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That Popping Sound?! 😨

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Muddy section of the trail marathon lap

Hi all. I hope the photo above (taken this morning) shows just how muddy this tiny section of my trail marathon lap really was?! As i was slopping through the mud i heard that loud popping sound, whilst at the same time feeling my shoe being ripped off from some monster underneath the mud!! 😨 Thankfully i was wearing my INOV8 X-Talen 190 trail shoes (Sarah bought them 4 years ago for the Tough Mudder) which fit like a glove and didn’t get ripped off…Phew! Otherwise it would have been a very sloppy, freezing and different outcome to my walk today. Just thought i’d share this with you guys…There’s always drama when this blindman decides to go out walking, lol! 🤣

Hope you’re having a great time so far this year and you are either starting to set goals? Or you’re already smashing…

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Getting Your Diet Mojo Back Permanently

🙏 💪🏼 😀

Ellie www.newcreationsministries.wordpress.com/'s avatarNew Creations Ministries

It’s now the start of the “Diet-Season” whenmillionsenthusiastically begin a diet onJanuary 2nd and. . .usually fall off that bandwagon three weeks later. Why?

Failing on a diet plan is usuallynot because we don’t know what we should do.Most realizewe: 1. eat less 2.exercise more 3.slow down and 4. drink water, etc., etc. . . .Yet we failtime andtime again, even when we believe we are doing the right thing! That’s frustrating and self-defeating.

Weight loss ismuch morethanmere willpower. There is no magic formula. Since we are each uniquely created, it’s primarily an individually mental, physiological, and spiritual challenge. It’s also a matter ofunderstanding the scientific reasons behind the”why”we can self-destruct.

My book, “Life’s Too Short to Eat Bad Cheese. . .” will make the perfect motivational New Year’s gift this year. It’s available for only $4.99 on Amazon.com. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SKQ3HYV

It’s not simply another diet book. With over 241…

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🙌 Hello! 😀

🎄 🙏 🎄 Merry Christmas 🎄 🙏 🎄

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Still Walking, lol! 💪🏼 😀

Hi all! Just wanted to say a quick hello and hope you’re all smashing your health and fitness goals?! 💪🏼😀

Oh and it’s nearly Christmas so i hope you won’t forget to do some carb loading…To help towards fuelling your extra long walks…Obviously!! 💪🏼 🤣 🎄

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Go forth and be canceled

wordpicturesbydlink's avatar-Word- pictures by DLink

Today, a form of excommunication called “canceling” is taking place on the basis of opinions, not sin or a destructive lifestyle. A canceled person is shunned or snubbed when he or she offends the sensibilities of some group for cultural, political, or religious reasons. When Christians are canceled today for their biblical values and views, we find ourselves in good company. Jesus Himself experienced the ultimate form of cancelation by being crucified. The day is coming when those who hold biblical views will be canceled, even killed – as pictured by the persecution of the two witnesses in Revelation 11. The Antichrist will forbid the preaching of the Gospel during the Tribulation and “cancel” followers of Christ (Revelation 6:9). If you experience being “canceled” for your faith, take heart. It is nothing more than what Jesus predicted (John 15:20).

Commentary from the David Jeremiah Turning Points magazine and devotional, October…

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Struggling with Doubt? Here are 5 Important Truths to Remember

Amen. Thanks for great wisdom and encouraging Truths! 🙏 😀

Peter Cockrell's avatarAlready Not Yet

Michael J. Kruger:

The great nineteenth century Baptist preacher, C.H. Spurgeon, once confessed: “On a sudden, the thought crossed my mind—which I abhorred but could not conquer—that there was no God, no Christ, no heaven, no hell, and that all my prayers were but a farce, and that I might as well have whistled to the winds or spoken to the howling waves.”

The above quote reminds us that nearly all Christians, even those who seem strong and confident, face periods of doubt about what they believe. Indeed, sometimes those doubts can swell up into a crisis of sorts. Even Spurgeon admitted his doubts were difficult to conquer.

So, how do we handle these doubts when they come? Or, how do we help others who admit they are struggling with what they believe? Here’s a five truths that can perhaps help us be more careful and more compassionate in…

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😲 I’ve found Ruck Marching/rucking/Yompping..etc!

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Me and my princess Sarah backpack, lol!

Hi all. I’ve been a little quiet around here over the last few weeks…But i’ve now found ‘Ruck Marching’. Some of you may have seen this coming as i do lots of walking through my local trail, but i seriously didn’t see it! I’ve always loved rucksacks (i have a few) and i’ve always loved the armed forces as i have family who have served and are still serving to this day.

As you know i don’t run at all as i’m always on my own, and my eyes just go crazy even at slow walking speeds never mind jogging or running. I’ve managed to do 14.6 miles in 4 hours (my longest non stop walk so far) whilst training for my ‘Blindman Trail Marathon’ in April 2022. Now i’m upping my walks with loaded marching and taking my walks to new heights…

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Yay…My MS Society T-Shirt! 🤣

Yesterday my lovely wife Sarah came out on the trail with me, and she took some photos of me wearing the amazingly bright t-shirt the MS Society gave me to help promote their great charity during my trail marathon training! It was freezing cold and raining but that didn’t stop us…Until it proper chucked it down and we had to get home fast, lol! 💪🏼 😀 

It is not your work that He wants most–it is you!

