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 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…❤️
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.”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 10/12 – Day 3…8 Miles…💪🏼
Hi friends. I’m slowly getting used to this warm weather, extra water intake and wearing shorts with the bright orange MS Society t-shirt. Although i’ll never get used to my eyes burning out of my sockets (even with Sarah’s fantastic Oakley’s) and by the time i’d finished 8 miles today i was roasted and toasted! 😨
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
The sun has improved lunchtimes though…Me and Sarah now sit out in our back garden where i can have my ‘Manwich’ sat bathing in the sun! ☀️
Then i remembered i had a guitar lesson on Zoom…Wow my brain was fried by concentrating on walking for a couple of hours in the blinding sun, and i could hardly play, lol…But i did manage a screenshot…Now that’s progress!! 🤣
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 32 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 10/12 – Day 2…9 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. Well it’s 19˚C today and i was happy to wear just a t-shirt and shorts. It’s going to stay warm all week and i still have a 17 mile walk to do, that’ll be some more water intake than usual…Like today as i needed water much quicker! 😰
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
My lovely wife Sarah lent me her Oakley Flak 2.0 polarised sunglasses to try as the sun is getting too bright. I’m trying them all this week with my baseball cap, and so far i think they are making a tiny fraction of a difference…But if you know what it’s like to be blind, that’s a huge improvement! 💪🏼 😀 I’m using this whole week to test them out!
No Retreat, No Surrender…
With only 33 days until the trail marathon…One of us will be going down…Me or the marathon!! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 10/12 – Day 1…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. I certainly had some more motivation this morning doing the 2 laps for Monday’s training. The 12Oz Sarah Sizzling sirloin steak (every Sunday lunch) yesterday, closing all 7 day’s activity rings, another 2 donations and knowing i have to do 46 exercise minutes a day for the rest of the month to achieve the ‘March Challenge’ badge really got me ready for another week’s training! 💪🏼
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
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 yesterday, we’ve hit £702…Wow that’s 70%! 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 😀 💪🏼 ❤️
Perfect Week (all activiny)…
I can’t believe there is only 34 days until the trail marathon. Where did all of the time go?? I know the remaining time is going to fly too and one of us will be going down…Me or the marathon, lol! 🤣 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Please click the image to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
I can’t believe there’s only 37 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
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…❤️
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Thanks to another 2 donations last Friday from Christine and Kay…I’ve now reached 60% of my target! 😲 💪🏼
The Donations…
I’d like to give a monumental amount of thanks to Christine for her kind, generous and always encouraging donation this weekend. You may remember Christine from the “Crazy Clappers” team at my ‘Tough Mudder Challenge‘. “When i’d finished an obstacle and was about to collapse……I’d hear the Cheering Team and you’d put a big grin on my face to remind me it was alright and to keep going! 💪🏼 😀
A huge thanks to Kay for her stupendous donation! Kay was the lady who interviewed me for Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Positive Pressure’ magazine about my last charity fundraiser – The Advent Challenge‘. She not only supported me all of the way through the challenge…But she donated too! And she’s back!! Thank you so much! I simply can’t believe how Kay still believes in me, and this new charity (close to my heart) and the great work it’s doing and also is so loving to give so generously. ❤️
It’s simply mind-blowing and incomprehensible that i’ve received donations from Canada, United States and the United Kingdom! 🌎 😲 Thank you, thank you thank you! 🙏
in 37 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! 🤣 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 9/12 – Day 5…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi Friends. Well at least i now know why lots of blind people stay (trapped) indoors…Not 1 but 2 attempts of stopping my charity challenge through dog attacks!
The first one came at around the 1.5 mile mark, the yapping and growling made me jump. At least it was a yapper which meant it was a small dog so i stood a chance of surviving. I felt the thud from my right side as the dogs paws clamped the front and the back of my knee, trying to hold me in a death grip so it could sink it’s teeth in…But the momentum of me continuing to walk threw it off before the hungry, gaping, growling muzzle could do it’s damage. I’ve learned to keep walking as if i stop the dog can get a proper hold before the owner (i hope) can call off their feral dog. “Wow” i thought as i checked my knee for any scratches…There were none, yay! “What a walk this is turning out to be, lol”. 😀
Ten minutes later after i’d walked up the steepest slope the second attack happened…This time the growling didn’t start until the beast (it was another yapper) clamped it’s jaws around the top of my running shoes and tried to rag my laces off like i was a huge toy! The growling had started now and the sudden clamp onto my foot made me jump again…But like before i kept on walking and thankfully the dog didn’t have lockjaw and soon let go, but not until it had a last ditch attack up my hamstrings but it failed again, yay!
I’m so glad i get the chance to write all of the daily adventures down that i have on the trail…As you’d think i’m just making this up, lol! 🤣 I was glad i stayed out for 6 miles (2 laps) even though all of this happened on lap 1 and i did just want to go home and feel sorry for myself…But “No laps…No flapjack” 😋
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 9/12 – Day 4…13.29 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. Now i can safely say…That was the worst walk i’ve ever done, and if the event day is anything like this one i’m not sure i can do it! 😭 The sun was so bright this morning i couldn’t even stay on the trail. I spent so much time ankle deep in disgustingly muddy puddles and bogs my feet felt like wet bricks. So even though i’d managed a half marathon…My celebration is short lived as i think i’m off to bed to recover! 😨
I’ll try and described my sight for you whilst on the walk this morning with the amazingly bright sun (not joking this time)…It was like smearing vaseline in both eyes whilst shining a 12,000 lumin torch directly into my face. The trail was also a complete white out, yet not quite white as a mushy pea green…But remember i’m also colour blind so not exactly sure what colour that is?! Oh and my eyes are constantly running too which drips down my cheeks onto my knees…Blurry doesn’t even come close to describing it…Oh and sunglasses don’t work and make it worse, and i wear a peaked baseball cap too!
