365 - Day 2

It was a working day for me so I didn't get day 2 started until just after 5 pm. Given the dark and bitterly cold conditions, I was puzzled as to where I could run safely. Donna then pointed out that it would be a good idea to drive to Blyth beach and run down the coast to Cullercoats and back. It's a half marathon route that I've done quite a few times over the years. It was all path and well lit from start to finish. Perfect.

I had considered making this a treadmill run but I'll save that for another day when the conditions well and truly warrant it.

I started the run from Blyth beach with pretty sore legs. On top of that, the cough that has plagued me for the last 3 weeks came back with a vengance in bitterly cold conditions. Despite that, I felt pretty good energy wise. A portion of porridge in the afternoon should be enough to get me round another half marathon.

The tactics for this run were to start slow. I wanted to run well within my comfort zone with a view to not dropping off later in the run. The drop off in pace would mean that I would find it difficult to keep myself warm. Spoiler alert. It was a tactic that worked pretty well.

There was hardly a soul about for the first 5 miles as I made my way through Seaton Sluice, Hartley, Old Hartley and Whitley Bay. Apart from a couple of dog walkers, Spanish City was deserted. It's the quietist I've ever seen this place. People obviously had more sense than to be out in the freezing cold.

As well as the street lights, the moon was providing a clear view of the promenade. I hit the half way point at Cullercoats Bay feeling really good and ready to push on for a quicker second half. 

Once I turned back northwards I suddenly realised one of the reasons why I felt so comfortable. I'd had a tail wind! The icy blast in my face meant that I pulled the buff over my cheeks, nose and mouth. 

By the time I got back to Hartley, I felt pretty hungry. A quick trip to the Co-op for a Snickers bar and a bottle of Lucozade helped with that. Despite losing a few minutes there, I felt that beating yesterday's time was still a possibility. Sadly that quick stop was to cost me. Mile 11 was a minute slower as a result. I gained some momentum on mile 12. By this point my hands were painfully cold. 

Still believing that I could beat yesterday's time, mile 13 was the quickest of the lot. I ran past my parked car and turned back again to ensure that I got the full 13.1 miles done. The finishing time of 03:22:27 was just over a minute slower than yesterday. Despite that, I didn't fell disappointed at all.

I feel that I'm slowly learning to run again after the tough summer in the USA. There's obviously a long way to go in terms of fitness and physicality. My real issue is a psychological one. I feel this has been the case for a few years now. Where talent and fitness has been lacking, I've always relied on what I call an "edge". That edge has been fuelled by anger and grief over the years. Thanks to many years of running and fundraising, those things are just a dull and distant feeling now. As I spoke about in the USA last year, I'm in a really good place having made my peace with grief and loss.

My edge has also been blunted by the impact of the mental and physical suffering caused by my long running campaigns. It's a topic I've written about a few times on this blog. It's certainly something I don't understand fully. It would take an expert to unpick and make sense of it all. I should say that I use the word "suffering" sparingly and without an obvious alternative word. It's hardly suffering in the true sense of the word. But I hope you get my point.

  

I'm going to need the edge back if I'm to succeed with this crazy 365 scheme. I think it will only come through miles, more miles and some eventual quality. It's very much like being back in 1993 when I first started to run. I was very slow at first but became a half decent runner eventually with an absolute edge. So back in January 1993 is where my mind is at and the once familiar feeling of what I need to do to improve and get quicker is back again.

That's 2 down and 363 to go!

Thanks again to everyone who has made a donation to St. Benedict's Hospice so far. If you'd like to do so then please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.

365 - Day 1

Today wasn’t about distance conquered or milestones smashed. It was about putting the last few months of words into action. Shoes on. Door opened. The first step taken. The first donations made to St. Benedict's Hospice. 

I've been here many times before but this start line felt different. For one, the dynamic of the event is wildly different to anything I've ever done before. More miles, more days/months, no rest, fit around normal life. All of those things add up to what promises to be a very challenging year.

Given that I've only done a few runs since finishing the run across the USA last July, I was pleasantly surprised how good I felt during the first few miles. I wasn't surprised at the cold conditions and was suitably dressed with 3 good layers.

I didn't have a route in mind other than to make it east through Bedlington. At mile 3, I decided to turn north and was pleased to be on path all the way to mile 6 at Stakeford. It was at this point that the full route became clear in my mind. I'd run to Stobhill near Morpeth and back home. 

In the fading light (there was still 1 good 90 minutes before sundown) the path came to an end and I found myself running on the road. I took the decision to take a left turn towards Hepscott at mile 8. The road was a lot quieter and safer. It was at this point that I went from feeling very comfortable to something that wasn't that at all. My "engine" felt good. However, things started to hurt. Everything other than my legs that is. Was I surprised? No! Zero training for this and I was paying the price at mile 9.

I was back on a busy road but thankful of another path. One look at my GPS watch and a few rough calculations meant that I'd need to run towards Stannington for half a mile to make it a nice 13.1 miles by the time I got back home.

Just before the right hand turn towards Stannington I spotted a pile of money on the road side. "I'm having that" I thought. It was a whopping £2.70 and has now been paid to St. Benedict's Hospice via my Justgiving page.