It is not your work that He wants most–it is you!

(J.R. Miller, “The Glory of the Commonplace”)

LISTEN to audio!  Download audio
(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.)

“Arise, My darling, My beautiful one, and come with Me!” Song of Songs 2:10 

“He said to them: Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place” Mark 6:31 

G. Campbell Morgan tells of a friend of his who had a little daughter that he dearly loved. They were great friends, the father and daughter, and were always together. But there seemed to come an estrangement on the child’s part. The father could not get her company as formerly. She seemed to shun him. If he wanted her to walk with him, she always had something else to do. The father was grieved and could not understand what the trouble was. 

His birthday came and in the morning his daughter came to his room, her face radiant with love, and handed him a present. Opening the parcel, he found a pair of exquisitely made slippers.

The father said, “My child, it was very good of you to buy me such lovely slippers.” 

“O father,” she said, “I did not buy them–I made them for you!”

Looking at her he said, “I think I understand now, what long has been a mystery to me. Is this what you have been doing for the last three months?”

“Yes,” she said, “but how did you know how long I have been at work on them?” 

He said, “Because for three months I have missed your company and your love. I have wanted you with me–but you have been too busy. These are beautiful slippers–but next time buy your present, and let me have you all the days. I would rather have my child herself, than anything she could make for me.”

Just so, we are in danger of being so busy in the Lord’s work that we cannot be enough with the Lord in love’s fellowship. He may say to us, “I like your works, your toils, your service–but I miss the loveyou gave Me at first.” 

There is real danger that we get so busy in striving to be active Christians, so absorbed in our tasks and duties, our efforts to bring others into the church–that Christ Himself shall be less loved, and shall miss our communing with Him. 

Loyalty to Christ means first of all devotion. Has Christ really the highest place in your heart? It is not your work that He wants most–it is you! It is beautiful to do things for Him, it is still more beautiful to make a home for Him in your heart. 

A young man, at great cost, brought from many countries the most beautiful materials he could find, and built an exquisite little chapel as a memorial to his dead wife. Only a few men could do anything so rare, so lovely. But the poorest of us can enthrone Jesus in our hearts–making a little sanctuary in our hearts for Him.

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love!” Revelation 2:4

iReminisce: Group B

me and Sahar in front of the beautiful Corsican hills

Bonjour mes amis (Good Morning My Friends

No way we’re in Corsica! My lovely wife Sarah is going to kill me for ruining this post with another of my digressions…But my fave cars of all time raced here and i can’t contain myself….Yes it’s Group B rally cars!  

Awwww i can hear that ferocious engine sound (and the monster dump valve) of one of my favourite cars…The Lancia Delta S4. It had an Abarth-designed supercharged and turbocharged 500bhp 1.8-litre engine, it could hit 60mph in just over two seconds…And this was 1986! 

But…After a fatal accident (here in Corsica) Group B rally cars were banned and a FISA investigation later proved that drivers’ reactions were too slow to keep up with Group B cars, and drivers’ eyes could not adjust their focus between the fast corners, which caused tunnel vision. Now that’s fast…And insane!! 

They said the cars had so much raw power but with little containment…I have a wife like that, lol! Sorry Sarah! 🤣  

View our full day in Corsica

iReminisce: The Original Olympic Start Line

The start line…

I thought the heat was blistering already but it didn’t prepare me for the inferno when we walked underneath the archway and onto the track. 🔥🔥

Sarah said “Steve you’ve got to get a photo of me at the original olympic start line! I’ve only been out of my aircast for a few weeks and it would make a great photo…Zena (Sarah’s friend) will comment straight away and tell me off, lol (she did). 😀  

“Here goes” i said “No pressure at all for this shot…It’s only a one off picture” But it worked and Sarah looks fantastic! Sarah had gone for months with an aircast, and now seeing her on the start line looking like a true olympian was another emotional moment for me. She really is my warrior princess wife! ❤️❤️❤️ 

Sarah doing a

View our full day in Olympia

😨 Ouch!!

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Hi Readers. After a night of strong winds and even stronger rain, i decided to go out for 1 lap of the marathon course (over 3 miles including getting to the track from my house) as it was my day off so i only need a little bit of exercise to keep me going! 🤣

It was going so well until…PPhhhwwaacckk, then Ouch! First my shin cracked against the lower branch, just as my finger crunched against the upper branch..This made me jump quite a bit, lol. First i didn’t see it coming, second i was just starting the half mile uphill section of my trail so i had a little momentum going…And third i just thought what has just happened?? 🤔

At first i thought it was a tough mudder obstacle that’d suddenly appeared…Or it was a secret gate that had popped up from the ground, all i knew…

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iReminisce: The Unimog

The 1961 Yellow Unimog…

Awww friends….Let me introduce you to this Yellow, 1961 Unimog…..have you seen the tires, lol! It threw us around like crazy and i still can’t believe that he didn’t slow down for anything. There is no way a vehicle can hit rocks, huge pot holes, climb cracked hills and go around tight bends whilst travelling at break neck speed, it would have destroyed anything else and left them in a pile of spare parts, lol. I’m not sure they issued these with brake pedals! 😎

Sarah & i infront of the yellow 1961 Uniog

View our full day (Sarah’s Birthday) at Bonaire

Sharp truth

Amen.

hope's avatarpatientlyhopeful

Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Proverbs 10:18 NLT

Is there any who can not see themselves in these words, at one time or another?

