Hi FitBlitz family! I know 26˚C is positively cold for most of you, but here in England it’s really hot for summer, lol! 🤣 I was certainly well equipped as i took out my massive backpack for a ride again today, and i fill it with all kinds of things that i don’t need…I just need a tent and could stay out for days, lol! 🤣
I just had to take a photo of the ‘Mountain Of Manure’ in the top image, as my foot sank a little further than expected at that point of the walk…So i stopped, stamped my feet a few times and took this shot for you all, lol! 🤣
As i was stomping around the nature reserve trail today, drinking water whilst running with sweat i decided to keep stopping and take some nice sunny photos…I’m sure my body had holes in it as the water i drank seemed to leak straight through my skin!! ☀️ 💪🏼 🤣
Are you managing to get out in the heat? Is it hot where you are? 🤔
Hi FitBlitz family! Well there is 1 good thing about going out in the intense heat and dripping with sweat for the past 2 days…The trail was empty!! I couldn’t believe it as it was perfect for me not to have cyclists, runners and ferocious dogs coming at me all of the time. 🤣
This week (after getting back from an amazing trip to the Marriott Breadsall Priory Hotel & Country Club) i’d decided to switch up my walking again…I’ve pulled out my First Tactical 60+ litre (with all the pouches) backpack, and it feels like wearing power armour (from Fallout 4 PS Game) as it wraps around you. The wide hip belt itself has 4 pouches on including 2 water bottle pouches…I’m so grateful for these especially in this incredible heat! 💪🏼 Sorry i could go on for ever talking about just how many pouches, pockets and compartments it has (yes i love it, lol) but i’ll just say that it’s typical that the heat wave started as i chose to use it, lol! 🤣
Are you managing to get out in the heat? Is it hot where you are? 🤔
My lovely wife Sarah in front of the Breadsall Priory in Derby, UK
Hi FitBlitz family! It’s been very quiet over here as ‘The Blind Sightseers’ (me and my lovely wife Sarah) have been away celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary, at the amazing Breadsall Priory in Derby, UK! ❤️ So please be patient with me as i sort through the photos to try and create a post for you..And us, lol…It takes me ages but i’m working on it!
Don’t be fooled thinking it was relaxing though, lol…We had lots of FitBlitzing fun, fitness and food…There was a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, free weights room, weight machines room…And most of all (for me) a completely empty cardio room (yes i was the only one in there every time) for me to do my walking…Perfect!! 💪🏼 😀
Hi FitBlitz family! Yesterday was a messy day of me fighting my body ‘Mr Lazy’ and only just managing to stay on my feet…But today i took the fight to him! I ‘FitBlitzed’ him with a flurry of 20 miles (yes 20, i can’t believe it either) and after 5 and a half hours of bombardment…he was knocked out for the count,lol! 💪🏼 🤣
It was a gruelling (yet beautiful) walk today, and it all went well without any dramas, accidents or animal attacks, yay! I managed to take a few photos on my travels and i was pleasantly surprised when i returned home having managed 20 miles without passing out, lol…That’s not too far off a marathon!! 😲
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
Jess C. Scott
“A fit, healthy body — that is the best fashion statement.”
Hi FitBlitz family! I can’t believe how much i was yawning this morning, i couldn’t even drag myself to get my walking (fighting) gear on, lol! 🤣 But with thanks to you all (i knew i had to write this post and you’d be holding me accountable) so i forced my way out on to the trail! I was fine once i was on the trail and i flew around at over 4 miles an hour…Yay i have a motivational Monday post for you, and hopefully you won’t nail me too much for trying to be lazy, lol! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
Jim Rohn
“You can either suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.”
Hi FitBlitz family! Yay, as you may be aware…I’m celebrating again for losing 6lbs in June! Also i managed to smash the 2 challenges set by my apple watch! 😀 All of my extra focus on walking more and eating more on point has payed off. 💪🏼
But there’s no time to slack off now…Let’s ‘Fly in July’ and annihilate July’s challenge badge, and hopefully i’ll lose another 6lbs…Ad Victorium! 💪🏼 😀
June Challenges Smashed…
July’s Challenge…Let’s Do This!! 💪🏼
Average 5.4 miles a day in July!
Motivational Quote…
“I will beat him. I will train harder. I will eat cleaner. I know his weaknesses. I know his strengths. I’ve lost to him before, but not this time. He’s going down. I have the advantage because I know him well. He is the old me.”
Hi FitBlitz family! After 3 mad days of speed and endurance building walks, it was nice to have time to perambulate (thanks word for today for a new word) around the trail today. I walked 3 miles at 3 miles per hour and thought i’d take lots of photos for you, and also enjoy myself instead of pushing the limits…Oh and it would finally give my legs a rest too! 😀
I made up a rule that meant i couldn’t take any photos of the trail in front of me, i could only take photos from my left, right or behind me…I thought it wouldn’t bore you too much and give you a slightly different perspective of the trail, lol! 🤣
It was really overcast today and the temperature had also dropped, so not many scintillating (thanks to the other word for today podcast) photos as they’d look much better with the blazing sun! ☀️It was a lovely walk although i had to keep telling myself to slow down to 3 mph…Wearing my walking outfit and those INOV-8 trail shoes just make me want to go faster all of the time! 💪🏼 😀
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
I’m not running a marathon or a 5 K. I have no upcoming competitions and I don’t plan on going to the beach. I am working out like my life depends on it. Because it does!
