Spring is a time for new and renewed life, and a new and renewed outlook on the life that we share our planet with.

 

It will soon be Easter and the beginning of yet another Spring and a time of renewal and fresh beginnings as many of us eventually come out of our Winter slumber.

 

It's been a long year since last Spring and when Covid19 first hit us full on, but we survived and are hopefully as a race making changes in our lives to improve our health and our welfare and our future survival rate to future pandemics.

 

I do hope that other than just having the jab we have made some changes to our diet to, and made some changes that will directly affect the welfare of the animals and birds that actually start the majority of the pandemics. This being due to us sticking them all in confined spaces and ideal breeding grounds for disease and virus mutation, and our mass breeding them for our consumption and misuse.

 

I'm always here if anyone needs advice on plant based or vegan nutrition and I can usually point you in the direction of resources to look at, but am happy to answer questions directly via DM too.

 

Springs here, so get out when you can and while you can, be it a walk a run or a cycle, as just being in the sunlight when we do get it significantly boosts our Vit D production and thus directly benefits our immune system among many other things.

 

Our mental health is also a priority in difficult times, and it directly benefits our welfare to get out sometimes for some much-needed time outdoors or fresh air. I know so many people who state exercise has really helped in their mental health and despite some days feeling like they couldn't handle going out or didn't want to, they felt significantly better. 

 

A brief interlude in a slump is better than nothing, and certainly better than a continual slump we may struggle to get out of. Knowing we managed to get out helps reinforce our belief that we can be strong enough to defeat some of our demons, even if only for a day at a time.

 

Enjoy your freedoms when they return, as we never know how long we will have them, and we should always use our time wisely and not just for our own personal benefit. Remember those that don't have our freedoms, be they human or animal, and let's do our best to at least share or try and share them equally.

 

We are not the only species on this earth, and we are actually outnumbered by many others, you would be surprised if you saw the actual figures. Just be thankful the other species don't have rule over us because quite frankly we would be screwed, and let's be thankful they seem to be mostly kind, loving and compassionate creatures, I genuinely wish we could learn from that.

 

So get out there, take care of those around you, and most of all enjoy life, but not at the expense of others please. xx

Sometimes we need to sit and ponder at the wonder (This is a copy of my latest blog post on my 'Mountains of my mind' blog).

 

 

As some of you will know if you have recently read my last two 'Fitness with Gru' blogs, I recently went to Wales for a 7 day trail running adventure.

It was a joy to finally get back to Wales after it being locked down and I was in Wales for not one but two back to back trail running breaks, but I had two afternoons inbetween were I could take myself back off into the mountains for a bit of mental recuperation.

After saying my goodbyes to the great bunch of guests and fellow trail runners who departed at lunchtime on Thursday, I now had my spare time as the accommodation was being given a professional clean by the accommodations cleaner and it was made covid safe again ready for the new guests.

I decided I would stay out of the way for the rest of the afternoon to let the cleaner do her job and at the same time Geoff the trail running event organizer and his Chef Carl went off to do another mega food and drink shop (emphasis on drink as it was now the weekend!).

I had always planned on going up Snowdon at some point in my time between events, and today was a clear day. I was a bit tired after that mornings trail run with the previous guests, but I decided to go for it as it was clear on the mountain tops, and I needed a clear view for personal reasons.

Those that know me well will know that when my Mum passed away in 2017 we spread her ashes as requested in a particular spot on the hillside overlooking Llyn Padarn and of course Snowdon...

 

Every year in June I along with my Dad would go to Wales for a week to stay in the holiday farmhouse Mum and Dad used to stay in at Dinas Farm. We make a point of visiting 'Mums spot' and paying our respects.

When there for the week I usually do a personal and difficult charity challenge in the area to raise much needed funds for the local Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team. Last year I did 7 ascents of Snowdon in 7 days taking in a different route each day.

Sadly this year with the lockdown we were unable to go back in June, so when the Focused Performance events came up it was an ideal opportunity for me to at least be in Snowdonia I jumped at the chance.

To be honest I found the inability to get to Wales with my Dad really difficult mentally as it is something I really look forward to and being up the mountains of Snowdon and her surrounding mountains is a vital escape for me. It's a time I feel a oneness with my Mum while I'm up the mountains and just being in the area brings many happy family memories flooding back from our time there as a family. I also cherish the time with my Dad in a place I know he loved going to with my Mum.

This was the reason I needed a clear day and views from the top of Snowdon. I couldn't get to my Mums spot as it was too far away on foot, and with the covid situation I didn't want to be on any local buses etc, but I could get up Snowdon whilst thinking about her and being with her in spirit at least, and I could actually see the spot on the hillside near Llanberis where we spread her ashes from the top of Snowdon.

 Geoff kindly dropped me off at the bottom of the Watkins path and I set off up the mountainside and tried my best to achieve what would hopefully be a fastish pace for me as the complete Watkins path was the only route I didn't take in last year (apart from Crib Goch) as I diverted up over to the South ridge last time.

I can't tell you how good it feels to step out off a car at the beginning of a days walk with all your kit on and the freedom to roam as you please, in a time that you please up a great route and mountain.

Within a few minutes of walking and jogging and snapping pictures , my phone crashed and just sat on the welcome screen. I wasn't impressed and pondered the disappointment of not being able to take memories of the route and indeed the day ahead.

I couldn't take the battery out to reset it as it was an interal battery.

After a little further on and severely disappointed I stopped and chanced trying to discover which button press combination would enable a reset. After multiple goes and a bit of swearing I finally hit the right combination and photo's recommenced prior to the waterfalls.

I managed to jog a few of the early bits prior to and alongside the waterfall sections, but my legs were suffering a little from that mornings activities and indeed the week so far. 

I continued on with little 50 metre or so efforts and then walked again and repeated when not too steep.

The waterfalls and scenery was nice and clear and I had a good and warm day for my walk/climb ahead. Once across the little bridge beyond the waterfalls over the main stream I was now in new territory as I had turned left and gone towards the South ridge from here last time.

 

The path levelled a bit and I jogged a little more in small sections and it was now getting pretty warm with the jogging too.

