The 24 Hours

Blow by blow (or stomp by stomp) account of the challenge -

Saturday 4pm - Ben Nevis.
Stomachs lined with a mcdonalds form Fort William we set off, an hour earlier than we had previously planned, but what harm could it do we thought (you'll see what harm later) we were just so keen. I quickly came to realise that i would probably never regret a mcdonalds as much in my life as i did that one. It sat heavy in my belly, which was heavy enough on my body as we tramped onwards and upwards. it was pleasently sunny after all our worrying, and as you can imagine i was horrifically sweaty. Ed had declared himself fit to walk, but was lagging quite badly after the first hour or so. I tried to be nice, aware that we still had 23 hours ahead of us to try and stay friends for, and with my cheery encouragement we reached the top (1344 metres) after 2 hours 45 minutes. The last 300 metres were caked in cloud and were cold and uncomfortable, and i didnt actually notice the top until i was on it. We had a quick photo stop (although there was not much to see through the fog) and then set off down again. The plan said we had 5 hours for Benny N (we're cool enough for nicknames again now) and after 4 hours and 50 minutes we were 10 minutes from the bottom. Or more I was 10 minutes from the bottom. Eddie was lagging pretty badly at this point, claiming "major injury" in the form of tired legs... Dad met us near the bottom to escort us back to the car, and could hear us before he saw us, to the tune of "Ed! PLEASE keep up!" As it happened we made it back to the bottom at exactly 9pm, so i was happy. Tired but happy. Ed was not happy. Claiming everything from groin strain to irregular heartbeat, mam panic-diagnosed altitude sickness, but after about 15 minutes of his none stop complaining had to admit it was probably just tiredness from unacustomed excersise. The wounded soldier did not like that.

9pm - 2am. Drive from Ben Nevis to Sca Fell Pike.
I slept most of the way, but form Mam and Dads reports Ed complained most of it. I did wake up when the car physically left the ground over a large bump in the twisting back roads of the lakes, where Dad raced (in a safe and legal fashion!) with another three peaks driver he had befriended while waiting for us.

Sunday 2am - Sca Fell Pike.
In the small and awkward car park, Mam ans Dad dropped us off and disappeared down the country lane to turn the car around and set up camp to wait for us. As soon as they were out of sight Ed made a great show of limping and whinging, until I couldnt help but snap "Are you going to do this then or not?!" At that point little Eddie, overcome with agony, as well as being tired and grumpy (the little princess usually doesnt get up til noonas im sure youre aware from previous blogs) flipped. "Go on your bleeping own then" was something along the lines of his furious yells. He launched the map at me with all the strength his little arms could muster and stormed off to wait for the car (he was so angry he even forgot to limp... must have been an adrenaline rush or something). I stood there for a couple fo minutes probably, staring dumbstruck at his retreating back. It was pitch black (as the harm done by our setting off up Ben Nevis early was that we arrived here at 2am not 3am, so dawn was no where near as breaking as it would have been) and as i stared from the map, to my surroundings, and back to the map, i knew i didnt have a clue even what direction to walk in. Thinking it was all over (and honestly furious with Edward for ruining it) i too had to turn tail and head back to the car. Dad describes the scene he saw in the headlights on returning back to the car as "hideous" i was in the center of the beams of light (i dont know and couldnt give a monkeys where Edward was in the scene, he probably wont make it in to the movie at all after his little performance) face screwed up like a monster, wailing. he opened the car door to a "Daaaaaaaaaaaaad! wahhh!" The sullen look on Edwards face must have said it all, and grasping that Eddie wouldnt do the walk, and for safety (as well as i dont mind admitting map-resding-in-the-dark-competancy) reasons i couldnt do the walk alone, was the moment my father became my hero. Despite being written off the challenge with weak knees, despite having not done any training since his write off in April, despite not having his knee braces or trekking poles with him, despite the fact that he is 52 you know, he strapped on Eds 3 sizes too big walking boots, and did Sca Fell Pike with me. Heroic music should have played, as we gave Edward withering looks and strode off into the night, victory snatched from the jaws of defeat. However, following my birthday (see the blog) you must still remember that this is me and Dad we're talking about here, and in the darkness, as is our way on Sca Fell, of course, we missed the path. My awe was only heightened though as we scaled the bare mountain side, Dads super human effort getting us to the top (978metres) on time, and as the sun rose, we could only laugh at the blinding obviousness of the path we managed not to spot. Our journey down, on the newly discovered path, was flawless and even dads knees held up, getting us down again by 6am, perfect timing on the 4 hours allocated by the plan, and in actual fact even quicker than that, allowing time for Edwards histrionics. I have never been more impressed or proud of my Dad, who undoubtedly saved the challenge there.