Hi FitBlitz family! After finishing a lovely coffee by my even lovelier wife Sarah, i put on my usual shorts and vest combo ready for my walk, when “Hold on a minute…Is that rain?” i thought as i opened the front door to the rain pounding down. I answered my question by putting on my ultra bright yellow rain jacket and went to say goodbye to Sarah. 😀
Sarah said “Wow that’s bright, and with your orange trainers, i’ve got to take a photo for your bloggers to see”. I assumed she meant it looked really cool and that i look like an old retired footballer (soccer player)…I’ll leave that one alone and hope you enjoy the photo above anyway, lol! 🤣 Full credit to Sarah as she ran out in the rain to take the photo, then ran back in again! 😀
After 17 miles yesterday i’d planned to take this one easy to give my legs a rest…I didn’t!! As it was raining and the trail was grey i thought i’d try my ‘Walk Fast’ playlist…Wow, now i know why i havn’t done this one before, lol! Each song is a little faster than the one before, so just when i’d reached the bottom of the half mile uphill section…A quicker song would come on…Ouch…But of course i didn’t give in and just kept pushing until the job (or me) was done, yay i did it! 💪🏼 😀
Oh by the way…Sorry for not posting any new photos of trees, ponds or trails today, but my iphone was tucked away in a waterproof pocket and i was also going too fast to stop, lol! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
Cristiano Ronaldo
“I am not a perfectionist, but I like to feel that things are done well. More important than that, I feel an endless need to learn, to improve, to evolve, not only to please the coach and the fans but also to feel satisfied with myself. It is my conviction that there are no limits to learning, and that it can never stop, no matter what our age.”
Hi FitBlitz family! Wow…Now that was a long walk and i’m pleased i’ve survived, lol. 🤣 I managed a total of 6 laps today…You’d think i’d get bored of walking around and around the same trail…But i don’t, it’s just a beautiful walk and i’m so blessed to be able to do it! 🙏 😀
I kept a good pace of around 3.75 mph for over 4 and a half hours which i’m really happy with, also i could’ve only dreamed of such a thing 2 years ago! I think i’d better sort myself out to do another fundraiser before i burn myself out…Or get too old, lol! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
Hi FitBlitz family! I just had to share one of this months goals…The June challenge badge. As i started ‘June time to prune’ i looked at the requirements for earning this badge, and it was huge so i kind of dismissed it…I’m sure these challenge badges are getting harder every month now?! Never the less i increased my walking duration and speed most days this month, and i started to see that it just may be achievable…And now here it is!! 😲
Motivational Quote…
“Remember, once you set a goal, it’s all about how hard you’re willing to work, how much you’re willing to sacrifice and how badly you truly want it.”
Hi fitness family! After the last 2 days of FitBlitzing fast walks, i needed to take today’s walk nice and slow as ‘I’m not as young as i used to be’. The sun was blazing down again which is actually starting to feel nice (never thought i’d say that, lol) as when i walk around my nearly 3 mile laps, i catch the sun evenly as going around the lap tans up every side of my body, lol! 🤣
I was back to a 3.5 mph pace which wasn’t as slow as i’d wanted but my legs wouldn’t go any slower. I still can’t believe how little the increase between 3.5 to 4 or 4.5 mph is…But the real life difference on the trail and the effort needed is massive! 😓My walk was 1 hour 40 minutes which is not a rest in my book, lol…But it’s ‘June time to prune’ so i need to push on ready to change it up a little in July! 💪🏼 😀
Is it seriously hot where you are?
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
Hi fitness family! After yesterday’s gruelling 4 mph walk for nearly 3 hours…I decided to push a little further to see if this blindman can go a bit faster?! 🤔 So i started my ‘Walk 135 bpm playlist (this is only 5 beats a minute quicker but wow does it make a difference) and headed out to try and catch my legs, lol! 🤣
Thankfully the trail was quite empty which was a blessing as i really couldn’t see anything at such a pace…The sun was also blinding, but my legs were more blinding, lol! 🤣 I couldn’t believe how hard it was to try and catch my legs which were locked on to the beat of the music. And just when the top half of my body had caught up…A nice steep incline would appear…Wow now that’s hard! 😨
My watch shouts out my pace each mile, and i was amazed to hear 13 minutes 35 seconds…That’s just under 4.5 miles per hour (about 4.4). I almost fell over as i’d never been below 14 minutes a mile, especially when walking on my own, the sun is blinding and i can only feel the trail path with my feet!! Oh did i mention that’s sub 14 minutes, lol! I’m so happy and i need to celebrate this as i never thought it possible!! 😲
Sorry i didn’t take any photos today as i simply couldn’t stop my legs…I think i need a ‘Go Pro’! 🤣
Have you reached any milestones with your health and fitness goals?