God’s Word cuts through our excuses for ungodly behavior and reveals the truth of what these attitudes are:

lies and foolishness.

Rather, we must be on guard against allowing such things in our lives and be quick to repent when they are discovered among us.

For our tongues are to be under submission to the Lord Jesus.

When they are not we bring ridicule to our Savior.

James 3:9-10 NKJV — With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

If we are followers of Christ Jesus…

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iReminisce: Surf & Smile

Back at the dock…🛳 

After a short boat ride back to the ship, we had enough time to get changed, leave our bags and have a well needed iced-coffee before heading out to explore as much as we can without getting lost before the ship leaves.

We walked up one street and turned right before Sarah stopped and said “Wow, she’s having her photo taken in front of that cool wall art/sign. Quick get one of me” “Ok my lovely, you’re wearing your new yellow Michael Kors t-shirt too, i hope i get everything in”. Sarah had bought this t-shirt for our holidays and couldn’t wait to put on the lovely bright colours and flowers.

Sarah stood on a surf board in her new yellow Michael Kors t-shirt.

 This is one of my fave photos as it shows Sarah’s smile is as bright as her t-shirt. 

View our full day at Aruba

iReminisce: The Coconut Cake

Speightstown, Barbados…

And speaking of lovely architecture and colonial towns, your first stop is at Speightstown. Here you’ll enjoy seeing historic buildings and beautiful tropical beaches.

The tour guide kept talking about the PRC Bakery at our first stop, and said she was going in to get something for the trip. “OOohhhh maybe we could get a small cake for your birthday” “Yes let’s follow her and see what goodies they have?” As we walked in to the little bakery the guide said “Oh yes a lead pipe” as she picked one up and went to pay for it. “What’s a lead pipe?” i said to the guide “It’s a local cake but it can be used as a weapon too as it’s very heavy”. Sarah then passed me a bag with a cake in and said hold this “Wow this weighs about the same as a 16lb bowling ball” “everything is so heavy in here, nothing has fluffy cream like in England as it would melt instantly, lol”.

Sarah told the baker that we loved coconut and did e have anything with coconut in them? We only got 1 coconut slice as we didn’t know how sweet it was or even if we liked it?! 😋   

Me stood outsede the shop holding the coconut slice with my thumb sticking up and a big grin on my face!

 I never (ever) stop talking about this coconut slice as it’s the nicest cake i’ve ever tasted! The bell on the ‘Blind Sightseers Gastronomic Leaderboard’ was destroyed as this flew to the top of the cakes list! If i’d have known i would’ve stayed in the bakery and continued to eat every single last one of them! But we only had that one and we’ve never been able to go back since this monumental occasion. Oh yes…This monumental occasion is my lovely wife Sarah’s birthday! 🤣

View our full day (Sarah’s Birthday) in Barbados

iReminisce: The St Maarten Necklace

The smell of the locals cooking on the market was amazing, but Sarah had found a sweet little craft stall. The lady created items from the coral found off the shores St Maarten. “Oooooh, i could have a necklace made from St Maarten”. I knew that to mean “i’m getting one, i just don’t know which one yet?!” 🤣  

close up photo of Sarah's neckolace she bought fromm a market stall in Marigot, St Maarten

⇧ Sarah’s St Maartens Coral Necklace ⇧  

Sarah really was starting to feel at home here,  but we had to get back to the bus! We enjoyed our stop in Marigot, and we said we’d love to spend a week here to investigate more! ☀️ 😀 

View our full day in St Maarten

iReminisce: The Blind Sightseers 1st Cruise

Sarah  i in Caribbean

⇧ Me & Sarah at St Kitts ⇧ 

From stunning, breathtaking views, horse riding in paradise, dancing with dolphins, River paddle boat trip, various island bus tours, 4×4 volcano ride, cable cars, OH…. and Sarah’s medical emergency in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, it’s been an unbelievable few weeks on our cruise holiday to the Caribbean, Azores & Spain (2015). 😲  

Please join us (The Blind Sightseers) on this incredible journey:

Transatlantic Sunset Tour: Day 1 ~ London – Jamaica

iReminisce: Ilfracombe, Devon

A black and white photo of ilfracombe bay

A photo taken from our new years eve (Dec 2011) holiday with friends (Rob, Shelley, Tom, Abbie & Ella)  in Ilfracombe, Devon, England, UK. It was very windy and very wet! We had a fantastic time as the holiday home was overlooking this bay so we enjoyed lots of coastal walks and enjoyed local restaurants.

