2017 Running challenges

Well how did that happen?

It's been nearly a year since my last blog entry from the John Muir Way
The John Muir way was just 1 part of my triple challenge in which I also ran the London Marathon again and bagged Ben Nevis for the first time. By the time I had completed my 2016 triple challenge I had managed to collect £1,300 for the John Muir Trust https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/

London Marathon 2016 - John Muir Trust runners

So what about 2017 then? I hear you say ...............
Well I decided that I wasn't going to do any fundraising this year and just run for fun.
I also decided that I would try and stretch myself further by taking on my first ultra run which ties in nicely with a 30th anniversary trip back to Guernsey where I ran my first half marathon and met my wife all those years ago. More  of the ultra shortly, but as usual I tried to get into the London & Berlin marathons via ballot but failed to secure a slot for either race so this year I am off to France for the Paris marathon on the 9th April to join 50,000 runners from all around the world in what is one of the planets biggest marathons (although not one of the majors)

http://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/us

 So at the moment I am 12 weeks into a 16 week training programme for a sub 4hr Paris marathon...here's hoping, I am looking forward to it immensely although disappointment to miss out on my 3rd consecutive London Marathon. The training also includes my first trail half marathon in Glentress Forest and the Alloa half marathon on March 19th (another new one for me)
Glentress Forest trail half marathon took place on February 25th and was the hardest race of my life so far with over 2,000 feet of elevation and very muddy, snowy and wet underfoot it was a miracle I stayed upright throughout the race. Mind you the mud did slow you down when coming down hill so it was useful in that respect. The weather forecast was for 40 mph winds and heavy rain but the gods smiled on us and in the end it was only light rain and minor winds.

I ended up with a time of 2hrs50m which is about an hour slower than my usual road race time so you can see how tough it was. https://www.highterrainevents.co.uk/glentress-trail-race
But none the less it was good training material and a fun run for all involved.

Apart from the races already mentioned I only have another couple arranged at the moment, the Giffnock 10k and the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow again. But I am sure I will fit in some others for Summer & Autumn, in the meantime I continue to focus on Paris & Guernsey #GU36.....................................

http://www.gu36.com/

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

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

 

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

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

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/

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