charity and have no government help during these crazy times. Obviously due to lockdown no one can put on fundraising events and NSPKU is taking a big financial hit at present.

Our Molly is 16 years old, for many years I was a single parent and NSPKU have been with us all of her life. They have helped immensely with how I have dealt with Molly's pku.

NSPKU help everyone who has PKU and life would be far more difficult without them.

People with PKU cannot tolerate protein. If you look at any of your food labels you will see practically everything has protein. Eating these things when you have PKU is not a good idea. Trying a diet without protein is extremely difficult and restrictive. I and now we have done my best to get Molly to were she is now, it's been difficult but definitely easier with NSPKU in our lives.

You can read all about them here

https://www.nspku.org

And you can help me help NSPKU here.

Thanks for reading, I will post updates while on the run.