 Camera used – iPhone 4s (as it was raining i was too scared to take out my DSLR’s) 😨 

#5 Trail Marathon Training – Another 4 Laps, Coffee & New Records! 🙌

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Hi readers…As it’s “Walking Wednesday” it’s time to go for another lifetime personal best…It’s my quest to get a little stronger each week and prepare myself for the monumental challenge! 😲 

Motivational Quote…💪🏼 

“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated”

This is written on the back of my INOV8 T-Shirt! i wear to motivate me!🤣

Walk Stats wed 13th Oct 2021

Yay i managed another 4 (and a bit)  laps today in the freezing cold and the blinding sun, and i’ve also smashed my lifelong personal best record from last week! I walked non stop for 11.28 miles which is better than last weeks 10.79 miles!! 💪🏼 

My lovaly wife Sarah made me one of her strong coffees before my walk, and i had a couple of slices of “Elwood Blues” toast (although i have 7 seed wholemeal and not white, lol). During my walk i didn’t stand still once and i even ate…

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From The Archives: Draftin’

Draftin Logo

 My Thoughts 💭 

is your heart causing a ‘draft’ over people?
Are you the ice cold draft that puts a chill into people even before you meet? If someone were to say your name does it make them sigh and say “Oh no I haven’t got the energy.” Or does your name bring a smile to their face as they can’t wait to meet up again. 
 
Or…Are you a draft project?
Not quite finished or ready to be published yet, a broken toy forgotten on a shelf complaining because you feel your days are over. Are you sat waiting to bury your dead? waiting for your inheritance which you think will heal you. Then, and only then you decide to let Jesus walk alongside you…But NEVER in front!
 
Or…Do you create a backdraft?
Are you opening doors you know you shouldn’t be opening? Are you letting the flames consume you and pollute your mind??
 
Or…are you draftin’? 
Are you letting Jesus lead? Are you following really close behind as he pulls you along, while leaving you with the energy to help others and become your own draft? 🙏 😀 

Motivational Monday: Coffee & Cake By The Lake 😋

Please don’t forget to come over to my FitBlitz blog and say hi! 😀

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Hi readers! I hope you’ve smashed your health and fitness goals for last week?…And i hope you’re ready to take them to new heights this week?! 😀 

Yay it’s “Motivational Monday”, and i’ve managed to earned some more badges for smashing my health and fitness goals! 💪🏼 😀

Motivational Quote…💪🏼

“Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated” – This is written on the back of my INOV8 T-Shirt! 🤣

After a hard week of doing at least 1 lap each day, i managed to hit my health and fitness goals for last week. I try to hit a personal best once a week, and on the other days i try an do at least 1 lap to hit my 10,000 steps for a normal day. 😀 

I love weekends as i get to walk around the trail lap with my lovely wife Sarah…

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😲 Wow…Look What The Blind Sightseers Have Just Found??

Please click this logo to view the ablenet website

ablenet

Our Mission…

Our mission is quite simple: we want to get more disabled and visually impaired people enjoying new, fun and exhilarating activities. We want to help people with disabilities feel confident that they can enjoy the same activities and life experiences as someone without a disability.

 Hi readers!

Just guess how excited i am right now?? 🤣

I have just stumbled onto the ablenet website and found this…?

Please click the Lamborghini Giado to view the ablenet facebook page

⇧ All images supplied by the ablenet facebook page ⇧ 

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 to get to you in your favourite supercars and experience the peed, and thrill, of a high-performance beast.

Yes, it is true. Whatever your level of visual impairment, you can drive a Supercar with Ablenet. All of the cars are automatic and a super skilled instructor will guide you around the track whilst having access to a footbrake should it be necessary.

So, whether it’s a Lamborghini, Ferrari F430 spider, Aston Martin DB9, Audi R8, Nissan GTR or Porsche 911/997, we put you with the largest fleet of cars in the UK for you to choose from. The hardest part is choosing…

The great benefit to driving on a race circuit is feeling the pure power of an awesome car. You will be with a professional instructor who will teach you the art of driving.

The experience also includes a thrilling hot lap ride when the race driver will show you what a performance car can do around the circuit. Typically in a BMW M3 V8 saloon car or Vauxhall VXV8, both with 3 passengers.

Since going blind at 25 (21 years ago) i’ve been waiting for someone to give the blind a truly accessible experience like the ones ablenet offer! I’ve always said “i can still drive…I just can’t see where i’m going”. 🤣 
 
I’ve always loved cars as when i was fully sighted i worked in a bodyshop as a panel beater and used to customise cars etc…Even my own! My dad, uncles and my cousins have always been mechanics in the motor trade so i’ve grown up with cars too. So when i stumbled onto their website, i just exploded with passion to drive a supercar or 3, lol! 
 
Sorry for sounding like a group b rally car “too much raw power with little containment”…But getting involved and trying out all of the experiences on the ablenet website is like a dream come true for me. 😀   
 
Other experiences for the visually impaired by ablenet…
Flying a plane, diving with sharks, shooting, archery, skiing, indoor sky diving and much more…Wow i think me and Sarah are going to have some fearful fun! 🤣💪🏼 😨 

#4 Trail Marathon Training – Another 4 Laps & New Records! 🙌

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Hi readers…As it’s “Walking Wednesday” it’s time to go for another lifetime personal best! 😲 

Wed 6th Oct 2021 stats

Motivational Quote…💪🏼

“You do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.”

