Epiphany...

Something strange has happened........

After my initial scepticism about running....I've actually started to enjoy it! Several friends advised me that this might happen as my body becomes conditioned to the rigors of running. I'm not only learning how to pace my stride and my breathing but finding that my recovery rate is improving too. I'm surprised at how quickly the body adapts....

Best Foot Forward...

I've started running in preparation for the West Highland Way. Having not run since.....well ever really, it’s been quite a shock to the system. I initially planned to run every night, but I soon realised the importance of giving my body a rest, and have now modified my training routine to every other night!

My first ever run was pretty horrible - my knees felt like they might crumble, my lungs internally combust and my heart burst through my chest cavity but I got through it one piece (just)! Although I walked with a limp for the following few days!

West Highland Way

I am walking the ‘West Highland Way’ in Scotland over our October half term.
I'm doing it to try and raise as much money as I can for Cancer Research UK.

The walk is just shy of 100 miles and I plan on doing this over a 5 day period, wild camping on route. I will be carrying everything I need for the journey on my back (that's about 20kg of equipment!). As I've said, it will be October half term week when I go (25th - 31st Oct) , so there is a good chance that the weather will be against us as well! On average, we will need to cover about 20 miles a day. It's going to be tough!

I have chosen to do this for Cancer Research UK because my Grandpa died of pancreatic cancer several years ago. I saw the terrible way in which he deteriorated and since his death, I’ve done what I can to help support research into new medicines to make cancer sufferers lives more comfortable, and help support new research into ways of curing cancer. Cancer Research UK are world-class leaders in this – and I hope you agree are a worthy cause to raise money for.

If you would like to sponsor me, please visit my sponsorship page at www.justgiving.com/edpenny. It’s a secure online site which is a really easy and convenient way to sponsor me.

The challenge we will undertake in October means a lot to me, and any amount you can sponsor me would be very much appreciated.

I will update my blog with training logs and a joural will be uploaded when we get back home that documents our journey!

Edx

Spit Roast Chicken

1. Prepare slow burning fire.
2. Prepare spit from live wood - strip bark.
3. Dig in 2 branches with Y shaped junctions at either side of the fire to support spit.
4. Take 1 chicken (large, free range).
5. Skewer with spit.
6. Sit skewer and chicken on supporting branches.
7. Turn occasionally for the next 5 hours whilst maintaining fire.
8. Enjoy the finest, most succulent chicken you will have ever tasted!

Mountains...

There is something about standing there, looking up at a mountain summit, that makes me desperately want to climb it. To be there.

It boils down to an underlying need to explore. To experience. To challenge oneself...

...and also the curiosity, the natural inquisitiveness to immerse yourself within a truly wild place. To experience the wild...

a.b.

Feel them falling around me, as I watch them break.

Eclipse to compound me, should have seen their face.

Tidal winds frown, to keep the sails down,

Theres something about this place, something about this place. 

Gulls and scraps to decorate, a stippled sky and seascape.

Swash persuades hypnotic gaze, and lends an ear to the calmest days,

Along the salt warped bow and cape.

Sand smoothed flotsam, the seas forgotten the treasures it takes;

Many a vessel and somnolent sailors resting place.

A distant memory when riding a tide to decide my fate.

Difficult to imagine, improbable to perceive, hard to relate,

Indifferent to those who share my space.

The summers somewhere gone somehow, and

Free-floating, gloating on the rolling wake,

I've seen a sign to sink the sand around my face.

To help me through would be a big mistake.

Thunderstorms...

The energy harnessed in the sky never ceases to amaze me.
I witnessed an electrical storm from my bedroom window this evening. I observed it for a couple of hours, taking the occasional long exposure photograph as I sat there.

The cracks of lightening gave me goose-pimples.