Days 3 and 4. To Leeds

Day 3,- To Boroughbridge 36.9 miles Set off earlyish this morning to get back to yesterday finish point and meet a friend of my brothers who was cycling with me and kindlt carrying my bag. Truth be told I was not looking forward to what promised to be a long day. Was well fed at best pizzeria in durham last night but a restless sleep. Anyway had a good start and promised myself a run 15 walk 5 min strategy. Hit Northallerton about half 12 and stopped at the Maspns Arms for lunch, cheese amd onion toastie and chips sat outside in the sun. At this point around 18 miles in maps suggested about 12 miles to go. Got my head down after lunch and the miles slowly ticked away as we passed through villages such as Asenby and called into a shop for a drink which was kindly given free of charge. Nice man :-) Anyway kept on keeping on buoyed by the way the Spurs and Saints games were going and finally arrived in Boroughbridge and my lovely hotel after a comfortable 37.2 miles. Resting up now before heading on to Leeds tomoz. Watched Doctor Who and Ant and Dec, eaten large portion of haddock and chips and now having aero hot chocolate avnd ginger snaps courtesy of Great Western hotels. It would be rude noteat doons today but still (best Bob Geldof impression) not enough. Hhough thanks everyone. I'm off to bed, ime same place tomoz.... Day 4 to Leeds 29.6 miles Have I really done 4 days already? I know is early days really but feeling physically and mentally strong although I guess this is changeable. Take the first hour and a half this morning for instance, not great and took a long time to really get into my stride even after an intial 45 minute walk to let my full English settle. By the time i got through Knaresbrough? and into Harrogate on Leeds Road (A61) was on a roll though which is all good and well as it was mildly undulating (understatement alert). Was trying to stick to 15-5 run walk strategy and certainly didn't do more than that but most 5 minute walks were preceded by a paused watch and a drink so I would imagine you are starting to realise was a bit slower than days 1-3. I did try chia energy drink for the first time having tried the flapjacks previously. These are runners products made by a runner/master baker and are absolutely amazing. Don't worry I am not being sponsored by them but you should try them out. Anyways back to the run, after negotiating the hills it was time to search out Leeds best hidden secret, Elland Road, had to go through thé city centre and was à struggle. First sign post i saw was when stadium was in sight. Thé stadium made up for any tribulations in first 28 miles though as I met actual people. This was my first solo run of the challenge although still not with full pack as most kit was kindly dropped off at today's hotel by yesterdays running partner who also supplied much needed, yes really sun cream, thanks Abbo. Anyway back to Elland Road, took a photo of Billy Brenner AND then asked a group of people if they would take a photo of me. Turns out they were from Wales to e of them wals an avid fan and is his 50th Birthday. So had a chat with them, told them my story which they promised to look up and shook hands. They wanted to go and see Don then but I wanted to sit down, phone my brother, and get bearings for my hotel. As I was sat there an older gentleman approached and began to wax lyrical about Billy and how Leeds would be ok if they had him now. Turns out the bloke, Geoff, is a lifelong fan who had travelled over from Australia to see a few games, not for the first time either. I discovered he was from Sydney when I asked where in America he was from. Accents never were my forte :-) Anyway me and Geoff sat and chatted and set the football world to rights for a good twenty minutes during which time he chucked a fiver into my charity pot which was very kind. Apart from the charity fundraising meeting new interesting people was one of my main morivations, Geoff was one of these people and made my day. So 29.6 miles today takes me to just shy of 120 in first four days, have been down to the restaurant had a nice meal and a couple of pints and am looking forward immensely to tomorrow as my brother is meeting me on route to carry my bag and I get to spend tomorrow evening with a fellow Spurs fan Monsenb. Not as many donations as I'd ike today but is Easter Sunday so not entirely unexpected. That's all folks. See you tomorrow in Sheffield?

Day Two Horden to Low Lane

26.29 miles

Today was a hard day, not harder physically than yesterday I think but mentally, Teeside is really not the most inspiring of places but I had good company and is in the bag now.