I was thoroughly enjoying testing myself physically and now mentally, as I refused to just walk when I had already challenged myself to get up there as quick as I physically could in line with the ascents I did last year of the other routes as quick as I could. 

After passing the remains of the old buildings and stopping briefly to look back at the views to Yr Aran, I now started the more serious ascent of the Watkins zig zags, it soon became apparent that doing this half way through a trail running holiday, with two runs a day including one this morning was not a good idea and sure as hell wasn't going to be easy.

 

 

I did get a few funny looks as I attempted to slowly jog bits, but I realised that my energy levels would not sustain this effort level without serious lactic acid build up and muscle failure. That is a posh way of saying I'm not fit enough to do it!

As I continued up the zig zags I chose to fast hike as quick as I could and after a ropey 10-15 minutes I started to feel normality in my legs and knew from there that was my best pace and course of action.

I would sustain a decent effort and then stop and take pictures as I went, a formula I have already liked as the combination doesn't lose you too much time overall.

 

At one point I considered going across to Lliwedd to get some pictures then back down to continue the Watkins across and up to the summit of Snowdon. But I knew my energy levels that day would probably not sustain it with the South Ridge descent I had planned afterward.

Next up was the final stretch of Watkins and the infamous shale path. I knew they had been working at putting stone steps in from the top last year, but had no idea how far they had got. It didn't look like they had progressed any further to be fair than June last year, but it's a slow progress with weather an all, and likely they haven't been working on it this year with the covid-19 situation etc.

Last time I went up this section on my Lliwedd ascent on my 7 in 7 challenge I had managed I think 25 mins to get up that section, as I was knackered and likely it included photo stops a many. This time I was chuffed to have made it up in 15 minutes with a few less photo's.

 

At the top of Watkins it was now across and up to the actual Snowdon summit and to be honest I was knackered at this point, yet determined not to be passed by anyone going up.

I finally made the top in 1hr 33mins of actual moving time and not too many un recorded breathers to be fair, and I was really happy with this.

Now was the time I had been waiting for, the view down to Llanberis, Llyn Padarn and indeed the spot my Mums ashes where spread. I could see the area from the summit and was thankful for the clear view.

 

It was a vital time for a mental reset. Just being up there allows me to put my past behind me and to erase my troubles which are mostly mental ones. I can't stress enough how invigorating it is being up there with the feeling of being on top of the world for a change.

Just the feeling of self worth and self belief after suceeding in getting up there is something I would recommend to anyone with any issues including and especially mental health ones.

We condemn ourselves to misery so many times by doubting our worth and our abilities in our day to day lives. Being up on that mountain or any mountain positively reinforces our self belief that we are indeed capable of great things and we are indeed sat on top of that mountain looking at the world below our feet....

I spent the next half an hour max taking photo's from around the summit and had a snack bar and uploaded a few pictures to social media. I sat and quietly thought about my Mum and how much I wish she had made it up to the summit with me in real life, as she loved Snowdon and it's surroundings so much yet I'm not sure she ever got to the summit as me and my brother were always with her and we weren't old enough or keen enough to want to take that challenge on.

After half an hour and getting cold I donned multiple layers and set off for a descent via the South ridge. I have been up this before but in atrocious wet and windy weather and couldn't see any further than 20ft ahead at any point. But this time it was clear and I was going down this time with views abundantly lay before me.

 

It was great fun to try and jog a few bits. It was tough terrain in parts for foot placement but trail running experience helps a lot and confidence.

I did have a fair few iffy moments were my ankle almost rolled and my mid height trail running boots with ankle support certainly saved me many a time.

I continued taking photo's as I descended, or stopped and took photo's I should say and I now have some clear photo's for my collection.

Once at the bottom of the South ridge I tried to find a route I had seen on a picture of Snowdon previously that led towards the Rhyd Ddu path but more directly down towards and around the back of Yr Aran and towards the road that takes you back to Beddgelert and to my accommodation. 

 

I lost the path in the remains of a bit of a slate quarry as I was too far too the left, and over to the right seemed too far off track. It turned into a cross country adventure to say the least and the navigation training I had received earlier in the week certainly helped from this point, especially when my GPS clearly didn't know where North was!

Thankfully I had line of sight of where I wanted to end up and an A to B bearing would have been the norm, but I could see the road at all points anyway eventually, so slowly found my way around Yr Aran and Craig Wen and down to the road and just had a mere 0.9 miles back to base.

 

 

I was actually amazed to see my GPS route for the descent and my cross country effort as I felt like I was wandering all over the place, but my GPS route video actually shows a fairly linear route. 

Here are the links for my Ascent via Watkins and another for my Descent via South Ridge 'Relive' route video with pics for those interested :

 

Watkins ascent:  https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qV8E2rr3O

South ridge descent:  https://www.relive.cc/view/vZqNPEZBw3O

 

After returning home safely to base I met up with Geoff and Chef Carl who had returned with new supplies and a fairly chilled evening ensued.

As the next batch of guests were not due to arrive until Fri teatime I decided to get out of the way again on Fri afternoon and took I myself off on two of the routes we had done earlier in the week including, the first one along the far riverbank and along the Aberglaslyn pass from Beddgelert and the second one up Mynydd Sygyn again. 

 

 

This time I tried to get a little higher up Mynydd Sygyn than the normal path that goes more directly over towards the descent to Llyn Dinas. 

There were several clear routes on the map and they all eventually led you up to the ridgeline of Mynydd Sygyn, some spots where higher than others. It was exceptionally windy up there and getting cold and my target was being able to see down into Beddgelert and snap a picture of our accommodation so I could say  'I can see my house from here!' and post the pic on social media back to my trail running colleagues etc.

 

 

Again I enjoyed the stress free freedom of being out there alone and deciding there and then what I was going to do, and the mental relief it gave me was a tremendous boost, especially in reestablishing self belief in oneself. Time in the mountains is a great source of help, relief and often recovery from mental health issues and it is one we need to do as often as possible.

After this was a cracking descent down to Llyn Dinas as I traced my way along the ridgeline to the descending path I had previously done earlier in the week with my running friends on the holday.