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
Hi fitness family! Hope you’ve had a ‘FitBlitzing’ weekend? Today on the trail i managed 4 laps (11.13 miles) and kept my pace around 4 miles per hour for a total of 2 hours 45 minutes! 💪🏼
I kept my ‘Walk 130 bpm’ music playlist on for the whole duration, as it’s like a pulsing metronome as i push myself to keep up. I put my right foot down on the bass drum (first beat) and my left foot down on the snare drum (beat 2), and as it’s the same persistent beat all of the time, it’s a real workout when a steep hill appears and you have to keep the same beat but with much more effort…You just keep pumping away until you hope a down hill or flat section will start, lol! 🤣
If it didn’t feel so good, healthy and so rewarding for the body, it could be classed as some form of torture, lol. It’s like being chained to a treadmill for nearly 3 hours with the speed set to 4 mph…And like the movie ‘Speed’ if you slow down below that speed then you’ll blow up, or at least fail your goal! 😨 So you pound away across the trail (uphill and downhill) trying to get to the end where you can disarm the bomb timer! But WOW do you feel good afterwards for achieving it!! 😀 💪🏼
Oh and achieving the ‘Perfect Week (All Activity)’ award badge for last week was a great motivator too! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
Hi fitness family! “Wow it’s hot” i say (under my breath) as i speed around 3 laps (8.55 mile) of the trail today. As the temperature was already at 30˚C i still tried to stay around 4 mph…I managed to push myself harder and got a personal best time on the last lap! 😲
The photo above is of the pond (which i normally take) but it was taken further back on a different path. I usually bomb across the path you can see going from left to right…But i thought you’d like to see it from a different angle?! 😀
It was really hard but so rewarding on the trail today, it was almost impossible (but almost doesn’t count, lol) trying to stop my flesh from taking control…It just never stays down! I tried to burn it in to submission with the suns help and then drown it with sweat…But it still kept fighting me, lol! 🤣 I finally knocked it out with discipline, pushing harder and getting the perfect knock out by achieving a personal best!! 💪🏼 😀 Let’s hope after a week of solid ‘FitBlitz’ walking it stays down over the weekend, lol! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
Hi fitness family! Today on the trail in the 28˚C heat i started thinking about how far i’d ventured along my health and fitness journey after 2 years, and how i’m managing to walk around this trail every day in this intense heat, with no hay fever and wearing my medium clothes…I instantly started giving thanks for everything! 🙏 😀
🤧 No Hay Fever…
I can’t tell you how much easier it’s been this summer without suffering from the constant streaming eyes, dripping nose and ferocious sneezing! My mind still hasn’t adapted to the new body work yet (even after 2 years) and i still walk around expecting the effects…But nothing comes, yay! 😀
☀️ The Sun & The Heat…
I’ve never been comfortable in the sun and always hated the heat, i’d always try and find shade or find some other way out of it. Simply walking the trail, sitting outside a coffee shop or in my own back garden seriously felt like my bones were being steamed in a cauldron of boiling water, whilst my skin was being attacked by a million angry wasps with mini switchblades cutting into me!
BUT…🤔
Now i’ve lost 4 stone (56 pounds) over 2 years, i have the energy and fitness levels to enjoy stomping around on the trail for hours…Ii sit out with Sarah everyday in our garden (when the sun is out anyway) and i’m always the one wanting to stay out longer. I also have to think about being out too long and getting sun burnt…This is something i’ve neve had to think about before! 💪🏼
The sun actually feels nice now and i can finally enjoy it. Now i understand why my lovely wife Sarah enjoys and loves to be out in the hot sun…And it feels fantastic!!
Size XXL to Medium…😲
Since losing 4 stone over 2 years, and going from a size XXL t-shirt to a size medium. I have never been a medium throughout my whole adult life. I’m loving having to get a new wardrobe and ordering a medium size and it fitting like a glove…Not much beats this feeling! ❤️
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
Hi fitness family! It’s a roasting 27˚C which is climbing to around 32˚C on Friday! 😓 This is very hot for England, Uk and i certainly felt it whilst out on the trail today for 2 ½ hours…I was dripping like a Salvador Dali painting! 🤣
I was walking around the trail trying to think of a photo i’d not already taken of this 3 mile trail, as i’ve already bored you to death with photos of trees, trails and ponds, lol! 🤣 When i’d finished stomping up a hill section right after the pond, i stopped at the “Crossroads” to take a well needed water break…When i thought “Wait a minute…I haven’t shown them the 4 points of the crossroads yet?!”
Yay i’ve managed to find some more paths and trees to really get you fed up! 🤣 I was very tired at this point and the sun was super bright…So i hope i actually got the 4 paths in the shots?! 🤔
Once again (like yesterday) when i returned home my lovely wife Sarah had made me a ‘Super Tuna, Cottage Cheese, cucumber, onion, tomato, beetroot Tower Manwich’ on 7 seed protein wholemeal bread…With sliced apple on the side! 😲🥒🍅🍏
Oh and if that wasn’t tasty and refreshing enough after a long hot walk…Sarah also picked some strawberries from our garden and popped them in a coconut vanilla (under 70 calories) yogurt..Mmmmmm! 😋 🍓🥥
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
Hi fitness family! I seriously didn’t want to go out today as i knew the sun was going to be far too bright, but i dragged myself out of the door and on to the trail…Once i’m out i can get it done and all of my excuses have failed, lol! 🤣
It wasn’t long before i could hear lots of engine noise and blades cutting, chopping and snapping twigs and branches in front of me, so i turned my audiobook off, slowed down and imagined walking on to huge blades as my flesh and bones are sprayed all over the trail. Once i listened properly, i could hear that they were moving forwards so i just followed super slowly until i could get past, phew! The image above shows what was in front…Could you let me know what it is in the comments section as i have no idea? 🤔
I managed 3 laps (8.63 miles) before i simply had to stop, as the sun persistently burned my eyes in to submission…I just couldn’t take any more! I would’ve liked to do 4 laps or even 5 which is a half marathon but my brain was fried! 😭
Once i returned home my lovely wife Sarah had made me her ‘Super Hot Tuna, Ham, Chicken, Cottage Cheese, Salad Tower Manwich’ on 7 seed protein wholemeal bread. 😲 The “Hot” doesn’t mean warm tuna (i hate that) but it means it’s an amazing sandwich…And it was! 😋
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
Hi fitness family! After ‘FitBlitzing’ around my local nature reserve this morning, and doing my daily 8.5 miles (3 laps) i stopped to take a few photos and thought…I think i’ll just let you sit back and enjoy this beautiful place without any of my flannel and waffle…I can save all that until tomorrow!! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them.”