6am - 10.15am. Drive from Sca Fell Pike to Snowdon.
As Dad collapsed mam took the wheel to get us to Wales for the last leg of the challenge, with daylight not being an issue i'd be fine to tackle Snowdon alone. Edward was sheepish, as well he should be, and me and dad, well we were plain knackered.

10.15am - Snowdon.
I was dropped off at the car park and the others drove off, making their way to the Snowdon Mountain railway base station, where they would get the train up to meet me at the top, and off i went. As i scrambled over rocks on the initial incline i honestly wondered whether i could do it, as i was overtaken by a group of burly welsh men i was galvanised to go on, and picked up the pace. It was then that Mam decided to call me to chat about the train (i know, time and a place mother) and i almost lost sight of my galloping welsh inspirations (i treated them as the greyhound at the dogs track treats the hare, except i merely wanted to keep up with them, not eat them) I got Mam off the phone and leaped over a style to follow them. I noticed that i was basically the only female on the mountain at this point, and my burly welsh hares were far from unique in this setting. After following them doggedly up a steep route for half an hour or so i plucked up the breath to ask them if they thought we were anywhere near half way there (as according to the plan i should be at the top in just over 2 hours) "Well youre nearly at the top of the knife edge" came the reply, my puzzled face must have triggered the further response "you do want to do the knife edge and then Snowdon dont you?" With a sick feeling in my stomach i whimpered "This IS Snowdon isnt it?" Of course, left to my own devices i had climed half the wrong mountain. Luckily this 'Knife Edge" was a pre summit to the actual Snowdon summit, (an extereme one, which explained all the burly locals) so i had merely to slither a little way back down bare grassy mountain side and i'd be back on the right path, the helpful welsh fellas pointed it out to me, God bless them. the slithering was much easier said than done, and i can report now that i am probably one of not may people who can say that they have slid down a bank of Mount Snowdon on their backside. Iwas back on the right path, and still on time despite my little excursion, but my legs were weary. the muscles that allow a person to put one leg in front of the other seemed to have had enough, just at the last scramble appeared up ahead. It was nigh on vertical, with wide zig zags in the path making it walkable. screw this, i thought, and just about flung myself onto all fours to physically clamber up the last push. Making it to the top (1085metres) after 2 and a half hours, i looked around triuphmant, and promptly burst into tears. A kindly tourist came and gave me a piece of chocolate and i pulled myself together. My knee was now roughly the size of a football and i literally could not put one more foot in front of the other. At this point a lovely man working as a guide mentioned that a lot of people classed getting to the top of each peak as the challenge, so if he was me he would stop the clock there. So there you have it, i cant lie, i got the train back down Snowdon (leaving dad to step in again and give me his seat and walk down, although taking the much gentler route that i was not aware of) and have firmly planted myself in the school of thought that says getting to the top is the main thing, not down again, and clocking in at 20 hours 35 minutes.

