I walked so far I broke my Fitbit

[dodgylungrunner]

Over the weekend I completed my Big 100 coastal path challenge as I walked all the way from Rye to Margate. I'm not going to lie, it hurt A LOT (especially on day 2) but I managed to get to Margate in one piece unlike my Fitbit watch which is now broken!

At the time of writing, I've also raised almost £1000 for the British Lung Foundation which is fantastic. Most importantly I've proven to myself that I can still dig deep and do crazy challenges in spite of my lung condition.

The BLF and Health Unlocked have both played a big part in my road back to recovery after my pneumothorax in January and I've taken a huge amount of inspiration from reading about others determination in the face of adversity. Thank you for helping me rediscover my mojo!

I also want to wish you all the very best in your own challenges whatever they may be and would encourage anyone to give the Big 100 a go - although maybe don't look to do it in just two days!

Last and by no means least a huge thank you to those of you who have sponsored me for the walk - I'm now just £75 short of my £1000 target which is amazing! If you'd like to help me make the big 1G you can make a donation here: justgiving.com/fundraising/...

N.B. The photo is of me arriving in Margate on Day 2 - I did another 63k on Day 1

[Caspiana]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 AMAZING!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 What an achievement dodgylungrunner . I am in awe. xx 👑🎉🎶🏆

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks Caspiana! It was tough and I could barely stand let alone walk afterwards but it was well worth it. Are you also taking part? Don't think it's too late to enter if you haven't already and you don't have to do it in 2 days like me if you don't want to!

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Congratulations on your great achievement, it certainly inspires us all. You have done a fantastic job, I w I'll certainly be donating to help you make that 1G. Best wishes 😊 Bernadette xxx

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Damon1864]

Thanks Bernadette! It was tough at times and I was knackered afterwards but it was well worth it. Thanks so much for sponsoring me and for all the support that you've given me on my posts. Could you be tempted to take part in the Big Steps 100?

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to dodgylungrunner]

I am seriously thinking about it, need a bit more exercise, but will have a go. Well done love 😊 Bernadette xx

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Damon1864]

You should do it Bernadette - as you say it'll be good for your self-management and you'll really proud afterwards. Do you have a Fitbit or pedometer to count the distance? I'm sure @LauraBLF and the rest of the events team will be able to help you get started.

[mrsmummy]

Massive congratulations! 👏 👑

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to mrsmummy]

Thanks mrsmummy! Super proud to have got round in one piece as it was getting tough by the end.

[Annie31]

Well done, that's fantastic! Good rest now?

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Annie31]

Absolutely Annie, although I didn't really have much choice as I could barely walk! Hope all's well with you and that you're enjoying the sunshine? Good day for a walk really - would you consider doing the Big Steps 100?

[Annie31 in reply to dodgylungrunner]

I've as much chance of doing that than flying to the moon! Lol! I leave all that to others!😁

[breatheeasy1]

Congratulations 😊😊

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to breatheeasy1]

Thank you breatheeasy1. Massive relief to have got round in one piece as it was really tough for the last few miles. Really hope you're well and thanks so much for all your support.

[Carnival567]

Congratulations!

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Carnival567]

Thanks Carnival567! Was so, so sore afterwards but it as totally worth it and delighted to have surpassed my fundraising target. Hope all's well with you?

[Lilian226]

Well done!!

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Lilian226]

Thanks Lilian! So pleased to have got round in one piece. Was sore for a fair while afterwards but it was totally worth it. Would you consider giving it a go? Hope all's well with you and thanks again for taking the time to leave a message

[cofdrop-UK]

Well done Andy. Proud of ya.

Cx

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thank you! Was massively relieved when I got to Margate as the last few miles were really, really tough. Really hope all's also well with you? Wouldn't advocate doing it in one go but the Big Steps 100 is a great challenge even if it's just a little every day.

[Kristicats]

WOW! Massive !! Will definitely donate 😘

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Kristicats]

Thank you so, so much Chriskho. Hope you're well? I've just about recovered now and so pleased to have reached my fundraising target.

[Hacienda]

WOW, You are a True hero for BLF, Thank you Andy for being so Inspiring, I wear my FITBIT everyday to help with " BLF Steps to the Moon" and to get myself challenged each day. Very Best Wishes. XXX

[LauraBLF in reply to Hacienda]

Hi Hacienda - your challenge sounds brilliant! How are you getting on? Have you landed on the moon yet? We would love to hear all about it in the events team! If you do want to get in touch, please do drop us an email at [e-mail] or call us on 0207 078 7912. We love a chat! Laura & the Events Team x

[Hacienda in reply to LauraBLF]

Hi laura BLF, The "Steps to the Moon" finished on 14 th June. I sent in all my Steps to finalise on that date. They were short of 300. 000 , I think, Not Heard from anyone . I accomplished 224,615 steps, all on Oxygen. I still wear my FITBIT for my own Daily target. Thanks for enquiring. xxxxx

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Hacienda]

That's an absolutely phenomenal effort Hacienda - huge respect! People like you are my inspiration as and when my lung condition progresses so keep up the good work. Don't know if you've done this already but you might want to consider ordering one of the free T-shirts from the BLF's partner PARI medical. I got one for the walk and wore it for one of the days and they've given 10 euros to the charity for every photo that I sent to their email address which is amazing!

[Shirleyj]

Well done, your amazing 👏👏👏👏

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to Shirleyj]

Thanks Shirley! Was so tired afterwards but totally worth it! How are things with you? Would you consider giving the Big 100 a go?

[camping-girl]

Well Done! Amazing stepping! We have a group on facebook for people who have a Fitbit & COPD facebook.com/groups/1587237... you do need to have a working Fitbit though lol

[LauraBLF in reply to camping-girl]

Hi camping-girl - your group sounds amazing! What a lovely (and sporty!) way to support each other. If you ever all feel like taking on a challenge for the BLF involving counting up all those steps you do, please do get in touch with us here at the events team! We love a chat - just drop us an email at [e-mail] or call us on 0207 078 7912. Laura & the Events Team x

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to camping-girl]

Thanks Camping Girl! Funnily enough Fitbit somehow found out about the walk and sent me a free replacement which is amazingly kind of them. Would love to join your group and contribute to it but I don't have COPD - my lung condition is a type of ILD. Is that ok?

[camping-girl in reply to dodgylungrunner]

I don't see why not. I'll put it to them

[camping-girl in reply to camping-girl]

I asked the group & they would love to have you join us, Put a membership request in & I'll approve it

[SquirrelsHolt]

Absolutely terrific! Big congratulations.....I wonder just what you will do for future challenges?

[dodgylungrunner British Lung Foundation in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Thanks SquirrelsHolt! Not sure what the next challenge will be but I won't sit still for too long as I'm determined to do what I can while my lungs allow me. Hope you're well and wish you all the best with everything that you do too - had you considered giving the Big 100 a go?

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to dodgylungrunner]

I'm embarrassed to say,I've not quite got the mind-set right just at the moment. The mind is willing but the poor body is giving me a rather rude gesture. However, as someone who's never done anything other than drive herself everywhere, I've made a promise with my best friend,to start taking regular exercise ,I mean getting into a routine and working our way up to the 1st pub...oopp's I've slipped up there!! Seriously 1mile and then 2m etc,baby steps but it does me NO good whatsoever just sitting all day. I will of course be telling of antics here!

Wishing you well my friend.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I will certainly do I have a peadometer