Hi FitBlitz family! After finishing a lovely coffee by my even lovelier wife Sarah, i put on my usual shorts and vest combo ready for my walk, when “Hold on a minute…Is that rain?” i thought as i opened the front door to the rain pounding down. I answered my question by putting on my ultra bright yellow rain jacket and went to say goodbye to Sarah. 😀
Sarah said “Wow that’s bright, and with your orange trainers, i’ve got to take a photo for your bloggers to see”. I assumed she meant it looked really cool and that i look like an old retired footballer (soccer player)…I’ll leave that one alone and hope you enjoy the photo above anyway, lol! 🤣 Full credit to Sarah as she ran out in the rain to take the photo, then ran back in again! 😀
Hi FitBlitz family! Wow…Now that was a long walk and i’m pleased i’ve survived, lol. 🤣 I managed a total of 6 laps today…You’d think i’d get bored of walking around and around the same trail…But i don’t, it’s just a beautiful walk and i’m so blessed to be able to do it! 🙏 😀
I kept a good pace of around 3.75 mph for over 4 and a half hours which i’m really happy with, also i could’ve only dreamed of such a thing 2 years ago! I think i’d better sort myself out to do another fundraiser before i burn myself out…Or get too old, lol! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.”
Did you know that, apart from being servants, children and heirs; called and chosen that we’re also God’s soldiers?
We’re going to show how to have a victorious living in Jesus, making use of God’s armour. Because the biggest purpose of God’s armour is for you to defend and to overcome the enemy daily (Eph. 6:11)
🙏 Wow…Ellie never fails to convict and build up with her wisdom filled posts! I love “Which are you? Are you teachable, pliable, and motivational? If so, you’ll process the “nectar” of wellness, until you’ve reached your mental, physiological and spiritual goal.” 😀
Strive to be a BEE! 💪🏼
Our pastor used an excellent illustration that I believed expressed similarities between nutrition and Christianity. I hope you’ll recognize the correlation as well.
***
A man of God strolled through a beautiful public garden one morning. He happened upon a brilliant butterfly setting on a beautiful blue flower next to the path. It wasn’t long however until the butterfly flew away searching for another pretty flower to land upon.
The Butterfly:
As a nutritionist, I’ve counseled many who flit from one diet plan to another. They believe another magical formula will work. It does until it doesn’t since they were searching for an easy fix, not Truth. I understand that even I won’t last long in their orbit. They’ll be off to find another mythical diet plan.
Weight loss shouldn’t be a quick fix. If you lose weight too quickly. your body assumes you’re starving or sick. Your metabolism slows…
Hi fitness family! Hope you’ve had a ‘FitBlitzing’ weekend? Today on the trail i managed 4 laps (11.13 miles) and kept my pace around 4 miles per hour for a total of 2 hours 45 minutes! 💪🏼
I kept my ‘Walk 130 bpm’ music playlist on for the whole duration, as it’s like a pulsing metronome as i push myself to keep up. I put my right foot down on the bass drum (first beat) and my left foot down on the snare drum (beat 2), and as it’s the same persistent beat all of the time, it’s a real workout when a steep hill appears and you have to keep the same beat but with much more effort…You just keep pumping away until you hope a down hill or flat section will start, lol! 🤣
If it didn’t feel so good, healthy and so rewarding for the body, it…
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: Come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; And his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5 KJV
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for a new week. Thank You for Your Word and for the truth within. Lord Jesus, I humbly request that You help us to live in praise and honor this week, being witnesses of Your goodness by our words, our actions, and our attitudes. Lord, please teach us how to be focused upon You…
Hi fitness family! Today on the trail in the 28˚C heat i started thinking about how far i’d ventured along my health and fitness journey after 2 years, and how i’m managing to walk around this trail every day in this intense heat, with no hay fever and wearing my medium clothes…I instantly started giving thanks for everything! 🙏 😀
🤧 No Hay Fever…
I can’t tell you how much easier it’s been this summer without suffering from the constant streaming eyes, dripping nose and ferocious sneezing! My mind still hasn’t adapted to the new body work yet (even after 2 years) and i still walk around expecting the effects…But nothing comes, yay! 😀
☀️ The Sun & The Heat…
I’ve never been comfortable in the sun and always hated the heat, i’d always try and find shade or find some other way out of it. Simply walking the…
Hi fitness family! It’s a roasting 27˚C which is climbing to around 32˚C on Friday! 😓 This is very hot for England, Uk and i certainly felt it whilst out on the trail today for 2 ½ hours…I was dripping like a Salvador Dali painting! 🤣
I was walking around the trail trying to think of a photo i’d not already taken of this 3 mile trail, as i’ve already bored you to death with photos of trees, trails and ponds, lol! 🤣 When i’d finished stomping up a hill section right after the pond, i stopped at the “Crossroads” to take a well needed water break…When i thought “Wait a minute…I haven’t shown them the 4 points of the crossroads yet?!”
