Sunday 26 May 2024

After 6 months of training and planning, the things you just can't plan for occurred. The walk started well and I was making great progress. My feet were unusually sore by mile 15, and had to stop 3 times to retape them in the first 22 miles. By mile 28 they had got to the point were I was struggling to even bear my weight on my left foot. After inspection is was unfortunately clear that there were not in any state to go any further and it was with great disappointment that I had to stop.

Fortunately my sister Tina, was due to joint me from Deal and with Operation Brock in place in Dover and Folkestone causing traffic chaos there, we decided that she would carry the baton on her own from there. Tina was joined on the walk by my wife Jenny, my youngest daughter Eve and my nephew Max, who all took it in turns to support Tina as she clocked up the miles.

Great progress was being made around Sandwich, Ramsgate and Margate, but Tina's feet were also suffering and she decided that they were in no condition to carry on as she came into Whitstable around midnight last night.

What an amazing team effort the day turned out to be and although I should be very disappointed that my feet let me down after such meticulous planning, I am not. My family stepped up without any hesitating to make the event something truly special and memorable.

I cannot express how thankful I am, firstly to my family for your unquestionable dedication to the event and secondly to everyone who has donated to the three charities that the event wanted to support. Thank you, you genuinely motivated me to make this happen.

Friday 24 May 2024

My last post before the event. If you want to follow my progress, keep an eye on this Facebook post as this will have the tracker pins dropped on it in the comments below.

Massive thank you to each and everyone who has donated to each of the charities, they are very grateful for everyone's generosity.

I also need to thank my sister Tina, who is going to put up with my company for half of the walk and will have my back when I am likely to need it, and finally thank you to my wife and support crew, without them this event would not have got off the starting blocks. I promise to talk about something other than walking after tomorrow!

See you on the other side. Now I'm off to bed...

Thursday 23 May 2024

The anticipation levels are rising now. Early nights, focused diet and last minute adjustments to my equipment.

To track the event the easiest way to follow me will be to keep an eye on Instagram/Facebook and the JustGiving page. There will be pins dropped every hour or so showing the current location. I will be covering a mile every 13-14 minutes so if you are coming out to see me/us, that will give you some guidance on where we will be. As I will be starting the walk at 4am Saturday morning, the first pins won't be dropped until I am past Chilham as the route isn't safe for supporters until after that point.

Message me on Facebook/Instagram if you need one of the back up team to give you a more accurate ETA at various places.

A few interesting facts.

According to Google Maps the 100 route should take 36 hours and 29 minutes, meaning we will have to be traveling at least 50% faster than Google Maps predicts.

With an outside temperature of around 20 DegreesC. I am loosing around 2 litres of fluid and burning over 1000 calories every 10 miles. This is a huge challenge to remain fueled and hydrated and to ensure that my mineral intake is constantly being replenished.

A pair of walking boots should last between 500-1000 miles, or 1-2 years if you're walking 10 miles a week. My boots will have covered just under 700 miles since Christmas 2023.

The fundraising has been great again this week, so thank you to all those that have donated recently.

I'll do quick update tomorrow, which will be the last post before the event.

Saturday 18 May 2024

Have had a week of tapering and letting my feet recover from last weekend. Lots of preparation going on in the background, clothing, food, further route familiarisation, focused meals for the week running up to the walk and most importantly the bulk purchase of jellybabies!

Last push on fundraising, if friends and family could share my link/post, I'd be very grateful.

Have a great weekend.

Monday 13 May 2024

Well Tina managed a long walk on Saturday and I did a long one Sunday. I did intend to do a 50 miler, but it was a hot and challenging walk and had to call it a day at 34 miles.

The weather will be a big factor on this walk as I found out yesterday. Add another element of risk to an already epic challenge.

Thank you to all those that have donated this week, it has been another great week of fundraising.

Less than 2 weeks to go to the actual walk, so starting to taper off on the training.

