If you’ve landed here first, where have you been? You should probably go back and read the first 30 days and see how this all started. This is part two of my 75 hard after cancer challenge.
Day 31/83
The next chapter
The first 30 days of this challenge were tough. Not because of the eating discipline or the reading, I really enjoy all that. It’s the physical stuff.
Finding the time and the effort to do two separate sessions every day is hard. Especially if you’re a parent of two young kids, have to do a school run for one and help out with home school for the other. Having shorter days and being surrounded by hills mean that outdoor exercise needs to be planned.
For me, I found that going out walking at night worked really well. When I’ve got time at home, I’ll go and do some weights. It’s not perfect, but it’ll do.
Now I’m past the first month, and can see the progress it makes me want to go further, and see how much I can achieve.
Exercise
- 8km run. My first 5 miler since this all started. It felt a bit more fluid today, and I was able to push a bit harder, go faster and take some more time off my 5km. The ground is still wet, and the terrain is hard going. I had to wade through two burst rivers again, but I still beat my best 5km time. I’m getting stronger all the time.
- 10 mile walk
Diet
Rocket and Parmesan salad, blue cheese salad, burger, giant pigs in blankets, raspberries, pickles
Hydration
2.5L water, 1L lemon water, 1L black coffee, 500ml mint tea
Reading
5 day weekend
In conclusion
I’m really happy with my running progress. I’ve made a big effort to improve my breathing, and it’s making a big difference to how I feel.
I need help with my stretching, and how I’m going to improve my hip, leg and ankle mobility. I’ll need to start on the jumping and plyometrics too.
One big thing I’ve noticed is that I have so much time. While it’s important to think about all the improvements I want to make, I don’t need to make them all at once.
Another 18 miles to John O’Groats
Day 32/83
I’m wasting away!
My breathing is better, and I feel fitter and stronger. The new keto diet is having an incredible effect on my weight loss too.
Keto isn’t going to be a long term fix for me, I need my carbs too much. But I can definitely live without the really naughty stuff that plays havoc with my body. By being really aggressive with the Keto, keeping the exercise sessions up, and intermittent fasting with OMAD I can lose a stone (14lbs) a week.
I only need to do a couple more weeks on this, and then I’ll switch to a more conventional low carb diet to keep me healthy and maintain my weight.
It dawned on me that I have learnt so much about intermittent fasting, OMAD and Keto that I should write a lot more about it. I wrote a blog a few years ago about using keto for extreme weight loss. When it resurfaced a couple of weeks back, I noticed that thousands of people had used it! I never realised that people had found it so useful.
Exercise
- Big stretching and bodyweight session
- 10 mile walk
My rolling average heart rate had come right down recently, and hills are much less of an effort. My legs ache less too. Getting fitter has been tougher than I ever remember, maybe it’s an age thing. But every day, I feel like I’m making progress.
Diet
Roast gammon, eggs, pea shoots and parmesan. I’m into a strong ketosis this evening. I use ketostix to check I’m in the zone.
Hydration
2.5L water, 1L coffee, 1L mint tea
Reading
5 day weekend
In conclusion
I feel like I’ve turned a page today. Exercise is starting to become a bit easier, and my joints are more flexible. Recovery is faster and my progress from session to session continues to improve. I was expecting more constipation from the diet changes, but so far soo good.
Another 12 miles to John O’Groats
Day 33/83
Into the last 50 days
It’s another big run and long walk day. Doing two exercise sessions every day is the biggest challenge of 75 hard for me. More often than not, I have to do one of the sessions at night when everyone’s asleep.
I’ve made a lot of really good progress with my fitness though. Running isn’t easy, by any means. But I’m managing to get 3 or 4 runs a week in now, with a double up day at least every two weeks.
The running has definitely made my walking easier though, the ten mile walks I’m racking up every night are really nice now. My legs still ache afterwards, but my breathing is really easy.