Yay i’ve managed to find some more paths and trees to really get you fed up! 🤣 I was very tired at this point and the sun was…
Hi fitness family! I seriously didn’t want to go out today as i knew the sun was going to be far too bright, but i dragged myself out of the door and on to the trail…Once i’m out i can get it done and all of my excuses have failed, lol! 🤣
It wasn’t long before i could hear lots of engine noise and blades cutting, chopping and snapping twigs and branches in front of me, so i turned my audiobook off, slowed down and imagined walking on to huge blades as my flesh and bones are sprayed all over the trail. Once i listened properly, i could hear that they were moving forwards so i just followed super slowly until i could get past, phew! The image above shows what was in front…Could you let me know what it is in the comments section as i have no idea?…
Hi fitness family! After ‘FitBlitzing’ around my local nature reserve this morning, and doing my daily 8.5 miles (3 laps) i stopped to take a few photos and thought…I think i’ll just let you sit back and enjoy this beautiful place without any of my flannel and waffle…I can save all that until tomorrow!! 🤣
Let’s ‘FitBlitz’ 2022 together!! 💪🏼
Motivational Quote:..
“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them.”
Can youbelieve it’s been 2 years today, since i started on my life long health target starting with (“June time to prune”) on 1st June 2020. I wanted to post this on my blogs as a milestone for me, as i like to share all of my ups and downs with you all!💪🏼 😀
Now it’s June again and i have some extra pounds to prune! I’m still a size medium (from XXL) but it’s not the easy fitting new clothes i enjoyed a year ago…So yay i have a new goal to smash already, lol! 🤣
It’s great getting back to walking each day after taking a well earned rest with lots of celebrating whilst taking the whole month of May off. But now i’m back focused again on my future fundraisers, lol! 🤣 I still can’t believe in these last 2 years i’ve managed…
Hi fitness family. Walked another 6 miles (2 laps) this morning, and the weather went from cold and grey to super bright sunshine…Oh and there was also a little rain thrown in the mix too! 😀
By the way…When i returned home to crop my photos (they really do need cropping as i’m taking them blind, lol), i was super surprised to find a Canada goose in the bottom left of my pond shot above…I love finding things in my photos, as i can’t see what i’m taking when i actually snap the shot!! 💪🏼😲
For some reason there weren’t as many people on the trail (works way better for me), as for the first 4 months it was really busy which meant so many more human, dog, bike and even ranger truck obstacles, lol! 🤣 But when the sun is shining and the trail is clear…It really is a…
Hi fitness family. Hope you’ve had a great weekend and are nicely refreshed for a new week of smashing goals? I went out on the trail this morning and walked 6 miles (2 laps), and i have no dramas to talk about! 💪🏼 But that doesn’t stop me from boring you to death with more photos of trees, lol! 🤣
I say there were no dramas, but only just…I was walking down the trail (quite a narrow part), and i heard a galloping over the audiobook i have playing in one ear. I thought “Woah i wonder which side that horse is going to go as it thunders towards me?” I quickly stepped off the path into what i hoped wasn’t a ditch, slope or hole…It was far enough out of the way as the horse (and cart) flew past me and didn’t flatten me, i think i’d struggle to…
Hi fitness family! Can you believe it’s been a whole calendar month since the ‘Trail Marathon‘, and i’ve only just stopped feasting and celebrating the monumental milestone!! 😲 It’s been a real mountain top experience for me, and smashing my goals was fantastic…But i’ve also crash landed at the bottom without any new goals to attack! 😨
Until…🤔
I finally went out walking on the trail again this morning and managed 2 laps (5.70 miles), and it felt like i’d never stopped! Even though all of the feasting and celebrating meant i’d put on quite a few pounds, which also means i’ve now got a new goal…Get my excess fat off, lol! 💪🏼 🤣 I was getting a little lost trying to come up with more and more goals, and doing another fundraiser so soon after the last one was out of the question, even though they are…
Hi all! Whilst sitting here typing in this body of pain, and before i thank all of you amazingly kind and generous people…I just wanted to reassure you that i wasn’t cheating (in case you were wondering why there were 2 people in Sarah’s photos), even though my friend Dan (his friend has MS and he wanted to challenge himself and do it for her too) joined me on the marathon. He kindly walked slightly behind me and let the blindman lead…Both me and my lovely wife Sarah were so thankful to have him join me, not only as the medic if i collapsed, lol…But he had never done anything like this before but wanted to really push himself (he’ll regret that, lol! 💪🏼 🤣
The Trail Marathon Preperations…☕
Waking up at 7am which left me plenty of time to get me and my backpack ready for the start. My lovely wife Sarah had made me another esprsso (wow they’re tasty) and i had my bottle of water, Lucozade sport and 12 hob nobs, so now we just wondered if Dan would turn up. As you know i’ve done 7 months training completely on my own, so i was a little worried if i could do this as i’d never walked (never mind talked) to anyone else whilst focusing so hard. Dan then turned up bang on time with his backpack of goodies so we were ready to do this. Dan has not trained at all for this or ever even seen the trail yet either so he had no idea where he was going…Well let the blindman step up and lead him, lol! 🤣
