I've been a busy boy this year but that hasn't stopped me from getting involved in a couple of challenges that will dwarf anything I've done in the past. I've learnt a lot from all my previous challenges including the numerous runs, the attempted but failed Walk Home for Christmas and the National Three Peaks Challenge but these will be nothing compared to what awaits me later on in the year. The challenges I have planned will test my endurance, will to succeed, mental and physical grit and overall determination. One will take place on British soil whilst the other will take place on foreign lands. ​

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Please don't forget to favourite memoirsofascribbler.com and paddlecrawl.co.uk for future updates; also follow me or the team on social media. 2016 has a lot to offer and I'm looking forward to tackling these challenges head on.

"... as I began the final hill every fibre in my body started to scream. This was unchartered territory, I had never run past 12.45 miles before. A big question mark was hanging over my head: could I do it? It was only a mile but with exhausted legs and a hard course it felt like a big ask. As I neared the crest of the hill I could hear a rumble of a jet engine coming from behind, I looked up, as a Red Arrow thundered past at a low altitude, giving me a sudden burst of energy. As I got to the top of the hill I was presented with an awe-inspiring sight: the North Sea stretched as far as the eye could see, the road was lined with hundreds of supporters and as I started the steep descent three more Red Arrows sped by leaving a trail of red, white and blue behind them. It was a picture perfect moment..." [Marcus Samperi]

The 'Summer of Running' is now underway having today completed race number two in preparation for the Great North Run. This morning was the turn of Vitality's: British 10km Run that boasts an array of Central London landmarks on it's route including Piccadilly, Houses of Parliament and Downing Street.
     I have been incredibly busy with work lately that has left me feeling exhausted and a little low. This played a huge part in feeling lethargic this morning. Taking this in my stride, I made my way to the start line finding myself in the first wave of runners ready to be unleashed on the circuit. The first 5 kilometres were difficult with my limbs feeling like lead, I felt like the tin man in 'Wizard of Oz'! After 2km, I picked up the beginning of a stitch that thankfully didn't materialise into anything too substantial; although, trying to manage it so it didn't take hold was exhausting work especially during the surprisingly undulating route. It was hard to believe I didn't give in and start walking. 
     It wasn't until I hit the 5 kilometre marker that I found my rhythm.  It was accompanied by a short but brisk breeze that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I felt a tingling through my body as endorphins started flooding my system. By this point the route was lined with spectators supporting us by clapping, cheering, and making noise in whatever way they could. It created a beat that, up until this point, I was missing. It is usually provided by my iPod blaring away distracting my mind from the perils of road running. However, headphones were banned from this event so in the absence of my usual friend the spectators took over. It is hard to explain the motivation and rhythm that these cheering spectators can give you when you are struggling physically. For the next few kilometres I felt like they were sweeping me through the streets of London beckoning me to eventually pass the finish line, something that felt almost impossible a few kilometres before. I was riding high until about 7.5km when the course ran parallel to the finish line taking us past the end point and away from it in the opposing direction.  This was mental torture, you would think that by seeing the finish line it would motivate me even more but quite the opposite was happening; it felt like every step from now on was taking me physically further away from it. I was essentially running away from the finish line. Every bone in my body was rebelling and questioning why this was happening. We were so close that, on passing, I could see some of the tired faces of those who had completed the course, relieved and happily yelling encouragement to those who were passing by: "Not much longer", "You are doing so well", "Not far now". And, it wasn't just me that hit a lull at this point, I could hear others commenting that running past the finish line was torturous! 
     Not long after my first encounter with the finish line, the course turned a corner leaving the final straight well behind me and hitting the 8km mark. Only two kilometres stood between me and the end. Seeing that sign motivated me no end and, from nowhere, the fire in my belly ignited, endorphins radiated throughout my body and my stride got longer, knees higher and my speed increased. From this point on I literally covered the last two kilometres in no time at all, running down Whitehall with my head held high and a smile on my face. Not long later I flung myself head first through the finish line completing the first 10km circuit of my challenge thus far. What greeted me was an orchestra of cheers, clicks from the official finish line photographer and a lady cradling a tray of water bottles. I had done it, I had finished, I was elated and happy to be there in 01:02:15. Not the fastest but completed none-the-less.
     The whole circuit was a mental rollercoaster that was made even more so by the inability to lose myself in music. It was hard but not impossible and I have come away looking forward to my next event in 7 days time. All the while remembering that these shorter circuits are in preparation for the big half marathon that is waiting to greet me in Newcastle in September. I still have a lot of work to do in order to build up to that mammoth 13.1 miles but I do have time between now and then to get there. 
     Let's not forget, the running is only half the challenge with the other half celebrating the charity sector and the fantastic work that they do for so many millions in this country and around the world. As stated before, I would like to raise £1000 for charity and I am leaving it in your hands as to which charity will receive your money. All you have to do is donate to a charity of YOUR choice and let me know WHO received it and HOW MUCH was donated and I will add it to the total. This is a way to support as many different charities as possible as there are so many out there doing fantastic work. The power is in YOUR hands. Donate to something that you feel strongly about or maybe something that affects you or a loved one. Let this be an opportunity to help them out whilst motivating me to continue pounding those streets in order to prepare to take on challenges that are usually way out of my league. All I ask is when you do donate just drop me an email stating the details so that I can add it to my list in order to hit my £1000 target to support the charity sector.