Exercise
- 5km run. I felt like giving up 3km in, but somehow I managed to keep going. It felt really, really hard today though. I can’t actually remember the last time I struggled that much to get around a route
- 10 mile walk
- 30 mins stretching and bodyweight strength work
Diet
2 burgers, salad with blue cheese. I’ve started to get super mean with portions, and be militant about not eating more than 20 grams of carbs. I might even put a 48 hour fast in the plan soon. The weight is really starting to fall off me now!
Hydration
3L water, 1L black coffee, 500ml mint tea
Reading
5 day weekend, time for a new book tomorrow
In conclusion
I need to do more stretching, probably a two a day routine. I need to plan my run/lift/active rest days a lot further ahead too. I’m really happy overall with how things are going though.
It’s clearly called 75 hard for a reason, but I’ve been surprised with how relentless the 2 a day fitness sessions are. I could make it easier on myself with a low carb diet and let the exercise do the rest, but I think I need to drop all the weight first and then build myself back up.
15 miles to John O’Groats
Day 34/83
Keto brings constipation. Or at the very least, irregularity.
I’ve decided that I’m going to take a couple of days off running. I need to up the effort on body weight exercises while I’m on this harsh diet. The pounds are continuing to fall off, but I’ve probably still got a couple of weeks of Keto to go yet.
I’m definitely starting to feel the mental benefits, I sleep better and feel more alert. Running has been really hard to get into any kind of rhythm though. I’m hoping that losing a lot of weight will really help.
Exercise
- 1. Bodyweight and isometrics session, stretching
- 2. 10 mile walk
Diet
Two burgers, blue cheese salad. Body still deep in ketosis, and I feel really good. The tiny poos and constipation are hard work though. I’m definitely going to need to start a keto cheat sheet page!
Hydration
3L water, 1L black coffee, 1L mint tea
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope, by Rob Eastaway
In conclusion
Keto diet’s going really well, I’m benefiting from a bit of diversity in my exercise, and I’m losing a lot of weight.
Day 35/83
It’s scan day
It’s a scan day today, and I have plenty of work to do. Fitting exercise around all the day to day bits is going to be a challenge, so it’s probably going to mean a late night walking.
I feel really good in myself, the first time since the treatment stopped. Being fitter and healther, more active and alert is really positive for me. It’s probably the first time my scanxiety has eased in over a year too. The more I do, the more I feel that I’m capable of. It’s a virtuous circle.
Exercise
- 1. Stretching, planks, isometrics, plyometrics
- 2. 12 mile night walk
Diet
It’s that time again, and I’m a bit concerned it kicks me out of ketosis but it’s worth the risk. Big turkish takeaway, Chicken Beyti, halloumi, chop salad.
*Turns out it didn’t kick me out of ketosis. but when I checked my levels before I headed out walking, they were lower.
Hydration
3L water, 1L black coffee, 1L mint tea. With all this constipation kicking around, or at least needing to poo a lot less, fluids are really important!
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope, by Rob Eastaway. What a brilliant book this is! If you’re a nerd like me.
In conclusion
Another work week done, most of it in really deep ketosis. The change to my body has been really noticeable. The scan and blood tests all seem to have gone well, guess I’ll find out more tomorrow.
Day 36/83
It’s wetter than an otter’s pocket
It’s consultation with the professor day, and run day, and long walk day. I’ve come a really long way since I finished chemoradiation treatment for cancer back in the summer, but it’s been a long, hard road back to fitness. I have this deep desire to be fit again. To be able to run miles at pace, and to be able to lift big things. It’s not a very big dream, but I’d really love to run cross country again. Today, I’m probably half way there.
It was all good news from the prof really, he can’t see any signs of cancer recurrence. But we won’t know for sure until he’s seen the report from the radiologists and his team has taken a look on Tuesday.
Exercise
It’s seriously wet everywhere, and there are two rivers in the way of my long country route. So today, I’m going out on the road. It’s going to mean hills, but it’s on tarmac so I don’t mind too much. One of the hills is seriously long though! It’s a 5 mile or 8km route, and it’s my first properly undulating road route in ages.