I lost count on the times i suddenly dropped into a proper deep sludge bog, with both feet that almost popped out my hip bones. I simply couldn’t stay on the trail and lost my way so many times i couldn’t believe it, as i thought i’d got the trail nailed in my head, but i was getting so distracted and getting more and more fed up with every cold wet foot plop.
Having said all of that…I’m happy to have battled my way around the worst walk ever and completed 5 laps which is just over a half marathon…Well it’s easier now i’m back home and sat safely typing this eating my ‘Manwich’ and drinking a stupendous coffee made by my lovely wife Sarah! ❤️🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 9/12 – Day 3…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi friends. Yay it’s a super grey day with no sunshine!! I know it sounds a little depressive for everyone else…But it’s the best conditions for me and my super duper sight loss. I managed to fly around the trail with new found power without the sun melting my eyeballs! I normally moan about obstacles i encounter on my way round the trail e.g dog walkers, dogs, runners, cyclists, fallen trees…And on and on, lol! But i have forgotten to mention the extra mountains i have to battle through…??? 🤔
Yes…The horse poop!! As the trail is a local nature reserve it has a horse training centre nearby, which often has horse riders coming along the trails and making little castles, lol! 🤣 On rare occasions (like today) i can narrowly miss one of these smelly obstacles…But often i don’t! 💩
Motivational Quote…
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
It started raining for about half of my walk which was a nice cool down and kept the sun behind the clouds. I didn’t have any dramas again today which i’m very happy about, although it makes my post an extremely boring one, lol. 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 9/12 – Day 2…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. I smashed another 6 miles again today at a slower pace as the sun was burning my eyes…Which meant i could hold back and listen to my audiobook, so not all bad, lol! 🤣
I have 5 laps (half marathon) to do on one of the remaining 3 days of training this week, not sure which one as trying to ignore it, lol! 🤣
Motivational Quote…
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
I can’t believe there is only 40 days until the trail marathon. Can someone stop the timer counting down!! 😨
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 9/12 – Day 1…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. I certainly had some motivation this morning doing the 2 laps for Monday’s training. The 12Oz Sarah Sizzling sirloin steak yesterday, closing all 7 day’s activity rings, another donation and knowing i have to do 88 exercise minutes a day for the rest of the month to achieve the ‘March Challenge’ badge really got me ready for another week’s training! 💪🏼
Thankfully i had to try and walk really slow for today’s training, so when the blazing sun was out again (i thought England was meant to be cloudy and rainy all the time, lol) walking slow was all i could manage. Unlike ‘Flesh Ripping Friday’ today went well with (can you believe it?) no dramas!! 😀
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
The Donation…
I’d like to give a monumental amount of thanks to Christine for her kind, generous and always encouraging donation this weekend. You may remember Christine from the “Crazy Clappers” team at my ‘Tough Mudder Challenge‘. “When i’d finished an obstacle and was about to collapse……I’d hear the Cheering Team and you’d put a big grin on my face to remind me it was alright and to keep going! 🙌
Perfect Week (all activiny)…
I can’t believe there is only 41 days until the trail marathon. Where did all of the time go?? I know the remaining time is going to fly too and one of us will be going down…Me or the marathon, lol! 🤣 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Please click the image to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
I can’t believe there’s only 6 weeks to go until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
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…❤️
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Thanks to a donation last friday from Canada (yes Canada…I still can’t believe it) i’ve managed to reach 55% of my target! 😲 💪🏼
The Donation…
Wow, I was just playing my guitar last night whilst Sarah was on the phone to her mum when…🎶The Muppets theme tune blasted out of my iPhone (next to me) and i started doing the dance (once i’d put my guitar down, lol) Once the music had stopped and i’d stopped waving my arms around…The donation was from ‘Anonymous’ and all the way from Canada i think, if CA$’s is Canada, lol. 😲 I seriously can’t tell you how thankful i am that someone not only reads my posts all the way over there in Canada, but connects and believes in me, the charity and the great work it’s doing and also is so loving to give so generously. ❤️ It’s simply mind-blowing and incomprehensible that i’ve received donations from Canada, United States and the United Kingdom! 🌎 😲 Thank you, thank you thank you! 🙏
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 8/12 – Day 5…6 Miles (9.66Km)…💪🏼
Hi all. Well at least it wasn’t the weather that crippled me today…It was the other obstacles on the trail! As i’m typing this the shin of my left leg is still stinging, after i got forced off the trail by a wall (about 4 ladies) simply wouldn’t move, so i veered off the trail right into a thorn bush! I knew it was a thorn bush of some kind when i continued to walk as the flesh was ripped off my shin as though a zombie had hold of it. The pain continued for the rest of my walk (about 4 miles)…And when i got home my lovely wife Sarah instantly put some Germolene (‘Germo-scream’ as i call it) so it’s still hurting now. 😨
It could’ve been worse though…As just before my shin ripper a dog (it sounded like a huge werewolf) growled and lunged at me as i quickly (like a ninja, lol) whipped my hands up from my sides as the dog flew past where my right hand had just been! The owner quickly shouted at the dog so my quick reaction had saved me from a possible severed hand, phew! 😥
This is turning into quite a challenge…I had no idea when beginning this challenge that i’d have to cope with things like these, i thought i’d only have to deal with the thousands of other difficulties my sight loss brings…And the fact i could never walk as far as 26.2 miles (a full trail marathon)…But i’m nothing but determined, lol! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Today’s Word: blandiloquence…
complimentary speech; flattery
Sarah told me to add a definition as she says i’m probably making half of the words up, lol! 🤣
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 8/12 – Day 4…11 Miles (17.7Km)…💪🏼
Hi all. Yay 4 laps walked today with only 6 Hob Nobs eaten, it was also shorts on again as it was 10˚C which is boiling for England, lol. After a crazy week so far i was really pleased to make 11 miles without dying. I was also happy with my pace as i did it sub 3 hours as i was 2 minutes under! 💪🏼
Then as i arrived home for lunchtime Sarah asked if i’d like to go to the bakers and get some flapjacks as i had run out? Does the question really need an answer?!! 🤣 I quickly changed my dirty trail shoes and hoped i had enough beans to make it to town and back…I did! 😀
The image (at the top) is from my sister’s facebook page, and when Sarah described it to me and said the man at the top of the mountain is doing your arm waving thingy that you do all the time, i just had to share it with you!! It also seems to be what is/has happened to me during this trail marathon challenge so far during training…I just hope i can do the arm waving if i make it to the end in 45 days time (wow that’s not long)!! 😨
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Today’s Word:Scoteography…
The practice of writing in the dark or without seeing.