The Big Day

It's today! Although most of the action will technically take place tomorrow, with only Ben Nevis being done tonight, Sca Fell in the early hours of tomorrow morning and Snowdon later in the day - all in 24 hours though (i hope) We're setting off to Scotland soon (not sure how soon as Eddie is still in bed...) and ive had a hunk of apple strudel ans ice cream for breakfast, so looks like we're as ready as we'll ever be, cue the A-Team music as we stride out...

Day 202 (IT'S TOMORROW)

Today is Friday the 13th, notably an unlucky day if youre supersticious, but it may well be the best Friday the 13th ive ever had. The weather has cleared up, Grandma and i won £15 at the bingo (which all the bingo ladies agreed should be donated, see www.justgiving.com/onestompatatime) and me and Ed managed to get proper little route cards done for each mountain (luckily he can read maps...) I didnt want to risk pulling a muscle on this traditionally unlucky date, and so have not done a walk today. In fact the next time I walk will be the beginning of the ascent of Ben Nevis (im all formal and respectful of it again now that the challenge is ominously close) tomorrow. We will be beginning at 5pm, hoping to be up and down Ben Nevis by 10pm, the trusting Mam and Dads driving will be starting up Sca Fell Pike by 4am Sunday morning, to be back down and in the hands of the parents behind the wheel by 8am, getting to Wales to start Snowdon by 1pm, to compleet by 5pm. 24 very full hours ahead of us. I'm now going to stuff my face with pasta, as im sure im going to need every carb i can get! Wish us luck, and if you havent heard anything by Monday morning i might not have made it... or am just to stiff to hobble from my bed to the computer to type anything, and thankyou everyone who has read this, i hope youve had as much fun (or in fact considerably more fun at some points) reading about this as i have had doing it. And to everyone who has donated, I love you.

Day 201 (2 days to go)

The weather perked up! I havent checked on Big B yet (Ben Nevis, am i getting too pally?) but the sun is certainly shining here! I was woken by it at 5.30am, which i was almost glad about since at least it wasnt raining, and i joyfully scrambled up Roseberry Topping (in 15 minutes) and was so in the zone i could have turned around and taken on the big 3 there and then. It was muddy, and im sure the big 3 are still uncomfortable today (if it has indeed stopped raining in Scotland and Wales too, that is three countries the weather would have to stay constant accross, big ask i know) but by Saturday it should be fine as long as the sun stays out like this... crossing EVERYTHING for that.

Days 197, 198 and 199 (and 200)

Well I was right (but then again aren't I always) the hard work began. I have swum (in the pool and practically swum in puddles after some questionable weather) I have run (with the children, after the children, away from the children...) I have climbed, I have skipped, I have jumped, I have danced. The 3 Peaks may well be nothing compared to a weekend with 3 under 8s (and its not even as though I was in charge of them!) Today then I'm not home yet, but on the home straight with training, so decided to kick start the last few days with a super energetic run (I know, who am I and what have I done with Rosie) this is mostly because I figure if I do 4 miles at a run its the equivalent of 8 miles at a walk, and not getting lost over a 4 mile stretch is hard enough over foreign terrain - my plan for the unfamiliar mountains is aim upwards, so hopefully there won't be a problem there. You'll be pleased to know that I did it, it would seem that boot-camp Butlins has had no adverse effects, and was actually pretty fun (in its own way)

