Steve Sanders

My final week was pretty straightforward, with a morning walk and short run before my annual trek through Water Orton and Chelmsley Wood midweek; it wasn't too bad, and the weather decided to be nice to me, and I somehow ended up doing just over 17.5km - exactly what I needed to reach exactly 100km! I could therefore take it easy for the final two days, and so I ended with a walk up to chippy on Thursday evening before one final lunchtime run on the final day, though slightly extended to add another 1.5km to my total. 

I also reached my donation target as well - thanks again to my colleagues for their generosity during the month, while my mom also gave me £60 on behalf of herself and my grandad, which got me up to £180; so, when I made my own donation upon completing the month, I ended up cruising well past my £200 goal! 

I have taken the first weekend of February off to recover, but I'll now slip back into my normal exercise routine; and start building to the Diabetes UK wellness walk in July, and then RED January 2026 this time next year...

Thanks again to everyone who has supported me and has donated to Mind Over Mountains - together we moved mountains!

As expected I started slowly while I was on shift, with two short lunchtime walks (though I made sure to maximise the distance) and then two short lunchtime runs. I however then had a long weekend off for my brother and nephew's birthday, so I was able to stretch my legs, starting with a long walk up to Hams Hall (and past my brother's workplace) on their birthday. 

I then went to Kingsbury Parkrun for my Saturday 5k - and although it was a bit muddy in the wake of Storm Éowyn and my bad shin complaining halfway round, I somehow shaved a few seconds off my PB! - before I did my usual long football walk again as I went to see Blues Women play (and lose) at St Andrews on the Sunday, getting me up to over 75% distance. 

I am now off work for the rest of the month, so I'm free to get the final 24km done as I see fit in the next five days; so my plan this week is for a couple of long walks around Coleshill as well as my annual trek to Chelmsley Wood and back, plus a couple of short runs, including on Friday to finish RED January off - and hopefully by then I would have already reached 100km!

I would like to thank everyone again for their support so far, with special thanks for everyone who has donated - we are on course to smash my £200 donation target as well! Thank you - together we can move mountains!

The week went as expected, with three short runs after work during the week, while I managed a couple of long walks around Coleshill during my days off, as well as a short walk to and from the doctors on Wednesday. I then had a usual weekend, with a dogleg River Tame 5k and the walk to and from the Blues on Saturday, followed by an even-longer-than-usual Sunday walk. 

My body is finally starting to protest though, with my bad shin being aggravated during both my 5k run and while sprinting across the roads as I walked back from the football on Saturday. It is therefore probably good that my work schedule restricts me to short walks and then a couple of lunchtime runs this coming week, though I should then be able to stretch my legs a bit more over a long weekend (weather permitting) to keep on target for 100km. 

And finally, thanks again for everyone's support so far - together we can move mountains.

As expected, it was quite cold but mostly dry throughout the week, so I am pleased with what I managed to do, starting with a long walk through Coleshill and then a short morning run on my days off, before three quick walks around the estate during my lunch breaks for the rest of the week. The weekend then saw me doing my usual Saturday 5k run (which wasn't as treacherous as feared despite doing it in freezing fog), and then a longer-than-usual Sunday walk to round off the week. 

After a mostly walking-pace week though, this coming week should be much faster, as my work schedule allows me to do three lunchtime runs before my usual 5k run on Saturday, while I also have two days off and football on Saturday too, so I should get in a few long walks as well to keep on course for 100km. 

And finally, many thanks to my colleagues, who have been quite generous with their donations since I shared the link with them; I am touched by how much they have donated, and after joking with them about my slow start it has definitely motivated me to keep going and reach 100km!

Progress will however remain steady heading into the first full week of the year though, as I have a couple of days off before a stint of three afternoon shifts, which will limit me to more short walks during my lunchtime breaks. I will try to get a short run and a long walk in before then though, but that may depend on the weather, which will be flipping freezing this week... 

It should be milder next weekend though, so I should have no problem fitting in my usual River Tame 5k and Sunday walk to finish up the week and hopefully keep on pace to reach 100km. 

My goals for RED January this coming year remain to:

- run or walk at least 1km every day

- cover at least 100km by 31st January

- donate £1 for every kilometre I manage to do

- raise at least £200 in total

I will be starting slowly this time, as I am working on New Year's Day and then over the first weekend, with my only day off being on my dad's birthday. I am however still aim to get into the swing of things with a couple of short runs, followed up with short walks over the weekend, while I should be able to fit in a longer walk as well. 

Hopefully I will be able to build on that and push myself further as the month progresses, culminating in my traditional trek at the end of the month, just as long as I keep the colds away and any niggles at bay!

Thank you for your support - together we can move mountains.