Wow i’ve got to use this word soon! Sarah told me to add a definition as she says i’m probably making half of the words up, lol! 🤣
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 8/12 – Day 3…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. Well it was nearly double figures in ˚C this morning…So it was shorts on, toast eaten and hob nobs if i needed them (when don’t i need them, lol!) It was also cloudy which was fantastic for me, and after yesterday’s walk i just wanted to know how i would do on the trail today?! 🤔
The walk went really well and i was back on form, i really don’t know what happened as i’ve done and eaten everything the same as usual…But i’m so glad it’s not just me getting too old to do crazy challenges like this, lol! 🤣
My lovely wife Sarah greeted me with a monumental fresh coffee when i arrived home in a better state than yesterday.Now let’s hope i’m ready for a longer walk tomorrow!! 💪🏼 😀
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Today’s Word: dacryops…
Wateryness of the eyes.
Wow…I could’ve used this one in my post yesterday!! Sarah told me to add a definition as she says i’m probably making half of the words up, lol! 🤣
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 8/12 – Day 2…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. Well that was easily the worst walk of my training so far! After yesterday’s blitzing laps, today couldn’t have been more opposite. I knew it was going to be bad when the laser beam sun was trying to kill me and i hadn’t left the house yet! 😨 I would love to be able to describe my eye sight to you when i’m on the trail and it’s a white out with the sun, my eyes are constantly streaming and it’s ice cold too…But i’ve never seen anything like it (never mind experience it) even when i was fully sighted so i can’t!! 😭
Even though i only had 2 laps to do this morning it was the hardest, slowest and most exhausting walk so far. I was staggering along the trail like a 1980’s Zombie as i could hardly even lift my feet never mind see where i was going…I was zigzagging my way around and just wanted to quit. I was pleased when i had to stop to take the photo of the stew pond, and was thankful that i didn’t fall in!
When i eventually arrived back home to a colossal coffee, hob nob and hug from my lovely wife Sarah, i collapsed for a while until my apple watch notified me that i’d achieved another award…🤔
The “International Women’s Day” Challenge Award…
I’d like to honour my lovely wife Sarah with this award!
My heart overflows with love for my stupendous wife Sarah. She has encouraged, inspired and loves me in spite of all my faults, she is the beautiful sunshine that warms me along my journey. I really don’t have the words to fully express how blessed i am to have my best friend as my wife to cherish and share every moment of this amazing life!
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Typhlophile Defenition…
One who is kind to the blind.
Sarah told me to add a definition as she says i’m probably making half of the words up, lol! 🤣
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 8/12 – Day 1…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. Now that my ‘down week’ is well and truly over, it’s time to start getting serious as i’m ⅔ into my training before the taper! 😨This is much easier to type than to actually do, lol…I’m going to need mechanomorphic legs to pull this one off! 🤣
During my ‘down week’ i only did 1 lap (3miles) a day without doing a super long distance as i really wanted to rest…But now i have to do 2 laps (6 miles) a day as the minimum distance until my trail marathon! Oh and at some point this month i have to attempt my personal record by hitting the 20 miles mark…Now that’s going to hurt! I’m going to need all of the motivation i can get to get through the next 48 days!! 😨
I did manage the 2 laps today at an average pace of just under 4mph, i even stopped to take the photo above of the smaller stew pond…I blitzed the 2 laps as i just wanted to get back home as my body was still on rest mode and i was fighting it all of the way round the trail! But i still managed it without injury or drama, yay! 🙌 😀
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
‘The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.’
Please click the image to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
I can’t believe there’s only 7 weeks to go until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
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…❤️
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Thanks to 3 donations last week (Harry, Daniel & Heather) i’m only £2 away from hitting 50% of my target! 😲 💪🏼
Here is the message i received from Heather taken from the FitBlitz facebook page and my reply…
Heather Mertens Since we met… wow back about a decade ago now!… on our blogs, I was just impressed with your journey and your praise to God! It was my honor to donate to this worthy cause. As you know both my daughter and I suffer from chronic disease, so your bravery and determination to due this is absolutely beautiful to us!
Steve Rebus Heather Mertens Wow…I don’t Know what to say!! Thank you so much for your generous, kind and loving donation! Sorry i’m late at thanking you, i’ve been away in Derby (my birth town) visiting family and friends for a few days and just returned home! I was sat in the front of my best mates car (Rob) Sarah was in the back with one of his small children when the Muppetts theme tune rang out from the phone in my pocket! After i was doing a funny dance/jig until the tune stopped…I checked my phone and found your donation! We were all excited and shocked as it was in dollars and from you who’ve never met me but we’ve become friends through wordpress bloggging etc. We are so thankful and i’m simply stunned through your kindness! I can go on for ages but i better stop now! Thanks once again, your brother in Christ, Steve.