I had a great start to the day with an email from Bobby Moore's wife Stephanie wishing me all the best and asking me to keep her updated on my progress along with a pile of early morning donations. £170 in the last two days but still need more if I am going to stay motivated and the charities are really going to benefit, so even if you can spare a pound please do.

Anyway started a little later today from the layby where I left off last night, there was a burger van there but I resisted. we did meet Claire and Graham there though with a bag of goodies for me including hobnob bars, liqorice allsorts and a jar of marmite (which I had never tried but have now, more on that later). so myself and Anna set off with Flip supporting in the car today through Horden, Blackhall and on to Hartlepool. Is sad how these communities are clearly still feeling the full impact of Maggie's reign nearly 30 years on, much like home really. Cross wires regards directions meant myself and Anna went through the centre of Hartlepool whilst Flip desperately mtried to locate us but I don't think we added a great deal on to the route, if anything, and we were soon heading out through the industrial wasteland and on towards the transporter bridge. I am not lying when I say this was the MOST uninspiring stretch of road I have ever run on and for a while I didn't think it was ever going to end,m the bridge seemed to get no closer....

However we eventually got over the bridge, which was exciting, and on to The Riverside Stadium for obligatory photos. A short stop hear to refuel and try to sort out the route for the afternoon as Flip was now in relatively unknown territory and my route instructions were a little ambiguous. After a slow start to the afternoon we came across a group of elderly cyclists who managed to give us some fantastic instructions as well as asking, when they found out about the challenge, if I was famous. Anna said not yet....

So basically that was it another 8 or 9 miles following my instructions and Flips wizardry with google maps got us over marathon distance and in a good place to meet tomorrows partner and finish for the day. A Shell garage where fuel rations were stocked up on.

A relatively short, it seemed to me, car journey home consisted of eating sandwiches and allsorts, drinking pop and catching up with my ever growing band of twitter and FB stalkers, I mean followers.

Back at the house have had marmite on toast (nice), bacon sandwiches (nicer) and a soak in a hot bath (bestest).

Have been invited out tonight to Lisrun and partners house for Pizza. Very kind I just hope they know how hungry I am ;-)

Until tomorrow, please keep the support coming, thanks for reading :-)

Day One - Newcastle to Horden

Mileage - 26.39 miles

Day one is over and was really very enjoyable.

Started at around 0930 this morning at St James Park where obligatory photos were taken with Sir Bobby, wor Jackie and the St James Park sign. Stuck a bit in the throat of my running partner Flip, who is a bonafide Mackem, but I still managed to take a photo of him, by stealth, smiling by the sign. First few miles were punctuated with lots of photo opportunities, including one by the aptly named 'Baltic' arts centre as was bloody cold to start with, but we soon got into our stride and were through the industrial side of Newcastle and towards the village of Borden where we stopped and our car guy for the day, Steven, was duly dispatched to buy some pork and wild mushroom sausages from a good old fashioned butchers. Flip is cooking these as I type and they will be consumed dans un sandwich very shortly before a 'proper' meal later. We dumped our jackets here as the sun had come out and was warming up nicely. Through Bordon and I got a call from the Sunderland echo (after an interview on BBC Tees radio this morning) asking when I would be at the Stadium of Light for photos. Arrived there around midday, a few photos, where Flip was much happier to be snapped, and some special flapjack, thanks Sioux. Next target was Seaham and rather than going along the foot pathless main road we 'cut' across the cliff tops, a fantastic view of a very angry sea, a bit of marshland and a few banks to scramble up and down. Flip was determined to get to Seaham, it being his childhood home, but was starting to feel it a little in his legs having run Hardmoors 55 over the weekend. So at Seaham and 19.5 miles Flip got in the car and I dumped my bag and looked to crack out some more miles as quickly as possible. met Flip a few times along the route here for directions, negotiated some naughty inclines, but was determined to get at least 26.2 miles in on the first day which took me into Horden and the waiting car, Flip, can of diet coke and snickers bar. So a good first day, not as many donations as I would like but still some very kind ones, good mileage covered and not a sight of snow. Long may it continue.....

2 days - Woo Hoo

 

Could only be that song couldn't it?

