The aim

In July 2013 I intend to run a route 1000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

This is a huge personal challenge but one that is fully achievable, of this I have no doubt. This is not a race so I simply want to complete the route as quickly as possible. My aim is to the do the full route in less than 30 days but if training goes well over the next 6 months and the weather is favourable I would ideally complete the route in 20 days. This would mean a daily average of 50 miles, a tall order considering this is the same as doing 2 marathons everyday!

In addition to the daily mileage I will be doing the entire route ‘self supported’, by this I mean I will be carrying my food, tent, cooking equipment and everything else I require for the entire route. There will be NO support car, NO one cooking meals and NO comfy beds.

 

 

Why John O’Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE)?

 

John O’Groats to Land’s End is the iconic long distance route in the UK; all be it normally on bike. Once the idea was in my head it wasn’t going until I had done it.

Although the “JOGLE” route could be done in 840 miles, I initially created a draft route, avoiding busy road and built up areas, which came out at around 920 miles so I decided to make it 1000 miles as that is a nice round number!

 

Why running?

Running is a pure and simple pleasure unhindered by the need for expense, equipment or specific locations.

I got the bug at the age of 11 when I completed the full training plan for the Great North Run with my Mum; I was too young to enter but I still enjoyed the training. I remember standing on the finish line, at the Great North Run, watching in awe as people come in to the finish area. I then dabbled on and off for many years using it as a training aid for my other sports.

In December 2011 I got the bug once again; at 10kg overweight, a lot of personal stress going on and life falling apart around me, it was the perfect therapy. Training started and has been ramping up ever since. I completed my first half marathon in 1hr30, although to many this would seem good, I was disappointed and promptly ran my first marathon 3 days later.

Now in a structured training programme for the JOGLE, training is building once more and I am enjoying it. This is a new focus - preparing the body for day after day mileage is a different type of program to race preparation but enjoyable none the less.

 

Fund raising for Parkinson’s UK

 

Parkinson’s disease is a cruel and punishing disease. Sufferers can have a huge spectrum of challenges but one thing that all sufferers endure is the knowledge that there is no cure.

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, very little can be done to slow it and the prognosis is unpredictable; the management of unending tremors, fatigue and sometimes extreme discomfort or pain can be difficult. Maintaining a positive attitude can be the greatest challenge of all.

 

I have first hand experience of this disease; my grand-father has Parkinson’s. He was an extremely active man working as a plumber for 50 years, an avid golf player, and very keen gardener. On top of this he cared for a disable daughter for 45 years until she died. However, he still cheerfully found time to help a local charity each week.

The disease has tried to strip him of this. He is strong and resists with courage rarely seen, fighting it everyday. On good days he will be in the shed or working in his garden, on other days it is a fight to even make a cup of tea for his beloved wife but he struggles on and will rarely give in to it; but the frustration is evident and painful to witness.

We are lucky - if only for our sake he finds the will and energy to make jokes, laugh, smile and even play pranks. He pushes harder everyday, to achieve the simple pleasures, harder than I know how, even in my hardest and longest training sessions.

 

 

 

How to help

This is where my fund raising and hopefully your donations comes into play. I wish for all the funds raised to go on specialist nursing and care for sufferers; this is something that is supported by Parkinson's UK.

Specialist nurses and the care they provide is one thing that can and does make a huge difference to thousands across the UK. Ultimately when any of us are in pain and are suffering it is these dedicated experts that make the biggest difference. Whether this is specialist treatment or time to sit, hold a hand and talk.

We all must support them, especially in the current times, where time for such understanding, empathy but knowledge in nursing is becoming scarce and the money to train people has all but dried up.

 

I know times are hard and money is tight but if we can all give just a little it will make a huge difference to so many people at their most vulnerable.

 

All donations will go directly to Parkinson’s UK, the run will be entirely self-funded; not one penny will be used to fund the trip.

 

Please help. Please make a difference. Please give whatever you can.