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 7/12 – Day 5…3.27 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. I’m not entirely sure how i managed to feel exhausted before i even left the house…But it seems to be harder to get going when i only have to do 1 lap, than when i do lots of miles over multiple laps! 😕 My lovely wife Sarah (my personal drill sargent) helps lots when she says “No lap…No flapjack”, not only does she use my own quote against me, lol…But it really gets me motivated and quickly out on the trail! 🤣
The sun appeared to be ensconced in cotton wool which made the trail as dull and miserable as an empty flapjack container! 😨 The bonus was there were hardly any people out so it was nice and quiet and a lot less taxing on my brain, lol! 🤣
FLOCCINAUCINIHILIPILIFICATION… 🤣
I seriously wanted to use this word as my post title, but i couldn’t think of anything from my walking today that relates to ‘estimating something as worthless’…?! 🤔
Oh, as you may have guessed i love learning new and unusual words, which is why i like to splatter them in my posts at random points, lol! Hope you like them too?! Please let me know some of your own fave words in the comments. 💪🏼 😀
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
‘The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.’
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 7/12 – Day 4…3 Miles…🍞
Hi all. As it is day 4 of my ‘down week’ i decided to do things a little differently today. Instead of heading out to the wet and dirty trail…I decided to speed walk to the bakers as i’ve run out of flapjacks!! 😨 💪🏼
I gave my stupendous INOV8 trail shoes a rest and put on my normal road shoes. As you know burning my way around the trail is so dangerous for me…But walking in to town has a whole new set of hazards e.g getting mown down by cars (those nasty silent ones), smashing my head in by high level posts and signs, having my eyes scraped out by over-hanging trees and bushes, people…And many many more!!
I think i need a telestereoscope. 🤣
Yay the bakers had my rocket fuel aka flapjacks, so now i had a big smile on my face and was full of beans i thought i’d do some speed walking to blitz back home. I can only do this in short bursts and only when the path opens out and is pretty clear…Otherwise my whole journey is going really slow whilst thinking the next step could be my last!! 😨 Or at best an injury…So i’m pleased i got home and got my flapjacks, i’d call that a win, lol! 🤣 .
Oh, as you may have guessed i love learning new and unusual words, which is why i like to splatter them in my posts at random points, lol! Hope you like them too?! Please let me know some of your own fave words in the comments. 💪🏼 😀
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
‘The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.’
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 7/12 – Day 3…3.36 Miles…
Hi all. Well that was a miserable walk! You’d think the rain would get bored and move on to another place…But it staying as long as it can to try and ruin my ‘down week’…I thought this week would be a fun slow walk in the warm spring air, lol! 🤣
I knew i only had 1 lap to do this morning but i soon realised it was going to be a miserable one, when i walked through what seemed to be a stream right at the start of the lap…And it soaked both feet through and froze them, lol! 😭 The image below is not of the stream i mentioned, i didn’t want to walk back through it just for a photo, lol. 🤣
Puddles and more puddles!
There seemed to be deep puddles (ankle deep) nearly the whole way round, and i was glad to get out of the rain and back home with a lovely Sarah fresh coffee! ☕ 😀
Oh the plus side was that there were not many people out on the trail…So not many moving obstacles (people and dogs) for me to trip over!
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you couldn’t adhere to your healthy routine today. Tomorrow is a new day and a new chance. Appreciate how much you have achieved and how far you have come.
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 7/12 – Day 2…3.2 Miles…
Hi all. After 3 days away in Derby (City where i grew up), and knowing this is already day 2 of my ‘down week’ (sorry no motivational Monday yesterday) i only had to do 1 lap which is 50% of my usual minimum day’s training. Once i switched out of holiday mode and stopped telling myself that 1 lap isn’t enough so why bother?! Oh and it’s raining outside, and it’s your ‘down week’ so why not just rest all together…Fighting all of those thoughts away, i put on my audiobook, rain coat and INOV8 super shoes and blitzed my way around the lap! 💪🏼
It was windy, cold and sloppy mud out on the trail which my shoes just love, there was no sun and few people out which was also a lovely rest for my eyes and brain…Just what i need this week! 😀
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you couldn’t adhere to your healthy routine today. Tomorrow is a new day and a new chance. Appreciate how much you have achieved and how far you have come.
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 6/12 – Day 5…3.2 Miles…
Hi all. After the torrential rain yesterday i headed out in to the ultra bright sunshine again. My body felt good and energised (well as much as it can be, whilst being dragged out early morning, lol) BUT…After half way around my first lap i’d just had enough! My brain, eyes and head had simply had enough of the pain of struggling through the blinding sun. If i could’ve teleported home i would, but i had to stumble the rest of the way homeme! 😭
After receiving 2 more amazing donations yesterday…That’s nearly half way towards my target! 😲 Thank you all, and after jumping around and celebrating i felt good! 😀 I thought my down week next week would give my body chance to rest and repair itself for my next personal best in March…But it will be for my eyes, head and brain! I’m pleased it’s not this old body (muscles & bones etc) letting me down, and either way i’m going to enjoy the 50% less mileage next week! 😀 ❤️
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you couldn’t adhere to your healthy routine today. Tomorrow is a new day and a new chance. Appreciate how much you have achieved and how far you have come.
Please click the image above to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
Please can you help me reach my fundraising target, can’t believe there’s only 8 weeks to go! 😰
Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis SocietyIn Memory of my mum Valerie. 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…❤️
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 6/12 – Day 4…9 Miles…
Hi all. “Wow…Now that’s hammering down” i said to Sarah as i listened to the rain pounding on the windows. I eventually got ready in all of my waterproofs and headed out.