Hi fitness family. As it’s ‘June time to prune’ i always turn up the heat a little more than the rest of th year, as it gives me a month where i can return to the bodyshop and restore, polish and beat my bodywork back into alignment (sorry i’m a retired panel beater, lol). I love using the car body – human body metaphor and I’m sure this won’t be the last time you’re going to hear about this, lol.🤣
I am walking 3 laps (not 2 as usual) Mon – Friday and trying to keep a brisk walking pace (speed walking for me) of around 4 miles per hour. Today i managed to do 8.57 miles in 2 hours 10 minutes in the bright sun which was quick for me. I even turned off my audiobook after 1 lap and played my ‘Walk 135 bpm’ playlist, to keep me right on time to stay just over 4 mph…I was exhausted when i returned home but it feels good for achieving my goal…Now just another 3 weeks of this, lol! 😰
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them.”
Hi fitness family. Walked another 6 miles (2 laps) this morning, and the weather went from cold and grey to super bright sunshine…Oh and there was also a little rain thrown in the mix too! 😀
By the way…When i returned home to crop my photos (they really do need cropping as i’m taking them blind, lol), i was super surprised to find a Canada goose in the bottom left of my pond shot above…I love finding things in my photos, as i can’t see what i’m taking when i actually snap the shot!! 💪🏼😲
For some reason there weren’t as many people on the trail (works way better for me), as for the first 4 months it was really busy which meant so many more human, dog, bike and even ranger truck obstacles, lol! 🤣 But when the sun is shining and the trail is clear…It really is a beautiful place to walk! 😲
But then…🤔
I was just chillin along the path listening to some ‘Tartan Noir’ on audible when…A loud HISS blasted out behind me from about 20 feet away! My stomach dropped at the same time as i realised it was definitely a snake! 😨 I knew they have adders on this trail but i’ve never heard one in all the years i’ve been walking here. Either way in my imagination it was a 30 foot anaconda which (with mouth wide open) was speeding after me! As soon as i heard the HISS my pace seemed to triple in speed and i could picture this things fangs digging into my calf muscles at any point…So i was racing off, as it can earn it’s kill as i ‘FitBlitzed’ away to try and tire it out, lol! 🤣 Oh and just think of the extra calories i’d burned off! 🤣
Wow, just when i thought i’d exhausted all the excitement i could get on the trail…I have something else to tell you about…Well i can now i’ve survived it, lol! 🤣 As you can imagine i was full of beans relaying the story to my lovely wife Sarah, and i’m still full of beans as i’m typing this to you too! 😀
This also got me thinking about all of you guys who live all around the world?! As i’m in England there are not too many man eating beasts in the woods…But what is the worst dangers you have when walking around your local area? 🤔
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them.”
Hi fitness family. Hope you’ve had a great weekend and are nicely refreshed for a new week of smashing goals? I went out on the trail this morning and walked 6 miles (2 laps), and i have no dramas to talk about! 💪🏼 But that doesn’t stop me from boring you to death with more photos of trees, lol! 🤣
I say there were no dramas, but only just…I was walking down the trail (quite a narrow part), and i heard a galloping over the audiobook i have playing in one ear. I thought “Woah i wonder which side that horse is going to go as it thunders towards me?” I quickly stepped off the path into what i hoped wasn’t a ditch, slope or hole…It was far enough out of the way as the horse (and cart) flew past me and didn’t flatten me, i think i’d struggle to write this post in hospital…And you’d have nothing to read lol! 🤣
The trail trees were much more beautiful too now that Spring has ensconced them in leaves. They provide a lovely shelter which gives more contrast which makes it easier (and less painful) for me to walk around. So instead of posting lots of boney, iced and winter trail images for you to enjoy, i can post lots of green, flowery spring and summer ones instead for you to get quickly fed up with, lol! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them.”