- 5 mile run
- 15 mile walk
Diet
I’ve hard far too much cheese today. I had to try something new in my diet but I’ve gone way too hard! To say my stools are loose is a massive understatement. But at least there’s no constipation I suppose…
Two weeks in a Keto cycle is enough for me. I’m going to take a couple of days loading up on the fibre and I’ll be back. I might not actually drop out of ketosis at all, but if I don’t start eating a lot of fibre it’s not going to be pretty.
- Roast camembert studded with garlic and rosemary, celery sticks
- Bacon and eggs
- Salad and blue cheese
Hydration
- 3L water, 1L black coffee, 1L mint tea
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope
In conclusion
Good news on the scan results (probably). I’m going to have a couple of days with more fibre, so might drop out of ketosis by Monday. I’ll still be on the OMAD diet anyway, so it’s a bit easier for me. A hard run and a long walk will deplete all my glycogen pretty quickly. A huge bag full of fruit and vegetables is never a bad thing…
22 miles to John O’Groats
Day 37/83
Wow I needed those carbs
Nice easy day today, and I’m going to eat some carbs too! Not much is known about Keto cycling, but two weeks on and one day off could be just what I need.
Exercise
- 90 minute walk in the snow with family
- Bodyweight session
Diet
Roast beef, sweetcorn, salad, overnight oats with raspberries, pomegranate, broccoli, sprouts with bacon.
Those oats are definitely going to kick me out of ketosis, but by the time I’m back from my run tomorrow I’ll probably be back in it again.
Hydration
3.5L water, 1L black coffee, 500ml mint tea
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope
In conclusion
I’m really glad I finally had a proper portion of carbs, my body was crying out for fibre. Things like sweetcorn, the fruits and definitely the oats are seriously carb-y. I can go straight back to the really restrictive diet now, safe in the knowledge that it’s only a couple of weeks at a time.
5 miles to John O’Groats
Day 38/83
Those oats weren’t so bad after all
Back into Ketosis a bit earlier than expected, and I’m burning fat by mid morning. So it’s another two week of meat, eggs and cheese, and not much green stuff. The snow is everywhere, so I’m not going out running today. I’ll just have to change up the order of what I’m going to work on this week.
I feel great physically. No real aches or pains to speak of, and I’m back wearing ‘large’ T-shirts. I can’t remember the last time that was a thing.
Exercise
- 1×6 deadlifts, as heavy as I could pull
- 15 mile walk in the snow
I’m going to stick to heavy deadlifts just once a fortnight. It’s a method that works for me. Most importantly, it let’s me build up to really heavy lifts without putting too much pressure on. It also means I can keep running.
Diet
Salad and blue cheese, two burgers. Just the miserable 15 grams of carbs today, in 500 grams of salad!
Hydration
3L water, 1L black coffee, 1L mint tea
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope
In conclusion
I’m sad to miss a couple of run days, but I’ll get the sessions in somehow. The rivers are still overflowing, and I’m stuck with the pavements to run. While it’s icy and -5 outside, I’ve got no chance really. I’m fully in the discipline of planking every morning when I wake up, and every night before I go to bed. That’s going to pay real dividends by the end of this challenge
17 miles to John O’Groats
Day 39/83
Hard? It’s just part of the daily routine now
Snow everywhere, but hopefully it will melt enough for me to get back out on the road later. I’m feeling a lot fitter now, and the weight is still falling off. Not sure how I feel about this new leaner me that I’m becoming, but I guess time will tell!
Exercise
- Bodyweight session, calisthenics, isometrics. I plank three times a day now.
- 2km run, ran out of road as the conditions are terrible, will try again tomorrow
- 12 mile walk
Diet
Salad and blue cheese, two burgers, rocket and parmesan
Hydration
3.5L water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope
In conclusion
Frustrated about not being able to run, but the weather is pretty rubbish. I’m still making good progress, and the 75 hard thing is just in the background now. It’s all part of the routine. I got the formal report from the docs today that there’s no sign of disease. We’ll check again in three months!
14 miles to John O’Groats
Day 40/83
I knew an injury would come sooner or later…
More snow everywhere, it’s going to be -8c tonight. In the south of England! What fresh hell is this? It’s going to mean no running again, and I’ll have to modify my exercise sessions.