Ready to rock and roll.

Work finished.

Bag (not) packed. Plenty of time :-) Train leaves at 1040 tomorrow. How long does it take to pack some running kit, a bit if bodyglide and some fruitloaf?

Nice meal with the family tonight where they presented me with some nice cards and a new camera :-) so prepare to be bombarded with snaps.

Have communicated with my first kind host and running partner.

Tres excited but this time tomorrow bum may be winking a tad.

Thanks for all the support so far, this is where it becomes serious though so keep it coming.

Just to remind you you can follow my exploits virtually by the minute on twitter @700miles25days

Otherwise visit the website and leave me a message http://breathefitnessandevents.wordpress.com/i-am-premier-league/

Until tomorrow x

 

Three days - Massive

Very short and sweet today I think. Had to be Massive Attack for the tuneage. Loves it I do!

Easy day today on the bike, same again tomorrow, on the train Wednesday then is Thursday and we all know what happens then?

My thoughts currently are all centred around this bloody weather improving and the roads being clear by the time I arrive in the North, just something I didn’t think would be an issue, hopefully it still wont.

Nice communications with the people at Mens Running today and they are liasing with Fulham for photos and videos to be taken pitchside when I arrive which will be cool. Don’t know what the videos will be used for though?

Nearly on top of the marking and work so a nice meal out with the family tomorrow, chuck a few things in my bag and away to go.

Should contact a few people quickly I think, Flipppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 days - Accounts and physical resources

Couldn't decide on a four song so chose track four off a favourite album, this is a top top tune. Gets me right there, take a listen.

Seems a long time ago now as have been snowed under getting on top of stuff for work and marking cashflow, breakeven and physical resources but had a real fun slow 8 mile run this morning. A local race went virtually by my front door and lots of friends were involved whether they be running or marshalling so I joined in and had a plod with them, with lots of stops to talk to people and receive well wishes. Was a happy run :-) Unfortunately the only downside was not having enough hours in the day to be able to fit in my daughters first Karate grading too but she passed with flying colours so is on her way to being *ninja* :-)

 

Broke the £2500 barrier today so 5% of target down which I can't complain about before I even start running and keep receiving more publicity and messages of support which mean so much. That is about it really except this photo I took post run and put on FB with the following caption, not sure when I started looking so old but it happens to us all.

 

'If you see this man running towards you in the next 4 weeks don't be scared, just feed him'

 

(Take) five days - Don't be shy

Always had to be this song for today, with 5 days to go, although I could have gone with songs by Radiohead, Bjork or Simon and Garfunkel. Am no jazz aficionado but grew up listening to this song being blared out by my father on a Sunday morning and have always had a soft spot for it. So I went to my inaugral parkrun this morning, the first officail Llyn Llech Owain parkrun and had a great time, stretched the legs a bit, 'gently' coaxed my running buddy for the day, Jenny, to at least a 20 second PB although we didn't quite break the 26 minute barrier as she had hoped. Next time though! To be completely honest I am not sure i could have pushed her much harder and we were both a little wary of me doing myself no damage on a course that was a, little damp, uneven, muddy and slippy under foot. I guess the main thing about parkrun though is the social side and it was lovely to catch up with the likes of Jason, Andrea, Ruth and Nozza and meet many others for the first time. Great hot chocolate and cookie too! The second part of my title and song 2 of the day is about my 'shyness'. This is something I have improved on over the years but today made me realise If I am going to really get myself out there in the next few weeks I am going to have to get used to shouting from the rooftops, is not natural to talk yourself up though is it, not to me anyway? So there I was this morning resplendent in my 'I am Premier League' shirt and collection pot but it took the intervention of some very kind supporters (Mr PH and Jason repectively) to get the local press phtographer to make me do some silly poses for photos, which will hopefully get me a little more publicity, and then announce my plans to a packed coffee shop which then resulted in a lot of kind donations and well wishes. So I must be willing to get myself out there verbally, is easy on the internet you know but I only have one crack at this so HAVE to do it in real life too Anyway song number 2 for the day by another of my all time favourite bands is to remind me of this.