Hi fitness family! Can you believe it’s been a whole calendar month since the ‘Trail Marathon‘, and i’ve only just stopped feasting and celebrating the monumental milestone!! 😲 It’s been a real mountain top experience for me, and smashing my goals was fantastic…But i’ve also crash landed at the bottom without any new goals to attack! 😨
Until…🤔
I finally went out walking on the trail again this morning and managed 2 laps (5.70 miles), and it felt like i’d never stopped! Even though all of the feasting and celebrating meant i’d put on quite a few pounds, which also means i’ve now got a new goal…Get my excess fat off, lol! 💪🏼 🤣 I was getting a little lost trying to come up with more and more goals, and doing another fundraiser so soon after the last one was out of the question, even though they are the best motivators, lol)…So it’s time to get back in and attack my goals to get my nice new suit (Sarah bought it me for losing 5 stone) fitting again! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
7. ¨Most people fail, not because of lack of desire, but, because of lack of commitment.¨
Hi all! Whilst sitting here typing in this body of pain, and before i thank all of you amazingly kind and generous people…I just wanted to reassure you that i wasn’t cheating (in case you were wondering why there were 2 people in Sarah’s photos), even though my friend Dan (his friend has MS and he wanted to challenge himself and do it for her too) joined me on the marathon. He kindly walked slightly behind me and let the blindman lead…Both me and my lovely wife Sarah were so thankful to have him join me, not only as the medic if i collapsed, lol…But he had never done anything like this before but wanted to really push himself (he’ll regret that, lol! 💪🏼 🤣
The Trail Marathon Preperations…☕
Waking up at 7am which left me plenty of time to get me and my backpack ready for the start. My lovely wife Sarah had made me another esprsso (wow they’re tasty) and i had my bottle of water, Lucozade sport and 12 hob nobs, so now we just wondered if Dan would turn up. As you know i’ve done 7 months training completely on my own, so i was a little worried if i could do this as i’d never walked (never mind talked) to anyone else whilst focusing so hard. Dan then turned up bang on time with his backpack of goodies so we were ready to do this. Dan has not trained at all for this or ever even seen the trail yet either so he had no idea where he was going…Well let the blindman step up and lead him, lol! 🤣
The Plan…🤔
Our plan was to walk 5 laps (half marathon) then come home for a toilet stop (thanks water tablets for making this challenge even harder), quick espresso and flapjack whilst not sitting down and seizing up, then after a maximum of 10 minutes get back out and finish the next 5 laps…Sounds great on paper, lol! 🤣 During my longest walk in training i came back home for this same stop and it worked, so how hard can it be?! 🤣
Let the trail marathon begin…💪🏼
If you’ve been following my training progress over the last 7 months, you’ll know that all i’m asking for today is lots of clouds and grey everywhere…It wasn’t!! 🤣
The 10 mile mark: Our 1st milestone…💪🏼
Our 1st milestone was to get to 10 miles (double figures) as this seemed more serious mileage, and it’d be a good indicator point to check how things are going?! We both were doing remarkably well and Dan liked the trail so far…Although those few inclines were starting to get on our nerves, lol! 🤣
Even though the sun was drilling it’s way through my eyes and into my brain, the good thing about it was the trail was completely dry!! I couldn’t believe it as for 7 months it’s been constantly wet and full of puddles, my feet were always sludgy and cold from deep puddles of dripping mud…But today there wasn’t a drop anywhere! 💪🏼 🙌
The Halfway Mark…😀 ☕
Arriving home after dodging dog walkers, runners and crazy cyclists we were nicely on schedule. I’d been messaging Sarah after every lap to let her know i wasn’t dead, and she even took the coffee orders for half time…Wow she’s amazing! ☕ 😀 So when we arrived the lovely coffees were handed to us as we had to be quick. We were feeling surprisingly good and happy that we’d completed half and still felt this happy…Now just do the same again and it’s done…Sounded good when i said it anyway! 💪🏼
Then we started lap 6: Let the pain begin…
“Hey what’s happening?” i said as the pain started a 360˚ motion around both of my knees, and Dan says that his feet are really hurting too. “Now i know why people do half marathons instead of full ones” i said whilst rubbing the side of my knee “I was really happy a minute ago”. 🤔
Lap 7: Time to break out the lucozade…😰
The pain seemed to gain lots more friends as it sliced through my calves, thighs and feet as we reached the ¾ mark. Our pace was steadily dropping every mile as we started giving up on lap times and started focusing on simply finishing! Dan said “I was going to wait until lap 9 for the lucozade boost…But now is the time”. I quickly joined him and it was a nice break from just water. The smooth orange taste was like syrup and felt like one of those running gels! 😋I’m not sure about Dan but it had no effect at all, i was expecting a Popeye type boost but nothing happened! 😭
Lap 8: What another 2 more laps…😰
With no boost from either the Lucozade, the hob nobs or the stupendous flapjack at half time…I knew this is all the energy i was going to have. The inclines felt like mountains and each bump and dip started to smash my knees and pop my hips out…It felt like i needed a really tight belt around my hips just to keep them from flying out as both legs fell off! Other than this i was fine, lol! 🤣
Lap 9: Just don’t stop…💪🏼
As we started lap 9 and entered my new personal best distance with every step, i knew i just had to hang on in there somehow. The constant sun had completely fried my brain so talking was at a minimum as both of us were just trying to get around this beautiful but punishing trail…I used to enjoy walking around here, lol! 🤣 “Hey what are you doing?” i said to my legs as they were slowing right down to stop “Don’t even think about stopping, it’s not you that needs to stop it’s MS that got to stop” i continued quietly telling myself, thankfully i managed to carry on dragging them! 💪🏼 🧡