The Plan…🤔
Our plan was to walk 5 laps (half marathon) then come home for a toilet stop (thanks water tablets for making this challenge even harder), quick espresso and flapjack whilst not sitting down and seizing up, then after a maximum of 10 minutes get back out and finish the next 5 laps…Sounds great on paper, lol! 🤣 During my longest walk in training i came back home for this same stop and it worked, so how hard can it be?! 🤣
Let the trail marathon begin…💪🏼
If you’ve been following my training progress over the last 7 months, you’ll know that all i’m asking for today is lots of clouds and grey everywhere…It wasn’t!! 🤣
The 10 mile mark: Our 1st milestone…💪🏼
Our 1st milestone was to get to 10 miles (double figures) as this seemed more serious mileage, and it’d be a good indicator point to check how things are going?! We both were doing remarkably well and Dan liked the trail so far…Although those few inclines were starting to get on our nerves, lol! 🤣
Even though the sun was drilling it’s way through my eyes and into my brain, the good thing about it was the trail was completely dry!! I couldn’t believe it as for 7 months it’s been constantly wet and full of puddles, my feet were always sludgy and cold from deep puddles of dripping mud…But today there wasn’t a drop anywhere! 💪🏼 🙌
The Halfway Mark…😀 ☕
Arriving home after dodging dog walkers, runners and crazy cyclists we were nicely on schedule. I’d been messaging Sarah after every lap to let her know i wasn’t dead, and she even took the coffee orders for half time…Wow she’s amazing! ☕ 😀 So when we arrived the lovely coffees were handed to us as we had to be quick. We were feeling surprisingly good and happy that we’d completed half and still felt this happy…Now just do the same again and it’s done…Sounded good when i said it anyway! 💪🏼
Then we started lap 6: Let the pain begin…
“Hey what’s happening?” i said as the pain started a 360˚ motion around both of my knees, and Dan says that his feet are really hurting too. “Now i know why people do half marathons instead of full ones” i said whilst rubbing the side of my knee “I was really happy a minute ago”. 🤔
Lap 7: Time to break out the lucozade…😰
The pain seemed to gain lots more friends as it sliced through my calves, thighs and feet as we reached the ¾ mark. Our pace was steadily dropping every mile as we started giving up on lap times and started focusing on simply finishing! Dan said “I was going to wait until lap 9 for the lucozade boost…But now is the time”. I quickly joined him and it was a nice break from just water. The smooth orange taste was like syrup and felt like one of those running gels! 😋I’m not sure about Dan but it had no effect at all, i was expecting a Popeye type boost but nothing happened! 😭
Lap 8: What another 2 more laps…😰
With no boost from either the Lucozade, the hob nobs or the stupendous flapjack at half time…I knew this is all the energy i was going to have. The inclines felt like mountains and each bump and dip started to smash my knees and pop my hips out…It felt like i needed a really tight belt around my hips just to keep them from flying out as both legs fell off! Other than this i was fine, lol! 🤣
Lap 9: Just don’t stop…💪🏼
As we started lap 9 and entered my new personal best distance with every step, i knew i just had to hang on in there somehow. The constant sun had completely fried my brain so talking was at a minimum as both of us were just trying to get around this beautiful but punishing trail…I used to enjoy walking around here, lol! 🤣 “Hey what are you doing?” i said to my legs as they were slowing right down to stop “Don’t even think about stopping, it’s not you that needs to stop it’s MS that got to stop” i continued quietly telling myself, thankfully i managed to carry on dragging them! 💪🏼 🧡
Lap 10: Yay Sarah’s Here…!! 😀
“Wow you’re full of beans” i said to Sarah as she was zipping around us full of energy, as me and Dan were like 2 zombies shuffling along. I’m so pleased she was as all of these photo memories were by Sarah as she joined us on lap 4 & 10, thank you so much my lovely for these great memories. “Smile and wave your arms around” Sarah shouts as i try and remove my painful agony face that was permanently set…And my arms were just hanging there like floppy dead things, so how she managed to capture us looking like we’re enjoying ourselves is simply fantastic, lol! 🤣
Then the 26.2 Mile ANNOUNCEMENT…🙌
I love this photo as it shows me and Dan expressing relief that all of this pain is finally over, jubilation that we’d actually completed a whole marathon…But also the realisation that we’re still on the trail and nearly a mile away from home with no chance of teleportation!!!! 😨 🤣
Getting back home was a mixture of emotions. Yay we’d completed the marathon which was unbelievable, yet we still had the agonising walk back home. Once we reached our lane Dan even took his trainers off as his feet were beyond hurting…Is 27.05 miles classed as an ultra marathon or is that pushing it a little?! 🤔Once we did make it back home and we actually stopped, the tidal wave of tiredness hit us and we didn’t know how long we had before our bones and muscles seized up completely?! 🤔
