My Activity Tracking
96
mi
My target 95 mi
I'm taking on the Run 50 Miles in October Challenge
As I was scrolling down Facebook I saw a challenge pop up on my feed.
Run 50 miles in October for Prostate Cancer Research.
At first glance I thought I could maybe do that. October being my birthday month instantly resonated with me and it's a worthwhile cause with apparently 1 in 8 men in the UK being diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
How best to achieve it? Well I first thought I could do a series of 3 mile runs encompassing rest days too. But I like the idea of really testing myself with a daily run for 31 days.
So a distance of 2 miles each day is my goal in a mixture of treadmill runs in the gym and out and about here in South Leicestershire.
I want to do it on days when I don't want to, days when I can't wait to and days when I'm neither here nor there. I see it as an opportunity to learn more about myself little by little and further explore what I'm capable of.
Thank you if you've read this far. Any and all donations received while I'm plodding about will be thoroughly appreciated for this worthy cause 🙂
Thank you for your support! 💙🧡
My Achievements
Fundraising page
Updated Profile Pic
Added a Blog Post
Received 5 Donations
Reached Goal
Increased Target
My Updates
Run 29 - Run From Home - 5.22mi - 49:26
Thursday 29th Oct Wait your whole life to run 5 miles and then do it again the next day 😂 Much harder work this one. Definitely hitting my physical limit now. Didn't know how far I would be running when I set off I just knew I wanted to make it an extended version of my loop that I do around Narborough and back. Had a chance to make it a shorter run but another pleasing element of this challenge has been choosing harder options in the moment. Always nice to know you've got that voice in your head that doesn't just always want it to be easy. Share
Run 28 - Run from Work - 5.01mi - 44:29
Wednesday 28th Oct Do not adjust your eyes folks that really does say 5 MILES! Similar route to last wednesday but I ran from work instead of driving to Jennos first. And at the same pace I tend to run 3 miles at 🤯 Running honestly makes no sense. Body still hanging in there and no pain to write home about thankfully. Just a hilariously stiff and achy walk down the stairs each morning 😂 Share
Run 27 - Run From Home - 4.28mi - 38:23
Tuesday 27th Oct Running is so fickle. You can be feeling knackered before you set off and then you set off and feel ok, then 500m later you feel the worst you've ever felt and then further down the road you're absolutely flying on cloud 9 😂 So many ups and downs and then that wave of satisfaction when you've finished. Tonight was another rollercoaster run of gritting teeth one minute and feeling great the next but another 4 mile run to add to the collection. Up to Cosby and round the village this time before heading on to whetstone and back home to make it a bit longer than the 3.5mi run I did earlier in the challenge. Also doesn't matter what approach I take I always seem to come away with an 8:59 average speed 😂 Share
Run 26 - Bradgate Park - 4.00mi - 35:54
Monday 26th Oct This was one of the best experiences I've ever had. A night time run at bradgate park with the sky clear and a full moon. The deer were so close (including a stag who just stared at me on the other side of the path) and the views were amazing. Most wholesome run I've had so far and somehow I've now done 3 4 mile runs in a row 🤯 In a funny sort of way it's getting easier to run but it's also getting harder cos I'm running for longer. Still only having to manage aches thankfully. Share
Run 25 - Run From Home - 4.25mi - 38:10
Sunday 25th Oct My longest run yet 🤯 Up to Whetstone along to Enderby and back through Narborough. It was seriously hard work but very worth it. Things I've learned so far:• Good trainers so important. My £15 adidas vinted ones have really done the business so far
• Even if the start of the run feels weird and clunky just keep going and at some stage it will get smoother usually around 15 mins in
• Good music/podcast also vital - there's a lot of thinking time in these longer runs so gotta find something that keeps you going or keeps you chill
• Go even if you can't be bothered as there's a good chance you'll end up enjoying it
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Run 24 - Run From Home - 4.05mi - 36:35
Saturday 24th Oct 4 miles... 4 bloody miles... Can't believe it. I've always had a mental block about running beyond 3 miles and to go out and do a 4 mile run and know from the start it's going to be about 4 miles is beyond any expectations I had for this. And on my 24th run too! 🤯 Still finding some really nice routes around Narborough and Littlethorpe 👌🏻 Share
Run 23 - Run From Home - 3.53mi - 31:23
Friday 23rd Oct Cold blustery run tonight but actually felt ok. Up to Cosby along to Whetstone and back to Littlethorpe. Not too many niggles on the go which is very welcome at this stage. Did not think I'd be doing two 3 and a half mile runs back to back at all during this let alone at this stage. Share
Run 22 - Glen Parva - 3.50mi - 31:22
Thursday 22nd Oct Parked up at Everard's Meadows tonight on another beautiful evening (calm before the storms tomorrow) and did a loop round Glen Parva. It's very satisfying to map out a route in your head and then discover on foot that it's a decent one. Enjoyed seeing some new terrain although the hills nearly killed me off. It would be possible to coast these miles I reckon but I've been leaving nothing out there and finishing as fast as I can every day to really maximise the satisfaction and difficulty of the challenge. Into single digits now - 9 more to go! Share