 

 

From Llyn Dinas I added a little run out to the Nant Gwynant cafe/coffee shop for a well earned and yes actual VEGAN friendly cake, but only just, as it was the last slice (clearly a market for it) and I sat outside and chilled in their spacious outside seating area.

I set off back for the accommodation along the road but sadly lost my GPS lock at that point and it would not reacquire a signal, so although I did 9 miles overall which my watch did record, it didn't record the route on the route video beyond the cake stop.

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my route that day and the previous day up Snowdon and the freedom to choose where I went and when I went, along with the mental freedom of exploring the great outdoors and all it's rewards.

Please do and try and get out there when you can, especially as we suffer through our various lockdowns and restrictions of movement and freedom, our mental health has and will continue to take a battering.

Look after yourselves and if you haven't already been fortunate enough to have climbed your own mountain, then start with a local walk in the outdoors, enjoy what nature has truly given us, that which hasn't been fully tainted by mankind yet as we continue to abuse life around us.

Join a local walking or rambling club and bit by bit you may well get the chance to sit and ponder, and admire the wonder around you!

Relive route video here for most of the above afternoons run up and down Mynydd Sygyn via the Aberglaslyn pass: https://www.relive.cc/view/vPv4MZjKQRO

I now have a 100% organic cotton clothing online store via TeeMill. All profits from designs on my store go to charities. Some of those charities are mountain rescue teams in Wales itself. Please take a look and share around if possible, and hopefully consider a purchase.

https://shoutoutwear.co.uk/

 

There and back again....A tale of constant soakings!

 

So what I am writing about today? I'm writing about my latest charity challenge that I completed to raise funds for a very worthy mental health charity on World Mental Health Day to mark the significance and importance of the day.

I also undertook this challenge in memory of my Mum, and as part of the 'WWMD What would Mum do?' fundraising legacy I set up in Mum's memory.

I am writing this as one of my mental health awareness blogs, as opposed to my fitness blogs. Although I may well copy and paste it elsewhere too.

Either way it will is also be viewable on my 'The Gru' blog @Wix.com.

Introduction to the challenge. Just where do the mad ideas come from?

This challenge came about as some years I host a charity event/challenge titled the Seaside24. It usually involves a group of like minded charity runners who get together to do a seaside based charity challenge usually based around Southport my hometown.


In recent years I haven't organised one as I lost my Mum a couple of years back and I have been concentrating on charity challenges in my Mums memory every year in Snowdonia.

I also suffer Anxiety and recent years have been too hard to be responsible for organising challenges that involve groups, as I am personally responsible for all the people that are involved and this can be mentally taxing on me.

This year I saw an advert from the Young Minds Trust advertising their campaign title 'Time to shine', encouraging people to wear yellow on World Mental Health Day 2019, which is always on the 10th of Oct each year.

The hash tag #HelloYellow may be familiar to a few people as it has been used in other years too by the Young Minds Trust.

Also they were encouraging people to actively go out and raise funds for Young Minds on the day with bakes sales, charity challenges, collections etc etc, our 'Time to Shine' as such.

Obviously my mind clicked and I from somewhere considered Blackpool a challenge, but because it's not easy to get back from without lifts etc I considered getting back under my own power, as well as getting there. Twice the challenge, twice the difficulty but likely twice the donations too due to the extra difficulty.

Those that know me well, know that I usually run for charity, and run further and further as the years pass. Each year requires a bigger challenge in order to gain donations for the charities I choose. This has it's consequences.

My knees are better because of my running and fitness, but all the mileage I have to do to try and train properly to succeed, pushes my physical bodily limitations too as I age. My knees have never been great and I know they suffer with wear and tear, they do repair but more and more slowly and I guess less and less.

I decided as I didn't want to ruin my knees with endless training miles running, that I would try hiking fast, or hiking with a little running so it didn't take forever and so I could genuinely cover more ground.

The plan was hatched #70milesonfoot for Young Minds on World Mental Health Day 10th Oct 2019!

The training. How hard can it be, I'm only walking?

I knew I obviously had to put a lot of miles in on the same day as practise, but just how do you practise and train to walk? The thought of endless miles on my days off along roads or even towards the route itself did not thrill me one bit, and I physically and mentally need my days off work to chill out my brain as well as my now 50yr old body.


I like trail running and I like scenery, I also like beaches around Sefton, but I wasn't going to walk around them endlessly. I did do a few runs with hiking around the local dunes etc but found the runs where just too taxing for me to even consider mostly running with some walking and over such a large distance.

I had last year done a random run down the Leeds to Liverpool canal from Hesketh to Liverpool as a training run for an Ultra that year, so decided I would do this as a Hike/run for a long days training. A total of 5 miles to get to the canal and 21 miles down the canal.

My strategy was 5k hiking fairly fast and then 2k run fairly fast, and repeat..over and over..until I reached my destination. It actually worked really well and gave my legs variety in action as I regularly changed from hike to run to hike to run etc..etc..

It turns out you don't really need breaks as you are not straining yourself as much, and you certainly aren't taxing or pushing yourself cardiovascular/breathing wise. This all kids the brain into thinking you are ok as you do your little 5k/2k 5k/2k etc.

I took lots of pictures of a scenic canal to kid my brain into thinking I was on a mere day trip and sightseeing, and this too really helped me mentally and physically as I suffer with mental health issues, mainly Anxiety.

Just being out there is a tremendous reliever of stress and pressure and indeed Anxiety once you are actually out there. It's not always so easy to make that step out the door though, but that is why I do my challenges.

My challenges give me my drive and my sense of purpose, my here, my why, my God given reason to be on this Earth.

I push myself to help others, they keep me going, I keep them going by fund raising to help them.

It's a cycle of life & purpose for me, a win win, which cannot be dismissed by the Jones's etc etc (No disrespect to anyone named Jones!).

I did further hike runs to Wigan too of 33 miles and a couple of weeks later 40 miles by going to Wigan and back and finally a marathon distance run down country lanes and back to Bretherton and back.

They were great days out and I took some fantastic pictures too, especially when the sun set at the end of the evening each time.