Yay i managed another 4 laps today in the blinding sun, and i’ve also smashed my previous lifelong personal best! I walked non stop for 10.79 miles!! I didn’t stand still once and i even ate and drank on the move too…To say i’m happy is an understatement!

New Exercise Record…🙌

New Exercise Record 6th Oct 2021

New Move Record…🙌   

Move Record 6th Oct 2021

 New Walking Workout Record…🙌  

Walking workout record 6th Oct 2021

I managed this walk in just over 3 hours and i’m very happy with the 17’12”/Mile pace. As long as i stay under 18’18”/Mile i’ll finish under 8 hours which is my goal…Well just finishing the trail marathon would be amazing at this stage, lol! 🤣 

Motivational Quote…💪🏼 

Do the hard work now so that…

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🙌 Yay…I Think I’ve Solved It! 💪🏼

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Hi all…Its time to celebrate as i think i’ve finally (after about a year) solve the problem of THE left hand corner, that i’d kept missing again and again whenever the sun is out!! 💪🏼 

This nemesis kept fighting me all the way through the ‘Ultra Step Challenge’ i did during advent 2020…And it has kept fighting me during my training now for my ‘Blindman Trail Marathon’…Until now! 🙌

I’ve finally realised that once i’ve taken the apex of this left hander below…I say taken the apex but i mean, when the bush on the left smashes against my left side…It sounded much too clean before and i don’t want you thinking that this is easy! 🤣

Start Counting

I start counting my steps until i hit 90 then i veer off to the left. I’ve only tried this this morning and it worked (i didn’t…

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From The Archives: The Finish Line

Hi all…This is my first post from my ‘From The Archives’ series, i hope you enjoy reading some of the classics, lol?! 😀 

The Finish Line…

As a blind gamer, i was excited to be recommended(by my brother) a brand new racing game called “Project Cars” for the PS4. I’m able to attempt to play a few racing games, If they include Grand Prix tracks, i can often remember each corner from my sighted gaming days, playing F1 97 etc. 

When i sat down to play for 15 minutes last night, i was surprised to be taught a lesson on being over zealous, while lacking wisdom! 🙂

A close up photo of the amazing Ford Capri Touring Car

⇧ Screenshot of my 1980 Capri (Group 5 – Team Zakspeed) ⇧ 

I chose the rather extreme Capri to drive and chose a familiar track. After leaving the pits i span off on nearly every corner as my tyres were cold and not up to race temperatures. An influx of thoughts filled my mind,….

Over Zealous…

It reminded me of when i first became a Christian and first had revelation of the Truth when reading the Bible. I couldn’t believe what i was reading, and how it described me…yes me! I then did what normally happens, and become over zealous like a screaming twin turbo engine and had to tell everyone, and point out the right and wrongs with everything and everyone around me! 

I was making a lot of noise and using a lot of power and energy,  but was lacking something vital, i failed to slowly warm up the tyres of Godly Wisdom!

As we mature, and grow in step with the Holy Spirit, we are given all we need to finish the race. And when we get the balance right, we can stay on track until the end, and if our tyres stay hot, even the storms won’t be able to slow us down! 🙂

Making Doughnuts…

photo of a racing sierra cosworth with smoking tyres doing doughnuts at Donington race track

⇧ Screenshot of my 1988 Sierra RS500 Cosworth (Group A) ⇧ 

After selecting “Donington”, my home town track in Derby, i decided to take the Sierra Cosworth for a ride. I stopped to make some doughnuts, and thought “Here we go again, all that power and energy…and i’m just going round in circles”.

🙏 I want to thank God for not leaving us in the pits! But instead He empowers  instructs and steers us towards the finish line! 😀 

September’s Trail Marathon Training: Full Progress Report! 💪🏼

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Hi all! This is a super long post but it gives a great summary of my progress through September as i slowly attack the trail and increase my mileage and strength! I hope you enjoy the monthly updates?! 💪🏼 😀 🙌 

3rd September 2021…New walking workout record! 😲  

544Kcal badge

Hi all! I really didn’t expect this badge today! 🤔 

After a rest day yesterday, i started another 2 laps of my trail through the woods as part of my ‘Trail Marathon’ training, ready for my MS Society Trail Marathon on 24 April 2022.. I’m going to try 3 laps next week to try an increase my endurance! 😨 

When i returned tired and hungry, i checked out my lap times, elevation etc…And guess what??? I’d won this badge for burning 1 more calorie than Wednesdays 2 lap walking record badge. I’d say that was pretty consistent and now that’s what i call progress…

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Memorising My Trail Marathon Track! 😨

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

The Corkscrew

Hi all! I’m going to ask you to engage your imagination to the max, before you make the link i’m suggesting for the first corner that i’ve named today on my trail marathon track, lol! 🤣

The photo (above) in no way shows the rough incline which pops your hip out if you hit it wrong (done it a few times), but as i walk up it (not down like the race track) i always think about ’The Corkscrew’ at Laguna Seca. 😲  

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – From Wikipedia

The famous Turn 8 and 8A combination, popularly referred to as ‘the Corkscrew’, is considered one of the motorsport world’s most challenging turns, due to the 18-metre drop in elevation as well as its blind crest and apex on the uphill approach.

