Here we go again!! 

This time I am attempting to run the long distance footpaths of Norfolk to help raise money for East Anglian Childrens Hospices and especially to remember Callum Doe, who as you will know from the  charity run in 2020, went from being and fit healthy to catching a rare illness and needing the support of EACH.   

This challenge is quite a bit longer than the previous run, it's more than twice as far and I have to say as I'm writing this, I'm more than a tad nervous!  The route is from my home in Mellis to join the Peddars Way in Knettishall and run to Hunstanton.  Then to take the North Norfolk Coast Path to Great Yarmouth, where I will pick up the Angles way and run back home to Mellis.  This loop I estimate to be in the region of 200 miles.  It is too far to cover in one day and I thought to make sure it's really difficult I would carry camping gear too.  If it goes really well I hope to cover 50 miles a day and do it in 4 days.  if it takes longer then so be it.  With a 6kg bag I think this challenge going to be a hard enough for me to not take on any more stupidly hard challenges in the future!!

I hope I have done enough to prepare, although I don't really know because there doesn't seem to be too many training plans around specific to this length of run.  However in preparation I have been running between 30-60 miles a week for what seems like a very long time and throwing in some occasional long runs. In the last two months have tried to take a heavy bag with me whenever possible to try and strengthen my legs to get them used to the additional weight.  I have collected some of the lightest kit available, read multiday running blogs, tested and fettled the gear, I've run in the heat, at night, done hill sessions, all sorts.  I also did a 103 mile 1 day ultra earlier in May which went surprisingly well and finished in the top ten, toot toot. 

However all this trumpet blowing isn't going to make that finish line get any closer.  What I'll need to complete this monster run is a good deal of grittyness.  To have the strength of mind be able to summon up something when the body tells you there is nothing left to summon.  I'm going to need to be able to wake up, pack my kit in the 30 minute window I have been practicing, and start each day with and increasingly tired body and sore legs.  There's also the problem of getting enough to eat and drink the first day as there are very few shops on the route.  If I'm honest I don't know how this one is going to go.  Two marathons a day with a heavy bag... absolutely anything could happen?  I find the pressure of having sponsorship is real, to put the ego on the line takes a bit of bravery actually and I have to be prepared to fail in front of everyone BUT I also know that the thought of peoples sponsorship will help me keep to going when the going gets tough.

If you're on my Facebook I'll do some video posts to keep you up to date on what its like to run round Norfolk (Britain's 4th largest county) and you'll be able to experience it without having to go through it yourself, which seems pretty sensible to me.    If I can keep the watch battery going then the Strava file will be posted to this page, for the stats but also as proof of completing it.

If you're thinking of donating, then thank you very much.  Lockdown was a very hard time for charities, their funding was heavily affected but their services continued and bills still needed to be paid.  Other than seeing their high street shops, Each is a childrens charity I previously knew nothing about.  Seeing my friend Ian's son catch an awful illness and then passing away in a short time afterwards really reminded me/us how precious life is.  Goodness knows what we'd do if something happened to our daughter,  it's so awful my mind can't think about it for long, I'm sure you feel the same about your family and children.  To have to go through what the Doe's have been through seems impossible and the fact that EACH were there to support them makes fundraising very worthwhile.  To go for a jog around for a few days to help them raise money to continue to care for other families is a drop in the ocean when you look at the bigger picture and at the important things in life.  

If you don't wish to sponsor the run and just enjoy watching my pain yet this brings awareness of what the charity is about, then that is great too.  Maybe you might slip a note in to an Each shaker one day, or choose to pop some coins the purple and orange charity pots when you've next at the till.  

I'd also like to say that I love running (especially with the dog) and I'm not hiding up the fact that this is also a challenge for me.  I'm going in search of my limit to find out what is the most discomfort I can tolerate and still keep going. I'm still not sure of why I need to find out the answer, but it is interesting never the less.    One thing I do know is that growth happens when you're out of the comfort zone and I love to inspire others to go out of their comfort zone too.  It's a great feeling when it comes off.  Go in search of yours!

FINGERS CROSSED

Thank you for making it this far, all the best. 
Alan 

  As a Star Maker, I want to help EACH reach their £64,000 target, which could pay for two full time super star nurses, so I'm taking on the challenge of completing 500 star jumps.The nurses at EACH work tirelessly to care for the children and families that need their support, like super star nurses Jenna and Amber.Jenna and Amber are two of our Clinical Nurse Specialists and form part of our Symptom Management Team who are available 24/7 to our families. Amber says...'Children and their families teach us all great lessons, mainly that death is not the opposite to life, but a part of it. Maximising life and treating symptoms, so the child and family can enjoy their time together is the most crucial and special part of my work.