You can find the picture albums on my Facebook page 'FitnesswithGru' and also posts with links on there with 'Relive' route videos to watch which incorporate a selection of the photo's too, with a musical back track. They are only 3 mins or so long.....

This is a link to my 40 miler to Wigan and back via the canal system;

https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqodWV7gKv

The evening lead up to Midnight departure...

I had already trained in running gear with a running backpack so I could run fairly comfortably and still be comfy hiking too. I had to carry enough gear to have several layers of clothing available for temperature changes and the fact I would be hotter running and colder hiking.

This would be difficult with condensation and sweat building up as I ran and then having to hope it evaporated, as opposed to soaked in as I hiked.

On the day the forecast was extremely poor to say the least and I knew that I didn't think there would be a time when I could strip off my waterproof top or bottoms if I needed to cool down and let them dry out inside.

In the hours before set off time at midnight, the first forecast 'Light rain' shower passed me by as I was preparing in my flat. I soon realised this was no 'light rain' and running in a lightweight running waterproof and long legged running tights was not going to cut it on an all day challenge. I couldn't afford to be soaked to the skin and walking and cold for long periods as I tired.

The decision was made to wear a heavier weight fully waterproof walking jacket and a pair of fully waterproof over trousers and carry more spare clothing than planned. This would limit comfort with running sections and likely make me sweat like mad underneath, but I had to go with it. It also made my backpack a lot heavier than I would have liked.

Midnight and the official start of World Mental Health Day..

So my time was up, I had been on a day off from work all day so that I could be rested and eat whenever I wanted, and I was glad it was finally time to leave my flat.


I took a photo in my flat with all my gear on to show how I was kitted out prior to leaving, at the very least so people knew what I would look like if they would be passing on the way to Preston and Blackpool for example.

Midnight and time to go. I set off from my flat, started my Suunto Ambit3 running watch to record my journey and set off for the outskirts of Southport at a brisk pace.

I couldn't believe how long it actually takes to walk out of Southport to Crossens and the Plough roundabout. It's just over 3 miles and that was the shortest route! I started feeling like I was getting nowhere fast and whether or not I should have got dropped off at the outskirts instead. But the challenge also stated 70 miles as well as the headline 'Southport to Blackpool and back'. So I had to watch the total mileage.

I finally got on the A565 towards Preston from Southport and carried on my slog. I pretty much decided at that point, that as it was raining on and off and I didn't want to sweat loads, that I would fast hike through the night at least until daylight and the supposed clearer dry spells of weather.

I knew I could crack out a decent pace and the run sections in training didn't gain me much advantage other than a bit of time, of which I had plenty.

Southport outbound...

Having finally got out of Southport and now on the main road towards Preston the A565, I started to settle down and enjoy the silence so to speak. The peace and quiet was occasionally broken by the odd car and the odd really annoying sound of approaching rain (Yes it was that loud, I could hear it!).


The wind forecast was also 40+mph throughout the night, but although I could hear it, I didn't really feel it. I'm pretty sure it was helping me along to be fair and I was genuinely thanking God for watching over me and helping me out. Especially as the rain showers were infrequent, but fast enough to arrive that I couldn't risk taking my waterproofs off.

Mere Brow was reached after a while and then Tarleton where the A565 joins the A59 to Preston, and the black and white stone bridge over the River Douglas, which always feels like the half way point to Preston.

I took photos of major road signs as I went showing which village etc I was passing on the road and posted it to Instagram, which then shared it to my personal Facebook profile. I must of looked a bit odd to a fair few drivers standing there with my camera flash taking pictures of road signs!

Much Hoole I think came next, then maybe Little Hoole, then Walmer Bridge where I could see a parked Police car on the opposite side of the road and I found myself trying not to look suspicious as I carried on.

It was starting to feel a little tedious with no running so I decided that I would try lamp post run intervals. So I would run from one to the next, then walk to the next, then run to the next and so on.

I was actually really enjoying it to be fair and it felt really easy on my legs, which was a sign they appreciated the change.

After I while after getting carried away, I realised my legs were now showing the first signs of tiredness, likely due to the extra drain of the running intervals which I was still doing. I also noticed everytime I stopped running I would start to sweat under my waterproofs and I could feel my base layers getting damp. With no guarantee they would dry fully while under my waterproofs I decided it wasn't a good idea. So I stopped doing them as It was also way too early on in mileage, perhaps 12-13 miles in out of 70.

Further on I passed Little Hutton where the A59 goes over a bridge of sorts or a big hump and the only incline on that route albeit a very short one. Beyond that I reached the Lancashire Police headquarters at the big roundabout outside Hutton. This is where the A59 takes a right turn towards Penwortham and Preston.

For some strange reason I thought that was the 20 mile point, and I was well annoyed when my GPS watch had only recorded 14.6 miles! I was doubting the accuracy of my watch and panicking at how I was going to explain this to everyone if my mileage came up way short.

In the end I realised it was 20 miles from Blackpool to there, not from Southport to there.

Penwortham came next and a slow descent to the outskirts of Preston where the flyover is and a time on my watch of 3:45am, not too bad a pace I thought, who needs to run!

A left turn here as it started lashing down again, and I was heading over the River Ribble and another left towards Riversway docks. At this point I was now getting signs for Lytham and St Annes and the A583/4 and I was starting to feel progress had been made.

Within only a couple of more miles and now around 16 miles in as I was leaving the Preston Riversway area, I started to feel despondent at how physically tired I was starting to feel at only the halfway to Blackpool point! In my head it was all about getting there to Blackpool at 35 miles. I knew I could do this as I'd done 40 miles down the canal, and I had pretty much convinced myself that 'well I can just walk back if I'm knackered!' as I've got all day!

'What a fool' I thought. 'What if I can't do it?'. I genuinely started to doubt myself and started for the first time to think what excuse I could give if I didn't finish it.

I started to remember why I was out there, who I was out there for, who I was raising money for, who I was raising awareness for and finally that I was one of them and that I wanted to prove that we may not be classed as normal by a lot of people, but we damn well can do amazing things because our troubles make us stronger, not weaker damn it!

