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Hi Fitblitzers.

As it’s ‘Faster Thursday’ (i like to make silly names up for the day, lol) i did just 1 lap (3.4 miles), but tried walking faster than i normally would. This is dangerous for me as i can’t see what’s in front of me so going faster really doesn’t help my stopping distance…It’s good to mix it up for a day as long as i don’t hit anything, lol! 🤣

When i reached the pond and took out my phone to take the photo, my voiceover screenreader told me there was a zoom level of 0.5…So i used this wide angle to take one for you (above), i was stood on my walking path and it looks miles away when i don’t zoom in as usual! 😲

Whilst speeding around the trail lap along the back straight, i thought i’d hit the brakes and take another photo for…

Hi Fitblitzers.

I managed my 6 mile walk again this morning through the lovely local nature reserve. As it’s day 4/92 on my step challenge i’m happy to report there were no dramas again out there, not sure how long this will last when this blindman gets stepping, lol! 🤣 I walked around the righthand side of the pond so i could get a different view of the pond for you (see above)…Of course i still took a photo of the original view from the path (below) which i take everyday to bore you to tears, lol! 😀

A brobdingnagian thanks to Dayle (Tip Of My Iceberg blog) for suggesting words for my 2 E’s below, i’ve now completed my tuning acronym. 🎸

EADGBE…💪🏼

• E – Endurance – Tortoise NOT Hare, lol! 🤣
• A – Activity Rings – I use apple watch so i need to close my daily…

Hi Fitblitzers.

Wow, i’m out of shape, lol! I walked through the beautiful local nature reserve on my one and only trail lap…I managed 2 laps which is 13,000 steps = 6 miles as it was a dress rehearsal for the One Million Step challenge that starts on Saturday 1st July. This was perfect as the challenge requires around 11,000 steps – 5.5 miles a day for 92 days! So being in a 2,000 step a day surplus should be great as if something pops up i have enough steps to finish…Well that’s the plan, the walk today nearly killed me, lol…Every pound in weight lost will help my walking during this challenge! 😀

During the walk i started thinking about my guitars and how they need tuning (random thoughts i know, lol)…But then i started to try and come up with a sort of FitBlitz acronym for a 6…

Hi Frozen FitBlitz Friends! I think you can guess that i really didn’t want to go out on the trail this morning, but that’s not the FitBlitz attitude is it, lol! After checking the weather app and it confirming that it was freezing (well below freezing, lol) my first thought was ‘at least the pond photo should look nice and white for all of you guys’ 😀 So really it’s your fault why i’m having to go out and freeze to death, lol! 🤣

I didn’t want to stand still for too long as i’d end up being one of those ice sculptures…So i quickly took the wide angle and normal zoom to get the 2 shots and crunched my way towards the path. There wasn’t too many other people out today (don’t know why, lol) so i thought i’d get a couple of photos today for you to enjoy…

Hi FitBlitz family! After more rain this morning (the fine stuff that soaks you through, lol) i thought my walk would be cut short, when i stumbled upon this fallen tree. For anyone else this wouldn’t be a problem, but for this blind man it means stop and turn around and go home! But…As i stood there taking this photo for you guys i heard somebody walking towards me, i couldn’t see them but my hearing is fantastic, yay! My plan was to look busy and wait until they arrived and then i’d try and figure out how they navigated this obstacle?!

They didn’t go around the tree so i knew it must be a long one, they just stepped over it with little effort…Excellent now it’s my turn…I walked up until i kicked the tree and did a large exaggerated step over (nearly kneeing myself in the face, lol)…Yay…

Hi friends! After having the whole Q4 celebrating my 2 fundraisering ultra walks last year…Yes the ultra walks i thought this blindman would never be able to achieve, but thanks to all of you out there who supported, cheered and donated i completed them, thank you so much! 😀

But now it’s Q1 i’ve really got to get back on it and get walking those trails! As it was a massive 3 months since i’d been out on my usual trail i t was very difficult as it’s winter and the paths are different and some of my markers have gone…But i managed it safely and got back home in one piece, a great start towards my goal of removing this unwanted weight after too much celebrating…I never said this weight loss journey was easy, lol! 😨

How are you guys doing? I hope you havn’t been as bad as…

Hi Friends!!

Yay this blindman has somehow managed to drag this classic body 500 miles and reach 1 million steps to complete the challenge with 6 days to go!! I’m seriously heading for the pits to be restored and give my legs a rest so they won’t be as swollen and battered. 💪🏼 😀

You’ll be pleased to hear i won’t be doing any more charity challenges this year, so i won’t be hounding you for donations…But as this is my last opportunity and i’ve already smashed one of my two goals (the steps) please could you help me smash my fundraising goal??!!