The Sparkling Celebration…🥂🍾
As we finally got the chance to take off our backpacks and me and Dan were attempting a stretch or two…My lovely wife Sarah had popped the cork on a bottle of Prosecco and was pouring a couple of glasses for us, she’d planned all of this without us knowing and wanted us to pose for the finishing shot. We couldn’t drink it unfortunately as we were just too tired. 😰Also Dan still had to drive home and knew if he didn’t leave quickly he’d be completely seized up!! 💪🏼 😀
The Recovery BARBECUE Sizzler…🍕
Once Dan had messaged to say he’d arrived home safely, it was time to order the post marathon pizza! I decided to choose this 18″ beast as it had chicken, onion and mixed peppers (healthy option, lol) and a cheese stuffed crust!! 😋 Now i just need to walk another marathon to burn it off! 🤣
Thank you…🧡
It’s already taken me 2 days to put this post together whilst still in pain, so i want to thank you properly in another post when i’m fully recovered…But all of your cheering, encouraging comments and generosity have helped carry me through the hardest thing i’ve ever done! Thanks for how you’ve all made me feel throughout this challenge and the 7 months of training!! 😀
The Final Trail Marathon Stats…
In memory of my beautiful mum who passed away from progressive MS. 🧡
Valerie Stevenson 1949 – 2000
It’s still not too late to donate…🧡
If you’re reading this and would love to be a part of this challenge and cause…My fundraising page is still open for a few months. Please click the donate button below and join the fight to help STOP MS!💪🏼 🧡
Me and friend Dan managed 27.05 miles today in under 8 hours!!! Post to follow when i’ve picked myself off the floor and recovered from the pain…Just wanted to let you know “I did it”.
Hi all. I’m sure you’ll be so pleased this will be the final ‘Fundraising Friday’, as (unbelievably) there is only 2 days to go until my nemesis will be destroyed (i hope). 🤔
I’m totally blown away by the generosity of you guys, as i’ve (not only) hit my target of £1,000, but gone beyond thanks to 5 donations this week. A monumental thanks to my lovely wife Sarah, Dominic, Camilla, Kate & Angela…And all of you guys who’ve donated before the event has even happened! 😲 Of course i don’t want to stop here as i love (as you know) to smash down barriers and push the limits what a blindman can do, lol!!! 💪🏼
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Every penny you raise really counts! £10 could pay for two phone conversations with a trained member of our MS Helpline as part of our new Keep in Touch…
Hi friends. For my birthday my lovely wife Sarah created this behemoth burger…Yes it really is that big as she used 7 ¼ pounder beef burgers!! I know she’s always looking to overachieve but this is truly a work of art and the best burger i’ve ever seen, lol! 🤣 It was also huge on taste too!! 😋
2. Wow…You’ll never guess what Sarah has bought me for my birthday??? And also this t-shirt to wear for it too, it happens in May!!
My birthday ‘Petrolhead’ turbo t-shirt! 💪🏼
“Are you ready for the drive of your life for an astonishing 6 miles each per Supercar? If you love supercars and are visually impaired, our ‘3 Supercar Blind Driving Experience Super Thrill’ is an experience you won’t find anywhere else. It is the best way…
Hi friends. As i’m celebrating my 47th birthday today…It’d be a birthday wish come true if you fantastic people could dig deep and help me smash my fundraising target of £1,000. I’ve already reached a colossal £860 (that’s £86 per lap) for the MS Society…I hope my mum would be proud?! I’d really love to hit my target and make it £100 per lap! 💪🏼 😀 🧡
in Just 9 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! 🤣 💪🏼
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!! It’s such an incredible blessing to share life with my lovely wife and best friend…And also to feel love, fun and joy grow more each year!! Thank you for blessing my life with yet another great birthday weekend celebration…And it’s not even my birthday…Well not until Friday, lol! 🤣
Although it was Sarah’s birthday yesterday (Monday), we spent the whole weekend celebrating and making the most of creating more memories together, including; hair salon, Turkish restaurant, walks through woods, planting 15 plants in the back garden and much more!! ❤️
We had a great time over the 3 days, and although it may seem that we only ate food…Sitting down at the table was the only time we remembered to take any photos, lol! 🤣
The Turkish Restaurant Birthday Meal…😲
Sarah’s Fantastic Birthday Cards…😀
Sarah was blessed with lots of great cards too! 😲
Sarah’s Birthday Carrot Cup Cakes…😋
We bought 2 carrot cup cakes from Craddocks our local bakers! 😋
Sarah’s Birthday Flowers…😲
Sarah’s brother and fiancée sent her these lovely flowers! 😀
Birthday Beef, Bacon & Cheese Burger…😋
Sarah created a birthday burger and it wasn’t even my birthday! 😲
Sarah’s Birthday ‘Turbo Snail’ T-Shirt…🤣
This is the logo that covers the front of Sarah’s t-shirt! 🤣
Sarah’s Birthday Coffee & Doughnut…😋
Cafe Mocha supplied us with a birthday doughnut and espresso’s! 😀
The Mouse Logo On Top Of Sarah’s Birthday Cheese Selection…😋
Sarah loves this logo…Even more than the cheese i think, lol! 🤣
A preacher once compared fish being lured by enticing fishhooks to humans being ensnared by the temptations of this world. Fishhooks can look very enticing to fish, but they are also dangerous.