Lap 10: Yay Sarah’s Here…!! 😀
“Wow you’re full of beans” i said to Sarah as she was zipping around us full of energy, as me and Dan were like 2 zombies shuffling along. I’m so pleased she was as all of these photo memories were by Sarah as she joined us on lap 4 & 10, thank you so much my lovely for these great memories. “Smile and wave your arms around” Sarah shouts as i try and remove my painful agony face that was permanently set…And my arms were just hanging there like floppy dead things, so how she managed to capture us looking like we’re enjoying ourselves is simply fantastic, lol! 🤣
Then the 26.2 Mile ANNOUNCEMENT…🙌
I love this photo as it shows me and Dan expressing relief that all of this pain is finally over, jubilation that we’d actually completed a whole marathon…But also the realisation that we’re still on the trail and nearly a mile away from home with no chance of teleportation!!!! 😨 🤣
Getting back home was a mixture of emotions. Yay we’d completed the marathon which was unbelievable, yet we still had the agonising walk back home. Once we reached our lane Dan even took his trainers off as his feet were beyond hurting…Is 27.05 miles classed as an ultra marathon or is that pushing it a little?! 🤔Once we did make it back home and we actually stopped, the tidal wave of tiredness hit us and we didn’t know how long we had before our bones and muscles seized up completely?! 🤔
The Sparkling Celebration…🥂🍾
As we finally got the chance to take off our backpacks and me and Dan were attempting a stretch or two…My lovely wife Sarah had popped the cork on a bottle of Prosecco and was pouring a couple of glasses for us, she’d planned all of this without us knowing and wanted us to pose for the finishing shot. We couldn’t drink it unfortunately as we were just too tired. 😰Also Dan still had to drive home and knew if he didn’t leave quickly he’d be completely seized up!! 💪🏼 😀
The Recovery BARBECUE Sizzler…🍕
Once Dan had messaged to say he’d arrived home safely, it was time to order the post marathon pizza! I decided to choose this 18″ beast as it had chicken, onion and mixed peppers (healthy option, lol) and a cheese stuffed crust!! 😋 Now i just need to walk another marathon to burn it off! 🤣
Thank you…🧡
It’s already taken me 2 days to put this post together whilst still in pain, so i want to thank you properly in another post when i’m fully recovered…But all of your cheering, encouraging comments and generosity have helped carry me through the hardest thing i’ve ever done! Thanks for how you’ve all made me feel throughout this challenge and the 7 months of training!! 😀
The Final Trail Marathon Stats…
In memory of my beautiful mum who passed away from progressive MS. 🧡
Valerie Stevenson 1949 – 2000
It’s still not too late to donate…🧡
If you’re reading this and would love to be a part of this challenge and cause…My fundraising page is still open for a few months. Please click the donate button below and join the fight to help STOP MS!💪🏼 🧡
Me and friend Dan managed 27.05 miles today in under 8 hours!!! Post to follow when i’ve picked myself off the floor and recovered from the pain…Just wanted to let you know “I did it”.
Hi all. I’m sure you’ll be so pleased this will be the final ‘Fundraising Friday’, as (unbelievably) there is only 2 days to go until my nemesis will be destroyed (i hope). 🤔
I’m totally blown away by the generosity of you guys, as i’ve (not only) hit my target of £1,000, but gone beyond thanks to 5 donations this week. A monumental thanks to my lovely wife Sarah, Dominic, Camilla, Kate & Angela…And all of you guys who’ve donated before the event has even happened! 😲 Of course i don’t want to stop here as i love (as you know) to smash down barriers and push the limits what a blindman can do, lol!!! 💪🏼
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Every penny you raise really counts! £10 could pay for two phone conversations with a trained member of our MS Helpline as part of our new Keep in Touch service.
£25 could help us run our online ‘Virtual Wellbeing’ or ‘Time To Chat’ support session while face-to-face services are on hold, providing practical and emotional support.
£50 can help someone struggling with MS access an MS Nurse to get vital support from a healthcare professional, wherever they live and without having to leave their home.
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
in Just 2 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! 🤣 💪🏼
Hi friends. For my birthday my lovely wife Sarah created this behemoth burger…Yes it really is that big as she used 7 ¼ pounder beef burgers!! I know she’s always looking to overachieve but this is truly a work of art and the best burger i’ve ever seen, lol! 🤣 It was also huge on taste too!! 😋
2. Wow…You’ll never guess what Sarah has bought me for my birthday??? And also this t-shirt to wear for it too, it happens in May!!
My birthday ‘Petrolhead’ turbo t-shirt! 💪🏼
“Are you ready for the drive of your life for an astonishing 6 miles each per Supercar? If you love supercars and are visually impaired, our ‘3 Supercar Blind Driving Experience Super Thrill’ is an experience you won’t find anywhere else. It is the best way to get to you in your favourite supercars and experience the peed, and thrill, of a high-performance beast.
Yes, it is true. Whatever your level of visual impairment, you can drive a Supercar with Ablenet. All of the cars are automatic and a super skilled instructor will guide you around the track whilst having access to a footbrake should it be necessary.
So, whether it’s a Lamborghini, Ferrari F430 spider, Aston Martin DB9, Audi R8, Nissan GTR or Porsche 911/997, we put you with the largest fleet of cars in the UK for you to choose from. The hardest part is choosing…
The great benefit to driving on a race circuit is feeling the pure power of an awesome car. You will be with a professional instructor who will teach you the art of driving.
The experience also includes a thrilling hot lap ride when the race driver will show you what a performance car can do around the circuit. Typically in a BMW M3 V8 saloon car or Vauxhall VXV8, both with 3 passengers.”