I’ve got an interview on sickboy later, so I’ll probably be exercising into the night. I’ve picked up some injuries too, a huge heel blister and pain down both of my shins. I suspect that’s down to wearing DM boots loose. I wouldn’t normally care, but I probably shouldn’t be encouraging problems with my legs and feet…
Exercise
- calisthenics session, isometrics, daily planks
- 12 mile walk at night in the bitter cold
Diet
Turkish takeaway after the sickboy interview, doubled up on lamb beyti kebabs and salad, managed to eat a rocket and parmesan salad too
Hydration
3L water, 1L lemon water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope
In conclusion
My foot hurts, and my legs hurt again, but I don’t feel like quitting the road work yet. I’m desperate to get back to the running.
14 miles to John O’Groats
Day 41/83
The snow has gone!
I don’t know why I’ve been waiting for the snow to clear with such excitement… Running isn’t enjoyable for me anymore, but the feeling of getting to the end of a run really is. I think it’s the long term effects of sepsis that make everything so difficult.
I guess it will all work itself out eventually, but nothing is as easy as it should be. Keto is doing wonders for my weight loss, it’s making huge differences. The biggest problem for me is the dizziness and feelings of light-headedness. I’m almost half way through the challenge now, and sticking to the rules has been easier than I thought it would be.
I doubt I’ll need more than another two weeks of keto to really transform my weight. Everything tastes sweeter now too. Even though I’m not eating huge amounts of food, I never feel all that hungry. Even after a long hard run…
Exercise
- 10km run, my first since this all began. It was so hard though, to run for more than an hour was a massive challenge.
- 12 mile walk
- Daily calisthenics, planks etc
Diet
Two burgers, salad and blue cheese. My go to easy meal. It’s tougher than you’d think to find really good burgers without any carbs in them. Even my brilliant local butcher likes to whack a bit of rice flour in theirs.
It’s clear that I’m putting myself in a huge calorie deficit, and that can’t last for long. I’m going to need to eat more soon, and get some properly nourishing whole foods back in my diet.
Hydration
Water 2.5L, lemon water 1L, black coffee 1L
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope
In conclusion
Exercise isn’t getting any easier. I’m making progress, but I haven’t had a single easy day yet. It’s probably down to the challenge not allowing any kind of rest period. It’s just absolutely relentless.
I wonder if it’s an army style thing, where you do the same hard graft every day, and before long it just becomes normal. Well so far, this isn’t normal. It’s a chore.
20 miles to John O’Groats
Day 42/83
Past half way…
It’s a busy day on calls and in front of a laptop today, and somehow I’ve got to fit in some exercise too. It’s also Chinese new year, and the kids are having a banquet. That means I have to ignore the sticky ribs and Szechuan crispy beef and keep the eyes on my diet prize.
I feel like death today, I have my son’s filthy cold and the keto flu is playing havoc with my mood. So I’m going to take a different approach. I’m going to stick with keto 4 or 5 days a week, and then eat some lovely carbs on the other days. Starting today. I’ll try and make sure that I’m only going to go big on carbs the day before I’m actually going to use them!
Exercise
- 15 mile walk, which didn’t feel at all healthy. It was only a walk and I felt absolutely dreadful!
- calisthenics, stretching, daily plank ritual
Diet
Sausages, salad and blue cheese, asparagus, pickles (oh how I’ve missed you), oats, cinnamon, blueberries and strawberries
Hydration
2.5L lemon water, 1L water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope
In conclusion
OMAD and Keto together are incredible for rapid weight loss, but it doesn’t feel great. I got to think a bit more long term about this, and fuel my body properly for exercise. That means carbs.
I’m still making incredible progress. Running further, and running for longer. I’m stronger and I’ve lost a load of weight too.
Oh and I’m past half way through this challenge and I haven’t missed a beat yet.
17 miles to John O’Groats
Day 43/83
Oats glorious oats
I’ve woken up feeling stronger. It’s amazing what a few oats can do for your muscles. Today is a run day, and the weather is brutal. But the challenge says I have to go outside to exercise, so go outside I will.