6 days - I feel no pain the jabberwocky haunts me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5tq1fXTxhQ Spoiling you today I really am, I love this band so much, is a long song but is certainly not my loss if you don't see it through to the end. ;-) Don't worry the jabberwocky doesn't haunt me but I certianly hope to feel as little pain as possible in the next 30 days. Not a lot to report, a nice run home from work in driving rain and blowing gales, no snow here though which is good. My inaugral parkrun tomorrow will be fun too. A few nice emails today which suggest to me that my, what seems constant, canvasssing over the last few months is starting to pay off, I won't divulge too much, as I don't want to jinx myself, but hopefully the publicity is building and you lot wont be able to pick up a paper or turn on a radio or TV soon without hearing from yours truly. Is all a bit odd as I still feel like a guy who is going for a run, because I can, but if it means I can raise one extra pound for the good causes I can deal with my five minutes in the spotlight. The continued support from the general public, family, friends and fetchies, before I even start, continues to amaze and inspire me so once again, and not for the last time by a long shot I imagine, I thank you. You are the ones making this all possible. Muchos loving x Am giving you a bonus song today because you are special, am quite excited by the return of Suede with new music (Stone Roses take note) and this song is doing absolutely nothing to dampen my enthusiasm.

7 Days - Flapjacks everywhere

Flapjacks made caringly by a lovely supporter are arriving on peoples welcome rugs throughout the country, if that is not enough to motivate me to get from A to B everyday I don't honestly know what is :-) *flapjack* Thanks again to Greg for the song suggestion although was always going to be this song. I had a major thing for Neneh Cherry in my teenage years, remember seeing her perform Buffalo Stance on TOTP heavily pregnant, thinking about it is maybe a little odd but I was hooked, loved the song anyway and she was just soooo sexy. Managed to blag myself a lifesize carboard cut out of her in full leather gear from Raw Like Sushi album then (see below) Got it from Athena, remember that shop? Was great, many Saturdays wasted away flicking through the posters.

Got my VLM registration pack through today, number 7452, really looking forward to it for many reasons, as you could possibly imagine, but trying not to think about it too much, one day at a time.....
6 miles home on Veera tonight, had considered a run this evening too but  have you seen the weather? Next week I will have no choice but right now I have and I am going to eat double deckers instead, how many I don't know but more than one lets put it that way

Did I mention that ITV sent me a pair of jeans worn by Tracy Barlow (I don't know either) in Corrie for me to auciton off after the event. Last time I did something like this I had a beer tray from the Rovers signed by the cast which went for over £100, have no idea what may  happen with these though? Sure there must be some stalker type out there will pay a small fortune?

So 7 days to go and although donations have come to a complete standstill am feeling quite positive and  looking forward to getting going. My first ever parkrun to come on Saturday too which am a little excited about, not least because I will be in the company of many wonderful people including Jenny, Jason, Andrea and some Sospans? :-)

Tidy!

http://breathefitnessandevents.wordpress.com/i-am-premier-league/

8 days - Unveiling the beard

Today I have decided to unveil my challenge beard to the blogosphere. I do not intend shaving until post VLM, if I am going on an adventure I want to look like an explorer :-) Yeah I'm gumping it up baby.... Laura hates it but she will get over it I'm sure. Mostly I have had nice comments (well all comments have been nice except Laura's lol) Gentle 7 and a bit miles home from work today avec backpack change of shoes for last mile just because is something I will be doing during the run so is another thing I want my body to get used to now, stopping and starting randomly. Veera tomorrow with a short run tomorrow night a possibility, we will see. Was given a new app for free today, Mywhereabouts I think it is called and basically it is going to tweet automatically every half hour for me during the challenge saying where I am, how far I have run that day and linking to my donations page, every little helps? Todays song choice comes courtesy of one of my biggest supporters, he has also chosen tomorrows '7' tune. Top tune today and it is an on the road song which is apt :-) Unfortunate flatulence episode in class this afternoon, couldn't hide the fact, wasn't smelly but loud, so said 'Oops pardon me a little bum burp'. Took a little while to bring things back in order. What can I say teachers are human too, it was curry night last night after all... So this time next week I will be residing in Chez Flip and Anna and looking forward to finally getting the show on the road in the morning, say oooohhhhh!!!!!!!! http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=MattRogersonispremierleague

