Michael Nowicki's London to Edinburgh Challenge |
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| On the 29th April, I'm running from London
to Edinburgh. I'll start off from in Parliament
square, London and finish in the Royal Edinburgh
Hospital, Edinburgh. My purpose is to promote
mental health and raise money for SAMH's (Scottish
Association Of Mental Health) Get Active and
Suicide Prevention programmes. Michael Nowicki |
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| http://www.justgiving.com/Michael-Nowicki-run-to-edinburgh | ||
| April 29th Day 1 London – Hertford
26mls/41.8km So finally I started my big London to Edinburgh run. The first stage started in London Parliament square in literaly monsoon weather, it was all low key with 2 close friends and family. The way out from London was like getting out of a large maze, it just dragged on and on. The rain kept on pouring, a few drivers found it funny to splash me with large puddles. Once i got out of London, the sun started to shine, happy days. The last 4 miles were quite hilly indeed, so i just walked up and ran down. Once I got to Hertford, it was meeting family, food and goodbyes to my family. Now its me myself. Next stage is Hertford to Sandy 28 miles. |
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| April 30th Day 2 Hertford – Sandy
33.6mls/54.1km Day 2 started of with hills straight from Hertford, I suffered alot during the day. The weather was very sunny and I got burnt to a crisp, bit of a change. Distamce was 30.5 miles today. A huge relief to get this one under my belt. Food and beer in Sandy and of to bed. Apologies for brief report, totally shattered. Next day 39 miles. Bring it on. |
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| May 1st Day 3 Sandy – Peterborough
49.4mls/79.5 km Leaving Sandy I felt good about the day ahead even though the rain was chucking it down. After going through few villages i notices that lakes and canals were close to overfill so i ran faster to avoid swimming. When i reach St Neots, i was approached by the local police man and told that i cant run further as flood warnings were in place and it was far too dangerous to continue.Only option train to Peterborough, not what i wanted. I had a quick glance at centre of town and went to the hotel. In total i did over 10miles. Wednesday is another day and it will be an eventfull one to Grantham as the town knows about me coming. |
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| May 2nd Day 4 Peterborough – Grantham
36.2mls/58.3km Todays stage i knew would be interesting. The first 13miles were pancake flat, then when I reached the A151 road it started to be nice and hilly, my territory. My pace was good at 6.5miles per each hour. When i reached a side road towards Grantham, 10 miles to finish, i knew it will get harder. On way i met Paul Wilson from Grantham rotery club. The last stretch was more uphill than down. At least i had company, I was greated by Grantham Rotery members and the Grantham journel interviewed me which was nice. Overall great day 31.5miles in the bag. Time to eat with the Rotary guys. |
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| May
3rd Day 5 Grantham – Retford
35.7mls/57.5km Stage 5 was the queen stage of my run so I knew it will be tough. So i set of from Grantham to Retford. The first 30 miles was steady and i was feeling ok but then it started getting quite hilly. I started to struggle and started to go through the emotions. I was thinking why i am destroying myself so much? All i thought about is my cousin Darek and my friends who support me. I reach Retford and met the President of rotary Retford. It was mile 42 and all i wanted to do is go to bed after over 9 hours of running. I was asked what was the hardest thing ive ever done, this stage was it. Harder than 57 miles of glasgow to edinburgh. |
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| May
4th Day 6 Retford – Pontefract
35.1mls/56.5km Stage 6 was a 30 mile stage to Pontefract, i walked and jogged it. I clearly felt the day before in the legs. I left at 6am so i can get more rest, great idea and reach my destination by 2pm. Perfect timing! Rest, food and great company in way of hotel staff. Saturday - York and more than half way, yes!!! This has been some journey, im loving this even though the pain im feeling. |
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| May 5th Day 7 Pontefract – York
25.1mls/40.4km So its day 7 and a huge day, as its over half way to York. The day started with a nice downhill past Pontefract. It gradually started to go up but nothing to dramatic. My aim was to get to york soon as but in the same time enjoy it. There was some stunning places enroute. I approach York and i knew that i did good today. Legs felt great throughout, no problems at all. After checking in I went for a small walk around town, trully stunning place. I also visited the local running shop, up and running in Fossgate road. Legs are good, im feeling strong after 28 miles today. Stage 8 awaits to Northallerton |
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| May 6th Day
8 York – Northallerton
32.2mls/51.8km So its stage 8 York to Northallerton, time and milage is really flying. The day began with me sadly complaining to the hostel staff about my nights sleep or shall i state lack of it as i was woken up my drunk Spanish amigos. I sat of early morning, it was a very long road to Thirsk, 20 miles exact. Then towards Northallerton the last 8 miles were basically uphill, stunning scenery in stunning Yorkshire. I reach Northallerton and many locals asked me what im doing, so i explained. I reach the black bull inn pub which i stay for a night after 31 miles. My spirits were great as i knew that my dear friends from Edinburgh are going to join me for next 2 days. They arrived and we went to the local pizza express where we met some amazing people who work there. Great banter followed in the pub which we stayed. To be with Colin and Karen was a huge boost for me. During this journey i was going through every emotion possible and being alone isnt easy. Everyday ive been learning something new about myself, one thing i have learned is that i can suffer during the long stages. Another stage done and dusted. |