I kept telling myself  'Suck it up buttercup!' which is something you should really never ever ever say to someone with mental health issues as it's really not helpful.

A few miles further and I was finally on the A583/4 towards Freckleton and then Warton. The path went non existent just as I was thinking this tarmac is boring as hell, so I really should of kept my thoughts to myself. Miles of wet muddy grass later and very wet feet I hit Freckleton and a total lack of path of any description alongside Freckleton, just roadside uneven grass verge.

I struggled past this and finally got to Warton and signs of life as people were starting to come out to set off for work etc and I sat at a sheltered bus stop just as it started to lash it down again. I could feel a blister on my right heel, likely caused by the wet shoes and socks and the miles of uneven surface on the grass verge further back.

I took out my first aid kit, inspected my heel and put a Compeed plaster on my heel and got ready to set off again as the rain subsided. Just at that point a woman sat at the bus stop and said 'Your starting early!' thinking I was going to work or on a run maybe. I just said 'You could say that!' as I didn't really have time to explain the madness of what I was doing.

Through Warton and the first signs of daylight where in the sky behind me, but still way off. A little further and a McDonalds prior to Lytham. I didn't go in, no matter how much I would of appreciated a strong black coffee, I just wanted to get on and get there.

Lytham green was next and the famous Lytham Windmill where I stopped for a quick picture at almost dawn looking a little like a zombie at this point.

Along the rest of the promenade to St Annes via the main road and how bloomin long is that place?!

After a forever journey just trying to escape St Annes, daylight had arrived and school kids abound sat at bus stops etc, and lots of cars. Not far now and I could actually see the Big One and the Blackpool Tower.

I was now considering what I was going to do for food, was I going to stop somewhere? Difficult as it was only just after 8am. I also realised my mileage wasn't as long as I expected and my planned getting to South beach and turning around as soon as possible seemed unlikely as again I was worried what would I do if I clocked several miles under my 70 miles stated? I was still doubting I'd finish, never mind getting back to Southport and feeling like I have to walk around clocking mileage to round it all up.

I got to South beach Blackpool and despite the horrific wind which had now been in my face since Preston, I decided to plod on to South pier and take a picture there with the tower in the distance and have a break.

My legs were now pretty damn tired and my muscles were tightening and really aching as you would expect. Also my blister felt far worse.

I got to the South pier at about 8:35am I think it was and took my pics and sat down to eat a flapjack, it was all I could manage. All I'd had on the way was two 200 calorie choc coated plant protein snack bars, and 2 x 500ml bottles of water with 200 cal Tailwind energy powder in, and I was feeling a little bit sick too.

After a 10 min break I decided to set off back as I was planning to stop at the Beach Cafe at St Annes and getting some decent food there. I started off but my blister was really hurting so I found somewhere to sit almost out of the wind to check my feet. I had a sore spot on my left foot so put a preventative Compeed on there, and then checked my right heel, only to discover a 2nd bigger blister with pus next to my plaster from earlier. I stuck a 2nd and 3rd plaster on the area and changed my socks and hoped for the best, and set off back to St Annes.

The long haul home....would I, could I make it?...

I'll keep the return journey report a little shorter as obviously I went almost the identical route back, but I had a few friendly faces on the return occasionally.


I took the scenic yet windy and yes still rainy at times seafront route back past St Annes pier and to the Beach cafe at St Annes beach. This is a busy and popular cafe even at 9:30am I think it was.

I originally thought I might be able to get a veggie breakfast without eggs or something, but knew I still couldn't really stomach any kind of meal. First thing I did was pick up two more 500ml bottles of water for mixing my Tailwind energy drink in, and then picked up one, then a second choc brownie as I figured I could manage them with a large black coffee.

I had about half an hour in there in total I think and could feel everything seizing up, so I got all my stuff back on again after catching up with some Facebook posts, as I'd not been able to check posts from supporters and friends etc.

Further down the promenade at St Annes you get to Fairhaven lake which is a nice scenic stop point if you are ever in the area. It was exceptionally windy today though, but the wind on more on my shoulder and slightly behind me now I had turned back toward Preston from Blackpool.

Lytham came up again and this time I was going along the coastal path alongside the Lytham Windmill, so I got another selfie. It was a bit hard managing a smile when trying to focus on the camera lens with the wind etc.

Back through Warton and the downpours were back again and my legs and blisters still screaming at me. The dull grey scenery was getting repetitive now and despite it being daytime I didn't take any pictures on the return through there because of the poor weather.

Freckleton was back up and I decided to head a little into Freckleton this time as I was fairly sure I could head down a straight road through the outskirts and pop out at the end near the 2nd roundabout at the bypass. This meant I didn't need to spent so much time on a wet grass verge getting my feet soaked again and having to lift my feet up so high on rough ground.

Thankfully the gamble paid off and I came out back on the by pass and the limited roadside tarmac for a while. It wasn't long though before the non existent maintained path from Freckleton via Clifton to the junction with Lea gate was upon me again, and it was wet feet time again.

I really needed this like a hole in the head as my blisters were my serious concern at that point. I was also getting a little hungry despite sometimes feeling off as well. I had a 5 minute break under a tree during a downpour and managed half a flapjack bar.

I finally got through that section and off the A583/4 and had now reached the right turn towards Preston at the Lea Gate by the traffic lights, I was now at about the 50 mile mark.

It was lashing down again power shower styli and I saw someone approaching me on foot. It was fellow charity Run or Caker Helen Shaw, who had pre challenge offered to come down and walk or run with me for a while while her husband Bill drove down the road a bit and waited.

I felt sorry for Helen  having to come out in the rain, but was grateful at the distraction as we continued on and she engaged me in conversation as opposed to me thinking about the almost constant pain and discomfort.

We made our way to Riversway docks at Preston and I nipped into the garage at Morrisons to get another bottle of water for my next sachet of Tailwind energy powder.

Back on our way again and back over the Ribble Ribble and up the hill to Penwortham and through the local schoolkids by now getting out of school and causing mayhem on the pavements on their bikes.

