My next BIG ADVENTURE!!!

So the time has finally come. I've just spent a week ailing between my bed and sofa in the relative isolation of my parent's house trying to rid myself of tonsillitis. And now that I feel like I'm returning to my usual self, I am feeling confident enough to announce my shiny brand new adventure - HURRAY!!!!!


In keeping with the 'discover my own backyard' theme that I have set myself this year, I have decided to try and complete an off road run. A rather long off road run through the wilds of Shropshire, taking me to places I've only heard about from folk down the pub...or rather, seen on a road sign that I haven't chosen to follow.

No, I'm not planning on wandering around Whixall for six days wondering: 'how the hell do I get out of here?' I'm actually planning to run the long distance route of the Shropshire Way. That's a healthy 130-odd miles (if you exclude the out-and-back bit from Wem to Grindley Brook, which I am) to tackle over a period of six days. So it breaks down into roughly just under a marathon each day for the first five days, and then what I'm anticipating will be a shorter limp towards the finish line.

Nothing like a bit of off road muddy fun!

I'm hoping to start on Monday 12th September, and complete it on 17th, starting and finishing in my home town of Shrewsbury.

So yes, this is what I've been plotting for a wee while now...and as this is going to hurt me ALOT, I've decided to try and put my madness to good use, and to raise money for charity. I've gone for local charity Shrewsbury Ark, because I feel they are doing some incredible work for the vulnerable and the homeless in our community, and would I would like to see them continue to do so. I have no intended minimum or maximum in terms of fundraising aspirations, all I'm hoping is to raise as much money as I can for this great charity.

I'm still very much in the early stages of planning, training etc....so I'm hoping to have some fun checking out parts of the route, looking for sponsors (already thrilled to say that the fantastic guys Dan and Steve have been roped in from Crossfit SY1 - they are incredible and crossfit is brill, so get yourself down there if you fancy a brutal but rewarding workout!) and attempt to document the build up and actual week of the event on the blog.

So now it's finally out there, I suppose I should start some running training?!?...maybe after this brew...after all, it would be insulting to the biscuits if there was nothing to wash them down with...

From the end of one adventure to the start of another...