More news on live tracking the event later this week.

Sunday 5 May 2024

We have now reached an amazing fund raising milestone by passing the half way mark, which I am eternally grateful to everyone who has donated so far.

I am still a way off my target and with less than 3 weeks to go, I would be very grateful for anyone else who has thought about sponsoring me but not quite got around to make the jump, every pound is gratefully received. It is very easy to do and will give you a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

My walking preparation is still on track, I have another massive challenge coming up on Sunday 12th May, where I will be attempting a 50 miler, which will be as close as I get to the full distance.

I have made a few minor changes to the route, so I have put the full route down again for anyone who might want to come along and support on the day.

Thank you again and have a fab (short) week.

@mind.org.uk

@younglivesvscancer.org.uk,

@imago.community

Link 1 - Faversham to Chilham (14.3 miles)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WTk2JAX1Tmz4Xxe16

Link 2 - Chilham to Hythe (18.4 miles)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ko33C7KkFBsTaQo18

Link 3 - Hythe to Dover Harbour Board Office (10.6 miles)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nQ75HyoHkDXE9EJUA

Link 4 - Dover Harbour Board Office to Deal Pier (9.9 miles).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eE2VfexwAPZf7wW28

Link 5 - Deal Pier to The Lookout Cafe, Ramsgate (11.6 miles).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Enzh9FBj9DLCZN8d7

Link 6 - The Lookout Cafe, Ramsgate to Joss Bay (4.6 miles).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/aVr5GwzBwMDxLEf2A

Link 7 - Joss Bay to Margate Beach (4.0 miles).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BXUcLxZQafEPAFcx5

Link 8 - Margate Beach to Herne Bay Pier (12.0 miles)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/V2Rddynk4jrVDngQ8

Link 9 - Herne Bay Pier to Faversham (13.8 miles)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/XznjHjoT2ah4fhtK6

Sunday 14 April

It's been a few weeks since I posted an update. It has been an amazing few days with the fundraising. We have managed to go over the £1000 milestone, which is fantastic. Thank you again to everyone who has donated so far.

My training is going well, I am managing to clock up a steady 40 miles a week, and have been increasing the strength and conditioning work to support the walking.

Thank you again and have a fab week.

@mind.org.uk

@younglivesvscancer.org.uk,

@imago.community

Sunday 24 March

The training is still going to plan, about 43 miles clocked up this week, with a 23 miler done today, with a walk from Dover to Ramsgate, weather was good to me and a quicker walk than the last long walk. Just 5 hrs 15 mins today.

I will tot up my total practice miles this week, as that will probably look quite impressive.

The sponsorship has been a little quiet this week, but there is still 2 months to go.

Have a great week everyone.

Sunday 17 March - Happy St Patrick's Day!

A great week of being sponsored, so thank you all for you continued support. Still a lot of training to go and this support keeps me propped up, especially on days like today!

A good week of shorter training walks with a very challenging long walk today.

I set out early to walk between Old Wives Lees near Chilham to Sandgate near Folkestone, a distance of 22 miles.

The weather was rubbish for the whole route as was the mud. As a result I was a bit slower than I have been, but finished in 5 hrs 35 minutes. It was a tricky route which took in the Wye Downs and the North Downs Way, which is hilly all the way to Sandgate.

Glad I did this section of the walk this early, at least I know what it feels like, but does highlight how difficult this walk will be.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday 10 March

Happy Mothers Day!

I have been lost for words with how generous everyone has been with their donations. I am enjoying the training, but it is getting harder as the miles are accumulating, the donations adding up is a real motivator, so a huge thank you to everyone that has donated so far.

After yesterdays yomp, I only had a gentle walk along the prom at Whitstable with Jenny (Mrs C), the maker of great protein snacks.

The last week I managed to clock up a total of 46 miles. This was split into 6 walks ranging from 3 to 11 miles. My speeds have varied from 4.2 mph to 4.7 mph.