I Passed a fair few dairy farms along the way and could smell the sh*t and despair of the poor enslaved animals imprisoned on the farms. The dairy industry has a lot to answer for and the enforced impregnation of dairy cows year on year and kidnap, murder or enslavement of their offspring really isn't acceptable in the modern age. We have only being doing it for the last couple of thousand years as a race in Europe and prior to that we were all actually lactose intolerant, so there is nothing 'Natural' about it.

I for one normally don't drink or consume dairy products and my health is far better for it as an athletic person as much as just a human. Obviously helps that I don't contribute to their suffering either.

Past the dairies for now and back at Hutton and the Lancashire Police headquarters at the major roundabout that heads back down the A59 towards Southport.

Shortly after this after my feet getting wet again a lot I started to feel skin discomfort under my right  foot, this time just below my toes mid foot. This was a concern as it felt like it had blistered and split all in one before I'd even noticed.

I ventured on, all the time with Helen chatting to me, but I couldn't distract my mind from the thought that my foot was losing skin under the sole of my foot and that if it got really bad it could force an end to the day.

We carried on and I stopped to pull my sock up as they were dual layered and quite thick, so there was a small chance it could have just been a fold in the sock irritating the sole of my foot. I couldn't tell and I didn't look underneath or remove my socks as I didn't want to lose the other blister plasters which now felt like they had all come off.

As I took my shoes off to check, I could see the steam rising through my socks as they were still wet and hot, not a good combination for a long hike.

One end of Walmer Bridge was next and Helen and Bill said goodbye after a long stint supporting me. I was truly grateful for their company and support, even if it didn't show at the time as I had serious brain fog by now, as I'd obviously not slept for a long time.

The rain came down again and as I struggled to cross the road by the Walmer Bridge roundabout, my brother pulled up to give me a bit of verbal moral support as he had just got back from Newcastle for work.

It was good to see him, and as it was his birthday the next day I wished him Happy Birthday then because I knew I'd be sleeping in bed all day tomorrow.

As I was talking to my brother another running friend popped up, Alan Melia. He was going to do the next 5k or so with me back to Tarleton.

I said my goodbyes to my brother and me and Alan set off again.

We had a good chat as we went about running in general, and he complemented me many a time on my pace and walk speed, as I was consistently walking quick as opposed to walking slower and slower or crawling etc which he had expected to see.

We got to Tarleton and onto the A565 towards Southport and somewhere around there had hit the 60 mile mark.

Alan carried on with me to Mere Brow before he nipped off back towards home, but only after ensuring I was going to be ok.

I was glad to have a chance a sit down shortly after that as I knew I needed to try and sticky tape engineer my feet, as I still worried even at this late point that they could stop me succeeding as they felt that bad.

It was more the long term damage I was thinking about, as I knew open sores could get infected and it would take days and days for skin repair before being able to wear shoes again for work etc.

They didn't look as bad as they felt and the plasters were still on. The blister under my foot wasn't actually a blister either, just split deteriorating skin due to being constantly wet, a bit like after several hours in a bath. But it was still really painful and as I set off again I was a lot slower.

I took one of my walking poles out to try and use as a bit of leverage and take some of the weight of my blistered foot. It also came in handy keeping me upright and from stopping me falling into the road on my right hand side later.

By now my calves felt like bricks too, and the tendons at the top of my calves were really sore and there was practically no movement at the knee. They had been like this for a while  as I was walking more and more stiff legged. The addition of the walking pole helped me a bit with this as I could get a bit more propulsion.

As I left Mere Brow I put a message on Facebook that I may well stop as soon as I get into Southport near the Plough roundabout at Crossens, and that likely my mileage would be short because of this.

I genuinely didn't think I could even consider going beyond Crossens and hitting nearer 70 miles. as I was physically and mentally done, or so I thought.

I carried on from Mere Brow and it was much dark again now, but I was fine with that and now hobbled on with my walking pole.

When I got to the Plough I sat on a bench at a bus stop and messaged again , but this time saying I may go on and that I was at 66.1 miles I think it was.

A few minutes after sitting on the bench, Rachel Jane another friend who had been looking for me pulled up and asked was I going on.

I said I think so but wasn't sure If I would go all the way to 70 miles as I didn't think I would hit it by the time I was back in town, and almost home.

Rachel volunteered to walk with me for a while, and again distract me as we talked for a mile and a bit to Churchtown lights which was now 67.5 miles.

Rachel wished me well as she headed back to collect her car and I plodded on in what was again another spell of heavy rain.

I finally got back to Southport town centre and realised that if I diverted out to the marine lake and along the promenade I may well just clock the 70. I was determined not to have to answer to myself or anyone else, even in jest for not managing the last mile or part of a mile.

I got back to the Carousel on the Southport promenade, which was an unofficial finishing point I had mentioned I may finish at in earlier communications with people. But I wouldn't commit to it actually being the finish, as I truly had no idea if I'd finish, where I would finish and when.

When I finally approached the Carousel in the lashing rain desperately pushing myself along with by now both my walking poles, I could see looking through the little letterbox of my hood a dark figure standing by the Carousel, it was Paul Hill.

Paul had asked several times earlier where I was finishing , but I wouldn't commit to an answer, so many thanks to Paul for being there.

I got there with 69.90 on my watch and joked that I would have to now do a few numpty laps of the Carousel to clock the 70 miles properly. He kindly informed me his car was down the road a little so I could walk to that and he's give me a much needed lift home.

By the time I had reached Paul's car I had officially clocked 70.05 miles in 20 hrs 36 minutes with little breaks, and little calories compared to the 7000 I burned on the journey, and I hadn't had breakfast, second breakast, Lunch or dinner all day!! 

It was a long day and a hard day, and although it was no unexpected journey, I certainly felt like quite an accomplished little hobbit by the time I finally returned to my shire. I think I've got the hobbit feet to prove it too!!..

Many many thanks to everyone who donated, supported and followed me on my journey. I couldn't have done it without you, and remember, you are capable of far more than you know!

#MHSurvivor

If you wish to donate to the fund raiser, you can do it here: 

 https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/70milesonfoot

Why seek happiness, when we can have joy daily?

