Opportunity of a lifetime - Running The 401 Challenge with Ben Smith

Good afternoon bloggers and welcome to a unscheduled entry ...
On day 4 of the John Muir Way whilst walking along the canal from Kilsyth towards Falkirk I chanced upon Ben who was running his 199th consecutive marathon from Falkirk to Cumbernauld.
He explained what he was doing and why he was doing and I was just simply gobsmacked and humbled. Here I was walking under 20 miles in a day and he was running 26.2 miles every day for over 13 months!!!!

My selfie of us when we met on canal

My John Muir Trust walk t-shirt

 I gave Ben some money towards his charity and felt totally humbled by the whole experience and it instantly gave me inspiration for a bigger 2017 challenge. Apparently it worked the other way too as he was not feeling great that day (see his blog entry for #199) The 401 challenge 
So when I found out he was running an East Kilbride Marathon I just had to go along and run with him, although I expected only to be running a few miles it ends up I ran the whole marathon with him and the group on what was a great day running around the roads I normally train on alone.

The runners post #207 marathon

The runners pre #207 marathon

Stretching and warm down with Calderglen Harriers

Ben Smith - Another selfie

 So now it's focus on London in 27 days time and pushing the fundraising total over the £1000 mark
Thanks for reading and check out Ben's challenge page too, he may be coming to your town/city soon

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Day 9 - John Muir Way - North Berwick to Dunbar Final day

Well after 8 days of following the John Muir Way I was on my final day into Dunbar
The day started in fine form when I got the chance to meet my old boss from Glasgow Moat House for breakfast. Jela owns the Nether Abbey hotel North Berwick and has grown & developed probably the best Hotel in the area, well worth a visit if you are on the East coast. After a wonderful catch up and tour of the hotel I headed out of town to pick up the path to East Linton. I wanted to climb the law but my feet were telling me otherwise so I pushed on along through the countryside.
The law remains very much in view most of the way.

In East Linton I found another quiet but very pleasant pub "The Crown Inn" for some nourishment
and unfortunately unwanted news of what was going on back in the real world. After lunch it was back out into the country again, at times it felt like I was royalty as many of the paths were in the process of being newly laid with tarmac as I went along. There was not a great deal after East Linton until you enter the John Muir Country Park which has a vast bird sanctuary. I hadn't seen much in the way of unusual wildlife along the way but it came in the most unlikely form of Emu and Llama.

When you finally head around the bay into Dunbar you are lulled into thinking you are close to the end, however the clifftop trail takes you around the coastline and golf course, but when you do reach the end it is at a breathtaking view of the ageing castle ruins and rocks at the harbour and esplanade.
Then you head down towards the sea before a final flight of stairs takes you up towards the high street and the finish.

S

So there ends part 1 of my triple challenge and now a couple of days rest before building back up again for the London Marathon on 24th April.....see you in a wee while and thanks for reading blog.

Dont forget you can donate to my John Muir Trust fundraising by following this link
My JustGiving fundraising page

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Day 8 - John Muir Way - Edinburgh - North Berwick

After Sunday's race it was back to just walking with the longest leg of my journey between Portobello and North Berwick, 24 miles mainly along the beautiful coast and passing through some lovely towns that I had never been to before like Aberlady, Prestonpans and Port Seton.

Much of the Edinburgh half marathon passes along the Portobello and Musselburgh section so I will be back again at the end of May for the EMF half marathon. One of the most interesting places on my journey was Prestonpans with it's murals, totem pole and micro brewery all in aid of remembering the history of the area. Pictured below is the mural of John Muir with inscription in the bottom corner.

Whilst on this section two landmarks dominate your views, behind you Arthur's seat is continually visible rising above the city and coastline, whilst ahead you can see the North Berwick Law and your destination getting ever closer.

I have not been into North Berwick properly before and I was surprised how big the town is in comparison to others along the way. It is a bustling coastal town and a golf mecca with various courses along the links. There are an amazing number of quality restaurants although I was just out of season so not in full swing yet. 

The stunning views continue right up to the town and this anchor on the front makes for an impressive photo against the coastline and town. It was a very long day yet rewarding and for the first time on my walk my accommodation was actually on the JMW and I was able to fall out the front door and go next door to Zitto for dinner and the ship for a beer (Or two)
I can highly recommend both No 12 Quality street No 12 Quality Street and it's genial host Sean and Zitto

So it was off to bed with a full stomach and a warm glow, I think I am actually getting a bit of a suntan too lol ...in March!!!!

My JustGiving fundraising page
Johnmuirtrust.orgJohn Muir Trust

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Day 7 John Muir Way - Edinburgh Leith to Portobello via Murrayfield

Early start from North Queensferry down into Leith for the Kilomathon, this is usually a fairly easy run but fatigue set in towards the end and I wasn't able to give the usual fast finish, however I still did a good time and pleased with result.

