Triumphant Trail Marathon: 27.05 Miles!!!🧡😰

Blindman Trail Marathon: 24/04/2022…

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!💪🏼 🧡 

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We Did It!!!! 27.05 Miles!!!🧡

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”.

Final Fundraising Friday: I’ve smashed my target!!! Can You help me raise even more?! 🧡

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!! 🤣 💪🏼 

My Birthday Fundraising Friday: Can You help me reach my fundraising target?! 🧡

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…❤️

Fundraising Friday: Please help me reach my fundraising target?! 🧡

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!! 🤣 💪🏼 

Fundraising Friday: Can you help me reach my fundraising target?!❤️

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!! 🤣 💪🏼 

Fundraising Friday: Can you help me reach my fundraising target?!❤️

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…❤️

‘Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon’ in memory of my mum Valerie ❤️

Hi all, this is the official release for my fundraising towards my brobdingnagian challenge…It’s exactly 7 calendar months until my trail marathon! 💪🏼 

‘Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon’ in memory of my mum Valerie ❤️

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 stop MS. 💪🏼

I know I’ll be stretching myself past my limits for this challenge and so your encouragement and support would really help me to keep my training on track. Any donation you can spare would build my morale and endurance so I can smash this and reach my £1,000 goal to make my mum proud.

Together we can be a force for change and BEAT MS

Steve’s Blindman Trail Marathon
Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis SocietyIn Memory of my mum Valerie

Story…

Hi, I’ve chosen to raise funds for MS Society and I’d love everyone who kindly decides to support me and this amazing charity, to take a moment to remember my lovely Mum Valerie!

She spent so much of her too short life giving to me and my siblings before MS took her independence and eventually her life. This is why I’ve decided to give something positive back. I want her name and face to join the fight so that she can live on through the tireless work the MS Society is doing to find treatments that will stop MS for good. 💪🏼

My beautiful mum passed away from progressive MS, after a courageous and tiring 14 year battle, in July 2000.

As you may know I’ve been registered blind since I was 25. My sight loss happened in the same month my mum finally lost her life and missing her added misery to my own struggle to come to terms with the isolation and insecurities of managing my new life as a blind man.

And so…….

My Challenge…Sunday 24th April 2022

I originally planned to take part in an MS officially organised event but quickly realised that with my sight loss walking an unknown route amongst so many people would create too much external stimuli on my senses and be too confusing for me to manage without serious injury.

I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do the challenge at all but I’ve finally found a safe(ish) trail about 2.5 miles long, in the woods and past a lake near my home. I am hoping this will work well as my walking route, (I’ve now learned it enough to be able to follow it without guided help). I think this trail will work really well for me to do my trail marathon challenge … if I can manage to make my way safely around this uneven, hilly, rough terrain about 11 times! 😰

I’ve begun to realise, as I write about this challenge during the start of my training, that I’ve only managed 2 laps each time so far, after which I collapse, needing water and food, lol! I have no idea how I’m going to continue for 11 laps non-stop but I’ve got seven more months to build up my strength and endurance… I hope. 🙏

It’s slowly dawning on me that this challenge is going to include around 8 hours non-stop blind walking… Ouch that’s going to hurt and take a lot of concentration, mental effort, strength, energy and discipline. And so before I get time to change my mind, I’ve decided to create a JustGiving fundraising page and I’ve notified the MS Society…so no backing out now 🤣.

Please help me complete what feels like an impossible challenge in memory of my wonderful mum… because Together we are strong enough to beat MS. 💪🏼

You can follow my training over the next 7 months on my Fitblitz blog and I will use my apple watch to count the steps, miles and elevation etc of the challenge, uploading the screenshots to let you know of my adventures and celebrate with me if I finish, lol! 🙌  

About Multiple Sclerosis Society

Over 130,000 of us in the UK have MS. It’s unpredictable and different for everyone. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We’re the MS Society. We understand what life’s like with MS. We’re here for you through the highs, lows and everything in between. Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Click HERE for my JustGiving page.

QR Code for my JustGiving page: 

😨 Blindman 2 Marathons in 1 day??!!

Hi all…I need your help, experience and opinions!

After the “Ultra Step Challenge” last December (2021) i said “i’m not doing a challenge that i’ve made up next time…I’m going to do an organised event by the charity”. Well that didn’t last long, as here i am again thinking of my latest challenge!! I thought i’d put it to you guys first before i started a fundraising page and jumped in feet first, lol! 🤣  

My latest idea…😲 

As you may know my lovely wife Sarah is working for MS Society, so i thought i’d do another challenge to help fundraise. My mum died of MS the same month i was registered blind in July 2000. So of course this charity is close to my heart…So here is my idea.

I thought i’d try and walk 2 marathons in 1 day?? (please give me your thoughts on this) 🤣  In my last ultra step challenge it took me over 4 days to walk the distance of 2 marathons…So i thought it’d be a great idea to try and walk 2 marathons in 1 day! 😨 Or should i start with 1 marathon first? 🤔 

Can this bonkers blindman do this, lol? I wanted to walk on an athletics track as the stress of walking around my local woods would be way too much external stimuli for me and that amount of distance. But it’s harder than you think to get a track for 24 hours. Any ideas? Do you think this is a good challenge? Have you had any experience of anything similar? 🤔 

I’m thinking of doing this 24 hour challenge in March or May 2022, as i’ll (or you) come up with a funky title for my MS March or May ideas…Also it’ll give me some time for lots and lots of walking before i start.