Thank you in advance for any donation that you give. And, thank you for all the encouragement that you have given me in the past and during my current and next run on the calendar, it really is appreciated.

1. The Royal Mail Greenwich Park Run: 5km (May 24th) (Completed: 28 minutes)
2. The Vitality British London Run: 10km (July 12th) (Completed: 01:02:15)
3. The Morrisons Great Newham Run: 10km (July 19th)
4. The Morrisons Great North Run: 13.1 miles (September 13th)

It's been a pretty quiet year for me on the challenge front whilst I have been concentrating on other aspects of my life, mainly work! This has taken a vast chunk of my time that I have been unable to plan anything big for this year. Last year was a bit of a mixed bag, the high point was completing the National 3 Peaks Challenge within 24 hours and, the low point, was having to pull out of Walking Home for Christmas after 37 of the 94 miles due to a twisted pelvis. This was a particular low point for me as it was the first time that I had ever failed to complete a challenge that I have set myself. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I have decided to pick myself up and push on. 

With the Summer Solstice happening this Sunday I have renamed this period as the "Summer of Running". I am going to keep it simple yet challenging for someone who is and has always been pretty shy of running. It is not my forte and I definitely do not have a running physique! The schedule has begun with one race already completed:

1. The Royal Mail Greenwich Park Run: 5km (May 24th) (Completed: 28 minutes)
2. The Vitality British London Run: 10km (July 12th)
3. The Morrisons Great Newham Run: 10km (July 19th)
4. The Morrisons Great North Run: 13.1 miles (September 13th)

Aside from the challenges that these events are going to pose for me I would also like to raise much needed funds for charity. However, I am going to work this a little differently. I would like you to support me by giving to a charity, any charity of your choosing, then on donating, to drop me a message letting me know who you have donated to and how much. I will then compile a list of donations/charities and publish it periodically [as seen below].

I am able to fundraise in this way because I have been lucky enough to get into the events [above] through the ballot box and not through charity places. I am not using Just Giving and urge you to donate directly to the charity you wish so that they benefit from every penny of your donation. My aim is to raise:

ONE THOUSAND POUNDS

Please help me realise my dream. This is a great opportunity to donate money to your own chosen charity whilst supporting me in my challenges. 

There are so many charities doing good work out there and I want this to be an opportunity to give donators a choice as to who receives their money! It is a celebration of charities and a summer of sharing across many of the good causes.

RUNNING TOTAL: £100.00