As it was raining hard and cloudy, it was the best conditions for my eyes (which isn’t much difference at all but every little helps) complete opposite from yesterday’s blinding sun. I thought i’d take a photo of the slight down hill section of my walk, as i’d just stepped in to an ankle deep puddle (there are many on this section) but didn’t want to get my phone out much as it was already wet inside my pocket, lol! 😲
After 3 laps (9 miles) i decided to come home for a hot coffee. ☕ My super new trail shoes just sailed around again with comfort and grip…But although they were cleaned yesterday they felt a bit sludgy when i arrived back home. I took this photo of them but i can’t see well enough to know if they are dirty, could you let me know in the comments section below? Or maybe the heavy rain has soaked them and cleaned them for me?! 🤣
I can’t believe it’s week 6 of my 12 week marathon training plan already, and i’m really looking forwards to next week’s ‘Down Week’ where i only have to do 50% of the miles. This will give my legs some much needed rest but also use less mileage on my stupendous new INOV8 Terraultra trail shoes…I’ve put nearly 50 miles on them already! 😨 Can you believe there is only 59 days to go until my trail marathon!! 😱
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you couldn’t adhere to your healthy routine today. Tomorrow is a new day and a new chance. Appreciate how much you have achieved and how far you have come.
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 6/12 – Day 3…6 Miles…
Hi all. Once i’d dragged myself out of bed i saw the sun blitzing through the windows, i checked my weather app to see how cold it was outside so i could choose my layers…The app said exactly what i was thinking as i thought about walking for 6 miles in the blinding sun! 😨
After the fallen tree drama yesterday i was happy to find it gone this morning, yay. But for some reason my legs and energy levels were just not happening and i almost gave up half way round, but realised i still have to get home and i’m miles away, lol…So i gave it as much as i could to make it back home! 😰
In the middle of fighting myself not to give up i took this photo of the stew pond to remind me it really is lovely around here. 😲
I can’t believe it’s week 6 of my 12 week marathon training plan already, and i’m really looking forwards to next week’s ‘Down Week’ where i only have to do 50% of the miles. This will give my legs some much needed rest but also use less mileage on my stupendous new INOV8 Terraultra trail shoes…I’ve put 40 miles on them already! 😨 Can you believe there is only 60 days to go until my trail marathon!! 😱
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 6/12 – Day 2…6 Miles…
Hi all. After 3 storms last week i’d not managed to walk out to the trail until today…And as i was making my way to the start of my trail lap i hit the brakes (a full emergency stop, lol) as i kicked this treacherous obstacle. To most of you guys this isn’t treacherous at all, but once i’d told myself i wasn’t turning around and going home…I felt around it with my feet to make sure there wasn’t any branches sticking up etc…And simply stepped over it, yay! 😀
I then thought “If this has happened on the path before i even start the trail…Then what is the actual trail going to be like?” I had 2 laps (6 miles) to walk today and i was on high alert for the first lap making sure i didn’t hit anything else, but to my surprise it was all clear…Thank you rangers and volunteers for clearing the way after the storm! 💪🏼 😀
It was spookily quiet on the trail this morning after all of the storms, and i even stopped to take a photo of the beautiful stew pond, remembering that it’s so lovely around this nature reserve and i shouldn’t just blitz round and get my laps done, lol! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 6/12 – Day 1…
Hi all. It’s seriously windy outside again today, so i’m being wise and staying in! As i walk through the woods on the trail i don’t want to be splattered by a falling tree, it may stop me training for a while, lol…And there are only 62 days left to the trail marathon! 😨 , lol!
So i thought i’d concentrate (more than usual) today on increasing my NEAT (Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) to burn a few more calories…Now where has Sarah gone as i need to give her a piggyback, lol! 🤣
Me carrying Princess Sarah! ❤️
Hoovering, Dancing & Singing…
I also make sure i don’t eat my amazingly tasty chocolate flapjack on a no walking day…I tell myself “No lap, no flapjack“. 😭 Once Sarah is bored of me carrying her around the house (yes even up the stairs) i’ll break out the hoover…You should see a blind man hoovering…As i can’t see the floor i walk around with bare feet so i can feel if the hoover has picked up any bits etc, it’s a large undertaking for me and that’ll burn some calories, lol! 🤣 Then as always i’ll jig about to music (pulling some shapes, lol) whilst singing away happily to an omnifarious mix of genres! 😀
Have you created any other crazy things to increase your NEAT? 🤔
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 5/12 – Day 4…18.13 Miles…😲
Hi all. I seriously didn’t think i was going to smash these personal best times yesterday, as i kicked a fallen tree and nearly went flying…But i managed to land ok without doing a triple forward somersault. The sun was so bright it was almost impossible to navigate a trail i couldn’t see at all and the muddy sludge was simply sapping my energy…And this was just the first lap! 😨
As usual i was telling myself not to be mardy and to stop making every excuse on why i was going to quit after 1 lap and go home…I think it was knowing that after i’d done 2 laps i could break out the chocolate hob nobs! 💪🏼
I always message Sarah after each lap and she was fantastic at motivating me with her mighty messages. I really had to dig deep over these 7 laps as my legs just didn’t want to move and it took every last hob nob (yes i had 12) to keep them moving for a little over 5 hours!! I was amazed (but thankful) that i didn’t need a toilet break and after powering round the last lap (just to get home for my dinner and to finally stop walking) i fell through the front door…Yes i literally dropped and dragged myself to the stairs to sit down…I felt like a zombie that’d had it’s legs blown off yet was still trying to drag itself forward, lol! 🤣
As i’d taken over 5 hours i arrived half way through Sarah’s lunch break…But as she is so amazingly lovely she not only given me a huge hug and a congratulations, but she’d made me a fresh coffee and an incredible cheese sandwich with beetroot, tomatoes, apple and the fantastic love heart shaped cucumber!! ❤️
Sarah’s ‘I Love Cue’ Cheese & Salad Sandwich…😋
Mmmm now that was tasty. Once i’d finished my lunch i checked my fitness app to see which (if any) badges i’d won for breaking my personal best records, as i like to document my progress as it helps keep me motivated and accountable. I am excited to find i’d been awarded 3 personal bests…Well i actually earned a 4th as i’d never eaten a whole pack of chocolate hob nobs (12 per pack). 😋
MyPersonal Best Record Badges…
Walking Workout Record for burning 1,782 calories in 1 workout.Move record badge for burning 2, 079 active calories in a dayExercise record for doing 309 minutes of exercise in 1 day.
