tomgeorgesim's profile

Yesterday was the final push, the last 51.3 km! 🏃‍♂️

I started out alone from near Banks and continued along Hadrian’s Wall path. After a mile or so a passed a couple runners who looked vaguely familiar - it turns out Mike and Smithy had been waiting on trail to surprise me for the final day. And a what a welcome surprise it was!

The next 15 km of trail was nothing but glorious rolling countryside and lanes. We even got a surprise bacon sandwich from the support crew partway to our first scheduled stop at Low Crosby. We passed a lot of friendly folk and were in high spirits.

It was about 10 km to the Hospice and right on cue my left quad started to stiffen up. Some pain killers and the threat of more improv country and western from Mike and Smithy kept me going through Carlisle.

We got an incredible welcome from the amazing staff at the Eden Valley Hospice as well some of the inspirational children from the Jigsaw Hospice next door. It brought into clear focus the purpose of the run. After some cakes and a quick chat we set off, determined to get the job done.

We were joined by Karen, Sue and her daughter Becca for the next few kilometres. Karen and Sue were good friends of my mum and it meant a lot to have them along 🏃‍♂️ we plodded along back roads for 10-15 km and near Armathwaite were joined by Phil on his bike, a neighbour and good friend of my parents, for a couple kms.

By now it was familiar territory and sensing the end was in sight, picked up the pace. With 9 km to go we were joined by Kristen, Jonny, Ben, Matt and Ceri on her bike 😁 the final stretch flew by and we received an incredible welcome from family and friends upon arriving home 🏡

I spent the evening (almost entirely sat down) consuming beer and burgers with friends and family by the fire 😊

A massive thank you to the support crew, and runners who’ve kept me going 💪 as well as to all those who have donated. This past week has been incredibly tough, but the generosity and positivity of people has been life affirming ❤️

Time to eat cake and watch Lord of the Rings 🍰 💍

Today I set out from near Halton along Hadrian’s Wall with Mike, Ben and Pete. The weather was slightly cloudy and cool and we had a pleasant hour or so along trails shadowing the old military road 🏃‍♂️

At 10:20 I got a call from Steph at Radio Cumbria and spoke to her about the run, my motivations for the challenge and the charities. It was surreal being live on air but I think it went okay!

Along with my new found celebrity we carried on plodding to Chollerford and our first big hill of the day ⛰️ we were now onto the scarp/sill and had our first glimpses of actual Hadrian’s Wall. Soon after, we took our first pit stop at Brocolitia Fort.

The next 8 ish km to Howsteads Fort was very up and down, which took its toll on our legs. The morning mist had now burnt off and without a breeze we were working up a sweat 🥵 Pete called it a day at Howsteads after 25 km!

The terrain continued to punish us with steep ups and downs along the ridge, but rewarded us with amazing views of the landscape. Ben’s quad was giving him some trouble at this point so he wisely called it. Mike and I struggled through a tough spell to the second pit stop at Cawfield Quarry.

After a top up of liquids and snacks, Mike and I carried on. The final stretch was technically generally downhill, but it didn’t feel like it. The path still had plenty of little hills and every stile got a little harder. We got a refill of waters at Gisland and plodded the final few km to end the day just before Banks. Our total distance was 53.1 km.

Feeling very tired this evening, but only one more day to go!

Today was a good day! Another 52.5 km in the bank and felt pretty good for most it 🏃‍♂️

I started from near Blyth at about 8:45 am and made my way south along surprisingly nice tree lined cycle paths and roads. The first stop was at the Maggie’s Centre in Newcastle, next to the Freeman Hospital. I was given an enthusiastic welcome by Dad, Kristen, Pete, Ben R, Andrew, Helen, Gus, Rocco and the amazing centre staff.

Today was the first day running on my own and gave me time to think about the reasons I’m doing this run. For my incredible mum who was such an inspiration with her kindness and generosity. And for both Maggie’s and Eden Valley Hospice who provided care and support to her and the family during the most difficult times. They are amazing charities and continue to support families on a daily basis. I know that people’s generous donations will be put to good use.

After some samosas and flapjack at Maggie’s, I hit the road and continued through Newcastle mainly on cycle paths. The incredible support crew surprised me with a bonus (but much needed) stop to refill my water and snacks. Soon I had hit the official Hadrian’s Wall Path which felt like a big moment. I followed the Tyne before diverting up a steep incline to Heddon-on-the-Wall for the second stop of the day.

