iChristian

#BlindSteve – Land’s End to John O’ Groats Walk…

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Friends.

Heading out today wearing my pac-a-mac as it was raining all night, my legs were already hurting and tight. The first lap was the best for me as it was raining and very grey, the other 2 laps were just a killer and i had to stop a few times just to get some energy back and to tell myself off and keep going! I kept thinking about all of you guys out there cheering me on, and how i had to create this post once i’ve finished my walk, and i’d better have some photos and content for you guys to look at! 💪🏼 

Yay i’m here! 

After yesterday’s attempt at trying to get me in the photo so you didn’t think i wasn’t there, lol…I thought i’d try another and i think it’s worked! That can’t be a fluke, and you’d better watch out as i might start taking more photos of me going around the trail! 😲 My face is already hurting as i’m having to smile for camera, and it uses too many muscles and energy that i need for my legs! 🤣 

Stumbling round the trail like a zombie, i needed to look out for some ‘Skylines’ for today’s theme for Diabetes UK. As i’m always looking down i never really look up, but when i did i stopped (not sure why) and took the photo above. The super blurry lines and light just seemed to click for me, and i hope it’s taken a nice photo for you? 

Today’s Diabetes uk theme is…’skylines’

A photo on my daily trail walk around my local nature reserve. It was grey and most of the skyline is covered with trees. As ‘m registered blind i can only really walk on the same loop around this trail…So i keep going round and round, and there isn’t any building to get a Skyline, lol!  After my daily 3 hour walk and a few loops, i managed 21,000 steps! My legs are letting me know that’s quite a lot for me, lol! 

Every donation counts…❤️

Please help and hit the donate button and support my stepping challenge. Every step and every donation counts. Join me and let’s help my lovely Wife Sarah and 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.

Land’s End to John O’ Groats (1.7 million steps) is around 850 miles, and it’s going to be a really tough challenge…especially for me!! Please help!  

Every penny given will go towards Diabetes UK care and support services, advice and guidance, and pioneering research. Together, we’re changing the world for people with diabetes.

#BlindSteve – Land’s End to John O’ Groats Walk…

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Friends.

Wow i feel battered, achy and sore today but i did manage over 25,000 steps yesterday. This is a little over what i needed to do, as i really want to have steps in hand as you know anything can happen and probably will, lol! On the plus side the sun was nowhere to be seen and it was very cloudy which made for the best conditions for me…Well raining is best as there not as many people out on the trail! 🤣 

Yay i’m here! 

As i was about 7 miles in i thought ‘I haven’t taken any photos of me at all on the trail, so i’d better try and take one and let you guys know i am actually here and not just taking random photos, lol’. I much prefer to take my own photo as i know roughly where the camera is (as i’m holding it) instead of guessing where the person is! The only problem was that i was so tired i could hardly hold up the phone. 🤣 

I managed to roll each of my ankles, neither of them snapped off but i’ll definitely feel them later. When i arrived home my lovely Wife Sarah welcomed me with yet another one of her amazing smashed ice babycino’s…Wow they are tasty and i definitely need it to cool down! 😋 There is just one more walk this evening to round off the day that i love to do with Sarah, it’s a much more enjoyable one as i’m hand in and with my lovely walking through the woods. ❤️

Today’s Diabetes uk theme is…’flowers’

Today’s theme ‘Flowers’. Please meet my lovely wife Sarah (T1D Warrior) with her fave flower…Sunflower! and Sarah’s the main reason for this walking challenge! 🌻 

Every donation counts…❤️

Please help and hit the donate button and support my stepping challenge. Every step and every donation counts. Join me and let’s help my lovely Wife Sarah and 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.

Land’s End to John O’ Groats (1.7 million steps) is around 850 miles, and it’s going to be a really tough challenge…especially for me!! Please help!  

Every penny given will go towards Diabetes UK care and support services, advice and guidance, and pioneering research. Together, we’re changing the world for people with diabetes.

#BlindSteve – Land’s End to John O’ Groats Walk…

Today’s pond photo…

Hi Friends.