I’m eating carbs again tomorrow, and I might even double up on the running. A double double if you will.
Exercise
- 45 minute run, 1hr 15 minute session with the hill walking before and after. I don’t think a run has ever been that hard. It’s -8 outside, and there’s a 50mph wind in my face for every hill. It was just relentless, but somehow I made it round. The ground is harder, and it’s dry too.
- Calisthenics, stretching session, daily plank ritual
Diet
Chicken beyti, halloumi, salad and rice, pomegranate, oats with cinnamon and blueberries, salad with blue cheese, raspberries
The humble oat is so good. I feel like a new man.
Hydration
2L water, 2L lemon water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope
In conclusion
I can’t explain what a difference a few grams of carbs makes to my happiness. It’s not like I’m eating anything naughty either.. today it was oats and rice. I’m so easily pleased…
10 miles to John O’Groats
Day 44/83
Depleting my glycogen, again.
The weather has changed dramatically this morning. It’s amazing that 3c feels like I’m living on some kind of tropical island. I feel pretty relaxed today, no aches or pains.
Exercise
- 45 minute run. It definitely felt like my fastest, strongest run in ages. I put that down to actually having glycogen in my muscles
- 1 hour walk with family
- 12 mile walk
Diet
Roast beef, salad and blue cheese, asparagus
Hydration
3L water, 1L black coffee, 1L lemon water
Reading
Maths on the back of an envelope. Need a new book for tomorrow!
In conclusion
My body just seems to work better on carbs, and I don’t think that Keto is the right answer for me long term. I need lots of fruit and fibre. I could probably live without meat before I can live without carbs!
20 miles to John O’Groats
Day 45/83
Just another manic Monday
I’m feeling surprisingly good today, and reading through the fitness stats my recovery heart rate seems to be getting better and better. I’m nowhere near as fit as I once was, but it still drops by 22bpm in the three minutes after exercise. Considering what my body has been through, that’s not terrible.
The weather is positively balmy today, and I’m quite happy to be going out in it. It’s got up to 13c and I have a run and a walk later.
Exercise
- 6.5km run
- 12 mile walk
- Calisthenics session
Diet
Salad and blue cheese, sprouts and bacon, oats and blueberries, broccoli
Hydration
3L water, 1.5L lemon water, 500ml black coffee, 500ml mint tea
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
I’ve gone super low carb, but carb none the less. Just having a big handful of porridge and blueberries makes a huge difference to my wellbeing! Carb cycling might be the way forward for me long term. Especially as I get fitter, do more exercise and can plan my weeks. I know I can do full keto, but it doesn’t really work for me.
Intermittent fasting really does work for me though, and OMAD is brilliant when I’m not doing really intensive exercise.
18 miles to John O’Groats
Day 46/83
Carbo power
The carbs and the subtle increases of water over the course of the day are really making a difference. I’m happier, ache less, feel stronger, faster and fitter.
Exercise
- 5km run, getting faster every session now
- 15 mile walk
- Stretching and calisthenics
Diet
It’s pancake day! So I’m having some. It’s a bit more boring than other years, I’m having buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and raspberries.
I also had a couple of burgers, salad and blue cheese
Hydration
4L water, 1L black coffee, 500ml mint tea
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
I feel like I’m actually getting fitter now, I’m not fit by any means but I’ve come so far in 6 weeks. I’ve lost a lot of weight too.
20 miles to John O’Groats. I think that’s a new daily record. Maybe.
Day 47/83
Meat free Wednesday. Is that a thing?
After a few run days in a row, I’m going for active rest today. I don’t feel like I’m eating nearly enough but it doesn’t seem to be hurting me.
I’m having a meat free Wednesday too.
Exercise
- Stretching and calisthenics
- 13 mile walk
Diet
Salad and blue cheese, pomegranate, overnight oats and oat bran with blueberries and blackberries. The big bowls of oats and oat bran are seriously filling.
Hydration
4.5L water, 1L black coffee, 500ml mint tea
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
I felt like I could have gone out and done another run today. It was really hard being sat around waiting to go out for a walk!