Memorising race tracks…🤔  

Since playing ‘Le Man 24Hr’, ‘Pole Position’, ‘Outrun’ and many more in the arcades…

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#3 Trail Marathon Training – 4 Laps & New Records! 🙌

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

29th Sept 2021 Stats

Hi all…Yay i managed 4 laps today in the blinding sun, and i’ve also smashed my lifelong personal best of walking non stop for 10.22 miles!! I didn’t stand still once and i even ate and drank on the move too…To say i’m happy is an understatement! 😀

New Exercise Record…🙌 

New Exercise Record 29 Sept 2021

New Walking Workout Record…🙌 

Walking Workout Record 29 Sept 2021

I managed this walk in just under 3 hours and i’m very happy with the 17’01”/Mile pace. As long as i stay under 18’18”/Mile i’ll finish under 8 hours which is my goal…Well just finishing the trail marathon would be amazing at this stage, lol! 🤣 

The Trail Marathon…😲    

I know I’ll be stretching myself past my limits for this challenge and so your encouragement and support would really help me to keep my training on track. Any donation you can spare would build my morale and endurance so I can smash…

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Called to Hope

🙏 Amen!

Revelations in Writing's avatarRevelations In Writing

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people. – (Ephesians 1:18, NIV)

I pray that God will open your minds to see His truth. Then you will know the hope that He has chosen us to have. You will know that the blessings God has promised His holy people are rich and glorious. – (Ephesians 1:18, ERV)

Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. – (Ephesians 1:18, VOICE)

The reality is that we all could use more hope. When things are good, there is great joy in knowing that what is…

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

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

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

I’m planning to step off the sidelines again soon… this time in memory of my wonderful mum, Valerie who died after a 14 yr struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, in the same month that I was registered blind.
I’ve always wanted to do something positive to celebrate her life and as you may know, my lovely wife Sarah has just started work at the MS Society. I can think of no better time or charity to make my fundraising in memory wish come true and I can finally add my mums name to the MS Society fight to stop MS. 💪🏼

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

Together we can be a force for change and BEAT MS

1 MS Society Banner Marathon 001

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

Story…

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

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

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

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

And so…….

My Challenge…Sunday 24th April 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Multiple Sclerosis Society

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

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

Click HERE for my JustGiving page.

QR Code for my JustGiving page: 

Please click of hold your camera at this QR code for my Blindman Trail Marathon JustGiving page

Fire Up The Quattro…Both Of Them!!! 😨

Hi all! Today’s post is a little different, as i rarely get the opportunity to experience a proper car…Never mind get to talk all about the engine, tyres etc with another proper petrolhead! 💪🏼 🤣 Well it all started at the end of Eileen’s funeral last week when we needed a lift to the train station to head back home. Ben (ex brother in law and friend) said he’d give us a lift and disappeared to go and get his car?!

What is that visceral rumble outside?? 🤔 

Audi $S4 1

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

  Please meet the RS4…😲   

Ben: “Firstly, the RS4 was hand built by quattro gmbh (Audi’s in-house performance arm). The B7 RS4 is powered by a direct fuel injected (FSi) 4.2litre V8, producing 420bhp and revving to over 8,000rpm.

Mine is around 450bhp and revs to 8,500rpm due to some minor modifications. It has the quattro all wheel drive system with a 60:40 power split with a rear bias to aid handing. Front brake are floating discs with 8 piston callipers (also used on the Lamborghini Gallardo). As with all B7 RS4s, it’s a 6 speed manual (has to be manual).” 

Audi $S$  2

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

Fire up the Quattro…

As Sarah was getting into the back seat she said “You’ve got to be in the front for this one” i said “Fantastic” as Ben kindly guided me around and opened the door as i got in. I said “Awww these Recaro bucket seats are amazing, and i can fit in them properly now i’ve lost 5 stone, lol!” 🤣 

Audi RS4  Dash

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

I was listening to the rumbling beast ticking over as Ben slipped into the drivers seat. “Awww i love a V8 it just sounds amazing and it’s only just ticking over!” Ben then blipped the throttle a few times (to widen my smile even further) and pulled  away.

Sadly the train station was only about 10 minutes away, but when we reached the duel carriageway…Ben wound the windows down and floored it!! 😲

I’m not sure if it was the instant force of being blasted back into the seat, or the symphony of the 450 angry beasts filling my ears that gave me that feeling like nothing else…I simply couldn’t stop the huge grin from leaving my face! 😀

“Wow that was immense” i said whilst pealing my head off the rear window, lol. “That was only 6500rpm as we keep running out of road, we have 2000rpm left” Ben said as he gifted me with another blip of the throttle to evoke the awesome symphony!