I made a profound realisation the other day after listening to a speech of a well know actor.

In the speech the usual subjects were mentioned, career, success, wealth and marriage.

But the most important words not usually mentioned, were finding yourself, and ‘Joy’. It made me realise something I had never thought of, or heard of before now.

We spend our earlier years growing up, being programmed or taught the basics at school, and extras if we go on from there to college or university. We are often asked by parents, teachers or career advisers “What do you want to be?”. Often people say a Doctor, a Nurse, an Actor, a Musician, a famous sportsperson and so on and so on.

In my case I never had an answer, as at that point I did not know. In future years after various different jobs I still did not know, and felt a bit of a failure as I was being told by society that I should, and I should be striving for it.

later on I finally came to the realisation that I wasn’t after a particular career or a perfect job, and I realised that all I wanted is to be happy in what I do. The doing should be the reward.

But how do you find this alleged true happiness? We attach the label ‘Happy’ to something we think we will be when we have that something we seek, be it a particular sporting achievement, job title, a bigger house, a family etc..etc.

How often have you been asked “Are you happy?” and in your head you have quickly accessed whether you have all that you want at that point, and that has been your marker for your happiness, as if owning and having something is what it is all about.

When we attach happiness to something solid like a career, a home, a person, in our mind our happiness is permanently molded and joined to it, and therefore in our mind reliant on it.

We feel content and happy because we have achieved the object, person or career we sought and it feels good. But often over time we realise that we are no longer as happy as we thought, and that which we sought was not actually the key to our happiness after all.

The problem is careers and jobs can come and go, homes can be bought and lost, husbands and wives can be lost or taken away. We suddenly end up in despair at losing all that we sought and strives for over the years, and all we feel is sadness of the loss, and the thought of the years it will take to achieve it again.

I say to you, happiness as we already know is an emotion, not an object or an achievement.

It is a feeling not an object we can earn or buy, it is not a reward, an achievement that can sought for, worked for and earned and kept forever.

Emotions and feelings are, and always have been temporary.

I say to you ‘Joy’ is what we should seek. ‘Joy’ is the actual feeling you feel when you encounter the emotion ‘Happiness’. You don’t earn it, it comes and goes daily as any emotion or feeling always does, we already know this, but sadly don’t actually associate it with our ‘Happiness’ .

Joy is happiness and is key. When something good happens to you you feel joyful and happy that it did, it’s an emotion you feel at that moment, and it can come at any time without being sought or earned.

When a comedian tells a good joke and you burst out in laughter you feel a tremendous feeling of joy and happiness for a second or two, and the good feeling within the body lasts longer as your brain releases pleasure hormones and the receptors light up like fireworks, and you feel the joy and pleasure long after the joke has been told.

When you see your son or daughter get married and you see they are truly blessed and love each other, you feel joyful, and merely seeing them together in the following years can bring back that feeling of joy. It wasn’t earned it was felt.

Compare this with plain ‘Happiness’ that you sought in a new car, a promotion, a new home, maybe even a new baby. Although that which you sought and earned maybe there in front of you the ‘Happiness’ may soon wane, because happiness is an emotion and temporary, and we have wrongly attached it to objects of perceived permanence.

Seek ‘Joy’, live a life in which you have the freedom to enjoy joy everyday. Have fun with those you love, do what pleases you and brings you joy. Be it going out for a walk, a hike up a mountain, a run in nature, watching the sunrise or sunset, take joy in those special moments on your own or with your offspring or just being with loved ones.

It’s available everyday, it’s usually free and doesn’t require planning ahead.

If you are having bad times or feeling sad, especially thinking of the future, and whether you will ever be happy again, remember that ‘Joy’ can and often will come in the morning, or afternoon or evening, and if not that day, then maybe the next.

You do not need to feel upset, stress and worry each day of perceived missed happiness. Find that which brings you Joy today or tomorrow, and remember it has infinite sources and is often given freely by others.

Go out and do what you love to do, be it your work or something else, and by all means strive to get that promotion, pay rise, bigger better house, car or whatever. But remember they are not all bringers of happiness that will stay, they are stairs to the next level of many next levels that you may seek, as you again try to achieve happiness once the original feeling has passed.

We are here to live a life filled with joy, we are wondrous beings, be it only a few fleeting moments a day or endless hours. We are here to go and do that which brings us joy, which is the true feeling the emotion happiness gifts us.

Remember we only have to live each day one by one, hour by hour, minute by minute. Joy can come at any time for anyone, it is felt in the heart...it is never earned.


Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.


(Psalm 30, verse 5 ESV).


May you all find Joy daily, and may it bless your lives for ever.

Should we fester at the side of the road in relative safety? or face the obstacles ahead to get to where we want to go?

It has been 8 months since my last mental health blog post on here, and to be honest as I have had a mostly positive 8 months I didn't want to go over my thoughts or examine more closely my life as I felt I have been progressing health wise, especially with my mental health regarding my Anxiety and Social Anxiety.

Going back over your bad times is not always wise so I ignored them and put the memories away in a little box as such and hid it away. I let the positives drive me as they should, but you have to be careful not to be too content to sit in that little comfort zone and fester.

Over the last 8 months I have concentrated on my fund raising challenge in memory of my Mum, and all the training involved to give me a chance of succeeding in the challenge. The challenge was the GB Ultras 50 mile Snowdon Ultra. The furthest distance I have ever attempted in an actual event at least, and certainly the toughest terrain as Snowdonia is not flat as you all know.

I spent a week in June in Snowdonia staying with my Dad in the holiday flat/farm that my Mum and Dad used to stay in for their last holidays together. It was a vitally important week as I got to spend some quality time with my Dad, even though I was out most of the day each day training up mountains.

The week gave me a tremendous resurgence in inner vitality and well being, especially being in such lovely, peaceful and scenic surroundings. I think that alone gave me a more positive outlook on my life and in particular my purpose.

Fund raising for good causes is one of my main drives now as I need a reason to be here, and a purpose to encourage me to push on through my troubles. Without purpose we are nothing. We were put here for a reason and it is our duty to find it or create it.