Sorry this post became delayed amongst the balckberry/email/technophobia... doesnt make me worried about relying on my parents to drive me between mountains when they cant cut paste and upload at all or anything... anyway today seems to be the bleakest of them all, even worse than the day the dog tripped me over, even worse than the day the dog pulled me over (struggling to think of days that were bad that dont involve that blasted dog somehow) as even though i have huffed, puffed, sweated gallons and cursed dad for ever having this idea, ive come to strangely enjoy it, which is where the problem may lie. I have no qualms about going it alone on the mounatins, after weaklings Dad and in turn Ed have had to drop out, and im amazed and chuffed to have raised £285 so far (keep going everyone, the page is www.justgiving.com/onestompatatime thankyou) however, having overcome my love of chocolate and hatred of excersise that had been standing in my way before (in the movie this may be the montage moment...) there is one thing even i cannot control. The weather. Today torrential rain has prevented me from leaving the house, and yesterday Ben Nevis was declared "shut". I am three days away from the Big Day and strangely have never been more up for it than i am now, even on the first day when i was basically blinded by my own optimism. However, i have devised a plan; Ben Nevis, which was going to be my starting point, is the only peak of the three on privately owned land, therefore is the only one i can be physically prevented from having a crack at. Therefore on Saturday we will consult the weather, and if it looks like Scotland is not on we'll change tack and nip to Wales instead to start with Snowdon, in the hopes that the weather will clear by the time we reach Ben (i feel i can drop the "Nevis" like we're pals) and worst case scenario at least i'll have done 2 out of 3. Fingers crossed for the sun coming out though...

Day 196

This morning Martys mam, auntie and I acted quickly. After making the daddies get up with the boys (Marty's 2 young cousins are also here at Butlins) first thing, we sent them off swimming while we walked to the market. It was only 4 miles, and not at speed, and there was a shopping break in the middle, but technically I am on my holidays, and I get the feeling the daddies won't put up with us disappearing and enjoying ourselves in a child free manner for too long, so the hard excersise is probably about to begin...

P.S thankyou to Mam and Dad, who through the miracles of technology are receiving these posts via email from my blackberry to upload from the computer (as technology does not seem miraculous enough to allow me to post it straight from blackberry without a middle man, or maybe that's just my flimsy grasp of it)

Days 194 and 195

Yesterday i was embroiled in a random trip to Wales (such is the spontaneous nature of student life) so I took a rest day. I know this is not the time to take my eye off the ball but this could not be helped, and I think I can make it on a skipped day, although these may  be famous last words.
Today I am at Skengess Butlins with Marty and his family. We travelled there today so I had time for a proper walk in Kings Lynn today, and fully expect to make a spectacle of myself around the Butlins site tomorrow and Sunday, so look forward to that!
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Day 193

London exhausts me, not the walking, which in trainers on pavement was a treat compared to even the usual footpath at home. I woke up at 5am, despite having made no real plans until 2pm which allowed me the luxury of a lie in, well my body just would not have it, its like it wants to excersise or something (have been taken over by an alien body? very good question) so the getting up was fine, better than wanted even, and the walk was fine, 2 laps round my 4 mile circuit was basically a breeze today. It was afterwards where difficulties arose. I got back to the house 1 hour 40 minutes later (even my time was good if do say so myself) and instead of getting into the shower then getting on with the rest of my day flopped into bed and slept sweatily for another hour. Think have entered the walking twilight zone...

Day 192

Yesterday was the start of my most difficult efforts; a night out without alcohol. There was still dancing (in heels) which must have done me some good, and i lieft at midnight like a modern day Cinderella, leaving behind a walking boot rather than a glass slipper...
This morning proved last night a success, as i sprung up fresh as a dais at 6am, and looked more attractive than ever before for a walk, as out of laziness rather than drunkeness last night i awoke today still with a full face of makeup on. That was soon sweated off mind you as i battled through my mixed terrain route again, feeling like a jungle explorer, and coming home just as damp as yesterday, as the grass seemed to have resisted the long term effects of my vigorous stamping yesterday. Im driving to London today to move out of my student house over the next few days, so stay tuned for my last burst of stomp power in the East end.