Now being a nutritionist, I view everything through a nutritional lens. I immediately thought, hmmm, how true. Another similarity between nutrition and spirituality.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16 (KJV)
How many times have we innocently strolled along the grocery aisles or the local mall when we suddenly get a whiff of cinnamon, coffee, or popcorn and start salivating? Or walk past the Food Court and a McDonald’s calls our name? (Eating at a restaurant is not wrong. However, as we attempt to become healthier, we cannot…
Hi friends. I’m simply stunned by all of the love and support from you guys so far, we’ve now reached a whopping 86%!! I also can’t believe there’s only 16 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
Thanks to Suzanne & Martin for completely shocking me with another donation (yes their second) this week!! Now my ‘Blindman’s Trail Marathon’ challenge has reached a colossal £860 (that’s £86 per lap) for the MS Society…I hope my mum would be proud?! I’d really love to hit my target and make it £100 per lap…Oh and it’s my birthday next ‘Fundraising Friday’ (15th) so not only will i be older so this trail marathon will be even harder for me, lol…But it’s a heads up as i may be asking for birthday donations to this fundraiser…What a birthday gift that’d be!! 💪🏼 😀 🧡
The Donation…🧡
Hi friends. You’re never going to believe this?!! It was Saturday morning and my iPhone blasted out the muppets theme tune to notify me i’d received another donation!! After i’d stopped dancing, jumping up and down and stopped grinning until it hurt, i checked who it was from…Wow it was a SECOND (yes second) donation from our friends Suzanne and Martin who we were going to meet up for a meal this weekend but it was cancelled. I then checked the lovely message they’d left…”A little top up Steve to a nice round figure! Congratulations on your training. As we couldn’t meet up this weekend here’s the cost of pizza instead!! Not long now till the big event Steve. xx”…Well if that’s not motivation i don’t know what is! 💪🏼 😀
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
in Just 16 days…The Trail marathon…Or me…Is going down!! 🤣 💪🏼
Blindman Trail Marathon Taper…3.29 Miles…Only 16 Days To Go!!!
Hi friends. This morning was a case of setting my legs to a 4mph pace, then attempting to stay upright as my upper body tries to catch up, lol! 🤣 It’s really hard for me to keep this kind of pace, as at any moment i keep thinking i’m going to hit a tree and knock myself out…Thankfully i made it today! 💪🏼 😀
I hope you’re not getting too fed up of looking at photos of trees?! I keep forgetting i’m actually walking through a lovely nature reserve, as i’m so stressed and laser focussed on my surroundings and my body that i miss it all. So i try and take a photo or two so i can zoom right into it on my computer at home…I still can’t see much of it but it’s better than completely missing out!…
Blindman Trail Marathon Taper…3.73Miles…Only 18 Days To Go!!!
Hi friends! The rain arrived with it’s friend the wind this morning and they seemed to surround me with malevolent intent. Sarah had to walk to the local post box first thing so we got soaked together…Then as she started work in her office (nice and warm) i had to go back outside to start my lap! 😭
There were an innumerable amount of bigger puddles on the trail today which appeared to be ganging up on me, lol. It was quite cold but not too cold, so i was wearing a puffer coat with my shorts on, a weird mix but it worked…Oh and it seems my earpiece is waterproof too! I only wear 1 as i need to hear what’s around me at all times…Well i seem to need to hear the ferocious dogs as they tear me to pieces!…
Blindman Trail Marathon Taper…3.39Miles…Just 20 Days To Go!!!
Hi friends. You’re never going to believe this?!! It was Saturday morning and my iPhone blasted out the muppets theme tune to notify me i’d received another donation!! After i’d stopped dancing, jumping up and down and stopped grinning until it hurt, i checked who it was from…Wow it was a SECOND (yes second) donation from our friends Suzanne and Martin who we were going to meet up for a meal this weekend but it was cancelled. I then checked the lovely message they’d left…”A little top up Steve to a nice round figure! Congratulations on your training. As we couldn’t meet up this weekend here’s the cost of pizza instead!! Not long now till the big event Steve. xx”…Well if that’s not motivation i don’t know what is! 💪🏼 😀
Please click the image to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
Hi friends. I’m simply blown away by all of the love and support from you guys, we’ve now reached a whopping 82%!! I also can’t believe there’s only 23 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
Thanks to a face melting donation this week from Phil (Knopfler noodler guitar man), this blindman’s trail marathon challenge has reached £828 for the MS Society…I hope my mum would be proud?! 😲 💪🏼
The Donation…🎸
Phil‘s message: I want to encourage you with a small gift from the proceeds of my flat towards your mad, hair-brained challenge in support of your MS Society Blindman Trail Marathon. You deserve every penny Steve!!