I miss my Mum dearly and the fund raising challenge was a way of honouring my Mum and trying to continue to make her proud, although I know full well had she been here she would of been doubting my decision to take part and would of been asking me whether I was taking on too much. This always made me push harder to prove I could.

The 1st anniversary of my Mums death was the week I spent in Wales with my Dad and the week I did all my Snowdon training. It was a welcome distraction to help get me through an otherwise difficult week, a week that otherwise could of pushed me over the edge.

The training and focus continued throughout the summer months and in no time at all the event itself was upon me. September was now here. I was honoured to have my Dad come with me for the weekend as my parents were never at events I did, so this one was special in many ways.

We spent a couple of days in Betws-y-coed which is where the race start and finish was. I obviously spent most of my weekend running/walking the event as the time allowance for the 50 miles was 24 hours, and I intended on using every one of them to make it easier on myself.

The event went extremely well and my body held up without any major troubles. My knee did suffer as I knew it would as it is my weakest link and the one that has always forced me to cancel previous attempts at 50 milers before even getting to the start line.

I loved my time out there and got to appreciate the lovely scenery as I went and used it as a distraction. It wasn't so much fun in the dark stages on the mountains when the cloud cover came in and the mist and I couldn't see where I was anymore. But after a detour I eventually made it down of the last mountain, and knew I could find my way on the last 13 miles of relatively flatter terrain to get me back in one piece at 6:01am in the morning!

Ever since then I have had a few relapses with my Anxiety, only brief thankfully and I have always known that by the next day I would be OK again. I was now faced with 'what now?' and 'what's next?'

What next for me fund raising wise as an individual fundraiser is not until next June when I go to Wales with my Dad again for the week. Details of this will follow when I nail down exactly what my plan is for the fundraiser.

But still I have 'what now?' in my head. I can't just sit here day on day, month on month going to work, going home and putting my feet up, sleeping and then going to work again the next day.

I do spend time each day on social media and running a charity running group on Facebook. That in itself keeps my mind focused on my sense of purpose and with it's continued success as such gives me a reason to go on day by day.

I have also started to publicise my plant based diet more, and my animal advocacy for the sake of the animals and indeed for the sake of our health. Both are a benefit to us all, but I am faced now with push back from friends and acquaintances who really are not interested in bettering their health at the expense of giving up something they have done all their lives, i.e. eat meat and consume dairy as it has been instilled in us over the decades that this is what is good for us, and it is part of our day to day lives and indeed culture and tradition.

I have recently suffered a dip in my mental health and Anxiety because of this as I was faced with debates, negative feedback and often uncaring comments regarding the animals along with doubts about knowing what I was talking about, despite spending the last 18 months researching on line material and seminars etc.

I have adjusted my friends list and contacts on social media to stop me being sucked into this negative world and being responsible for death and misery just because it is the accepted norm. I would rather struggle on than give up without a fight, I have a voice, the animals don't.

Our mental and physical health can be far more positive with the right diet and lifestyle, and more importantly our well being and positive focus.

I recently watched a new series called 'Trancendence' a 5 part series and it was enormously insightful and it covered a lot of ground regarding our nutritional health, mental health, physical health and well being. It covered what we strive for and why, along with what holds us back and why. How much 'Fear' can affect our daily choices.

It covered how we can move on past our 'Fear' and re balance ourselves, and not live in a state of daily stress due to our self imposed pressures regarding what we think we should be striving for in life, a bigger house, a more fashionable home, a successful career, big social circles, impressing those around us etc etc..

One thing that came up that holds many of us back is 'Fear'. It turned out that 'Fear' is a major driver for stresses and Anxiety. Fear of what could go wrong, fear of what people might think about me, fear of being alone, fear of not being noticed etc..etc..It was not all about stress at work that created my Anxiety pre work and at work, it was the 'Fear' I was suffering about worth and self worth that was triggering it.

Constant worry of looking bad, of what people thought of me, of how I was performing, of how other people were undermining my effectiveness in my role etc.

I am now learning how to address this 'Fear' and recognising it for what it is. If I feel it I have to remind myself why, and I have to take stock and reassure myself that the 'Fear' is invalid and it doesn't matter what people think, or that you think people think which is often the case.

It is now November and I have returned to the gym for workouts other than just running or cycling based, as I am taking the rest of the year and Winter off running wise. This will give me a drive, a sense and a purpose that I feel will help me better myself.

I want to use any advancement in my physique or health as evidence of the benefits of a meat and dairy free lifestyle. I am 49 at present and believe me most 49 year olds are not a shining example of health. I aim to help readdress this.

I also joined a dating site about 4-5 months ago, but rapidly discovered it yet again triggered the 'Fear' of what people thought of me, I'm not good enough for them etc etc..I have Social Anxiety as well as Anxiety in general so how on earth am I supposed to get up the courage to approach prospective dates when all I feel is 'I'm not good enough'.

I will address this now I've identified the 'Fear' and the unnecessary lack of self belief. The gym and the sense of purpose to help improve peoples health and therefore their life, and the determination to improve the lives of the animals and lessen their suffering will continue to drive me on.

I have very recently sadly lost an Aunt and an Uncle in the last two months to cancer, a sad reflection on what life can hold for us and a sad reflection on how our day to day diets may affect us in the long term.

Even the healthiest can suffer chronic disease, but it is more prevalent in the general population who have eaten the typical standard diet, and in a lot of cases the diet recommended to us in food guidelines in the most recent decades.

I aim to continue to promote, re post and share articles that can help us help ourselves. We all know you can reduce the risks with certain foods, we need to start to consider ourselves more closely. The information is out there, we need to educate and share the benefits of a healthier diet and indeed exercise.

Mentally if we improve our dietary health and our well being we face a better chance of getting through our troubles. Negativity feeds ill health and often causes it, positivity can help fight it and often repair it. The body has a tremendous ability to heal itself when given the right environment to do so.

I for one do not intend to sit here every day and fester at the side of the road of life, not daring to attempt to face my troubles doing nothing for myself or anyone else. I intend on making that first difficult step and facing the difficulties and obstacles in front of me to reach where I want to go!.