Day 191

So apparently my blog has decided to say the right day again, making me look an utter fool. For the record i have not missed a day, the computer has, infernal thing.
Today i started on a new path. We live near the Hurworth Burn resevoir and there is a footpath around it. After my jaunts up Roseberry Topping over the weekend, i realised that i need to work on more mixed terrain than just 8 miles in a straight line on a footpath as i have been in this last push before the big one. This circular route then is around 3 to 3 and a half miles a lap, but across fields and with little hills as well as some footpath. I did 2 laps so covered maybe 7 miles (but i am taking Grandma to the supermarket today, where her erratic shopping style means we sometimes cover a couple of miles around the shop floor, so im not worried about losing the 8th mile) I quickly discovered that im not desperately keen on mixed terrain, especially when it has obviously rained all night and the grass on the untouched path is as high as me and dripping wet. The second lap was easier as long as i walked in the footsteps i had made the first time round, so that the grass was pre-trampled. I did the 6 to 7 miles in an hour and a half, and becasue i set off at 6.45 didnt have to take the dog, and i ended up home not too hot, as the rain from the grass (as well as my copious sweating of course) left my legs damp and freezing. Gotta love the British weather.

Day 190

I dont know what ive done, but my blog is telling me its Saturday today. It isnt. Its most definitely Sunday, lord knows what ive done. I hate technology.
That aside, I hit Roseberry topping again this morning, to emulate (albeit in miniature form) the sort of mountain-break-mountain formation i'll be involved in this time in 2 weeks. It was a later start today as i was at a 21st yesterday which involved (of course) getting into double figures on glasses of champagne. Owing to this i didnt get to Roseberry until 6.55, and this time it took 20 minutes not 15, i blame the champagne whole heartedly, but how could i ever stay mad at champage. I believe the real challenge is about to start for me though, as for this final 2 weeks im going to try and keep my drinking to a minimum, like zero drinking if possible (no-ones holding their breaths on that one though) There was also a little old man at the top when i got there today, he could well have been the one who put Dad to shame all those weks ago when he overtook him on the way up. We shared a haughty "morning" and smugly surveyed all those below us still sleeping, for we are mighty mountain climbers and they were just snoozing away... i can more than see why we were in the minority at 7.15 on a Sunday morning mind.

Days 188 and 189

Squeezed in another quick 4 miler yesterday (which i was sure i already blogged about, apparently not, weird...) but this morning is the more important thing. Today would have been Granddads 81st birthday, its also 2 weeks today for the Big Day. Bearing both these facts in mind i seized the day, waking up at 5am as the sun was thinking about getting his hat on and coming out to play, and drove to Roseberry Topping for some much needed hill work. Without Dad stopping for rests at every passing large rock i made it to the top in 15 minutes, my fastest time yet, which is encouraging since in approximately this time in 2 weeks i'll be doing the equivalent of a billion times that in the form of Ben Nevis, Sca Fell and Snowdon. Due to the early hours my technical support team (Mam and Dad) were still in bed so i had to drive myself (one simply cannot get good staff these days) a for those who read this for the comedy im sorry to get serious on you but as i surveyed the scene from the top, noting how a sunrise can make even the ugliest region in the country look almost attractive (Teesside has been officially voted the worst place in the country to live, more than once, so its official) i did shed a birthday tear for Granddad. Even my body seemed to grasp the seriousness of the situation, as i didnt even seem to sweat as much as normal!

Day 187

The results finally appeared at just about 5pm (i got a 2.1 though so worth the wait) and my walk seemed like a blur in the past in comparison to this comoputer screen, which i now know so well.
Today was another early one, and another short one im afraid, only a 4 miler again as we're ading to the traditional busy hairdressers-pies-bingo Friday fro Grandma by throwing in a reporter and photographer, thats right, todays exciting news is that yours truly and the family are coming to the pages of a Hartlepool Mail near you (well only really near you if you live in Hartlepool, if not youre unlikely to see it im sorry to say) So i blasted the 4 miles today, the weathers finally perked up and it was cool but sunny, absolutely perfect. The dog was stil asleep so i can honestly say i almost enjoyed myself, 4 hours 55 minutes, im on fire.