The tunnel…😲

Audi $S4  4

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

We even had a tunnel moment where you can really hear the deep growling boom of the V8 through the open windows, awwwww…I’ll pause for a minute for you to imagine the beautiful sound of the V8…😲
The exhausts…

2 Audis

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

Pulling up outside the train station (oh no the car experience is coming to an end) we all got out. I was wondering why Ben had left the car running as i knew he’d already said he’d come inside to check everything was ok and our tickets worked in the gates etc…Above and beyond kindness! 😀   

When…🤔 

Ben walked me around the rear of the car on the nearside about level with the tyre. He then placed Sarah in a similar position on the offside, “Stay there a minute and listen to this!?!” 

It all happened at the same time…My ears were blessed and blasted with the massive sound of the V8 from the rear, then my lower half of my trousers blew backwards from the wind (tornado) blitzing me from the tailpipes…And as the revs lowered we could hear the huge pops, bangs and explosions coming from the exhaust! Wow what a finish, and now we understand what you were up to, lol! 🤣 

I can’t thank Ben enough for giving me and Sarah this amazing experience, and Sarah was happy that i got to talk all about cars without boring her to death, lol! 

Oh just one more thing…This monster has 275mm tires and 20 inch rims! 💪🏼 

The Audi 4.2 V8…

Audi 4 2 V8

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

 

Fire up the second Quattro…😲 

2 Audis 2

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

Please meet the Audi 90 quattro 20v sport…
Ben: “The old one is a 1991 Audi 90 quattro 20v sport (One of only 92 ever built), it’s a rare car. Powered by a 2.3litre 5 cylinder twin cam engine. It has a 5branch exhaust manifold and fully electronic multipoint fuel injection (very advanced for its age). It was an early adopter of catalytic converters but as mine is pre 1992 I’ve removed mine (totally legally).”

“Along with some internal engine work it’s power is up from original 170bhp to around 220bhp and this revs happily to around 7,400rpm now. It too has Quattro all wheel drive with TORSEN centre diff and lockable rear diff. It has cast front suspension arms and is considerably lighter than a normal Audi 90. I’ve had this for about 15years.”
Audi 90 Quattro 2

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

About 5 years ago on another trip to Derby, Ben kindly gave me and Sarah a similar blast in this classic Quattro. It sounded and felt fantastic and it was a real blast back from the past! I remember Ben opening the sunroof and windows to get the full exhaust tone playing in our ears…What a beautiful sound! 😀  
Audi 90 Quattro 5

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

What’s under the hood?!
Audi 90 Engine

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

Audi 90 Engine 2

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

Audi 90 Quattro 7

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

Audi 90 Quattro 6

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

Audi 90 Quattro 8

⇧ Photo supplied by Ben – ©Performance Prestige ⇧

 My story and a little about my “Novadose”…🤔 

As you may know my last car before i went blind…Was my custom 1991 Vauxhall Nova 1.4SR resprayed in dark pearlescent purple (bottom half) and white for the top half after i’d fitted a full Zender body kit. . As i worked as a panel beater in a bodyshop, my fave part was hammering out the rear wheel arches, filling them for a slightly wider arch…So i could squeeze in the 205mm tyres on the 17 inch rims. I’d only ever seen 16 inch rims on a Nova in Derbyshire before, so i had to see if i could fit the 17’s…That’s why i called it the “Novadose”. 🤣   

I’ve always been interested in cars as most of my family are/were mechanics…I think that’s why i get so excited whenever i have a car experience like the one above…And why i’ll always share it with you guys! 😀

Do you have any car experience stories to share? 🤔 

😲 Wow…The ‘I Newspaper’ has interviewed me and just published my story today for “Know your Numbers” week by Blood Pressure UK

Sorry for lots of Reblogs…I’m just excited, lol! 🤣 💪🏼

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Hi all! I’ve been interviewed again this week for the annual “Know Your Numbers” week 2021 (this week). I think you’ll remember the ‘Ultra Step Challenge’ i did during advent 2020 for the Blood Pressure UK charity…And they wanted to use the ‘I Newspaper’ to interview me from a slightly different angle for this years case study too! 😀 

It’s a great article and it almost makes me sound inspirational, lol! 🤣 Please take a read!

Article…

‘It felt like my head was exploding’: Blind man describes how he lost his sight at 24 after brain haemorrhage
Steve Rebus’s optic nerve burst because his blood pressure was so high, causing him to suffer two brain haemorrhages

Me BPUK 1

Steve walked 266 miles to raise money for Blood Pressure UK in December 2020.
Steve Rebus knew he had a family history of high blood pressure but never expected it would leave…

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😭 Goodbye Trainers…Hello Blisters!

Please don’t forget to click through to my’Fitblitz’ blog and follow me on my ‘Trail Marathon Training’ during the next 7 months…I’d really love to have your support and encouragement, looks like i’m going to need it, lol! 🤣

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Puma clean

Hi all. 

During my ‘ultra Step Challenge’ through advent 2020, you may have noticed that i was always wearing my fantastic trainers, which were a gift from my lovely wife Sarah for losing 3 stone. They have been my most fav trainers i’ve ever owned, and i’ve owned some cool trainers before, they were just so spongy! 😀 

i’ve also been wearing them now i’ve started my ‘Trail Marathon’ training this last week. I thought these have seen me through a gruelling challenge before…So why not get me through this one too!

