To run the end to end, or not to run it. That is the question!

[Gwenllian1]

A couple of days ago runaroundsue posted about the end to end challenge of the Wales Coastal Path endtoend.run/wales-coast-pa...

I have been musing about this. It is 870 miles and I see that quite a lot of people have signed up to the Lands End to John o'Groats version which is pretty similar at 874 miles. The idea is that you have a year to complete it, all recorded walks and runs count towards the total and you submit your runs as you go and see where you have got to on a map. I have always fancied walking the Wales Coast path and walked the Offa's Dyke Path a few years ago and the idea of running my country, even if only virtually, is quite appealing.

I have got a bit stuck with my running. I did my first ever 10k in Chester just before lockdown and astonished and delighted myself by finishing, although I was slow as slow. Without lockdown I am pretty sure I would have done another 10k because I just loved the experience but as it is I have just been chugging on, sometimes with my husband, more often on my own. I normally run about 15k a week and I still haven't got back to a distance of 10k. If I am honest I find the longer runs quite daunting still. If I do the end to end I reckon I would have to run/walk around 26k a week. It is just about doable because walks count as well as runs although I don't have a dog, like many here, to get me out walking. I do though live in a fabulous place with walking from the door so I could do it. I would have to get ahead from time to time to compensate for the weeks when I couldn't get the running and walking in and while it isn't too hard to contemplate doing it right now in the summer with all the restrictions of coronavirus keeping us much more at home than usual, it might be a big ask through the dark and cold!

I am 65, a bit overweight, not superfit and have never been sporty, but I am a determined, persistent sort, as witnessed by the fact that I am still here, still running, fifteen months after doing C25K! I am also usually pretty decisive but I can't decide whether this is just the kick I need to reenergise my running, lose some weight and get some focus, or whether, in a year when we are likely to move house, it would become just another demand, and a step too far!

Has anyone done one of these big long term virtual challenges? How did you find it? If you haven't done one, what do you think? Husband is basically saying he doesn't fancy it but go for it if I want to so he's not much help! What do you think running buddies?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Not done one yet... but I’m signing up for the Wales Coastal Path version of this.

I had a couple of months of low mileage coming back from injury early last summer and also logged virtually nothing between late November and the last day of January due to illness... so in the 8 remaining months I managed to record 821.5 miles according to Garmin connect (last 365 day progress report) however it also reports that since May 28th of last year I’ve covered 2,323 miles on foot, so I didn’t log a lot of my walking. My daily average steps in this time is 9996 so I wasn’t doing any more than someone hitting 10k steps a day.

Hope this helps.

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

That is really interesting UNM. I hadn't thought of looking at this but as you say, Garmin records steps and kms and I have actually done more in the last year than I would need for the end to end challenge which surprises me. I think because I log my running and not my walking I hadn't realised quite how much I do. Mind you, I think I have done more than usual over lockdown as a result of having less other stuff to do! But it does make it look more achievable! Thank you!!

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

The only other thing I did was a virtual HM and i ran it on my own.

When i seen the post from RunaroundSue i wasn't sure as 874 miles sounded a lot and I wasn't going to push myself to the point of injury just to get the challenge done . Then I thought more about it and realised I can do this , I really need to have more confidence in me .

Then I thought back to when I started c25k and never thought I would be able to run for 30 minutes then B210k then 10 miles then HM.

So I'm doing it with running and dog walks and if I didn't have the dog maybe I would have borrowed other peoples.

There are quite a few doing the challenge on here and as usual we can all support each other as we normally do .

So maybe it is just maybe what you need and I'd say go for it. Good luck with your decision 😊😊

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks Buddy, that is very encouraging! I haven't got anything like as far as you in my running journey (10 miles? a half marathon? in my dreams!) but you are totally right that I did not think I could do 5k or the 10k and I have been astonished and delighted to find that I can. As you say, I have wondered if I would risk injury if I tried to do too much too soon. But maybe I should take the view, like the one "there is no such thing as a bad run" which really helped me when I started. Then perhaps I could decide that even if I didn't manage the whole thing, whatever I did would be good, on the "it's all miles in the legs" principle!

[Hidden in reply to Buddy34]

Believe in yourself Buddy. You WILL do it!!