14 miles to John O’Groats
Day 48/83
Thes fastest day
Back to the grind today, I’m feeling pretty healthy. My legs are ok, and doubling up on the compression tights seems to really help with the heavy lymphedema legs.
The weather has been really good this week, even if it’s rained off and on. That’s made a huge difference to wanting to go out and exercise. The wind and the freezing cold has really been against me lately.
Exercise
- 45 minute run
- 15 mile walk
- Stretching session, isometrics
Diet
Overnight oats and oat meal with raspberries and blackberries. Bacon and eggs.
Hydration
4.5L water, 500ml black coffee, 500ml mint tea
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
Fastest run since 2019. Kept a persistently difficult level of effort up throughout, despite the hills and the mud. It felt really good. Long walks and a tough run just seem normal daily behaviour now.
20 miles to John O’Groats
Day 49/83
I’m so glad I did this challenge
I feel like I’m really winning with my diet at the moment. I’m not going mad on the carbs, but I’m definitely eating enough to get me through the exercise sessions.
All of the walking is really having an effect too. By the time I’m at the end of this challenge, I’ll hopefully be able to run for a couple of hours and I won’t need all the long walks.
My legs are really improving. Clearly I still need to do a lot to keep the lymphedema in check, but they’re feeling less heavy. Drinking plenty of water before I go out to exercise makes a real difference too.
Exercise
- 1. stretching and calisthenics
- 2. 15 mile walk
Diet
Salad and blue cheese, salad and rice, chicken beyti, halloumi
Hydration
4L water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
Coming into the 50th day of this challenge, I’m so glad I started it. I’ve lost a load of weight, I’ve got so much fitter and I feel like I’m in control of my lymphedema.
17 miles to John O’Groats
Day 50/83
Only a month or so to go…
I’m two thirds of the way through the official 75 hard challenge. I hate to say it, but it’s never really felt all that hard. Maybe it’s down to my bloody-mindedness. Maybe, it’s because I’m actually seeing some real results. Either way, It’s been brilliant so far.
It’s only just occurred to me, but with all those miles on the road and getting fitter from a low base… I haven’t picked up a single nasty injury.
It’s Saturday today, which is a big exercise day. The weather is awesome, almost springlike. It’s sunny, not all that breezy and a positively tropical 15c.
Exercise
- 1. 10km run
- 2. 15 mile walk
- 3. 10 mile walk
- An absolute record for exercise, I had loads of time on my hands today and the weather is incredible.
Diet
Overnight oats and oat bran, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. two burgers, bacon, salad and blue cheese.
Hydration
4.5L water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
I’m 50 days in. I have run a 10k, and I walk around 15 miles every day. Exercise is important to manage the lymphedema, but it’s an achievement none the less. I look really different now, the weight has fallen off me. My running is getting faster, my legs feel less heavy and the aches and pains don’t bother me so much.
Getting your life back after cancer is tough, but it’s worth the effort.
33 miles to John O’Groats 33!
Day 51/83
I haven’t eaten potatoes in ages…
After all that physical exertion yesterday, I need to find the energy to do it all again today! I feel pretty good actually. Strangely, my legs were really hot last night – they haven’t felt like that in ages.
Hopefully it’s just my legs repairing themselves and the cancer hasn’t come back!
Exercise
- stretching and calisthenics
- 3 mile walk with family
- 15 mile walk
Diet
Roast beef, sweetcorn, roast potatoes, salad and blue cheese, shredded wheat with raspberries and blueberries.
That’s a seriously carb heavy day for me, so I’ll probably need to go out for a longish run tomorrow to get things back to normal.
Hydration
3L water, 1.5L lemon water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
I feel great. My legs feel the best they’ve felt in ages and I actually feel healthy. It won’t be long now, before I open up my eating window a bit, from 1 hours a day to 4 hours.
20 miles to John O’Groats
Day 52/83
Just another bang average Monday
Another week goes by, and I can really see the end in sight now. I’m getting fitter and fitter.