Day 186

Today is a big day, not so much for walking but in the rest of my life; my exam results and ultimate degree classification will be released online today (or tomorrow, or next week, such is university admin...) they werent there at 12.10am when i woke up in a panic about them, nor where they there at 5.50am when i awoke ofr the same reason. I couldnt get abck to sleep and they still werent there at 5.55am, 6.00am, or 6.05am so i decided i may as well get a walk done, working undet the assumption that if the results people didnt have the results up online now then surely they wouldnt until 9 oclock... i left the house at 10 past 6, Mam and Dad still in bed so i didnt have to take the dog, it was managing not to rain, there were no cyclists around, and dog free i shoud have been happy, but by 6.15 i was twitching, getting more anxious with every step i took away from my computer, maybe the results people got up and started uploading at 6? or half past? In the end i couldnt bear it and turned round early, fleeing back to the screen after 4 miles in 50 minutes (which is quick for me, maybe i should ask them to hold my results at the top of Snowdon) The results werent there at 7 when i returned, or 7.15 when i got out of the shower, ita allmost half past now though, time to check again...

Day 185

Today im afraid the only walking i did was a lap of Morrisons for Grandma. Followed 10 minutes later by a desperate sprint through the car park after i drove al the way back to Grandmas before realising that id left the shopping in the trolley in the shop and had to go back for it... its been one of those days...

Days 181, 182, 183 and 184

Today im lucky to be alive. But we'll get to that.
I'll catch you up from Saturday, where after my early morning efforts Friday i didnt get started until the much more civilised time of 2pm, knowing i wouldnt get a walk done on Sunday (eddie and i went with some friends to see red hot chilli peppers Sunday afternoon, which everyone knows requires all day of drinking beforehand, no time for walkng there) i had aimed to thrash out a 10 miler, hoping the 2 miles extra effort today would cancel out the 8 miles lost effort the next day (thats womans maths for you) However there was an obstacle that prevented me from walking a new distance, on an extended route that no Allison had walked before; a brown furry obstacle. Thats right, Mam made me take the dog. There was no way the dog would walk 10 miles, he gets whiney at 6 miles, and makes me want to let him off his lead, throw a stick as far as i can then hide while he goes after it so that i can go home and pretend i lost him after 4. Who am i kidding he makes me wish i really did lose him after 2. Make that 1. He gets under my feet, he lurches at passing walkers (in a friendly way, but if i didnt know our large toothy mutt and he lurched at me i wouldnt know that) and after a distance that suits him he becomes slow and lazy. I dont mind admitting, the dog holds me back. But Mam wouldnt hear a word against him, so i passed a grumpy 8 miles in a moderately successful time considering the burden i dragged with me.
Sunday was a walk free day, although such is the nature of a rock concert that there was a certain amount of leaping around involved, which is excersise i suppose, although it was probably offest by the alcohol consumed, which had a knock-on effect on yesterday, where i managed a mere 4 miler after a day of napping between bouts offeeling sorry for myself, and even that made me feel like i wouldnt survive the walk home.
That wasnt the source of my "lucky to be alive" though. That was today. After a cigarette related emergency this morning (grandma had run out and need more NOW before she strangled a passing paper boy or post man) i didnt set off til after lunch. It had been a clear sunny day and id been looking forward to my walk. I set off (dog free as Mam was at work) and marched purposefully for about three quaters of a mile, then it began to rain. I ignored it and made it approximately a mile and a half before thunder rolled and the heavens really opened. "Nature!" I wailed into the sky, "Its like you dont want me to succeed!" Nature responded by increasing the rainfall. Grumpily i turned to stomp home, getting angrier and wetter and wetter and angrier, as i came in sight of home the rain stopped. It flipping well flaming well oh-my-godding well stopped. Furios now i spun round on my heel to set out again, and add 5 miles to this 3 mile effort when i was struck down (this is the part i was lucky to survive) I got a cramp. Not just any cramp though, a cramp the likes of which you have never seen, a cramp of such epic proportions it wouls have been less painful to amputate the offending leg there and then. I collapsed to the ground in agony. In the move Scarlett would swoon delicately into the grass, where her Orlando Bloom jogger would appear and catch her and it would all be very romantic, in reality though i flailed around like a baby elephant in quicksand shreiking like a banshee on ecstasy until the pain passed. Following which i limped home, clocking a time of 3 miles in 40 minutes, or 3 miles in 48 minutes if you include cramp-ridden time, which im hoping not to.

