Category: Grand Union

Grand UnionLeave a comment

Checkpoints (updated)

Russell Anthony

Saturday 4th May Stage 1:  Birmingham Gas Street to Hatton Top Lock Checkpoint Location Distance 1 Birmingham Gas Street 0 2 Small Heath Station 4 3 Happy Heart Café, Olton 9 4 Boat Inn, Catherine De Barnes 12 5 Navigation Inn, Kingswood 17 6 Hatton Arms, Hatton Locks 24 Sunday 5th May Stage 2:  Hatton Top Lock to Braunston Checkpoint Location Distance 1 Hatton Arms, Hatton Locks 0 2 The Moorings, Leamington Spa 5.5 3 Fosse Top Lock 9 4 Two Boats Inn, Long Itchington 12.5 5 Lower Shuckbrough 17 6 Boat House, Braunston 21.5 Monday 6th May Stage 3:  … Continue reading Checkpoints (updated)

Grand UnionLeave a comment

Toe…

Russell Anthony

So that’s it, the last prep walk done, once again courtesy of iFootpath.  Took in the delights of Ullesthorpe and Claybrooke Parva to name but two!  My toe is once again giving me jip, but being a typical male, I’ve failed to get it checked out prior to next week.  I was also rather regretting the 7 pints of Carling consumed yesterday (well it was West Ham v Spurs on the TV in the Pub!), so it took a bit of motivation to get myself moving.  Once I was underway it was pretty straight forward walking today – doggo enjoyed … Continue reading Toe…

Grand UnionLeave a comment

Easter

Russell Anthony

The temporary Easter heatwave limited today’s prep walk.  Managed a few miles down the Oxford canal on Saturday morning with Doggo before calling it a day.  I am getting slightly concerned that similar temperatures in 2 weeks time is going to make life significantly more difficult! I hadn’t previously considered shorts as an option!  On the plus side I managed to bring my average km pace to 10m 9secs.  I was planning another walk on Sunday but the effects of a friends 40th birthday party the night before ruled that out. My marathon runner buddy has recommended I invest in … Continue reading Easter

Grand UnionLeave a comment

March…

Russell Anthony

Only 55 days until I set off, yikes!  It seems to be counting down a little too quickly!  The good news is sponsorship has almost hit the £800 which I’m really chuffed about.  Money raised will not only fund vital research but also to provide support for those affected by Diabetes. I’ve managed 3 prep walks now, the latest being a 13km jaunt down the Oxford Canal in Rugby.  I took doggo so I reckon that probably adds another 10%!  I felt pretty good to be fair, despite the muddy canal paths I was able to make good time, averaging … Continue reading March…

Grand UnionLeave a comment

Route planning

Russell Anthony

With more scrutiny than a Local Council committee meeting, I now have an extremely detailed route plan.  Intermediate and lunch (pub) stops are covered, I’ve even got a couple of places booked for overnight stops.  Once I’ve added in the odd diversion to places along the route, train stations etc, I reckon I’m going to need to cover around 153 miles in total.  Strangely the summarised route doesn’t seem as daunting when I write it down… Anyway, as I mentioned previously, the Adidas Terrex boots are working out a treat.  I’ve managed a couple of weekend 10km trial walks so … Continue reading Route planning

Grand UnionLeave a comment

Canal = flat

Russell Anthony

It’s been a long held ambition of mine to take on the long stretch from Birmingham to London via the historic Grand Union Canal.  Having walked Hadrian’s Wall a few years back, I realised I needed to aim for something flatter and it doesn’t come much flatter than a 146 mile canal! So here I am, fully embracing the planning and training phase of what will be a big challenge for me, both physically and mentally.  I’ll be taking on the canal in aid of Diabetes UK – a charity very close to my heart.  All money raised will support … Continue reading Canal = flat