Well today’s the day! Still can’t believe my challenge is here already. As i started out on my first 10 mile walk, the sun was blinding (my worst conditions) and i spent most of the first lap immobilised…But it made for a nice photo of the pond for you (see above). Thankfully on the next two laps the clouds came over and made everything much more even and dull, sounds morbid but it’s the best condition for my eyes and brain to stop killing me, lol. 🤣 

The Donation…

I had been walking for around 5 miles, my head and eyes were hurting from the sun, my legs were feeling it and then…The joyful Muppet theme song blasted through my ears which not only put a smile on my face, but it meant that i’d received another donation! I quickly stopped my navigation app and checked who it was…It was our good friends Lynda & John who never fail to support me and the charities i do these crazy challenges for, lol! To say i’m thankful is an understatement, and i can’t believe the kind, loving and generous support i’ve received so far from all of you guys, i’m simply stunned! ❤️

This instantly stopped me from being fed up and wanting to go home…To telling myself off and getting stuck in for the next 5 miles!! 💪🏼 And when i arrived home tired, aching but buzzing as i’d received a donation on my first day, Sarah had made me an amazing iced babyccino to cool me down…What an amazing wife! 😀 

Today’s Diabetes uk theme is…’wear blue’

As you know i like wearing my ‘Blue’ INOV-8 trail shoes. Sorry i couldn’t take a photo of me wearing them, but here they are. I walk on light trails so these are perfect for me to feel the ground and (acting as my eyes), great grip and most importantly keep the blisters away!

Every donation counts…❤️

Please help and hit the donate button and support my stepping challenge. Every step and every donation counts. Join me and let’s help my lovely Wife Sarah and 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.

Land’s End to John O’ Groats (1.7 million steps) is around 850 miles, and it’s going to be a really tough challenge…especially for me!! Please help!  

Every penny given will go towards Diabetes UK care and support services, advice and guidance, and pioneering research. Together, we’re changing the world for people with diabetes.

Today’s Pond Photo…

Hi Fitblitzers.

As it’s only 3 weeks today until i start my biggest charity fundraising challenge so far…It was definitely the motivation i needed to get out on the trail this morning! I’ve left it a little too late to get in shape for this 10 miles a day for 85 days walking challenge that is the same as walking from Land’s End to John O’ Groats…But what’s a challenge it doesn’t have the potential to kill you, lol! 🤣 

I walked out on the beautiful trail and managed 6 miles with the lovely bird song (and the Soundscape app jabbering in my ear) keeping me company. I was very pleased that i had no dramas with runners, cyclists, dog walkers or snapped ankles, so in my book that’s a win and i can continue tomorrow if my legs aren’t too painful tonight. 💪🏼 

Motivational Quote…

“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them”. – Ralph Marston

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s Pond Photo…

Hi Fitblitzers.

After reading some of your comments last night about my 50th birthday Florida trip i’m thinking about, i was thinking that maybe i could never do my walks each day and take photos like the one of the pond above if i lived in Florida. I thought that if it was Florida, then my pond photo above would have an American Alligator, American Black Bear, Diamondback Rattlesnake and maybe a Brown Recluse spider, as exciting as it maybe i’m wondering if Blindies like myself get eaten alive, torn apart or chased until i get tired and collapse as i simply can’t see them…Yes even a massive American Alligator, lol! 🤣

This isn’t the only thing on my mind, lol, as i switch quickly to the Cuban sandwich i have to try and the omnifarious Floridian foods i need to try. 😋 I want to eat the food…Not be the food, lol! 🤣 But seriously me and my lovely Wife Sarah would love for Florida to be ‘The Blind Sightseers’ next holiday (and hopefully not the last) but it’s just at the dream stage at the moment waiting to move into reality. 🙏

The Simon Skid Chicane audio beacon…

I need to go and take the photo above again, as i don’t think you can see the big S shape skid chicane the path takes. I’ll go out on Monday and take another one. I labelled this audio beacon after Sarah’s eldest brother Simon, he also had Scalextric (slot cars) as a kid and played on them for hours, and when i was out showing Sarah the part and what i was thinking of calling it, she remembered that her Mum had made Simon a skid chicane for his Scalextric…So i had to call it ‘The Simon Skid Chicane’. 😀

Anyway enough rambling on, i hope you have had a blessed week and have a great weekend? 🙏 😀

Inspirational Quote…💪🏼 

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” – Vince Lombardi

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s Pond Photos…

Hi Fitblitzers.