Exercise
- 5km run
- 15 mile walk
Diet
Salad and blue cheese, overnight oats with blueberries, raspberries and cinnamon
Hydration
4L water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
More miles in the bank, and my legs feel strong
20 miles to John O’Groats
Day 53/83
Boring
A month to go, and it’s actually starting to get boring now. Maybe that’s the hard part!
Exercise
- stretching and calisthenics
- 15 mile walk
Diet
Salad and blue cheese, two burgers, shredded wheat and raspberries. The wheat felt naughty. What have I become?
Hydration
5L water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
This is getting boring, but I’m still making progress.
17 miles to John O’Groats
Day 54/83
More boring
This is going to be a real test of my stamina in the last stretch. I’m going to need to mix it up a bit before I get stale. But today, I’ll probably just do the same as yesterday.
Exercise
- stretching and calisthenics
- 15 mile walk
Diet
Salad and blue cheese, two burgers, shredded wheat and raspberries. I could probably eat this every day if I had to.
Hydration
5L water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
Still boring, but still making progress. 6 litres of water might be the new normal
17 miles to John O’Groats
Day 55/83
I’m thinking I quite like eating the same thing every day…
I’m definitely stuck in the boring phase of this challenge, but I don’t have far to go. I look really different now!
Exercise
- 1 hour run
- 15 mile walk
Diet
Salad and blue cheese, oats, oat bran, cinnamon and blueberries, raspberries, giant pigs in blankets
Hydration
3.5L water, 2L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
Bored. just bored in general.
23 miles to John O’Groats
Day 56/83
The Turkish takeaway is always something to look forward to
Exercise
- Calisthenics, isometric holds, stretching
- 15 mile walk
Diet
It’s Turkish night! Chicken shish, chicken beyti, halloumi, salad and rice, extra salad, pomegranate
Hydration
4L water, 1.5L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
After a while, this 75 hard thing isn’t hard at all, it’s just routine. I don’t even know what I’m going to celebrate with once it’s all done.
17 miles to John O’Groats
Day 57/83
Exercise Saturday, is going to be exercise Sunday this week…
I’m out on the road all day today, so won’t get hungry. I probably wont even think about it. My issue comes with finding the time to exercise!
Exercise
- Calisthenics, isometric holds, stretching
- 15 mile walk
Diet
It’s a really nice day, so we’re having a BBQ. Burgers, salad, edamame beans, blackberries, raspberries, oats and oat bran with cinnamon and blueberries
Hydration
1L black coffee, 1L mint tea, 4L water
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
In conclusion
Nothing much, I’m fully in the grind now. I think I’m going to stop concluding things, unless I really have something worth making a conclusion on.
17 miles to John O’Groats
Day 58/83
All the miles
Exercise
- 10km run
- 3 mile family walk
- 15 mile walk
Diet
Another gorgeous day, so the BBQ is out again. Ribeye steaks, salad and blue cheese, sweetcorn, burgers, oats, oatbran, cinnamon and blueberries
Hydration
4L lemon water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
27 miles to John O’Groats. That’s really impressive
Day 59/83
Mondays come around really fast these days
It’s just another Monday, but I’m back to doing lots of ‘proper’ work this week. That’s going to take up lots of my time, so I’ll have a bit more of a challenge to fit exercise in. At least I’m not wasting time eating…
Exercise
- Calisthenics, isometric holds, stretching
- 15 mile walk
Diet
Two burgers, salad and blue cheese, wholefood (superfood) salad, edamame beans, oats etc
Hydration
4L water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman. So good, I’ve read it twice (almost)
17 miles to John O’Groats.
Day 60/83
I must be in Scotland by now…
I’ve been leaving a couple of days between runs, so I can go a bit further and work harder. It’s made a real difference to my fitness. I’ve also started to incorporate more hills and steps into my night walks.
Exercise
- 15 mile walk
- Calisthenics, isometric holds, stretching
Diet
Giant pigs in blankets, salad with blue cheese, super wholefood salad, oats etc, raspberries
Hydration
5L water, 1L black coffee
Reading
Negotiation, by Gavin Presman
17 miles to John O’Groats