Days 179 and 180

Torrential rain stopped play at a 4 miler yesterday, with the dog dripping a dawdling, i dragged us home disgruntled. This morning however i woke up, saw that the sun was up, thought i may as well get up and get on with it then, leaped athletically out of bed (as im sure you can imagine), checked my phone, and discovered that it was only 5am. I laughed at myself and leaped back into bed (with as much grace and elegance as i could muster) and tried to get back to sleep. I couldnt. My subconcious obviously wants this more than i realise as i found myself fully dressed and outside at 5.15am (my subconcious is obviously much nicer than i am too as it seemed to want the dratted dog involved too) waggling the dogs lead around trying to entice him to come with me. Brilliant guard dog that he is he didnt stir from sleep, so I went without him. I actually forgot the atrocity of the time and got to quite enjoying my early morning efforts, there was fresh dew on the grass (which it turns out looks pretty but can make one very damp) there were only a few birds up and about so the tweeting was tuneful and not a racket (dont you just hate it when there are too many birds singing? what an awful life i lead i know) and most importantly i had the walkway to myself. I felt like the queen of the castle (although i looked more like the festering peasent of the footpath in my sweaty state) as i hit every mile marker ahead of time, and was looking strong (by which of course i mean extra sweaty) coming into the home straight, the last mile. Now at this point its 7am, which apparently is a more socially acceptable time to be excersising, as i saw not one but 2 cyclists. The first was inoffensive, but the second not only trilled his bell at me even though i had already moved over, but deliberately (as far as i could tell) verred towards me at the moment of passing me to spray me with the puddle water thah he was passing through. And they wonder why people hate them. Cyclists aside though i was pretty pleased with myself when i clocked in back at home after 1 hour 52 minutes, taking Mam by surprise as she was jsut getting up. Dad has registered no opinion as he is still asleep, and while Ed is home for the weekend there wont be a sighting of him until at least noon. With his fractured elbow though he's looking less and less likely to take part anyway.

Day 178

The just giving page is finally on the go!
check out https://www.justgiving.com/onestompatatime
Thankyou

Days 175, 176 and 177

Sunday was uncomfortable, it was Dads first fathers day without his dad, and the weather was sticky and uncomfortable for walking. The dog came with me this time, and we were boh grumpy and sweaty 8 miles later. This week is shaping up to be a manic one, so Ive only had time to slip a couple of cheeky 4 milers in today and yesterday, one with the dog (hell) and one without (blissful) Im rushing off again now, but my times have remained on target and im hoping to get an 8 miler in tomorrow, with ot without the dog is yet to be confirmed, depending on whether mam makes me take him or not.

Day 174

After a hard day of shopping and the cinema (its a rough life) i did something i dont usually do and took myself on an afternoon walk. I set off at 5pm, with the intention of returning home 8 miles later by 7pm., cant think of a more rock and roll saturday night... Still recovering from Amsterdam i didnt torture myself by taking the dog, and he didnt seem too upset, possibly remembering the distance from last time. I bossed the timings (if i do say so myself) and returned home with 5 minutes to spare. The last 2 miles were sped up probably in my rush to get home as the heavens opened on me. When i got home i looked like a rat who had been drowned, picked up and towelled off badly and drowned again. Disturbingly the rain didnt make me look that much more dishevelled than my usual sweat.
In other news eddie came off his scooter in the inclement weather and is now sporting a broken elbow, this makes things dubious for him owing to the fact that we had also today confirmed the Big Day - Saturday 14th of July, 4 weeks from today. With dad officially switched to technical support it looks like i could b going it alone.