My thank you message: Please turn your guitar amp volume knobs up to 11, and make a riff rocking, tube…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 11/12 – Day 4…21.56 Miles…😲
Hi friends. Yay, yay, yay and another yay…I can’t tell you how happy i am right now, after completing my longest walk ever – 21.56 miles in 6 hours 3 minutes!!! 😀
As you can imagine my legs are tight, stiff and slightly painful as i’m typing this…But wow was it worth it! 💪🏼
After this long walk this will be a short post, as i just wanted to let you all know ‘I DID IT’ without any dramas too! I stomped around the trail at 3.6 mph eating 16 Oaties (Lidl’s version of Hob Nobs) and when i returned with a huge grin on my exhausted face…I was greeted with lots of bings from my apple watch as i was awarded lots of new records, yay!! 💪🏼 I’m off to rest now! 😀
Hi friends! Wow we’ve hit 72%!! I can’t believe there’s only 30 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
Thanks to 3 more donations this week from My lovely wife Sarah, auntie Linda & Charlie and Barnabus…I’ve now reached £728! 😲 💪🏼
The Donations…
My lovely wife Sarah: “I emptied my spare change jar. Amazed at the amount I’d collected I decided to donate it to Steve’s challenge. MS Society does some fantastic work and are so close to stopping MS. I see how hard Steve is working to train for this colossal challenge in memory of his lovely mum and I am so pleased to find a way to be able to motivate him and keep him going…Go Steve!” 💪🏼 😀
Yay…Thanks to Sarah’s auntie Linda & Charlie’s amazing donation this morning, we’ve hit £702! Thank you so, so much for…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 11/12 – Day 4…16.4 Miles…💪🏼
Hi friends. Well that was a complete surprise…I knew i had a massive 6 laps today and i was filled with trepidation…But once i got my swift walk (for me anyway) of 3.9mph (awww just under the magic 4mph) and i felt good, i kept this pace for the whole 4 hours 15 minutes! I was like a machine, lol! 🤣
Walking Stats…
I am happy to report there were no feral dogs out today, only well behaved ones so no dramas sorry! 😭 After a brief 10 minute collapse when i arrived home, i felt better than ever and was pleased to be greeted with a fresh coffee and a Manwich by my lovely wife Sarah! ❤️
Awards & Badges…
Happy to have achieved another award this week especially after the long walk today! I have 1 more…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 10/12 – Day 1…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. I certainly had some more motivation this morning doing the 2 laps for Monday’s training. The 12Oz Sarah Sizzling sirloin steak (every Sunday lunch) yesterday, closing all 7 day’s activity rings, another 2 donations and knowing i have to do 46 exercise minutes a day for the rest of the month to achieve the ‘March Challenge’ badge really got me ready for another week’s training! 💪🏼
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
The Donations…❤️
My lovely wife Sarah: “I emptied my spare change jar. Amazed at the amount I’d collected I decided to donate it to Steve’s challenge. MS Society does some fantastic work and are so close to stopping MS. I see how hard Steve is working to train for this colossal challenge in memory of his…
Please click the image to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
I can’t believe there’s only 37 days until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Thanks to another donation last Friday from Kay (Blood Pressure UK)…I still can’t believe it) i’ve now reached 60% of my target! 😲 💪🏼
The Donation…
Wow…A huge thanks to Kay for her stupendous donation! Kay was the lady who interviewed me for Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Positive Pressure’ magazine about my last charity fundraiser – The Advent Challenge‘. She not only supported me all of the way through the challenge…But she donated too! And she’s back!! Thank you so much! I simply can’t believe how…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 9/12 – Day 5…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi Friends. Well at least i now know why lots of blind people stay (trapped) indoors…Not 1 but 2 attempts of stopping my charity challenge through dog attacks!