3. I’ve Smashed My Fundraising Target!! 💪🏼 😲
I am filled with ineffable joy as i type this, as 7 months ago i’d only dreamed of reaching this target…But with hundreds of miles walked in training and the stupendous generosity of you guys, i’m now only 4 days away from attacking my nemesis! 💪🏼 😀 🧡
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 4 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
Hi friends. As i’m celebrating my 47th birthday today…It’d be a birthday wish come true if you fantastic people could dig deep and help me smash my fundraising target of £1,000. I’ve already reached a colossal £860 (that’s £86 per lap) for the MS Society…I hope my mum would be proud?! I’d really love to hit my target and make it £100 per lap! 💪🏼 😀 🧡
in Just 9 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! 🤣 💪🏼
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
Hi friends. I’m simply stunned by all of the love and support from you guys so far, we’ve now reached a whopping 86%!! I also can’t believe there’s only 16 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
Thanks to Suzanne & Martin for completely shocking me with another donation (yes their second) this week!! Now my ‘Blindman’s Trail Marathon’ challenge has reached a colossal £860 (that’s £86 per lap) for the MS Society…I hope my mum would be proud?! I’d really love to hit my target and make it £100 per lap…Oh and it’s my birthday next ‘Fundraising Friday’ (15th) so not only will i be older so this marathon will be even harder for me, lol…But it’s a heads up as i may be asking for birthday donations to this fundraiser…What a birthday gift that’d be!! 💪🏼 😀 🧡
The Donation…🧡
Hi friends. You’re never going to believe this?!! It was Saturday morning and my iPhone blasted out the muppets theme tune to notify me i’d received another donation!! After i’d stopped dancing, jumping up and down and stopped grinning until it hurt, i checked who it was from…Wow it was a SECOND (yes second) donation from our friends Suzanne and Martin who we were going to meet up for a meal this weekend but it was cancelled. I then checked the lovely message they’d left…”A little top up Steve to a nice round figure! Congratulations on your training. As we couldn’t meet up this weekend here’s the cost of pizza instead!! Not long now till the big event Steve. xx”…Well if that’s not motivation i don’t know what is! 💪🏼 😀
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
in Just 16 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! 🤣 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Taper…3.29 Miles…Only 16 Days To Go!!!
Hi friends. This morning was a case of setting my legs to a 4mph pace, then attempting to stay upright as my upper body tries to catch up, lol! 🤣 It’s really hard for me to keep this kind of pace, as at any moment i keep thinking i’m going to hit a tree and knock myself out…Thankfully i made it today! 💪🏼 😀
I hope you’re not getting too fed up of looking at photos of trees?! I keep forgetting i’m actually walking through a lovely nature reserve, as i’m so stressed and laser focussed on my surroundings and my body that i miss it all. So i try and take a photo or two so i can zoom right into it on my computer at home…I still can’t see much of it but it’s better than completely missing out! 😀
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 16 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
Blindman Trail Marathon Taper…3.73Miles…Only 18 Days To Go!!!
Hi friends! The rain arrived with it’s friend the wind this morning and they seemed to surround me with malevolent intent. Sarah had to walk to the local post box first thing so we got soaked together…Then as she started work in her office (nice and warm) i had to go back outside to start my lap! 😭
There were an innumerable amount of bigger puddles on the trail today which appeared to be ganging up on me, lol. It was quite cold but not too cold, so i was wearing a puffer coat with my shorts on, a weird mix but it worked…Oh and it seems my earpiece is waterproof too! I only wear 1 as i need to hear what’s around me at all times…Well i seem to need to hear the ferocious dogs as they tear me to pieces! 😨
When i finally arrived home and dried off my lovely wife Sarah had made me a ‘Super Tuna Manwich’. Sorry i devoured it before i had time to take a photo for you…But in case you’re wondering what it is…? It had 2 tins of tuna mixed with diced onions and salad cream (the low fat one), chunky cucumber slices, beetroot and ensconced within 2 slices of 7 seed wholemeal bread…It was a proper tower of tuna! 🤣 💪🏼 😋
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 18 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
Blindman Trail Marathon Taper…3.30Miles…Only 19 Days To Go!!!
Hi friends. Yay the rain has stopped and it’s temperature has actually sneaked into double figures and is quite warm. I’m liking this 3 week taper before the trail marathon as i can trundle along, listening to my audiobook as i try and save the tread on my super bright orange trail shoes
It was very quiet again out on the trail…I’m starting to wonder were all of the people have gone? I’m not complaining at all as it’s way less stressful, but i bet they’re waiting for the day of my trail marathon, then they will flood the trail to make it impossible for me to complete it, lol! 🤣
My Award Challenge This Month …🏆
Wow i only needed to get 26 days of the move ring last year, but now it’s all 3 rings i have to close this year!! I’ve blitzed out of the blocks hoping for a good start as i can’t drop many days to earn this one! 💪🏼 😀
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 19 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
Blindman Trail Marathon Taper…3.39Miles…Just 20 Days To Go!!!
Hi friends. You’re never going to believe this?!! It was Saturday morning and my iPhone blasted out the muppets theme tune to notify me i’d received another donation!! After i’d stopped dancing, jumping up and down and stopped grinning until it hurt, i checked who it was from…Wow it was a SECOND (yes second) donation from our friends Suzanne and Martin who we were going to meet up for a meal this weekend but it was cancelled. I then checked the lovely message they’d left…”A little top up Steve to a nice round figure! Congratulations on your training. As we couldn’t meet up this weekend here’s the cost of pizza instead!! Not long now till the big event Steve. xx”…Well if that’s not motivation i don’t know what is! 💪🏼 😀
There is also only 20 days left until the trail marathon. 😨 It’s also good news that i’ve now started my 3 week taper so i don’t need to do another record breaking walk for more than 20 miles, yay! It was also good this morning on my lap as it was empty, i think i only passed 1 person with a dog there are normally loads. IThere was no glaring sun burning my eyes so i could just saunter around listening to my audiobook. The only down side was the rain…I had my full waterproofs (hood and everything) so i was happy not to race around the trail…So even the rain was a good thing, lol! 🤣
New Awards…🏆
Yay i also won a couple of awards which always give a little motivation…I need all of the motivation i can get at the moment, especially as my calf muscles are still sore to the touch, lol! 🤣
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 20 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
Please click the image to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
Hi friends. I’m simply blown away by all of the love and support from you guys, we’ve now reached a whopping 82%!! I also can’t believe there’s only 23 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
Thanks to a face melting donation this week from Phil (Knopfler noodler guitar man), this blindman’s trail marathon challenge has reached £828 for the MS Society…I hope my mum would be proud?! 😲 💪🏼
The Donation…🎸
Phil‘s message: I want to encourage you with a small gift from the proceeds of my flat towards your mad, hair-brained challenge in support of your MS Society Blindman Trail Marathon. You deserve every penny Steve!!