During this agonising challenge and battling an omnifarious amount of emotions, i’ve learned that brittle type 1 diabetes is a million times worse than i’ve been feeling, and it simply never gives up, stays the same and definitely never rests! I really have full respect for my…

Hi Friends!!

Man is this challenge still going?! I don’t know about you but i was fed up after the 1st month…I think I’m having ‘post challenge blues’ but during the challenge, lol! 🤣

I think my legs are shorter, i’m really starting to hate walking and most of all my lovely new trainers burned out after 300 miles!! 😭 I can’t believe this challenge is still going on, i’m seriously not doing another endurance challenge again (not sure how true this statement will be once i’ve finished).

Oh i almost forgot…I’m meant to be celebrating passing 900,000 steps (that’s around 450 miles) which is fantastic and further than i’ve ever walked without a days rest! I hope you can celebrate for me as i’m still on the floor exhausted and lacking the power to go on.

I know brittle type 1 diabetes is a million times worse than i’m…

Hi Friends!!

Wow i thought my ‘Ultra Step Challenge‘ during advent 2020 for Blood Pressure UK was gruelling, and that was only 24 days, lol! 😨 I’m now 2 years older and this current challenge is double the milage…But after a wayward week in the slough of despond, i’m happy to be awarded the 600,000 step badge (that’s 300 miles).

If i ever mention i’m doing another endurance charity challenge in the future, can you tell me NO, lol! 😀

Sarah’s Message…🤔

Whilst out on my walk this morning (i didn’t want to go but i did) i was flagging on about mile 4 until i recieved this message from my lovely wife Sarah:

“Oooh you are strong and amazing. 💪 I love you very much and am inspired by your determination to get these steps done… however hard it is. You are my amazing wonderful hero husband……

Hi Friends!!

This blindman is celebrating hitting the half way mark of this gruelling challenge…The 500,000 steps (around 250 miles) badge! 🙌

I can’t believe i’ve not posted in 6 days!! 😨 But i just wanted to let you know i’m not dead…Although i think i’m a little shorter now, or is it just the tread wear on my trail shoes, lol! 🤣

The Gruelling Challenge…😰

Diabetes is relentless and simply never stops…But neither do I!

For the last 18 years i’ve seen first hand how my lovely wife Sarah battles, struggles and copes with her ‘brittle Type 1’ diabetes. She’s such a warrior and is truly my inspiration on perseverance, determination and drive to keep fighting.

Please click HERE and read my story, donate and please share it everywhere you can!!

Hi Friends!!

Yay…It’s only thanks to you guys for your kind and generous donations towards this gruelling challenge , that i’ve recieved the ‘One Million Step Challenge‘ t-shirt. Diabetes UK send you the t-shirt once you’ve raised over £100…So i can’t thank you guys enough! 💪🏼

As you’ve probably guessed…I love charity t-shirts as i can hardly see them whilst i’m out walking…But everyone else has to look (and read) my wearable advertising board, llol! 🤣 💪🏼

A quick shout out…📣

I’d just like to give a quick shout out to Dayle (from ‘Tip of my iceberg‘ blog), as her message “Steve, I hope this will encourage you a little. Know that our prayers are with you! Congratulations of pursuing this!” left on my fundraising page really helped me over the last 2 days, when my motivation was a little flat…It was a timely message to…

Hi Friends!!

Awww is it only day 22 of 61!! 😨 It’s going to be a really short post today as i’m happy i’ve reached over 420,000 steps (around 200 miles)…But it’s hard to stay motivated whilst your body is aching and trying to be substituted off the playing field! Sorry i don’t have anything funny or mildly interesting to say today, but i’ll be back tomorrow when i’ll be hopefully full of beans?! 🤔

Hi Friends!!

It’s day 19/61, and this blindman has walked over 160 miles and i’ve earned my 350,000 steps badge this week…Yes i’m tired and hurting as i battle my way along this gruelling challenge! 😰 Can you help this charity close to my heart? Please donate or share everywhere (or both, lol)!

Type 1 diabetes never gives Sarah a rest, so I don’t want to have one either during my fundraising challenge!

I’ve had 3 kind donations this week…One from Ian (from church), an anonymous donation and one from Ann & Michael (also from church). I can’t tell you how humbling and motivating it is to get such generous support., it also inspires me to keep going through this endurance challenge and keep fighting to help this great charity that’s close to my heart, as my lovely warrior wife Sarah has ‘Brittle Type 1 Diabetes’. ❤️ 💪🏼

Ian’s message…

Hi Friends!!

Yay…I’m celebrating that this blindman has reached over 350,000 steps!! I’m also trying to calm my aching legs…But i already feel like a battered ‘Group B’ rally car after being thrashed around the rally stages, and i’ve only done a third of the challenge!