The first one came at around the 1.5 mile mark, the yapping and growling made me jump. At least it was a yapper which meant it was a small dog so i stood a chance of surviving. I felt the thud from my right side as the dogs paws clamped the front and the back of my knee, trying to hold me in a death grip so it could sink it’s teeth in…But the momentum of me continuing to walk threw it off before the hungry, gaping, growling muzzle could do it’s damage. I’ve learned to keep walking as if i stop the dog can get a proper hold before the…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 9/12 – Day 4…13.29 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. Now i can safely say…That was the worst walk i’ve ever done, and if the event day is anything like this one i’m not sure i can do it! 😭 The sun was so bright this morning i couldn’t even stay on the trail. I spent so much time ankle deep in disgustingly muddy puddles and bogs my feet felt like wet bricks. So even though i’d managed a half marathon…My celebration is short lived as i think i’m off to bed to recover! 😨
I’ll try and described my sight for you whilst on the walk this morning with the amazingly bright sun (not joking this time)…It was like smearing vaseline in both eyes whilst shining a 12,000 lumin torch directly into my face. The trail was also a complete white out, yet not quite white…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 9/12 – Day 3…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi friends. Yay it’s a super grey day with no sunshine!! I know it sounds a little depressive for everyone else…But it’s the best conditions for me and my super duper sight loss. I managed to fly around the trail with new found power without the sun melting my eyeballs! I normally moan about obstacles i encounter on my way round the trail e.g dog walkers, dogs, runners, cyclists, fallen trees…And on and on, lol! But i have forgotten to mention the extra mountains i have to battle through…??? 🤔
Yes…The horse poop!! As the trail is a local nature reserve it has a horse training centre nearby, which often has horse riders coming along the trails and making little castles, lol! 🤣 On rare occasions (like today) i can narrowly miss one of these smelly obstacles…But often i…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 9/12 – Day 1…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. I certainly had some motivation this morning doing the 2 laps for Monday’s training. The 12Oz Sarah Sizzling sirloin steak yesterday, closing all 7 day’s activity rings, another donation and knowing i have to do 88 exercise minutes a day for the rest of the month to achieve the ‘March Challenge’ badge really got me ready for another week’s training! 💪🏼
Thankfully i had to try and walk really slow for today’s training, so when the blazing sun was out again (i thought England was meant to be cloudy and rainy all the time, lol) walking slow was all i could manage. Unlike ‘Flesh Ripping Friday’ today went well with (can you believe it?) no dramas!! 😀
“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”
Please click the image to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
I can’t believe there’s only 6 weeks to go until all of my hard work will be put to the test!!! 😰
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Thanks to a donation last friday from Canada (yes Canada…I still can’t believe it) i’ve managed to reach 55% of my target! 😲 💪🏼
The Donation…
Wow, I was just playing my guitar last night whilst Sarah was on the phone to her mum when…🎶The Muppets theme tune blasted out of my iPhone (next to me) and i started doing the dance (once i’d put my guitar down, lol) Once the music had stopped and i’d stopped waving my arms around…The donation was from…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 8/12 – Day 5…6 Miles (9.66Km)…💪🏼
Hi all. Well at least it wasn’t the weather that crippled me today…It was the other obstacles on the trail! As i’m typing this the shin of my left leg is still stinging, after i got forced off the trail by a wall (about 4 ladies) simply wouldn’t move, so i veered off the trail right into a thorn bush! I knew it was a thorn bush of some kind when i continued to walk as the flesh was ripped off my shin as though a zombie had hold of it. The pain continued for the rest of my walk (about 4 miles)…And when i got home my lovely wife Sarah instantly put some Germolene (‘Germo-scream’ as i call it) so it’s still hurting now. 😨
It could’ve been worse though…As just before my shin ripper a dog…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 8/12 – Day 4…11 Miles (17.7Km)…💪🏼
Hi all. Yay 4 laps walked today with only 6 Hob Nobs eaten, it was also shorts on again as it was 10˚C which is boiling for England, lol. After a crazy week so far i was really pleased to make 11 miles without dying. I was also happy with my pace as i did it sub 3 hours as i was 2 minutes under! 💪🏼
Then as i arrived home for lunchtime Sarah asked if i’d like to go to the bakers and get some flapjacks as i had run out? Does the question really need an answer?!! 🤣 I quickly changed my dirty trail shoes and hoped i had enough beans to make it to town and back…I did! 😀
The image (at the top) is from my sister’s facebook page, and when Sarah described it…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 8/12 – Day 3…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. Well it was nearly double figures in ˚C this morning…So it was shorts on, toast eaten and hob nobs if i needed them (when don’t i need them, lol!) It was also cloudy which was fantastic for me, and after yesterday’s walk i just wanted to know how i would do on the trail today?! 🤔
The walk went really well and i was back on form, i really don’t know what happened as i’ve done and eaten everything the same as usual…But i’m so glad it’s not just me getting too old to do crazy challenges like this, lol! 🤣
My lovely wife Sarah greeted me with a monumental fresh coffee when i arrived home in a better state than yesterday.No let’s hope i’m ready for a longer walk tomorrow!! 💪🏼 😀
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 8/12 – Day 2…6 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. Well that was easily the worst walk of my training so far! After yesterday’s blitzing laps, today couldn’t have been more opposite. I knew it was going to be bad when the laser beam sun was trying to kill me and i hadn’t left the house yet! 😨 I would love to be able to describe my eye sight to you when i’m on the trail and it’s a white out with the sun, my eyes are constantly streaming and it’s ice cold too…But i’ve never seen anything like it (never mind experience it) even when i was fully sighted so i can’t!! 😭