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 5/12 – Day 3…6 Miles…
Awww I love my new and ultra bright trail shoes!
Hi all. It was a whopping 12˚C, overcast and super splashy wet after yesterday’s heavy rain, but that is no match for my new super trail shoes my lovely wife Sarah gave me on valentine’s day. It was even warm enough to put my shorts on so i was ready and excited to try out my new shoes again.
I had my usual 2 laps (6 miles) to do today and i spent the first lap hoping i wouldn’t crash in to any fallen trees etc after the storm yesterday. Thankfully i didn’t hit anything unlike last time i steamed in to a fallen tree, lol! 🤣 My new shoes felt amazing again and just splashed through everything and stayed super grippy…So after a clear trail and the weather was nice and cloudy with no sun (the only glare was from my new shoes, lol) i decided to switch from my audiobook and put on my 130 beats a minute playlist and speed away, lol. I do around 4 mph at 130bpm so when i was at my sweet spot with my shoes i hit play on the music!! 💪🏼
To my surprise the music was too slow for my sweet spot pace so i tried the other playlists i’d made and hit the 132bpm, but that was also too slow. As i didn’t want to push it too much further than i’d gone before and i was walking on the flat and not uphill yet, i played the 135bpm playlist. This was much nearer my new pace and i flew around without hitting anyone or anything at over 4mph which is a record for me. I felt really good too unlike when i’d just reached 4mph before…My legs must be getting stronger as they felt really good, and my feet were just loving the new cushioning, speed and grip of my stupendous trail shoes…What a fantastic lap and my best yet for speed…I’m very happy but i just hope i can slow right down for my 7 laps (over 18 miles) later this week?!
My New INOV8 Terraultra G270 Trail Shoes…😲
Wow just look at that grip! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Hi all. As i do a minimum of 90 minutes walking each day between Monday to Friday…I was still excited (as always for any goal smashed) to see this badge this morning after my walk on valentine’s day! 💪🏼 The heart is also the greatest muscle we have and the reason for this blog and why i’m trying to get fit for once in my life, lol…So to get this badge is another small motivator for me! 💪🏼
The Heart Month Challenge badge! 💪🏼
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
2 x 8oz Dexter sirloin steaks sizzling in Sarah’s cast iron pan! 😋
Hi all. As you may know by now me and Sarah love steak. It’s great for the obvious protein, iron and micronutrients, but also as it has no carbs it’s fantastic for Sarah as a T1D…Win win! 💪🏼Tonight as it’s valentine’s day and we saw the local butchers were selling something called a ‘Dexter’ steak (no not Dexter the allusive serial killer aka the ‘Bay Harbour Butcher’), although that’s why we wanted to try it (although not too rare it’s dripping in blood)…But beef from the Dexter cattle, lol. 🤣
We opted for the sirloin as always as it’s the leaner cut, and as always Sarah does dissect it and cut off the existing fat. But as we’d never had this kind of steak we didn’t know what to expect…And it was unbelievable!! The combination of the local cut, and the secret way Sarah prepares it made it so soft we didn’t really need a knife. I said it was like mashed potato as it just smoothly melted but it still was solid somehow! We both said it was the best steak we’d ever had!! 😋
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Hi all. Oh i forgot to mention when i wrote my earlier post about my new super duper trail shoes i received for my valentine’s present…My lovely wife Sarah created even more love with these ‘I Love Cue’ breakfast hearts. As you may know i always have 2 slices of plain 7 seed wholemeal toast like Elwwod Blues (well he has white bread but who’s counting, lol) before my walk. Sarah made these with my usual toast cut into hearts and place my fave low fat cheese slice (also cut into a heart), and then if that isn’t enough…Topped it off with a love heart shaped cucumber slice, wow, not sure how she managed it and it was a stupendous surprise…And a healthy breakfast too. Oh and it was washed down with one of Sarah’s fresh espresso’s! ☕
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 5/12 – Day 1…6 Miles…
Inov8 Terraultra G270 Trail Shoes in Super Bright Orange! Awww I love my new and ultra bright trail shoes!