I think i need to break out my old panel beating skills to repair and restore my old classic bodywork. It needs lots of repairs,planishing and some putty filler, lol! 🤣

Getting lost in the woods…😨

As you may know it’s taken me about 2 years to finally create a 2.5 mile lap in my local woods…But as I’m now using my new microsoft soundscape GPS app to navigate me through the woods, i had a bright idea to try and lengthen my trail lap…Bad idea! 🤣

As i was happy the…

Hi Friends!

Wow i can’t believe i’ve already earned this award and it’s only day 17! I normally just sneak the badge in right at the end of the month…But with my ‘One million step challenge‘ which started 1st August, it meant i’ve nailed it already as i’ve been stomping over 10 miles a day without a rest so far! 💪🏼 😀

Hi Friends!!

Saturday and Sunday were both scorches at 33˚C and i knew it would be tough getting lots of steps done…So as my T1D warrior wife Sarah was off work, she first made the nicest iced coffee and then we headed off to the ponds in the nature reserve. ☕ 😀

I put my AirPods in and shouted out everything my new microsoft soundscape app was telling me…Sarah said it was really useful and we could try it everywhere we go, yay a win! 🤣 When we arrived at the point that you guys know well (it’s the edge of the pond i always photograph through each season) my app shouted out “Fishing platform”…Of course it is, why didn’t i think of that, lol! 🤣 Now i wonder if there is such a thing called blind fishing? 🤔

After Sarah shouted at me to get my photo taken with…

Hi Friends!!

It’s day 12/61, and i’ve done over 110 miles and i’ve just earned my 250,000 steps badge this morning…Yes i’m tired and hurting especially through this heatwave! 😰 Can you help this charity close to my heart? Please donate or share everywhere (or both, lol)!

Type 1 diabetes never gives Sarah a rest, so I don’t want to have one either during my fundraising challenge!

I’ve had 2 kind donations this week…The 1st from my lovely wife Sarah and the 2nd friend from Dayle (blogger from the USA) which is not only humbling and motivating, it also inspires me to keep going through this endurance challenge and keep fighting to help this great charity that’s close to my heart! 💪🏼 😀

Sarah’s message “Thanks for doing this amazing challenge to support diabetes UK my lovely husband. I just wanted to contribute and get you started on what is…

Hi Friends!!

I’ve already pounded over 100 miles wearing my super bright Inov8 Trailfly G300 max trail shoes…And as a reward for earning the first donation Diabetes UK sent me some metal shoe lace charms to wear during the challenge:

“When you receive your first donation we’ll send you a shoelace charm as a special reminder that every step counts and we must always look after our feet. We’ll post this to you automatically if you’ve opted to receive rewards. We’ll send these out throughout the challenge.”

Sarah tells me they look fantastic and fit perfectly on the trail shoe. I’m defo looking after my feet with these stupendous shoes…I really don’t want to burn them out but the challenge is worth it!! 💪🏼 😀

About The Blind Navigation Soundscape app…😲

I’ve been out on my trail again this morning, finding places where i can add new waypoints along my…

Hi Friends!!

Today was not only another hot 29˚C, but i had to wait in for some deliveries…Which meant i had to fight for my steps today! 💪🏼 I managed an early quick few miles before the start time of the deliveries, as i wanted to try out my new ‘Soundscape’ app on my trail. I’m at the beginners stage of the app so just managed to place some map markers along my route, to see if my earphones can pick them up in 360˚ audio beacon targeting thingy, which would be cool and very useful when i get lost!! 😀

I also did some workouts on apple fitness plus in my living room to try and keep my steps up…I managed quite a few steps whilst bombing around the room, lol! 🤣 Now i’ll probably spend the rest of my challenge trying to…

Hi Friends!!

Yeah i’m still walking, lol! 🤣 It’s day 8 of this monumental 61 day challenge, and i have another heatwave to look forwards too for nearly 2 weeks! 😨 It’s 29˚C today and i’m getting my well rounded tan as i walk my circular lap…Well at least that’s a bonus, lol! 🤣 Walking in the sun is an absolute killer for me, as the brightness fries my eyes, brain and drains me really fast no matter what hat, cap or sunglasses combo i try…It’s just the sight i have to put up with..At least i get a break when i’m asleep, and i even dream fully sighted some of the time which is weird…But brittle Type One Diabetes never gives Sarah a rest so i’ll stop complaining, lol…And it’s why i’m doing this challenge without a rest day too! 😨

My Steps So Far…💪🏼

At the time of…

Hi FitBlitz Friends!!

You’re never going to believe this (i didn’t)…Me and my lovely wife Sarah were sat in the rear garden of our favourite restaurant (Sicily Restaurant), and just as Grace was placing the stunning ‘Tiramisu’ on to the table…The muppets theme tune blasted out of my pocket from my iPhone!! I looked straight at Sarah (or as near as possible) as we both knew what the tune meant…A donation!! 😲

The Donation…😲

Before i had chance to click through and read the amazing message my phone blasted out again as i’d been awarded the badge above! 💪🏼 The loving donation actually took my fundraising to £166. 😲

Sarah was reading the many shocked looks from my face and asking who it was from? I kept saying you’re never going to believe who it’s from?? I said “it’s in US Dollars again”…

Hi Friends!!