9 days - Curry Night

Another day closer, a few miles on Veera and a curry night to report. The night was for a good cause, a lady with the local club running VLM for St Johns Ambulance. I loaded up on carbs and protein as you do but did stick to water, will certainly enjoy a few pints come April 21st but not before then and certainly not during the challenge as, and I think I have mentioned before, I will spend the next days run in and out of bushes/toilets. When I left the curry house we were in the middle of a quiz and my team were winning, wasn't much to do with my input though so am sure they still stormed it. The lady whose quiz night it was gave me £5 from Paul? to go towards my charity, not entirely sure who Paul is but I may have run with him a couple of weeks ago when I went out with the aforementioned local club, Sospan Road Runners, who are lovely. I should just pay the membership fee even though I won't make a lot of sessions as they are so friendly, helpful and supportive. Will put on my list of things to do when I get back. Am going to do a few easy miles home from work tomorrow and contemplate what my 8 song will be. Love todays song, Damien Rice makes my hairs tingle.

10 days - who has the remote

If you have the remote please press fast forward, I want to start NOW! Am I allowed to stamp my feet? The taper madness is in danger of sending me loopy, ended up at doctors early telling him that I was probably being a paranoid freak but could he please check out my 'sore throat and headache'. He checked it out and basically agreed with my diagnosis, paranoid freak I am. At least I am down to 10 days to go and single figures tomorrow and it allows my to indulge myself and do a countdown in songs. Todays song is not the best but I have always enjoyed a bit of The Beautiful South and, before them, The Housemartins. I do not subscribe to the guilty pleasures view, if I like a song why should I feel guilty? :-) Am sure you knowledgable people could think of a better tune but too late now, feel free to make nominations for the rest of the countdown, not a 9 though as have already decided that and is a belter. Any guesses? Do help out with 8 to 1 though... No running planned until Wednesday this week, am currently on 598 for thje year and should get to around 630-640 before I set off, will go bloody stupid then wont it? :-) Off to support another local runner doing London tomorrow night. She has organised a charity curry and quiz night fundraising for St Johns Ambulance, I'm going for the curry and will probably fail dismally at the quiz. Am willing, for comedy value, to include any answers you volunteer before tomorrow in random response to the questions, just for my own amusement really. So what do I want from you? Song suggestions, random quiz answers and guesses as to what my number 9 song is. Oh and, as ever, donations and sharing of my challenge with your social media and real life (or is this real life?) networks. Meanwhile I am going to spend the remainder of the evening trawling through the replies from the clubs, making contact where required and getting contacts put into phone and lists sorted etc. I love a good list. x Spend your hard earned cash here

11 days, feeling inspired

I'm done, a nice 15 and a bit miles this morning with a few gentle elevations and a nice steep one at around half way taking me and my running partner for the day, Jenny, up to a lovely view over Ffos Las race course and Carmarthen Bay. I always think the climb is worth the view at the top, I hope Jenny did too. Have only know Jenny a couple of weeks since she volunteered to marshall at the Born to Run Ultra and since then become one of the only people on earth to read my blog and offer fantastic support for my challenge, through sharing, enthusiasm and sponsorship. Now Jenny didn't have to offer run with me anymore than I had to change my mind at the last moment and go with the more testing route but mental strength is the order of the day and Jenny showed bucket loads of it which is yet another contribution to my motivation bank and one of the things I will draw on over the next 5 weeks at the times when I begin to questions exactly what possessed me. The next 11 days then will consist of some 6 mile runs, a few miles on Veera, tying up the loose ends of the challenge, getting ahead of the game with work and going into networking overdrive. If the whole seven (cue James) degrees of separation theory is true, and surely social media has decreased that if anything why shouldn't I believe that millions can hear about my challenge with a bit of hard work and help? So once again please don't forget to share, follow me on twitter @700miles25days or add me on facebook by searching iampremierleague. Website here:

12 days aka stingy baby cow not right!