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks GTFC! I think it harks back to being hopeless at sport when I was at school that this is the one area of my life where I don't have a lot of self belief. I am quite an adventurous person and quite happy to jump into all sorts of things but somehow I still feel that running isn't really my thing, despite the fact that I am still here, still doing it! Time for a new self image maybe!?

[Buddy34 Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

You CAN do it and WE can do it together 💪💪

[Elisabeth3 Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

I wasn’t great at sports in school, either. I think as adult I am doing better.

I haven’t done a virtual running / walking challenge. I looked at some but these virtual things generally don’t excite me much. But I started a long distance walk (for real), the West Highland Way. I haven’t completed it, but hope to be able to finish it at some point.

You raised my interest in this challenge. I am thinking of enrolling. See you there!

P.S: If i start it, I would like to complete it. But if I happen not to, at least I tried and enjoyed it. Hope this helps.

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Elisabeth3]

I think your last sentence hits the nail on the head. I would like to do it if I commit myself but I need to be cheery about the idea simply of the doing of it! I loved my long distance real walk of the offas dyke path. Good luck with the west highland way. I’ve always liked the idea of that one too!

[Elisabeth3 Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

Re the West Highland Way, knowing myself (blisters, potential knee ache, etc.), I allowed myself a Plan B, an option to move away after half the distance, and continue another time. This way I cannot say that I half failed but that I half succeeded. Does it make sense?

I am not a tough runner or walker, and I rather adjust my plan according to my ability and self belief than not to participate at all.

I have just checked the endtoend website. The LOJEG may seem even more attractive. The downside of these challenges are the price but of course I understand their costs involved.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

I’ve just completed a virtual NC500, Scottish highlands. Set myself the target in January and completed it last week. Just running but I do loads of runs between 5 and 10k I didn’t include walking, had I done that and included my lockdown walks it would have been completed a few months ago. Remember if you do decide to start, however far you get is further than if you don’t start. I’m 58, I moved house in 2 stages during lockdown. Just for information. Good luck with your decision.🤗

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Oh yes, I do remember that you have moved this year. That’s encouraging! I’m impressed that you achieved your goal on running alone. I’d definitely have to include walking but that’s ok! And I like your “however far you get is further than if you don’t start “! Can’t argue with that!

[Granspeed Graduate10]

Hi there, Gwenllian1. Just have to put my 2p in because I can. 🤣 I would say go for it because it sounds like your inner self wants to and needs encouragement. Our world at the moment is proof we can not predict what Life will bring, so do what you can, when you can. If Life changes again - you move earlier than expected, say - then so be it. Deal with it when it comes. But for now, sign up and enjoy walking & running with your VRBs (& VWBs) and be glad you can. 😄👍🏃🏼‍♀️

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

Ah yes. You are so right! No guarantees, only surprises. That does chime very strongly with me. I think having a go and it being fine whatever happens is so much a matter of mindset. I don’t like giving up on things so I’m beginning to think that the answer is to find a way of thinking about it that celebrates what I do, rather than focusing on what I don’t do!

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

Absolutely!! 💕👍🎉

[Bravenewworld Graduate10]

Hi, I’m doing the WCP at the moment, I am using my walking and running miles, I am fortunate enough to be a dog walker(plus my own dogs) so I can clock up the mileage quite well, but it has also made me want to go out for my runs, even in the extreme hot weather we had last week! Before that week I had been trying to up my running from 5k to 6/7k, but the heat was to much and was just happy to the 5k! On my days off of running I sometimes jog on the spot for 20 mins or so to up my miles, so you could try that if you didn’t fancy going out for a walk/run.

I’m very pleased I’d signed up for this virtual challenge, it really has encouraged me to do more. Where I would usually ride my bike to get to the dogs I walk I now walk just to get those extra miles 😂

There is loads of support on here and encouragement, maybe you could try and virtual Buddy to help get you out for a walk or run if you’re struggling, but I think once you signed up you’d be just fine, it really is enjoyable 😊

Good luck as I’m sure you will join 😁👍

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Bravenewworld]

Great to hear from someone actually doing it! It does sound as though it would give me the sort of focus I am looking for. I think I am talking myself round!