Kristen joined me for the next hour or so which was a big morale boost. We were now onto the proper trail, which was really enjoyable. After refuelling at Whittle Dean Reservoirs I ran the last 8 or so km solo.

Lots of pie and mash for dinner tonight and then more of Hadrian’s Wall tomorrow, joined by a few mates!

Today was 55.2 km from Craster to near Blyth. It was a real rollercoaster of a day mentally and physically. I was joined by Josh for nearly 50 km and Kate as our cycle escort, which gave me a real boost 💪

Setting out from Craster we had some incredible views from the costal path. Although, my quad/knee soon stiffened up and from 10 to 20 km was a struggle. At our first stop in Warkworth, a cocktail of painkillers, caffeine and pasties seemed to sort me out 🏃‍♂️ The next stretch along Druridge Bay was mercifully flat and had a hint of a breeze. Even so, it felt hot today and like a well oiled machine the support crew was on hand to top up our water and snacks.

In the 7 or 8 km from Lynemouth to Cambois we were on the struggle bus and uttered only a few syllables that weren’t grunts or groans. After a mammoth 50 km effort, a sunburnt and dehydrated Josh called it a day. I plodded the last 5 km of industrial estates and busy roads with Kate on her bike for company and was relieved to reach the end point 🚲

Time for feast of pizza tonight, lots of rest and we go again tomorrow. Three more days to go!

Another 54.5 km down, running from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Craster 🏃‍♂️ today I was joined by Michael W (big Mike) and Matt, who really helped keep me going.

We set off around 8:30am and were treated to a lovely picturesque path along the coast to start with. My legs had mostly recovered after a good nights sleep and I felt good. The support crew has been unbelievable and had a pasty and coffee waiting at the first stop.

The weather was a bit warmer today so needed to keep our water and sun cream topped up. Even so I’m get a nice cap tan line on my forehead 😅 The second stop was in sight of the impressive Bamburgh Castle. Matt called it a day here at well over 20 miles, a PB for him in terms of distance.

Mike and I continued on backroads and fields, stopping once more for snacks and water, all the way to Craster. Was very tough by the end but that seems to be standard now.

We’re being hosted by the amazing Kilner family who’re really looking after us. Plenty of stretching and foam roller this evening! Only four more days..

Today was a toughie - 54.6 km in total, a little bit more elevation and a fair bit of trails 🏃‍♂️

Smithy, Michael and I started out from Dunbar and headed southeast along the coast in fairly high spirits. We had a short stretch along a cycle path right next to the A1 and then diverted onto the coastal path. A nice back road took us to our first stop just past Pease Bay where we refuelled, and after 70 km in two days Smithy called it a day.

The next stretch was a bit tougher; Michael and I plodded on through fields and back roads, with spectacular views of the coast. It felt hotter today and luckily we were able to fill up our water at a campsite before reaching Ayton for our second stop 🥵

Some “chip shop” chips from the support crew boosted morale ahead of a long climb ⛰️ The last 15 ish km is a bit of a blur, just putting one foot in front of the other! Big thanks to Michael for getting me through it. Arriving in Berwick-upon-Tweed was a welcome relief 😅

Time to rest up and prepare for another round tomorrow 💪 🏃‍♂️

Day 1 of 7 completed and 53 km under the belt 🏃‍♂️ We started out with a tour of the amazing Maggie’s Centre in Edinburgh by Steven the fundraising manager and were on our merry way just after 9am.

The route went east of Edinburgh, along the coast past Cockenzie, inland to Haddington and snaked across the fields to Dunbar. I was joined by Freddy, Jonny, Smithy and Michael which was amazing. I wouldn’t say the miles flew by, but it did really help running with a bunch of mates. We had two stops during the run to refuel, fill up waters and get a boost from Chief Morale Officer Rocco 🐶 a big thank you to the support crew of Pete, Dad, Ceri and Kristen 🙌

Overall I felt pretty good, but had a bit of a tough spell around the halfway mark. I’ve had my feet up this evening, enjoyed a lovely spag bol and apple crumble both homemade by Sim senior and am hoping the body feels fresh in the morning to do it all over again!