12 days until I kick off and my left calf was a little tight (hence the blog title, is clever as I get :-) ) this morning I think or at least it certainly was when I thought about it :-) Nice stretch post run and a new run walk strategy and all seems ok now. Went with a repeated 30 second walk after 9.30 mins and then a minute walk after 19 mins, think this may be the final strategy. Is important I remember why I am doing it though as a couple of times in last few runs have thought to myself 'I don't need a walk break right now' but then realise I am taking the break so I am better 1,2, 3 or more hours down the line.15 miles tomorrow will be my last double figure run before the off, if you see me pounding the streets or talking about going 10 or more before then please slap me, I am always capable of succumbing to temptation you know. Am still getting the challenge out there, managed to get registered on 'Knees up Mother Brown' the West Ham forum today and have already had two donations from them which is just brilliant and gives me such a boost. Don't get me wrong they are not big donations but enough, anything is enough. I fully expect my faith in society to be justified by the end of the run, it is acts of kindness like this that will do it. I never have bought into the tabloid gloom and doom 'Broken Britain' stance anyway. Todays song comes from Steve Mason the ex lead singer of the hugely under rated Beta Band. Quality tune, grab his new album if you like this, you wont be disappointed. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=MattRogersonispremierleague

Gooses

Let me very quickly share my run home with you. Was one of them 'no energy' bonking runs I sometimes get in the afternoon, just clicked that did everything I usually did apart from pre run banana. School boy error. Anyways when I got to just over 7 miles I had two choices, go the short flat way (2 miles) or the long steep way (3 miles). I went the long way. :-)  The thing is the only reason I went the longer harder way was because I spotted some bastard geese on the path the other way. I knew there was a reason to dislike spring. So did I man up or, for want of a better phrase, am I a big fat gayer? Answers on a goose egg plz.
No entries to sweepstakes in other news, today may end my 3 week donation streak :-( Oh well start again tomorrow :-)

Linky Thing

Win

This song and band kept me amused on my run home from work today, don't know why this particular tune resonated so much but it did put a spring in my step, I like songs that make you think but sometimes simple is best. I certainly want the world to know about my challenge and I am radio friendly but it certainly doesn't keep me up at night. With backpack again today and after trying a run 19 walk 1 minute strategy for the last week today I went for a run 9 walk 1 strategy but think over a long distance with stops for food, talking to people etc etc will slow me down a little too much so am going to stick to the 19-1 strategy. Also been offered the use of a dictaphone for my run which will help the blogging and remembering the details loads as my short term memory is frankly crap and I always think of loads of things to talk about when out then forget them all when I get home. Crap with names too and want to be able to thank random kind people. So that is going to be tidy as long as I remember to use it, hmmm... One thing I do remember thinking today was I wonder how long, without taking into account aforementioned food and talk stops, I will run for in all during the 25 days I'm going. Then I thought wouldn't it be fun if people could bet on it in a sweepstake style. So that is what I am doing. The link is below but all you need do now is make a minimum donation of £3 for every entry you want, stipulating that you want entry and how many, and when I have the 40 entries I need or by 25 March, whichever comes first, I will put all options in one hat( I have many hats) and all names in another and you get allocated what you get allocated. I shall video the draw for you tube in the interest of fair play. Options start at less than 101 hours and then go up in increments of 2 to the last one which is over 177 hours. So for instance if you were drawn as 151 you would win for any time between 151 hours and152 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds. Make sense? Only rules being that.. 1. If I get less than 20 entries, but we are a nation of gamblers right?, you will unfortunately forfeit your entry and the lucky charities will be better off anyway 2.If I get more than 20 but the winning time is not allocated it will go to the next closest, if it is a tie the one who didn't go bust (ovr my actual time) wins. I will update spreadsheet every night until we have enough entries, if it seems that there will be a lot more than 40 entries I will run the competition twice. So what will you win I hear you holler? Well one you will win my stinking running shoes which will have over 1500 miles in them by the time the challenge is over, a worthless signed challenge running top (not realy selling this too well am I?) and either two £10 tickets fo the post events charity auction night or a £20 voucher for the shop ofyour choice. You in? Anonymous donations wont really work unless you message me in which case I will keep your identity a secret. Sorry if you have already donated and want in, you will have to dig deep again. ;-) Spreadsheet: Charty Page:

