And on it goes...

I've spent a little time this week reassessing why I'm doing this challenge, partially because so many people have asked me this week and partially to reaffrim to myeslf.

I think the bottom line is that I need something to strive for in life and doing something that very few people have done fits perfectly with my nature.
Obvioulsy the charity I'm doing this in aide of will benefit too and if you can help kids with life threatening illnesses and their families plus put a smile on their faces is a win win for everyone. Sure, it's a year of my life but deof going to be an experience. 

Anyway, all said and done, I think I got a little complacent last week not detailing the week’s plan beforehand however, it was intended to do what I did a last week and aim for the 40 miles in total. 

 
I think the 2 x day rest last weekend was a good thing so....

 
Monday: aimed for the 15 miles. New head torch, new Gortex jacket, kit packed and time to burn, why not?! 
We’d had a load of rain in the last few days so, to say the trail was muddy would be an understatement.

Am seriously taking some professional advice and, although setting the distance in my head, it’s more about being out on my feet with the pack. 

Realistically, the Jungle day’s are likely to be not only horrifically impaired by terrain, but the time spent on feet with the weight is going to be significantly more hours than the I’m spending right now so I absolutely need to be out there for longer if I’m to be able to get from A-B each day successfully and support carrying all my kit.

 
The Monday run was pretty much incident free although these shorter days means I seem to be heading out the door with more and more necessities to get round in one piece (lights, clothing etc).

 

Did my usual route along the cliffs but decided to detour along to Segenworth, Titchfield, into Fareham centre before taking in Newgate Lane and back to Lee.

Tbh, I thought it’d have added a good 3 miles to the expected 15 miles but was pretty disappointed to find it only added 1 mile. Won’t be sacrificing the trail route for roads again!! 

 
All said and done, 16 miles starts the week off nicely with just 24 miles to squish in by the end of the week.

 

 Tips for the Jungle are still flooding in from experiences previous competitors. A crackin’ piece of advice was to take a bin liner. Sounds like a wtf tip BUT makes sense.

So, the reasoning is, the jungle week will be spent wearing one set of clothes. When I get to camp each day, it’s off with the wet ‘n’ dirty run gear, stuff it in the bin liner and seal the top. Next morning it shouldn’t be full of wildlife waiting to feed off my flesh in the morning when reworn. Winner!

 
Successfully picked up my hammock, rain sheet & fly sheet at the weekend. Hennessy was the manufacturer recommended by those that have gone before so, although not cheap, I did managed to get a secondhand one at half price. Was a little surprised at the weight and physical size if I’m honest but at 1.3kg it’ll do the job I hope. Now to practise putting it up repeatedly and getting in/ out of it. 

An epic fail would be to not have the ability to be 100% competent at  erecting, dismantling and entering / exiting it when out in the depths of the Amazon.

 
Thursday: Absolutely, definitely, categorically did NOT want to go out! It was cold, wet and windy outside as opposed to warm, dry and settled at home. Figuring I’d be letting myself and you guys down it was on with the kit and cracked on.

 
Figured even if I squished in a 4 miler it’d be better than doing sod all and it’s distance / time in the bank right?!

First 2 miles were mostly spent wondering wtf I was doing. The following mile was actually ok so cracked on heading outbound.

By mile 5 and I was kinda near the caravan park and let’s face it, when you’re wet, your wet so rebooted the mindset and aimed for the usual loop.

 

 Absolutely pitch black when I set out so the new head torch fell into a league of its own. Defo a wise investment. Beam was distance adjustable, brighter than the sun and comfortable.  

I’d incorporated the loop through Hook village and then back along the cliff top towards home.

 
Sure, I got soaked, muddy and blown to hell but ya know what, it wasn’t that bad. 14.5 miles wrapped up bringing the total so far for the week to 31 miles.

 

What’s bizarre is, when I first ran with the pack along to the caravan park (10 mile round trip) it lasted an eternity, but i think that was mostly down to the weight aclimatisation. Now, it seems to be just round the corner - weird or what!? I guess it’s like that first time you start work in a large company, explore a new shopping centre etc. What seems like a huge space soon becomes infinitely smaller the more familiar you become with the environment.

 
The only part of my kit I still feel lets me down quite a bit are my trainers. With increasing amounts of mud and water on my preferred route I get the feeling I’m running on ice in skates, it’s becoming a pain in the arse if i'm honest.

The whole. one step forward and a half slip back is bloody hard work!!

 
I need to research a trail shoe that is also pretty good for roads too.

I’m not so sure there’s anything out there but I’ll let ya know how it pans out.

 
Saturday: Kinda kicked myself for not going out yesterday. That way, I’d have had a two day rest period but hey, is what it is. 

 
Started  the morning off by joining the Park Runners along the sea front and then added on an additional 8 miles.

 
The plan.... well, it was to plod at about a 10 min / mile pace and get warmed up for the longer stretch. Sadly, despite starting right at the back, those fricken head demons said “what ya doing? overtake, overtake overtake!” 
 

Yep, you got it, plan went to rat crap!

Crossed the line more fooked than I wanted to be in a time of 24:05. 

I seriously need to have a word with myself! 

Had a 5 min natter with other runners before heading off for the long leg.

Proper windy and a little drizzle of the wet stuff but got 4 miles in before taking on a random 2 mile stretch of shingle (again, not one of my brightest ideas) and then the last 2 miles to home.

Rest day Sunday (today) and then we do it all again next week.
 

On a positive, I did some research / asked the veterans and I think I’ve sorted out the trainer prob. Managed to order some AISC gel-Fujirabuco 6 G-tx trail trainers through good ol’ Alton Sports / Nick Carter. Should be here in a couple of weeks so really looking forward to seeing the difference they make in the mud. Will let ya know how I get on.

So, the joruney continues and I'm blessed with no injuries besides the toe nails of course.

Accountability schedule for the coming week:
Monday: 15 miles along the cliffs
Thursday: 15 miles along cliffs
Friday: 10 miles who know where!
Saturday: Park Rum + 4 miles

If you ever wanted to know deep down what you're capable of achieving, do something that challenges you. It doesn't matter of it's physical or mental as long as it goives you taht buzz and you know that you have a lot riding on it you WILL succeed if you hate failure.

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