Practice makes perfect

Well it's been a while since my last blog update but I'm pleased to say that all is good and I'm in pretty good shape as I head into challenge number 10 on Saturday (26 October) in the shape of the snowdonia marathon.

What I realised this week is that it is now exactly a year since I started training for the first challenge, I have now covered over 2,650 miles which has taken 323 hours to complete. 

At this rate and with only 3 events to go I think it is possible to exceed 3,000 miles and I can still walk, well just about!

My training has started to focus on my last challenge and with the help of a rowing machine I have at home I'm gradually increasing my mileage as I build up to the 42mile row!

More on that in the coming weeks but my attention for now is on the latest challenge and despite people thinking that it's only a marathon and I've ran further a numerous occasions this year none of these runs included the hills/mountains that I will be taking on around Snowdon.

The 2 main climbs are 1,100ft after about 2/3 miles and 1,200ft after around 23 miles and along with the beautiful scenery and the weather forecast of wind and rain it makes this no ordinary marathon!

The event is going to be televised so if you get a chance tune in to S4C on Sunday 27 October at 8pm an look out for this guy!

Living in Essex and in particular Southend it's a little bit limited on the number of hills to practice on so this has been my hill training.

With around 112 steps I hope doing laps of this will get me through the beastie climbs I'm going to face!

I've received great support again over the last few weeks which has included a follow up article in the Southend Echo 

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/10714347.Andy_s_amazing_charity_challenge_is_almost_over/

Thanks again to the team for their continued support in promoting the challenge.

The sponsorship has gone a bit slower than I'd like at this point and I am behind where I'd like to be at this point but I'm confident that I will get close to the £5k target.

As always to donate please go to https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/averagejoe 

Your donations will go to a directly to Springboard Opportunity Group and will help support the excellent work that they do for children with disabilities.

Well it's time to pack ahead of my 6 hour journey tomorrow where an overnight stay in the Snowdon Ranger youth hostel awaits for me!