Hi all. I hope you are as stunned as me this morning, as i opened this valentine’s gift from my lovely wife Sarah?! Now these bad boys really put the ‘Motivation’ in to Monday, lol! 🤣 My photos really don’t show just how bright the orange is on these super duper trail shoes, as when i walked outside of the house they seemed to have LED’s in them! Anyway let’s take them for a test drive. 💪🏼
The INOV8 Terraultra G270 Trail Shoes…
Wow just look at that grip! 💪🏼
As soon as i walked on to the hard tarmac of the road i knew these were going to be good. I thought the 4mm lugs, zero heel drop and the 12mm even stack from front to rear would be a little hard for road, but i was so pleased to be wrong as they felt like road running shoes. Then i stepped on to the trail and i was simply stunned…The shoes made the hard trail feel like it was made from that red wetpour stuff they put down on children outdoor play areas, it was so spongy yet firm like a high end sports cars suspension! 😲
These shoes also had the ‘Graphene’ outsole which sounded really cool with all of the macho marketing speak, but i had no idea what it all meant…Until i felt the grip!! It had been raining hard all day yesterday and the trail was super muddy and wet…Yet if i didn’t know any better i would’ve told you my shoes were stuck like velcro to the trail! They were planted solid to the trail like i was creating downforce or something…I was just stunned the whole 6 miles and couldn’t wait to tell Sarah when i got home. I’m looking forwards on attempting to smash my longest walking record later this week now! 💪🏼 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 4/12 – Day 6…Cup Cake! 😋
Hi all. As i do my 5 days of walking on Monday – Friday, i have the weekend to actively rest with my lovely wife Sarah. I still make sure i get my 10,000 steps in each day but take it easy and enjoy my time off from the trail. And what better way to enjoy this time than a trip to our local bakers…Not only to get my flapjack fuel for next week but…Just look at this pre-valentine love heart cup cake Sarah spotted for us to share…Well i obviously have to eat more of it as i always like to help her out, lol! 🤣 ❤️
The Cup Cake…
Mmmmm! 😋
Hope you’ve started this new month smashing your health and fitness goals too? Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 4/12 – Day 5 – 5.33 Miles…
Hi all. Wow what a morning! It was ultra bright, ultra cold -1˚C and time to break out the puffer jacket! I don’t know how but i still managed 1 lap (3.33 miles) this morning, not the 2 laps i had planned but i needed time on feet to reach over 30 miles this week again. I simply couldn’t have done 2 laps if i tried, the sun was so bright it burnt my eyes and they were finished, even the peak on my cap did very little to help so i call this a recovery day after my personal best walk on wednesday!
As i was going at a snails pace i managed to stop and take some photos. I thought the images would show a little of how bad the sun was as i pointed my phone directly into the blinding light…But they really don’t show how bad it was! 😨
Trail Marathon Photos…
Flapjack Fuel…
It wasn’t all bad news though…As i arrived home early my lovely wife Sarah said “Awww you’re back already i thought the sun was just too bright for you. How about we walk to the bakers at lunchtime during my break and get you some flapjacks (walking fuel)?! It will also give you an extra 2 miles for today!”. Wow…How amazing is my wife?! 😋 ❤️ Oh and i think the stupendous flapjacks need a post of their own…They are so tasty and perfect for fuelling my walks too! 😋
Hope you’ve started this new month smashing your health and fitness goals too? Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 4 – Day 4 – 6 Miles…
Hi all. After smashing my personal best walk of 16.21 miles yesterday, i went out on a slow (really hard to go slow now) sauntering pace this morning. As i was shuffling round i thought i’d use this time to take lots of photos of the trail. I don’t normally take photos on my walks as i don’t normally have time as i’m concentrating on form, speed and trying my hardest not to get lost. Also my iPhone is 4 and a half years old and i’m trying to conserve as much battery as i can just to time my long walks, and i don’t want to use it for anything else that’ll drain my battery, lol! 🤣
Having said all that…I didn’t want to bore you to death with lots of images of boring trails, lol. But i have done it now anyway! 🤣
Trail Marathon Photos…
It was really overcast this morning which is great for me and my sight loss, but not so good for bringing sunshine sparkle to my images.
It was a really tough walk this morning even though i was only doing 3.3 miles per hour and the 6 miles took me about 1 hour and 50 minutes. But when i did eventually stagger back home, my lovely wife Sarah was ready to take her break and made me one of her monumental fresh coffees! ☕ 😋
Hope you’ve started this new month smashing your health and fitness goals too? Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 4 – Day 3 – 16.21 Miles…
Hi all. Yay i’ve managed to finally smash through the 16 mile marker this morning, and manage 16.21 miles, and wow was it hard! I knew i had to pull a little bit more out of my legs to beat last walking wednesday’s record of 15.85 miles…But i somehow managed it even though the blinding sun was doing it’s best to end my walk. Sorry i can’t write too much today as i’m dying here! 🤣
Today’s Walking Stats…
Although it doesn’t seem like much to beat last weeks record by just under half a mile…I managed to walk a little faster and do the walk in 4 hours 15 minutes at around 3.9mph. All this was non stop walking (incredibly without a toilet break) and i’m really pleased with the pace as the sun slows me right down!
I only managed this personal best thanks to my lovely wife Sarah making me a stupendous espresso, 2 slices of toast (keep my glycogen stores up) and of course…The 8 chocolate hob nobs that rocketed me around, yay!! 🤣
When i arrived home my lovely wife Sarah had made me a much bigger coffee, a cheese salad sandwich (like last week but even better) and gave me a massive hug which is exactly what i needed! 😋
Walking Workout Record…
Hope you’ve started this new month smashing your health and fitness goals too? Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 4 – Day 2 – Tough Mudder Motivation…
Hi all. I thought you’d like to look back with me on the day this blindman tackled the Tough Mudder…And survived…Just! Looking back on this post has given me some more motivation to keep smashing away at my current fundraising challenge…The Trail Marathon! 💪🏼 😝
Tough Mudder
Yay…..We did it!
⇧From left: Adie, Vini, Me, Josie & Ashley ⇧
Tough Mudder 5K – Saturday 13th October 2018…….Here Goes!
⇧ From left: Adie, Me & Josie ⇧
⇧ Me carrying Adie on the “Hero Carry” ⇧
It was amazing to have my friend of nearly 30 years Adie Monk join our “Hard As Nails” team. I thought we’d sit and catch up over a coffee….I didn’t have this in mind, lol!
Thanks John Atherton for taking another great photo. I can’t thank you and Sarah Atherton enough for giving us all these memories to cherish! 😀
After jogging a little, we came to this…….
“At over 2 stories high, this is one of the most impressive obstacles in the UK. It is a giant A-shaped cargo net that you and your team will have to scramble up and over it. Working together will be the only way to overcome”.