My thank you message: Please turn your guitar amp volume knobs up to 11, and make a riff rocking, tube screaming, string bending, face melting and wah wah soloing noise as we need to thank Phil for his finger-picking harmonious donation! Once i’d stopped squealing (like a pinched harmonic) i realised this donation had smashed through the 75% mark of my target, and rested on 82%!! 🎸🎶🎤 Thank you so much Phil…You’re the best!! 💪🏼 😀
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
in Just 23 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! 🤣 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 11/12 – Day 4…21.56 Miles…😲
Hi friends. Yay, yay, yay and another yay…I can’t tell you how happy i am right now, after completing my longest walk ever – 21.56 miles in 6 hours 3 minutes!!! 😀
As you can imagine my legs are tight, stiff and slightly painful as i’m typing this…But wow was it worth it! 💪🏼
After this long walk this will be a short post, as i just wanted to let you all know ‘I DID IT’ without any dramas too! I stomped around the trail at 3.6 mph eating 16 Oaties (Lidl’s version of Hob Nobs) and when i returned with a huge grin on my exhausted face…I was greeted with lots of bings from my apple watch as i was awarded lots of new records, yay!! 💪🏼 I’m off to rest now! 😀
New Records…
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 24 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 11/12 – Day 2…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. Yay the sun has finally gone, and it’s a great day for a walk (for me anyway, lol) as it’s overcast and grey so no burning my eyes out of the sockets! 💪🏼 However it’s going to chuck it down over the next few days, which is when i plan to attempt my longest walk ever…smashing 20 miles!
I may…Or may not hit my record later this week, but i’m going to give it my all even though i’ll be soaked, lol! 🤣 Then i start the 3 week taper (finally) until crunch time!!! 😰
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 26 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
Hi all. Wow that year has passed quickly, i thought i’d only just bought my apple watch the other week, lol! 🤣 Really pleased to have closed my move ring for a whole year though, and i look forwards to seeing if i can do it for another year?!
Motivational Quote…
¨Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up.¨
Hi friends! Wow we’ve hit 72%!! I can’t believe there’s only 30 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
Thanks to 3 more donations this week from My lovely wife Sarah, auntie Linda & Charlie and Barnabus…I’ve now reached £728! 😲 💪🏼
The Donations…
My lovely wife Sarah: “I emptied my spare change jar. Amazed at the amount I’d collected I decided to donate it to Steve’s challenge. MS Society does some fantastic work and are so close to stopping MS. I see how hard Steve is working to train for this colossal challenge in memory of his lovely mum and I am so pleased to find a way to be able to motivate him and keep him going…Go Steve!” 💪🏼 😀
Yay…Thanks to Sarah’s auntie Linda & Charlie’s amazing donation this morning, we’ve hit £702! Thank you so, so much for all of your generosity and support. I’m going for it now and trying to reach the big £1,000 target – if you can help share the page that would be very much appreciated 😀 💪🏼 ❤️
Donation message from Barnabus: Go for it Steve, I am proud of you for even attempting such a thing!
in 30 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! 🤣 💪🏼
It’s simply mind-blowing and incomprehensible that this challenge has already received donations from Canada, United States and the United Kingdom! 🌎 😲 Thank you, thank you thank you! 🙏
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
Hi friends. This is the badge i thought i’d never be achieving, as at the start of the month it said “earn this badge with an average of 89 exercise minutes a day”. Fortunately my trail marathon is next month, so March was going to be the month with the most amount of miles walked. I thought ‘you don’t eat a 50Oz steak in one go…You eat it one bite at a time’…So i just kept walking each day and finally (beyond belief) i earned my award, and there is still about a week to go!! 💪🏼 😀 🙌
Motivational Quote…
¨Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up.¨
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 10/12 – Day 4…16.4 Miles…💪🏼
Hi friends. Well that was a complete surprise…I knew i had a massive 6 laps today and i was filled with trepidation…But once i got my swift walk (for me anyway) of 3.9mph (awww just under the magic 4mph) and i felt good, i kept this pace for the whole 4 hours 15 minutes! I was like a machine, lol! 🤣
Walking Stats…
I am happy to report there were no feral dogs out today, only well behaved ones so no dramas sorry! 😭 After a brief 10 minute collapse when i arrived home, i felt better than ever and was pleased to be greeted with a fresh coffee and a Manwich by my lovely wife Sarah! ❤️
Awards & Badges…
Happy to have achieved another award this week especially after the long walk today! I have 1 more super long walk next week…I’m hoping for a personal best and smash the 20 mile mark!! Then it’s a 3 week taper (finally) until crunch time!!! 😰
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 31 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
FitBlitz 