[Kat332zz Graduate10]

I’m doing LEJOG at the moment, it’s kind of addictive. I am doing a mix of running and walking, mainly walking. I could almost have made it just running in the 12 months, but thought during the winter the trails round me are yeuck so I’m pushing myself to finish before then. I’m seeing a lot more of my neighbourhood as I try new paths that I would not normally walk down and I go out 6 days a week. I’ve also lost 5kg in weight, that wasn’t in the plan but I’m not complaining! I would say go for it, it’s been a real motivator for me.

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Kat332zz]

That's really encouraging! I must remember that walking counts at I could walk forever! Interested to see about the weight loss too. So you think you have also changed your diet? Is be delighted to lose half a stone but while the running has made me stronger I haven't actually lost any weight!

[Kat332zz Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

Partially diet related, my daughter has cut out refined carbs and sugar from her diet and she does the cooking at the moment, so dinner is very healthy, lunch not so much! But brisk walking for 5 to 6 hours a day five days a week must also contribute, my other hobby is sewing so that’s fairly sedentary and is taking a back seat at the moment.

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Kat332zz]

I'm sure cutting sugar and carbs will have a big impact! Add to that all your exercise and it's no surprise you have lost weight. I'm a sewer, knitter and avid reader too so all of those are pretty sedentary. Maybe the coastal path is the way to go!

[Kat332zz Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

We weren’t a big refined carbs family before, potatoes and rice seem to be the things that we aren’t eating that we did before, now we’re on sweet potato and cauliflower rice.

[Exbox]

Just do it !

I had done couch then a few 10ks and had a place in the Great North Run last year before being diagnosed with bowel cancer in March 2019 . That put paid to everything . So , after treatment and a couple of ops I started right back at the beginning this year . I was just about back to doing 5k when coronavirus happened . I still had a place in the GNR and continued with training for that , but then it was cancelled. I must admit I felt a bit deflated and demotivated so the End to End challenge is just what I need . I walk / run at least 5k on alternate days - walking with the dog - so the mileage is achievable . What's the worst that can happen? You don't complete it and waste £30 .

Oh , and I was 60 in April so I'm in your age category 😁

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Exbox]

Gosh, your story puts my concerns about moving house into perspective. That is persistence for you! I often think that I'm lucky to be able to do the running I do at this stage of life. Maybe now is the time to really take advantage of that!

[Exbox in reply to Gwenllian1]

It comes down to do what you want !

[Fionamags Graduate10]

I am in a similar frame of mind to you Gwenllian1 - it sounds both fun and terrifying in equal measure. I love the idea of having something as a motivator as I'm a lazy sod at heart. But it really is a lot of k's every week. It sounds like you're going to do it. I'm just going to keep mulling it over. I have no dog, am not much of a walker and haven't been very good at keeping to the three runs a week. That's one of the reasons I find it attractive as it would be great to have something like this to kick me up the backside. Have you read Fabulous450 's posts? She sounds beside herself with excitement, which has been getting me thinking

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

I'm still teetering on the brink fiona! Like you I'm attracted and terrified in pretty equal measure. I think I need a structure and a goal to get me going again but I'm wary of setting myself up to fail! I think that's why I am working on the idea that whatever I do is worthwhile. Not yet sure I can get into the right mindset! I'll have a look at fabulous 450's posts. It does seem that everyone who has tried it is liking it!

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

I heard that some of the c25k folk are up for it as well!!!

[Run46 Graduate10]

It sounds a lot but it depends if you walk daily or not.

I wear a fitbit and do a minimum of 10,000 steps a day plus usually end up with an extra couple of thousand or more on run days.

On my weekly email from fitbit that always adds up to a minimum of 35 miles a week which would easily exceed the mileage you need assuming it counts all the steps you take daily.

If it's only set walks/runs (rather than total daily steps) that it measures then I guess you'd have a commit to just under 2.5 miles daily so depends on how active you are on non run days!

Not sure I've helped but good luck on making a decision regardless 😆🤷‍♀️

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10 in reply to Run46]

That's interesting! I think I usually do less mileage than you do, but I suppose part of the attraction of the end to end is to give myself the incentive to do a bit more. I'm rushing around like an idiot this week with lots of viewings on our house which is making me wonder if I can possibly find the time but I know that on a normal week I could! Decisions!