Rest

28.5 miles with full pack (3.5kg) today managing to maintain just over 10 minute mile pace even with 3 minute walk breaks in each hour, toilet stops, photo stops and a change of shoes. Only one day for sure so not sure if I could keep it up for 25 days, but then again I wont have the pack everyday either. Was a testing route too with the first 20 miles pretty much all up and down and miles 22-26 into a really strong head wind. Was joined for last 8 miles by Karen on her bike which was very kind, but people are kind aren't they :-) Endomondo somehow said I ran 37 miles with a fastest mile of 2.02 mins. I is a machine :-) Time to take it a little easier now for the next what? 18 days? Will probably get another 100 miles in that time but a 15 miler next Sunday will be my longest run. I have got to listen to common sense and ignore the itchy feet I get. Can almost touch it now can't I. Once again the only thing can boost me now is somehow getting the fundraising moving again, any ideas much appreciated... http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=MattRogersonispremierleague

A Night with the Stars

Was a little stressed yesterday, just that the challenge seemed to be taking up all my time, despite my brother taking over lots of the logistics arranging, and was getting a bit on top of me. Thankfully I have now put things into perspective and realised I was just being a bit of a dick, I mean what did I expect, was always going to be busy with less than three weeks to go and with it being vital that I explore every avenue possible to muster support of any kind, whether it be donations or help on route. My change in mindset was helped by a night out last night at a charity fundraising event, A Night with the Stars, for Rob's school, the staff and kids put on a great show raising lots of money for a great cause. His school is really magical and it will be a sad day when he has to leave, a fantastic community spirit is evident whenever you go to one of their events or visit the school. Yes they may have learning and physical difficulties but the commitment of everyone involved in the school means the kids lives are considersably richer than many others. So that helped me get some perspective and remember why I am doing this and I must continue to do so whenever I decide to feel sorry for myself. I will have time to relax come April 22nd :-) Bumped into an ex student at the event too who had sponsored my £50 by the time I got home to check my page which is always a boost, I wonder who it will be today that puts some money in the pot? I have decided to stop pushing for donations on FB and Twitter for a week as was in danger of overkill but I feel optimistic that the money will continue coming in regardless, the endless email and canvassing means it is sort of taking on a life of its own. Only done 30 miles this week so far, although this is my first rest day since 25th February, which is fine. Lots of miles planned for tomorrow though, not sure how many but am looking to spend four to five hours plodding around with my new Inov-8 backpack filled as it will be on the challenge. All downhill from there then really with 16 days until I head North to the start lilne. Todays song was bought to you by David Bowie, his new album is magnificent, can't believe he is 66, hope I am that cool when I reach his age. Probably wont be because I am not even cool now. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=MattRogersonispremierleague