It’s day 5/61, and i’ve done 57 miles and over 115,000 steps…Yes i’m tired and hurting, lol! 🤣 Can you help this charity close to my heart? Please donate or share everywhere (or both, lol)!

Type 1 diabetes never gives Sarah a rest, so I don’t want to have one either during my fundraising challenge!

So if you’re feelinginspired…Please hit the donate button and support my stepping challenge. Every step and every donation counts. Join me and let’s help everybody living with diabetes. For all the mums, dads, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, grandparents, and best friends, creating a world where diabetes can do no harm.

One million steps is around 500 miles, i’ve already donated £25…It’s going to be a really tough challenge and it’s the furthest i’ve ever walked by a long way!! Please help! 😨

Every penny given will go towards Diabetes UK care…

Hi FitBlitz Friends!!

Wow that train track is close, lol! 😨 I’m so glad i stayed where i was when i took this photo…I thought i wouldn’t get the tracks in the shot, but once i arrived home and zoomed in on my iMac…It’s right there!! 😀 At least i know not to step any closer, and maybe i can get a slow motion video of the train as i can hear when it comes.

My Steps So Far…💪🏼

At the time of this post i’m just over 115,000 steps after 5 days…I’m hoping for some more steps this evening, as i’m trying to build a surplus before my legs burn off, as you never know what can happen to this blindman whilst out on the trail…So i’ll get the steps in when i can! 💪🏼

Today’s Theme: “Round” 🤔

I spent my walk thinking about what i could post…

Hi FitBlitz Friends!!

Yay i actually managed to get me and a bit of the trail in a selfie this morning! 😲 I thought i’ve been taking hundreds of photos whilst on my trail walks…But not one of me on the trail which could lead to you thinking i’m just posting anyones photos, lol! 🤣 I can’t see my iPhone at all so don’t take many selfies, mainly as i’m old and think the camera should be pointing the other way (others come first). 🤣

Please let me know if you like seeing me in the frame with the trail, and i’ll have to start trying to get better at it…Meanwhile here is a normal photo of my trail! 🤣

I managed 8.5 miles today in the hot sun and had no dramas. I was trying to slow down to just over 3 mph but my body just won’t slow…

Hi FitBlitz Family!!

When i first posted on Facebook about this crazy challenge and how i wanted to do it in 2 months instead of 3, and for Diabetes UK for my lovely wife Sarah as inspiration and motivation… I received a comment from our friend Anita saying she wanted to do it too! Anita then set up this ‘Sarah’s Walking Warriors‘ fundraising page and i quickly joined. Wow what a name!!! 😀

Anita used to work with Sarah at ‘World Cancer Research Fund’ and quickly became friends with Sarah (who wouldn’t??) so she got to know quite a bit about type one diabetes and soon joined me on this challenge. Anita also was one of the ‘Crazy Clappers’ on my first ‘Blind Steve’ challenge which was the ‘Tough Mudder‘ back in Oct 2018. 💪🏼

Anita is an absolute walking machine and is the master that…

Hi FitBlitz Family!!

Wow that was tough!! For the last couple of miles i was staggering like a zombie in an 80’s dodgy horror film, lol! 🤣 I know my new extended trail lap is harder as it has more uphill sections, but this was crazy…I was exhausted, dripping with sweat as it’s still hot here and drinking my water like a dying man. But i managed the 9.3 miles (about 29,000 steps) before lunchtime, and i’ve only got 59 days to go, lol! 🤣 😨

The sunflower above is one of Sarah’s in the garden. I managed to earn some more steps last night by watering the flowers…Well once i’d picked myself off the ground after my first 9.3 miles walk yesterday! 🤣 And as this flower hit me in the face…I thought i’d take a photo of it. Wow it’s nearly as bright as a Sarah smile! 😲

Hi FitBlitz Family!!

Well this is it, the start of my gruelling 500 mile step challenge. I put on my stupendous new trail shoes, my backpack with water, lucozade and maybe a protein bar or two, lol…When Sarah said “Quick you need to have a photo for the start of your challenge, and to show the Fitblitz family that you’ve started”…Above is the photo of the old blind guy trying to walk 500 miles, lol! 🤣

Steps…

I managed a 9.3 mile (2 of my new laps) to kick off this morning steps. It worked out at 19,062 steps, so i quickly logged it on my fundraising page…A good start and i still have more to come on this first day! 😀

Today’s Theme: Pink…

During this challenge i’d joined the ‘One million step’ Facebook group, and they have a theme for each day to keep things interesting. As you…