But…

I think my trainers glamoured me or something, as i hadn’t realised the padding had worn through in a few places inside! I can’t use my blindness as an excuse as i should have noticed this…A school boy mistake!  😨 

I’m now sat with a super doughnut shaped fancy plaster creation by Sarah on…

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🙌 Yay…A Lifetime Personal Best During My Trail Marathon Training! 💪🏼

Please don’t forget to click through to my’Fitblitz’ blog and follow me on my ‘Trail Marathon Training’ during the next 6 months…I’d really love to meet you over there! 💪🏼 😀

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

784 Kilocalories Badge

Hi all…You’ll never believe this?! 😲  

Today was my first day of increasing the mileage (number of laps) to a distance i’d never walked without stopping before! 😨  

Each lap of the trail is 2.5 miles and this month i’m attempting 3 laps without stopping. So today was my first time walking with my backpack and carrying water and a trusty Grenade protein bar supplied by my lovely wife Sarah. I thought after losing 5 stone (70 pounds) my legs would be able to manage an extra couple of pounds or so, lol! 🤣 

I knew it was going to be more difficult as the sun was really bright and stopped me seeing most of the trail, i even missed a turning but managed to get back on it…But when i was in the shade i made sure i nailed it! 💪🏼

I drank some of my water at…

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😋 Sarah’s stupendous post-walk nutritional lunch

Mmmm, i love this meal! Please don’t forget to click through to my’Fitblitz’ blog and follow me on my health and fitness battle…I’d really love to meet you over there! 💪🏼 😀

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

Sarah’s stupendous post-walk nutritional lunch… 

Pizza

I’d like to introduce you to the best pizza i’ve ever had, and i’ve had thousands over the years! This is our protein pizza which we prepare on Sunday evening (we make 1 each), cut into 6 pieces and have a slice each day. We both make our own so we can have our fave toppings (Sarah often puts olives on hers) and i hate olives, lol! 😀 We make the base from turkey mince so it has no carbs but lots of protein which is great for Sarah as she’s a T1 diabetic, then i can have my fave carb source food which is dry 7 seed wholemeal toast (like Elwood Blues) and Sarah doesn’t have to worry about carb counting or her blood sugar shooting up! 💪🏼 😀 

As a post walk meal my lovely wife Sarah prepares me with a warm…

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🙌 Yay…A New Walking Record Badge! 💪🏼

💪🏼 🙌 😀

Steve's avatarFitBlitz

1 Walking Record Award

Hi all!

I knew i could bore you to death with another award badge already! 🤣 

I’d just finished my 2 lap walk through the woods near my home, when i was notified of winning this badge for burning 543 Kilocalories in one walk. As i’m training for a Marathon walk in April i hope to win many more of this style of badge…Or maybe i’ll just fall to pieces instead, one of these two will happen! 🤣 

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😨 Blindman 2 Marathons in 1 day??!!

Me BPUK 1

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

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

My latest idea…😲 

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

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

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

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

Choosing joy

The Joy of the Lord is my strength! 🙏 😀
Thanks once again Hope for edifying my soul!!

hope's avatarpatientlyhopeful

There’s choices each day.

So many, at times they can feel overwhelming.

One of those choices we all make each day, sometimes minute by minute, is what we choose to do.

What we think on, what we meditate on, what we listen to, what we read, all are choices.

These choices either build our faith or tear it down.

When faced with uncertainty, tragedy, and pain we have a choice.

Despair or trust.

Will we praise God through the current circumstances or will we complain about the havock?

Throughout history we see God using the things Satan meant for evil and turning it to good.

As followers of Christ, we need to choose to find joy in Him, even in the midst of incredible pain.

For we can choose joy even while we suffer.

Acts 5:41 KJV — And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they…

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Meant for Good

Amen. 🙏

wordpicturesbydlink's avatar-Word- pictures by DLink

The Lord used all the trials in bringing Joseph to power at the right moment to spare his family – who were the Messiah’s ancestors – from the effects of famine. In our own life, we can see God’s actions only from the limited vantage point of our humanness. Often the Lord’s goals and purposes are hidden from us until His plans come to fruition. We may wonder at the turns our life takes, but we can be certain God is sovereign over all the earth. The wicked may triumph for a season, but the final victory belongs to Christ and His righteous followers.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, July 24, 2021.

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🙌 Sarah’s New Job At MS Society! 😀

MS Society Logo

Yay…A huge (and very proud) congratulations to my lovely wife Sarah for starting her new job managing the legacy team at MS Society today! 🙌 For all the years i’ve known her, she’s been passionate, enthusiastic, knowledgable, driven, fun, caring, loving and…always looking to overachieve! 😀   Now she has a new job managing a new team, which means she has many more new goals to smash…Go big or go home, lol! 🤣
My Mum & MS (Multiple Sclerosis)…As you may know, my mum died, the same month that I was registered blind, after a 12 year debilitating and demoralising struggle with progressive MS. So you’ll understand why I am so pleased she will be working for this charity, which is close to my heart…and my families hearts too. ❤️
And as would be expected I have already been enlisted to think up some fun ways to raise funds and support MS Society and their wonderful work…. Any ideas for new fundraising challenges would be very welcome……..🤔