Wow it’s cold!! After me and my lovely Wife Sarah (The Blind Sightseers) were being roasted in the sun last week in Portugal…Coming home and going out on the trail in my puffer coat was a shock to say the least, lol! 🤣 

To say i wasn’t motivated this morning to go out and freeze to death was quite an understatement! But i knew you guys would be out there waiting for me to put in some miles and take some pond photos, lol. I managed 3.5 miles today and i even walked around the side of the pond to get you a different angle. 😀 

Now i can grab a coffee and stay in the warmth and edit my holiday photos ready to show you guys! ☕ 

Motivational Quote…

“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them”. – Ralph Marston

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Today’s Pond Photo…

Hi Fitblitzers.

Well i’m not sure about you, but i couldn’t get motivated to leave the house this morning! After exhausting every excuse i managed to get out on the trail and take the daily pond photo for you! 😀 

Here in England we’ve had some strongg winds for a couple of days, so i was very cautious through the woods today as i thought i’d be floored and damaged by fallen trees again. I’d walked carefully expecting to be whacked at any moment by a tree across the path…Then i was, lol! 

Thankfully it wasn’t a major incident, as my face was suddenly attacked by lots of leaves and branches which makes you jump out of your skin as you’re not expecting it…And as my reactions slowed me quickly i couldn’t find a way through as the branches got thicker as i realised i couldn’t get through. I pulled my face from the branches and worked my way around until i was free and on the other side, yay! I stopped and took the photo above…And it looks a lot less than i’m explaining, but in my defence i can’t see anywhere near as clear as the camera, lol! It’s an amazingly big challenge when you can’t see what you’re doing or what obstacle is in your way! 💪🏼 😀 

Motivational Quote…

“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them”. – Ralph Marston

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers.

Not only do i walk and burn my legs into the ground as i’m sure i’m getting shorter, lol…But on Friday’s me and my lovely wife Sarah have huge Cod fillets and then get out the various dumbbells and kettlebells! 😨 

When you get to my age, lol (49 in a week) you may have heard the word ‘Sarcopenia’ well i think Sarah is fed up of hearing it from me, i think i use it as an excuse to eat lots of protein e.g fish, steak, chicken breasts etc…Well a man has to try, lol! 🤣 

Also i think it is important as i read “Sarcopenia is the age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. The main symptom of the condition is muscle weakness. Sarcopenia is a type of muscle atrophy primarily caused by the natural aging process”. 

With that said, i think i’m going for a chicken breast burger tomorrow as got to keep up the daily protein, lol! 💪🏼 😀 

Inspirational Quote…💪🏼 

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” – Vince Lombardi

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers.

This morning’s walk started off well as i took the photo above, the birds were tweeting, the air was fresh and i had a mission. My missing this morning was to find the third and final loop to my lap. After i completed my figure of 8 (2 loops in 1 lap) i wanted to create 3 loops inside 1 lap, a trinity lap! 😀 

Once i passed the pond i started the third loop. As i had no idea what was coming in front of me, i created an audio beacon every few hundred feet, so if it got too bad i could find my way back (like dropping bread crumbs, lol). 🤣 

I managed my usual slow zombie walk for over a mile until my foot went ankle deep in sludge! After a few of these i retreated and started my long walk home back the way i’d walked whilst recalculating for tomorrows attempt. I’m hoping to have my ‘Trinity Lap’ completed by Friday but i’ll need plenty of prayers! 🙏 

Inspirational Lyrics by Disciple 

🎶 That’s why we’re not ashamed of the name of Jesus 
And we don’t care if the whole world sees us 
From our chains he has set us free 
And I could never repay what he has given to me 🎶

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers.