Taper Tightrope

Before I begin can someone have a peep at my giving page and whisper how many more days I have left to go, I don't want to look but am willing for someone to tell me quietly. Now it is not that I am scared of the challenge, well not that scared, I will complete it, there will be great days, good days, bad days and truly awful days, I can deal with that, hey I'm a glass half full type of guy. Today though I am suffering from taper madness times a squillion. i really do feel as if I am on a tightrope. One wrong move could end in disaster. It was supposed to be a rest day so why did I decide to run, because I like to I guess. Someone, Laura, needs to make sure I stick to these plans because as it turns out today could have been a disaster. Sure I have got the usual pre-event niggles that I know are somehow a figment of my ever active over imagination but I also took a tumble today that could so easily have meant curtains. I tripped on something, it felt like I stood on it with one foot then got the other caught in it. Suffice to say I went flying, luckily I was on soft ground as I landed on my knee with a fair clout. I couldn't find what I had tripped on though despite careful inspection, maybe it was the voice of reason? Well if things weren't already in perspective they bloody well are now. I am feeling very fragile and would love to just go and roll myself up in a huge roll of cotton wool, I will leave my head poking out so Mrs T can feed me. Unfortunately I have a life to get on with in the meantime, with at a conservative estimate 150 miles probably to cover before kick off as well. Sure everthing will be fine but is more than an ickle bit scary as I have said before, I just need to get to that start line. Despite my taper craziness and that is all the above is, please shout at me if I keep on about it too much, there are lots of positive things happening too. Still not enough donations coming infor my liking but that will happen especially with increased media focus and the whole round table thing (right?) but got a great deal from Pete Bland Sports http://www.peteblandsports.co.uk/ on my backpack which was already half price and then reduced further when they knew it was for my challenge, £20 for and £80 pack, tidy! (Have I already told you that? head in the shed) Also got some route information through from a few people that is in as miniscule detail as 'take the third left after the roundabout, you will know it is the one because it has a postbox on the corner and a blue house three houses down on the right'. That people I don't actually know have gone to that much trouble for me, creating these routes not for just one 25 mile day but in some cases three, blows my tiny mind. ;-) Am going to sort through all my replies from football clubs tonight whislt watching Man U v Real and do some follow up letters etc. Hope fully that will take my mind off my imaginary aches and pains that, I forgot to mention, weren't helped by Caitlin telling Rob that she knows when I am coming up the stairs because she can hear my bones clicking. :-0 The only thing, as ever, that can really take my mind off it is money coming in for my charities. Is not about me is it.... PS Look at me all technical working out how to embed youtube videos rather than having crap links, prepare to be amazed by my fantastic musical taste...

There are no reasons

Nah I'm not really a Monday hater, crikey it is only 5 days until the weekend isn't it. Have eaten too much crap today though so have decided to cancel tomorrows rest day and run home from work, will probably make it a 7 or 8 miler. Has been a slow day on the donations front too, sure I can't expect to constantly get the amounts I have been doing, but I sure as hell can hope. Have heard back from a couple of the Round Table branches though who have been very positive so hope that is a sign of things to come. The song for today is more for the tenuous Bob Geldof and fundraising link, hope I don't get to Bob on all your arses but I do refuse to feel guilty or apologise for constant banging on and canvassing for donations for these fantastic causes. My sportpursuit order is now 'in warehouse' so should be with me in days as should my backpack. Will have shoes, new socks, shorts, sunglasses and backpack then, with copious amounts of bodyglide arriving today and shirts last week I am, bar a couple of logistical things, ready to rock and rolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=MattRogersonispremierleague

I just don't know what to do with myself...

Less than 4 weeks to go until I kick off and have no idea what way to take my training, done over 43 miles over the last 2 days and felt strong but apart from planning a 30 miler next Sunday avec newly ordered Inov-8 backpack not sure what I should be doing, as I said previously am so conscious of not breaking myself. So come on you knowledgable lot, what would you do? No running until Wednesday whatever. Just a work commute on Veera tomorrow! Ran with Llanelli Half marathon today, had a few friends taking part so met them at around 1.5 miles after running about 2 .5 miles already and had a nice plod around. Although I am wearing the garmin to keep track of distance covered, and I may have mentioned this before too, am enjoying the freedom of not worrying about pace and just listening to my legs, anyway the legs today were telling me at 8.5 miles that I was tired but a mile later carried me away which was nice for two reasons, one being that it seems I am getting stronger the longer I go which is good, and secondly I could peel off in the finishing straight of the half and cheer the guys in. Wore the challenge shirt too and got a few nice comments and promises of donations so that was another job well done. Hit £2000 last night with a £65 anonymous donation, if you are reading this and are one of my anonymous donators please let me know, I wont share if you don't want me to but would love to thank you personally. Was two weeks ago today I was asking for donations to get me past the £1000 mark having taken 8 weeks to get there, hope this is a sign of the speed at which things are gathering pace and I am past the £3000 mark very soon :-) Please feel free to help the cause http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=MattRogersonispremierleague