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| May 7th Day 9 Northallerton – Durham
35.9mls/57.8km Stage 9 from Northallerton to Durham was interesting. The day started off at a good pace to Darlington. We had lunch there as there was roughly 17 miles left and i needed to refuel. The pace out of Darlington wasnt great but i managed it ok, i did feel sick. So the last 7 miles to Durham, i was suffering very heavily. Colin used quick thinking to quickly fuel me, i basically bonked. Over 250miles in me took its toll. Like i said in previous report, i learned to suffer so it was one of those things. The support from Karen and Colin was exeptional, they kept me going. The total was 35 undulating miles. The next day awaits to Corbridge. |
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| May 8th Day 10 Durham – Corbridge
31mls/49.9km This was was my second stage where i my dear friends Colin and Karen. The day started of straight away with hills out of Durham. This was nothing compared to what was to come. Then the first huge climb which measured over 2 miles on my garmin. I just kept going and knowing that there will be more to come. We got to Consett and got bit lost getting out, apparantly its normal to get lost there. So we get out eventually and there was this very steep accent, then up again about 3 miles where it said welcome to Northumberland. I knew this is hill territory. So on way i got a cheer from locals about my run, which was nice. We got to Corbridge, plenty of photos taken and it was goodbye to Colin and Karen. It was great having them and it gave me a huge boost. |
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| May 9th Day 11 Corbridge – Byrness
Village 29.9mls/48.1km Again a day with long drags up, but this was my last day in England. I knew i get through this tough day it will be home and dry. So i stuck to the plan by consuming fuel every 4 miles, it worked and i really enjoyed my last day in England. The scenery was great again. I got to my last accomodation in England and treated my self to some fine wine, no more 30 mile runs. |
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| May 10th Day 12 Byrness
Village – Jedburgh
16mls/25.7km This day I was waiting for, my entry to Scotland!! So the day started of with 5 mile drag up hill to the border. I was so determined and it didnt bother me. I reach the summit and here it is the Scottish border and i cried like a baby. It was an emotional moment, i got a tourist to take a picture of me and thats me out of there. It was real cold, rain and hail stones. I set off down and suddenly someone wave at me and it was a fellow Carnethy member, again emotions got better of me. It was so great to see a fellow club member. He took many shots of me when i was sprinting to Jedburgh. I'm so pleased to be back in Scotland and the support im getting from work colleagues, footworks guys, carnethy members and other people is phenominal. |
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| May 11th Day 13 Jedburgh – Galashiels
16.9mls/27.2km This was my first proper day in Scotland, I got a good surprise that Andy Millard and my mate Karl Zeiner. They met me outside my hotel and we set of at nice pace. I was thinking if we go to fast we would be to early for the SAMH welcome in Gala which was waiting for us as they were expecting us at 1.30pm. It was great running through places which I know quite well with my mates. We reach Gala and there was some welcome, the reporter from the Border news was there also to interview me and take photos. It was good to see friendly faces and running with my mates was great. |
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| May 12th Day 14 Galashiels – Peebles
18.6mls/29.9km My last day by myself and a very hill stage through the side lanes to Peebles was very undulating and challenging. I took nice and steady, I was really looking forward to seeing my friend and his family in Peebles. When arriving in Peebles I saw a car tooting at me and it was my mate Sinclair and his kids. I arrive and ate plenty and drank few beers. We were also joined by another mate who cycled from Edinburgh. We had a laugh and contemplated was going to be a very monumental next day. |
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| May 13th Day 15 Peebles – Edinburgh
21.2mls/34.1km The stage we I was really waiting for! At the start a whole host of people met me from my Footwork group, some Porty runners and Carnethy. Seeing everyone was emotional but not as emotional as seeing Monika and Greg. This was a huge moment for me. We set of and during the route more and more runners were joining us. I was running on a huge high especially seeing all the landmarks starting with the Pentland hills. When seeing the welcome toEdinburgh sign was a huge moment for me. We approach the Commonwealth pool where we met with Gregs Nursery teachers, we ran down past the Parliament, royal mile, castle and then through Lothian road to the finish at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital where the was a huge finish commitee waiting. The feeling of crossing the line and finishing was real special. I made a speech, got slightly emotional about all this. Then the pub beckoned!! I would like to thank everyone for their support during this journey, it wasnt easy but I enjoyed every minute of it even during suffering. This is a new chapter in my life and there will be more, watch this space. |
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