Yay, i’ve not only managed 5 out of 5 days again, but i finally completed my scalextric loop the loop figure of 8 lap which is 5 miles long! 💪🏼 I didn’t take a photo of the pond today as i didn’t walk along that part of my lap…But i did take a photo of the little bridge whilst i was out trying to put audio beacons on my last section. 😀 

As you may know i always like to push my limits, and whilst i was out connecting my loops…I figured out i could make another loop to have 3 loops in 1 big lap! Now this would be cool but it requires some good eyes, lol! I got stuck in some deep mud today so i turned back around, but i was sure it was the way i needed for the 3rd loop. I’m going to go out there on Monday and try out the ‘Be My Eyes’ app for the first time and see if they can help me. I’ve never used this app before (so it’ll be my first time) but i’ve heard it’s fantastic for the blind. Have you ever heard of it? 🤔 

Oh by the way…You may remember when i was doing my ultra trail marathon that i kept going on about the amazing chocolate flapjacks! It was the perfect fuel for my long walks but i had to stop getting them as the bakery closed…But now i’ve found the other bakery (same but not in my town) and it delivers to me!! 😋 So the motivational quote today is from my lovely Wife Sarah, and the quote she says to me all of the time to help motivate me as she knows how much i love the flapjacks! 💪🏼 

Inspirational Quote: My Wife Sarah ❤️ 

If you don’t do at least a lap, you don’t get a flapjack! 😀 

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers.

Well on Friday i said i’d do 2 laps each day this week after managing 1 lap each day last week…And i managed my 1st day of 2 laps (6 mile) walk. It feels really good to complete the lap twice, especially now ‘m older and 50 pounds heavier! 😨 

There still hasn’t been any dramas out there yet which i’m really thankful for…Maybe they’ll be more to write about once the blinding sun comes out? Either way i’ll keep you updated and hopefully make these posts more interesting for you! 😀 

Inspirational Lyrics: Isaac Watts 

🎶 Were the whole realm of nature mine 
That were a tribute far too small 
Love so amazing so divine 
Demands my soul my life my all. 🎶

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers.

Yay i’ve managed to do a lap (3.5 miles) each day this week (Mon – Fri), without any dramas out in the wasteland, i mean the lovely lap, lol! 🤣 I can now give my legs a little rest over the weekend before i do 2 laps each day next week! 😨 

It was overcast again out there which means my eyes are not being burned out of my sockets…Yet, but i have all of that joy to come, lol! I’m so pleased i’ve managed 5/5 days this week and that i’ve been building my lap with my soundscape audio beacons…It’s so good to be back, catching up with you guys and having often dangerous fun getting back out and trying to achieve my health and fitness goals! 💪🏼 

Inspirational Lyrics: Isaac Watts 

🎶 Were the whole realm of nature mine 
That were a tribute far too small 
Love so amazing so divine 
Demands my soul my life my all. 🎶

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers.

I managed to add another couple of audio beacons to my Soundscape route this morning, yay! Also just before i added a beacon to tell me to stop and take the photo above, my lovely Wife Sarah called me…And as she talked she said “Awww i can hear all of those many birds tweeting, it’s beautiful’. I quite often forget just how blessed i am and how lovely this place is whilst i’m concentrating on beacons and not crashing into anything! 😲 

Inspirational Lyrics: Isaac Watts 

🎶 Were the whole realm of nature mine 
That were a tribute far too small 
Love so amazing so divine 
Demands my soul my life my all. 🎶

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼

Hi Fitblitzers.

No rain today and i did 1 lap for a total of 3.4 miles. I also managed to stop and add a couple more audio beacons to my route i have saved on the Soundscape app. The more beacons i set around my route the better as they help me beyond belief! I now have 25 around my route and it’s growing each time i go out! 💪🏼 

My main goal i’ve set myself is…’50 by 50′, this is to lose 50 pounds (yes i’ve really put that much on) by my 50th birthday in 13 months – April 2025! Oh and of coursee if there is a walking fundraising challenge along the way then i just might accept as it’ll give me some more focus, lol! 🤣 I know i’m getting older with every step but it’s a goal i need to smash!! 💪🏼 

Motivational Quote:..💪🏼 

“I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m DONE!”

Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2024 Together! 💪🏼