After a second breakfast and change it was time to say goodbye to my wife for another week and head East through the suburbs along the canal once again. It was a hot day and I can't believe that I am carrying my Berghaus jacket and wearing t-shirt only. The route winds it's way by parks and allotments before heading out across the meadow and down towards Arthur's Seat. I was tempted to climb it, but with another long section tomorrowv I decided to give it a miss. Finally the path heads out to the coast and I finished the day just short of Musselburgh. A lovely stroll down to the prom at Portobello and dinner at the Espy brought day 7 to a close. 

Tomorrow I head out on 19 miles to North Berwick....Don't forget you can sponsor me at Justgiving.com/Michael-Ward55/

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Day 6 -John Muir Way - Bo'ness to Edinbugh Murrayfield

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 So after a great curry and mega nann bread and an interesting stay at Summerlee I set out on the coastal route towards Queensferry with the  bridges getting smaller with every step. First it looks like a tangled mass of metal, but as you get closer the 3 bridges begin to take shape in their own right. As it was such a good day I got probably my best shots ever.

Before you reach the bridges you see the imposing Blackness castle and walk right around the edge and the lovely bay beyond. You also pass by stately homes at Hopetoun, Dalmeny before finally reaching the bridges and going through South Queensferry. 

It is an amazing walk with so much to see and Forth always in view, the Forth railway bridge is such an awe inspiring structure and the views go on for miles. At Crammond Island you swing inland and the final strecth takes you past Corstophine Hill and behind the zoo finally coming out at the main road into Edinburgh then takes a convoluted route away from Murrayfield before reaching its final destination.

The longest day of the JMW and probably not best preparation for my race on Sunday ..

Justgiving.com/Michael-Ward55/

John Muir Trust 

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Day 5 - John Muir Way - Falkirk to Bo'ness

So day 5 started where day 4 left off, back on the canal towpath. After a quick trip to the shops for some more aloe vera and  plasters. The canal is followed all the way from Falkirk up to the Avon aqueduct and passes Polmont prison and Grangemouth refineries ....not a pretty sight.

A short while after Polmont you arrive at the Avon Aqueduct and then drop down to the river below with fine views across to the viaduct, with the viaduct getting ever closer until you finally pass under it. 

The way doesn't actually pass through Linlithgow you just skirt the edge before heading down towards  the Forth. I am looking forward to walking along this section and the magnitude of the bridges before heading into the city. So To morrow it's about 20  miles along  the  coast and past Queensferry and onto Murrayfield stadium before my wife picks me up and we head back to North Queensferry for the night.

Good night from me x 

Justgiving/Michael-Ward55/

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Day 4 - John Muir Way - Kilsyth to Falkirk

After being dropped off this morning the route climbs up Croy Hill which was shrouded in most and you can see spots of the Roman forts and it was quite spooky like a centurion might appear out of the swirling mist before you, especially with the church bell tolling in the distance. (I was gong to add a video clip but it took too long to upload)

Today started out in splendid fashion by meeting two of the most amazing people. Libby at Allanfauld farm B&B was a fantastic host and has possibly the best B&B in Scotland, not only did she provide first class accommodation and breakfast but also donated to my fundraising and gave me a lift to the JMW to pick up the path again. Then on the towpath heading out of Kilsyth I met an amazing guy called Ben Smith who is running 401 consecutive marathons!!! He gave me inspiration and apparently vice versa as he mentions www.the401challenge.co.uk in his blog

After following the towpath through to Bonnybridge the route passes through another Roman fort before dropping down to the amazing Falkirk wheel and visitor centre. There is also a mini Kelpies structure to view before heading out to the real thing at Helix park. The Kelpies are absolutely immense and take your breath away and particularly beautiful in the evening sunset.

Had to run out to the Kelpies to get the best of the fading light and after running back it was time to search out more European football and dinner , unfortunately or fortunately as they lost 5-0 on aggregate I couldn't find Spurs game live so ended up watching the scousers vs the mancs. Dinner was taken at Johnston's restaurant and bar and very nice it was too, the experience was made even better by the guys serving who were both chatty and friendly.

So day 5 and onwards Eastwards to my shed at Bo'ness

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Day 3 John Muir Way - Milngavie to Kilsyth

Having had to divert to Milngavie yesterday, Brendan my host last night dropped me back to pick up the JMW route across the couple of miles to Strathblane. The first part of the walk takes you past the Milngavie riding school and I have loads of horsey pictures but all in my camera, so they will have to wait for another day.

Once out of Strathblane you hit the cycle route heading East and you follow this for best part of the day past Lennoxtown and at Milton of Campsie the old platform and bridge is still in place which is  shown in the picture below.

When you get past this you head towards Kirkintilloch tto pick up the canal towpath  unfortunately large amounts of rubbish are strewn over the paths and in the canal, although they are improving the path and tarmac in many places. Finally you reach Twechar and head up to the Roman fort at Bar Hill which gives great  360 degree views, finally decending down to the end of the days walk and an overnight stay at Allanfauld farm.

This evening Stevie joined me for dinner which made a welcome change to solo dining 

Don't forget you can support me by donating to the John Muir Trust by following this link 

justgiving.com/michael-ward55/

 #justgiving.com/Michael-Ward55/ #ukrunchat #walkinghighlands #VLM2016