This is where my new trainers just hooked perfectly around the rope and it felt completely solid. Also my blindness helped me out for once as i couldn’t see how high i was, and didn’t freeze like a couple of people i heard up there!
Then….When getting to the bottom i hear “Yay, Whoop Whoop, Steve, Steve, Steve” and the sound of the plastic clapper hands were going crazy! What a feeling to know my lovely Wife Sarah and the Crazy Clappers team were cheering me all of the way, a great feeling! 😎
⇧ Me, Vini & Ashley biggin’ up the cheering team ⇧
More jogging….Adie and the team were excellent at guiding me when jogging. Moving low hanging branches, telling me of tree roots and pulling me in the right direction. Adie said “I tried running with my eyes closed for a few steps…And there is no way i’d try any of this if i couldn’t see”.
Then…..
“We’ve taken the 10′ Hero Walls and tilted them right at you. By removing the ability for you to climb up and over this wall, you will have to form a strategy with your team, work together and boost each other to the other side”.
⇧ Ouch, my leg hasn’t bent that far in about 20 years, lol! ⇧
More Jogging…..
“This obstacle will have you crawling on the ground, pinned down by a giant cargo net. Working your way through this one will require lots of communication, teamwork and a strong will”.
You’ve guessed it…..More jogging and then….
“The aim of the game is to get your team up and over this stack of super-sized hay bales. There is no right or wrong way so boost, shove or yank every last team member over the other side”.
⇧ Ashley helping Josie in a display of team work ⇧
Next…….
“Can’t go through it, can’t go round it, you’ll have to go over it. Work together to boost and shimmy your teammates up and over this 10′ Tough Mudder staple”.
Yep, more jogging…..
“Time to get swinging. Grab on, hold tight, feel the momentum and swing yourself from ring to ring like a regular Tarzan. This obstacle will test your strength, coordination and flow. Hang in there, you got this”.
Really didn’t do well on this one…And i can’t really blame my sight for lack of strength, lol!
After a little more jogging……
“One of the most teamwork-inducing obstacles in the Tough Mudder portfolio, this obstacle is difficult to complete alone. You’re going to have to work together to form a human pyramid and, like its namesake, climb up and over your fellow Mudders on the way to the top”.
As Vini was making everything look so easy…..It was great to look at the photos afterwards and see it wasn’t all too easy!! 💪🏼
AND NOW……MY NEMESIS!!!!
“A true Tough Mudder legend. Everest will challenge participants to run up a quarter pipe to reach the summit. Can’t do it alone? Not to worry – teammates are encouraged to hang over the top to pull their new friends up and over”.
I knew this was going to be more difficult for me as i needed to try it and get hands on before i could calculate what exactly i needed to do. Adie & Ashley explained the process….But i knew i just had to do it before i would really know….As running at a half pipe wall thingy when blind is going to be interesting!
Here Goes Nothing…..
I took 1 step too many….and before i knew it the wall was in my face! Ooooo i was so close to reaching the ledge.
After hitting the wall i dropped down on both knees, and as the obstacle was made of hardish tyre rubber, it simply burned and ripped the skin off both knees….Wow that stings, lol. Time to regroup and recalculate!
“Ok Steve, just do the same but with 1 step less”. Here i go again!
Yay….That’s better…..And once i had my talon trainers gripped to the ledge, i could just heave myself up. Wow i made it! 💪🏼
⇧ Ashley showing how it should be done! ⇧😎
The team were fantastic and we all made it up. No-one was being left behind and you could just feel the team growing closer with each obstacle, it was amazing.
Now the final obstacle was overcome, it was time for a short jog to the finish line,Yay!
The Finish Line & The Headbands……
WE DID IT……
⇧ When words fail to say how thankful you are!!! ⇧
⇧ Me, Adie & the headbands ⇧
⇧ Adie, Vini & Me for a final photo ⇧
WOW WHAT A JOURNEY……
I can’t thank everyone enough….
With more than a week past….My knees are still scabbed and bruised…..But i’d like to give an Elephantine amount of thanks for everyone involved! 💪🏼
First, I’d like to give a stupendous amount of thanks to my lovely Wife Sarah….The amount of love and encouragement was/is mind-blowing! And the “Hard As Nails” team…..”“my muscles were fading but the sense of team work was overwhelming and no matter what…..We were getting over those obstacles”.💪🏼
Second, i’d like to give a monumental amount of thanks to the “Crazy Clappers” team. “When i’d finished an obstacle and was about to collapse……I’d hear the Cheering Team and you’d put a big grin on my face to remind me it was alright and to keep going! 😎
Third, i’d like to give a gargantuan amount of thanks to all of you guys for your donations to “World Cancer Research Fund” and encouraging me(& the team) every step of the way! “Intention isn’t Prevention……And you all have helped me spread the good news with everyone so we can all be aware and empowered to start fighting the cancers we can prevent.”
Fourth, A colossal amount of thanks to John & Sarah Atherton(from the Epsom Camera Club) for giving up your Saturday and taking the amazing photos of us all….We’ve got fantastic memories of the day!
Wow…i hope you enjoyed reading and it’s inspired you in some way too?!
Hope you’ve started this new month smashing your health and fitness goals? Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ February together!! 💪🏼 😀
Motivational Quote:
“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”
The Reason For All Of My Suffering (i mean training, lol)…
Please click the image above to read all about my fundraising story.
I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to BEAT MS.
I’m possibly stretching myself a little too far for this challenge and so I’d really appreciate your support…Please click the MS Society photo above to read all about my challenge, my story and if you can…Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target! ❤️😀 Oh please help me by sharing my JustGiving page to anyone you know who may be interested! 💪🏼
⇧ Ashley showing how it should be done! ⇧😎 
FitBlitz 