Run 21 - Thornton Reservoir - 3.12mi - 26:54
Wednesday 21st Oct Been wanting to do this one for a while. I tried it a few months ago and had to stop several times on my way round. Tonight not only did I run round in one go but I kept going until I'd reached my target of 5K. Definite progress. Do I love running yet? I'm not sure but I definitely have an urge to run the next day now. Share
Run 20 - Run From Home - 3.14mi - 27:04
Tuesday 20th Oct Up round whetstone and back tonight in cold wet conditions which were actually nice and refreshing. I am finding a change in mindset when I set off for these runs now. I used to just try and get to 1 mile knowing I was over halfway to doing the 2 miles I vowed to do at that point to keep the pressure low. And then I'd do extra in the moment. Now I fully set off thinking I want to do 3 miles from the offset. Share
Run 19 - Everard's Meadows - 3.13mi - 26:12
Monday 19th Oct Another run with Tom and absolutely smashed my personal best for a 5k - 25:58 - very pleasing at this stage of the challenge. I can see us running on a Monday evening for many weeks to come which is the sort of longevity I was hoping for by taking this on but wasn't sure it would feel possible. 12 to go. Share
Run 18 - Narborough - 3.13mi - 29:36
Sunday 18th Oct Even just writing run 18 is mental. I wasn't even sure I could do 1 outdoor run let alone 18. It was cold, wet and windy as I set off tonight and I wasn't sure how it would feel as I was running around at the park with the boys earlier but pleasingly another 5k done and the legs are feeling ok all things considered. Share
Day 17 - Run From Home - 3.10mi - 30:14
Saturday 17th Oct Today was all about sharing my running experience with my kids. They scooted down to the park next to me and then I ran round it repeatedly while they played. They then joined me for the last 400m which was awesome. Another 5k run 👌🏻 Share
Run 16 - Run From Home - 3.16mi - 30:27
Friday 16th Oct Up to Narborough and back round again today. Kept going until I hit 5k which was a mid run decision. Officially over halfway in the challenge now!Things I've learned so far:
-I can churn out a run even when I'm not feeling it.
-The 15 minute effect runners talk about is real where it gets easier if you stick out the first 15.
-I don't need a treadmill to enjoy running
-Correct equipment is definitely needed when taking on something like this - trainers have been spot on so far.
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Run 15 - Run From Home - 2.66mi - 24:20
Thursday 15th Oct 15 down - 16 to go! Tomorrow is hump day and I can't believe I've made it this far already. If you'd told me a few months ago I'd have done 15 consecutive runs I wouldn't have believed you. I've been reluctant to move the target distance from 50 miles even though it was always my goal to do more as I didn't want to add any pressure to what I was attempting. But now is the time to up it to 75 miles which is an overall average of 2.5 miles a day over the month. Tomorrow is hump day where I'll be closer to the end than the start 🙏🏻 Share
Run 14 - Run From Home - 3.12mi - 29:06
Wednesday 14th Oct Still not feeling any sort of urge to treadmill run. I thought most of it would be done on the treadmill when I signed up for this but I'm still happy enough plodding about locally. This was meant to be a short run again but once you've done 2 you may as well do 3 is how it keeps ending up. And with sprint finishes too 🤦🏻♂️ Glutton for punishment at this point. Share
Run 13 - Run From Home - 2.51mi - 21:56
Tuesday 13th Oct Another late 9pm one tonight. First mile felt great but was slower than my second one which felt awful 😂 then was absolutely flying on my last half mile which felt good to finish strong. Aches all over the body during this one. Hips, back, knees, calves... But another one in the bag 💪🏻 Share
Run 12 - Everard's Meadows - 3.28mi - 28:36
Monday 12th Oct Another post-work run this one and another personal best for a 5k. A lot of digging deep and grinding it out and I'm learning a lot about my ability to do that this challenge. Certainly hasn't been pretty running, a lot of it has been ugly and just finding a way to grind out the miles and so far that is paying off. Left calf still the main thing I'm having to manage in terms of aches and pains and that has been the case since the Humber Bridge. Share
Run 11 - Run from Home - 2.79mi - 24:34
Sunday 11th Oct Tried to hit the first mile really hard this evening and was rewarded with a personal best mile for my efforts. Not just during this spell of running but ever. Having lots of runs to play with has led to me experimenting with different approaches to it. Either go out fast and then try and hang on or go out slow and build the speed. No idea which is the best one yet but I'm having fun with it. Lots of gritting teeth on tonights run but another one chalked off 👌🏻 Share
Run 10 - Run From Home - 3.53mi - 31:56
Saturday 10th Oct No part of me wanted to head out today. What did I end up with? My longest run yet and a decent time too. From home up to Cosby and then back through Whetstone. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of rhyme or reason to when a good time hits but that was certainly a good run and not one I would've undertaken without this challenge. Share