This coming week I will do much the same during the week, but will be looking to do a 20 miler over the weekend.

Thank you again and have a great week.

@mind.org.uk

@younglivesvscancer.org.uk,

@imago.community

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Made use of the lovely weather today (Saturday 9 March) and walked from Herne Bay to Margate with my partner in walking gear and favorite sis.

I have firmed up the route, which has been quite a challenge in itself. It has been broken down into 9 sections which will make it easier for those that might want to support Tina and/or myself en-route.

I'll do a training update tomorrow, but just wanted to get the route out there now that it has been finalised.

The Route

Link 1 - Faversham to Sandgate Beach (30.0 miles)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/U6M83ufLwdXkKdwr9

Link 2 - Sandgate Beach to Dover Harbour Board Office (9.3 miles).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kwqYMkGoxM5mC5jr9

Link 3 - Dover Harbour Board Office to Deal Pier (9.9 miles).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eE2VfexwAPZf7wW28

Link 4 - Deal Pier to The Lookout Cafe, Ramsgate (11.6 miles).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Enzh9FBj9DLCZN8d7

Link 5 - The Lookout Cafe, Ramsgate to Joss Bay (4.6 miles).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/aVr5GwzBwMDxLEf2A

Link 6 - Joss Bay to Margate Beach (4.0 miles).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BXUcLxZQafEPAFcx5

Link 7 - Margate Beach to Herne Bay Pier (12.0 miles)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/V2Rddynk4jrVDngQ8

Link 8 - Herne Bay Pier to Ironwharf Boatyard, Faversham (12.8 miles)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/b99oupbZR7mXw3Ku7

Link 9 - Ironwharf Boatyard to Uplees and back into Faversham (6.6 miles)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/k5oCqsZwQUbTNzi58

@mind.org.uk

@younglivesvscancer.org.uk,

@imago.community

For Health and Safety reasons I will be travelling on my own until I reach Chilham, which will be the first part of the first stage of the walk.

To view the map for each of the sections in Google Maps, copy the link into your browser and it will bring up the map for that section of the route.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday 25 February 2024 - Another update, I know that's 2 in a week, but I'm buzzing. I've just got back from a long walk this morning, managed 17.2 miles in 3 hrs. 44 mins. Averaging 13 minute miles and 4.7 MPH.

So I am bang on target for where I need to be.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend so far. Please share far and wide and thank you for reading.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's been a couple of weeks since my last update, so thought I'd let you all know how my progress is going.

The last 2 weeks I have averaged walking 40 miles, split up through the week with a longer walk at the weekend.

This week so far currently breaks down to;

Sunday - 12.05 miles (night time walk) 2:50 Hrs:Mins (4.3 MPH)

Tuesday - 9.02 miles 2:01 Hrs:Mins (4.5 MPH)

Thursday - 10.89 miles 2:26 Hrs:Mins (4.5 MPH)

I will be having a rest day tomorrow (Friday) as I've given blood this evening.

I will be back out clocking up some more miles on Saturday when I have a planned 15 miler to tackle!

The fundraising is going well, so thank you to all those that have donated so far. Still a long way to go to hit my target but there is still lots of time.

The route had now been firmed up and will be posted at the weekend.

Have a good Friday everyone.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First weekend of official training following 'go live' on Just Giving.

Managed an 8 miler on Thursday and a 6.6 miler on Saturday. Excited and apprehensive in equal measures, but the weather has been kind to me, so far.

Thank you to all those that have reacted and messaged to my first post and also to those early pioneering sponsors, I am humbled by your support and very grateful.

Several people have mentioned joining me during the event, I will be posting the route later this coming week and there will be a live tracker on the day, so feel free to meet me somewhere and either cheer me on, join me for a bit, or throw Jelly Babies in my direction.

@mind.org.uk

@younglivesvscancer.org.uk,

@imago.community