Even though i only had 2 laps to do this morning it was the hardest, slowest and most exhausting walk so far. I was staggering along the trail like a 1980’s Zombie as…
Hi friends. Wow…After another donation from Canada on Friday (yes Canada, blows my mind!!), i’ve now reached over 50% of my fundraising target!! I thought i’d share this huge milestone with all of you fantastic friends on here! Thank you all so much for donating, supporting and sharing…You guys are the best!! ❤️💪🏼 😲
Please click the image to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
Please can you help me reach my fundraising target, can’t believe there’s only 7 weeks to go! 😰
Don’t underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! It’s so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to come…❤️
Let’s stop MS together! 💪🏼
Thanks to 3 donations last week (Harry, Daniel & Heather) i’m only £2 away from hitting 50% of my target! 😲 💪🏼
Here is the message i received from Heather taken from the FitBlitz facebook page and my reply…
Heather Mertens Since we met… wow back about a decade ago now!… on our blogs, I was just impressed with your journey and your praise to God! It was my honor to donate to this worthy cause. As you know both my daughter and I suffer from chronic disease…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 7/12 – Day 5…3.27 Miles…💪🏼
Hi all. I’m not entirely sure how i managed to feel exhausted before i even left the house…But it seems to be harder to get going when i only have to do 1 lap, than when i do lots of miles over multiple laps! 😕 My lovely wife Sarah (my personal drill sargent) helps lots when she says “No lap…No flapjack”, not only does she use my own quote against me, lol…But it really gets me motivated and quickly out on the trail! 🤣
The sun appeared to be ensconced in cotton wool which made the trail as dull and miserable as an empty flapjack container! 😨 The bonus was there were hardly any people out so it was nice and quiet and a lot less taxing on my brain, lol! 🤣
I’ll never get bored of this photo of my lovely wife Sarah relaxing in her fave seat in the world. Sarah sat here every night watching the Bajan sunset during our 2 week long stays at ‘Southern Palms’ in Barbados, and to say that we miss being there is an understatement. ☀️
Hi friends. I was checking my notifications this morning and I was stunned to have found this badge! As you may have guessed…I like to celebrate achievements and goals no matter how big or small! 💪🏼 😀
People who already know me (from my other blogs ‘Rebus Photography‘ & ’iChristian‘) know I’ve been struggling to beat all kinds of obstacles since I was registered blind 20 years ago, at age 24….. BUT now it’s time to face my nemesis… Health & Fitness and it’s many enemies – overeating, obesity, excuses not to exercise and many more…😨
I’m now trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and learning even more about health, fitness, weight training, nutrition and If you want to follow my blog, I’d like to share my adventures with you – So that we can lose weight and get…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 6/12 – Day 5…3.2 Miles…
Hi all. After the torrential rain yesterday i headed out in to the ultra bright sunshine again. My body felt good and energised (well as much as it can be, whilst being dragged out early morning, lol) BUT…After half way around my first lap i’d just had enough! My brain, eyes and head had simply had enough of the pain of struggling through the blinding sun. If i could’ve teleported home i would, but i had to stumble the rest of the way homeme! 😭
After receiving 2 more amazing donations yesterday…That’s nearly half way towards my target! 😲 Thank you all, and after jumping around and celebrating i felt good! 😀 I thought my down week next week would give my body chance to rest and repair itself for my next personal best in March…But it will be…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 6/12 – Day 3…6 Miles…
Hi all. Once i’d dragged myself out of bed i saw the sun blitzing through the windows, i checked my weather app to see how cold it was outside so i could choose my layers…The app said exactly what i was thinking as i thought about walking for 6 miles in the blinding sun! 😨
After the fallen tree drama yesterday i was happy to find it gone this morning, yay. But for some reason my legs and energy levels were just not happening and i almost gave up half way round, but realised i still have to get home and i’m miles away, lol…So i gave it as much as i could to make it back home! 😰
In the middle of fighting myself not to give up i took this photo of the stew pond to remind…
Blindman Trail Marathon Training – Week 6/12 – Day 2…6 Miles…
Hi all. After 3 storms last week i’d not managed to walk out to the trail until today…And as i was making my way to the start of my trail lap i hit the brakes (a full emergency stop, lol) as i kicked this treacherous obstacle. To most of you guys this isn’t treacherous at all, but once i’d told myself i wasn’t turning around and going home…I felt around it with my feet to make sure there wasn’t any branches sticking up etc…And simply stepped over it, yay! 😀
I then thought “If this has happened on the path before i even start the trail…Then what is the actual trail going to be like?” I had 2 laps (6 miles) to walk today and i was on high alert for the first lap making sure i didn’t hit…
Hi all. Since we couldn’t walk to the local butchers on Saturday as the storm was giving it the beans…We had to settle for some old M&S sirloin steaks from the freezer, lol! After Sarah had cut the disgusting fat off (Me and Sarah don’t like the elastic rubber stuff) we only had 6oz steaks. 😭 They were super soft once Sarah had done her secret magic to them and i’d already baked 4 jacket potatoes yesterday (we share 1 between us per meal) which had the carbs sorted…But then Sarah did carrots, swede, garden peas, green beans, broccoli, onions, mushrooms and best of all brussels sprouts!! 😲 Wow i love recovering over the weekend after training Monday to Friday! 💪🏼
I don’t have the hyperbole to tell you how tasty this meal was…And how jam packed full of protein it was. Protein…
June 29, 2022 
iChristian 
Recent Comments