Run 9 - Whistle Way - 3.0mi - 29:22
Friday 9th Oct No rest for the wicked today - up and out early on my birthday cos it's pub o'clock later. Very pleasant trundle from Narborough Industrial Estate along Whistle Way and back. It's an old railway line for those who don't know and well worth checking out if you're a local and need to exercise. Chuffed to get another 3 mile run in the bank. Officially over halfway of the original distance now 💪🏻 Share
Run 8 - Run From Home - 2.33mi - 23:29
Thursday 8th Oct Up and out early this morning and went out over the fields to vary things a bit. Beautiful autumnal morning which helped with the fact I was absolutely knackered from last night's run. Feel like settling into 10 and a half minute mile pace has been much better for my legs and will help me maintain the 2 miles a day fingers crossed 🙂 Share
Run 7 - Blaby - 2.57mi - 25:47
Wednesday 7th Oct Tonight's location was inspired by my best friend Emma Wilkinson aka twinny. We would always wish each other happy birthday on the 7th of October as we both mistakenly thought it was each others birthday one year and it turned out it wasn't for either or us. I did manage a slower pace this evening. There's no doubt the running is getting harder but the motivation remains strong. Share
Run 6 - Run from Home - 2.69 mi - 24:18
Tuesday 6th Oct Can I do it on a Tuesday night in Littlethorpe? The answer is yes. 9pm run tonight, first mile felt great and then the fatigue of the last few days kicked in. I say this to myself every day but I need to start doing some slower 2 mile runs just to get some life back in my legs for the longer runs. Maybe tomorrow I'll listen 😂 Share
Run 5 - Everard's Meadows - 3.11mi - 28.24
Monday 5th Oct A run after work from the car park with Mr Tom Elliott (see donations section) up round Everard's Meadows and back again. We had to get creative in the last 500 metres to turn it into a 5k run. For some reason we decided a sprint finish was a good idea 😂 legs still feeling okish so all in all another good run and an even better pint after. Not a bad time for talking during the whole run too. Share
Run 4 - Humber Bridge - 3.00mi - 26:51
Sunday 4th Oct I seemed to remember from a school trip that the Humber Bridge is about a mile long so I decided to run along it and back - turns out it's more like mile and a half 😂 amazing views and the sort of experience and feeling I was hoping to find attempting this challenge. Left calf did not enjoy it afterwards so think I need to start reducing my distances a bit to have a breather. Trouble is once I've done 2 miles I think I may as well do nearer 3 😂 Share
Run 3 - First Ever Parkrun - 3.10mi - 27:14
Saturday 3rd Oct Finally done a parkrun 🙂 joined my dad for his local parkrun in Cleethorpes and really enjoyed it. Volunteers were really friendly and appreciated the clapping and support from them and people watching. Various aches and pains but so far so good 👌🏻 Share
Run 2 - Run to Work - 2.75mi - 24:43
Friday 2nd Oct Left the car at work last night so no choice but to run in this morning 😂 a stiffer run than the first one that felt like harder work but ended up with pretty much the same time so happy days. Still undecided on if I'm a runner or not but that's the first 2 chalked off. Share
Run 1 - Home from Work - 2.77m - 24:45
Thursday 1st Oct Having only been on treadmills the last few months and spending the last few days with a cold I was nervous for this one but was actually a surprisingly nice run home from work. I assumed I do at least an 11 minute mile these days but was pleasantly surprised to see it's actually about 9 🙂 just 30 more to go now Share
Night Before
Wednesday 30th Sep Feeling quite pensive the night before the challenge so wanted to put down a few questions that I should know the answer to this time next month.1. On which day did I do my fastest time?
I'm not particularly bothered about what sort of pace I do each run but it will be interesting to see when I felt best.
2. Which location was my best run?
I've already got a few ideas of places I can head to.
3. What will the effect be on my anxiety?
Definitely going to be something that takes me out my comfort zone so how will my brain deal with that.
4. Will I love running by the end of it?
I've never minded running but I've never loved it either. I've seen other people get the bug but it's never hit me. If someone asked me to do a 3 mile run at any given moment I could probably get through it but it's always been something to endure and not enjoy until it's done so I'm intrigued if this will change that feeling.
5. What have I learned from the experience?
I've spoken to some people who I haven't in a while so already I'm feeling some positive reasons for doing the challenge and I haven't even started yet.
That's about all I can think of, now all that's left to do is run everyday 🙂
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Thank you to my Sponsors
£30
Jackie Bishop
£20
Matt Taylor
£18
Jessica Wales
Well done you x
£12.25
Mike Pickwell
Well done Jon.
£12.25
Mandy
Good luck! Great cause!
£12.01
Marcus Lowe
£10
Thomas Elliott
Great cause Bishop. Go and suffer!
£10
Paige Essex
RUN JON RUN!! Smash it mate 🏃🏻🏃🏻
£10
Elle
Excellent commitment buddy 👌
£5
Jon Bishop
£5
Khaleel Dossani
£5
Adam Bailey
£5
Max Sharpe
£5
Julie Evans
Well-done Jon, you're doing amazingly and such an important cause. Keep going!
Go for it Jon!