Less than 200 days to go

Not that I am counting, but there are now just less than 200 days to go before the challenge. This seems a long way off, and indeed October sounds a long way off as well, but I am sure the time will pass quickly.

On the positive sides, my fitness levels are improving, I have been surprised how long it has taken to get back to a reasonable standard. Must be age that is causing the problem. Sponsorship has started to flow again this week, so thanks to all of you for contributing, it really is appreciated, but don't stop now, if you haven't signed up yet, then please get your wallet out.

On the negative side of preparation, I have not arranged, insurance, my medical shots, or a host of equipment items. I also note that my fellow Broadbottom trekkers appear to be getting into the walking a lot more seriously than me. Some discussion on walking the Snowdonia Horseshoe in May, personally I think they will peak to soon, I am more thinking a Broadbottom pub horseshoe in May........

Eyesight

For those of you who have know me over a number of years you will be aware that I wear glasses. More recently I have had to "upgrade" to varifocals. Since I need sunglasses at 100% UV protection for this trek, I started thinking of options. Get a single lens set made up as sunglasses, but then I need to take two pair of glasses or a pair of shades to go over my existing glasses (not very cool).

Anyway my sisters visit at the weekend, with her many years of knowledge working for Specsavers suggested I tried monthly disposables that can be kept in day and night. I obviously have got left behind with contact lenses, as I didn't know there was such an option.

So a begging letter went out to Specsavers yesterday, who I have used for the last twenty years, asking if they would like to support my challenge by providing free contacts. If not, then I feel a trial of them coming on around October.

Fingers crossed, otherwise to refer to an old Monty Python sketch, it could be go without them and see the twin peaks of Kilimanjaro.

Updates on lycra and ruck sacks

So Friday night I squeezed into the lycra and went to the gym to see if they worked. For those of you wondering, yes I wore another pair of shorts over them. It was that or fine a large pair of socks......

So they did the job, I ran for around 40 minutes with no side effects on the legs, well other than been shattered from the running. However now other parts of the body were suffering from friction of material against skin......

My research has hit upon this.... apparently this puts an oily layer on the affected body parts.......

So that lycra purchase was successful. As for the ruck sack, my wallet has been saved by the provision of a loan ruck sack from the Brother in Law, Dave if you are reading this, take a bow, and a big thanks. Having now borrowed it, I best get out and start using it, so next walk I will throw it on, load it up with some water and see how I cope. May need the Body Glide for the shoulders !!!!

This week I need to get back to the work on the sponsorship, I have a few who have offered but not committed yet........