The final 4 miles saw a huge drop off in terms of speed. In turn, that meant that I was getting colder as each mile ticked by. I was relieved to make it home but those last miles had cost me dearly. I'd gone from a projected hours to finishing in 03:21:23. For the record, I've ran the Great North Run in a full lion costume quicker than that!

Throughout the run, some words of advice from long term supporter Steven Medd, echoed around my mind - "Ease yourself in, take the time you've got.". That helped massively, as did all of the other words of encouragement on the Run Geordie Run Facebook page. 

So day 1 has set the tone. Turn up, no theatrics, get out there, put one foot in front of the other and do it all despite the very cold conditions. Nothing really big was won today and that’s okay. The important part is that I decided to do it and I actually did. 

It wouldn't surprise me if day 2, 3 and 4 are even slower than today. I've just got to keep plodding and ticking the days off. The fitness, the speed and the quicker times will come in due course. For now, it's simply Run Geordie Run versus the miles.

Thank you to Ben Killingworth, Charlie Jackson, Paul, Joanne and Bob (the cat) Williams, The Parrys, Alan and Karen, Giselle, Em Gettins, two anonymous donations and whoever left £2.70 at the roadside for your contribution to St. Benedict's Hospice via justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.

Announcing Run Geordie Run 365

BACKGROUND

Some of my fundraising/running ideas feel bold (874 miles from John O'Groats to Lands End). Others feel improbable (3,100 miles across the USA in 2011 or 2,384 miles across Australia during the hottest year on record at the time). A few feel so big they stop you in your tracks and make you ask, is this even possible (That was definitely the case this year as I ran across the USA again, finishing at Forrest Gump Point). Run Geordie Run 365 is all of those feelings and then some.

The small group of people who have been told what "365" is have all given similar responses. "Why?", "That's mad!", "How will that even be possible", "What about your feet" "You're too old". I've also had other feedback which isn't repeatable on a respectable blog such as mine. The disbelief in people's faces tells me everything I need to know about 365. It has an extreme degree of difficulty, an almost certain outcome of failure and a logistical nightmare to carry out. All of that tells me that it's therefore very worthy of sponsorship in aid of St. Benedict's Hospice.

Run Geordie Run 365 isn’t about speed or records. It’s about showing up, day after day, when motivation fades and legs are tired. It’s about proving that consistency and determination beats talent (of which I have very little left after running almost 13,000 miles) and that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when the goal is bigger than themselves.

WHAT IS RUN GEORDIE RUN 365?

OK, that's enough build up. Now for the details. Starting on January 1st 2026, I’ll be running a half marathon (13.1094 miles) every single day for 365 days. No rest days. No shortcuts. No splitting the miles over multiple sessions. It's simply a whopping 4,785 miles over the course of a year.

There is one over arching rule to Run Geordie Run 365 - Miss a day and it's game over. The event finishes. It would probably bring about the overall end of my running too. There's a huge amount at stake for me personally not to mention the vital funds for St. Benedict's Hospice.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

The first challenge is time. A daily half marathon isn’t just the run. It’s warming up, cooling down, stretching, eating, washing kit, travelling to some routes and occasionally staring at your shoes wondering who approved this idea. 

Even at an easy pace, the run plus recovery will quietly consume several hours every day. If I miss a window then the day will squeeze me hard, so to speak. 

Then there’s physical maintenance. Not injury prevention. That’s an obvious one. It will once again all be about injury management. Niggles don’t get days off. Feet swell, toenails revolt, calves tighten, hips grumble and my back saw a lot of punishment in the mountains of the USA this summer.

The trick is keeping small problems small while still running 13.1 miles tomorrow. I don't have a proper physio but I will be using Cherry Active once again to keep the muscle soreness to a minimum. For the first time in almost 13,000 miles of running, I will need to include some kind of stretching into my day. There's always a first time for everything!

Sleep will become a strategic resource. Early starts, late finishes, work days, going on vacation, adrenaline and injury all conspire against deep rest. I know from vast experience that poor sleep doesn’t just make runs harder; it compounds fatigue day after day. I don't think having a tactical snooze in the office will be looked upon favourably!

Fuel and hydration will turn into logistics rather than appetite. I’ll no longer be eating for enjoyment but for continuity. Calories, protein, electrolytes and timing. Get it wrong and tomorrow’s run arrives underpowered. Get it wrong twice and the wheels start wobbling. 

Weather is a silent enemy. 2 winters, 1 spring, 1 summer and 1 autumn. Snow, heatwaves, ice, wind, sideways rain. I won’t get to reschedule. 

Planning routes that are safe, (mostly) lit and runnable in every season will matter more than motivation some days. Kit rotation becomes a system. Shoes don’t last forever at this mileage (I have enough to last until summer). Neither do socks, shorts or skin (you've seen the photos!). 

There’s also the challenge of life logistics. Work, family, travel, football. The run has to fit around them, not replace them. I have a very busy job which simply can't be impacted by 365. I still have bills to pay, after all.

Running while travelling, running on exhausted days, running when everything else feels louder than the goal, running when I'll be "sick of my life" (I expect that to be February by the way).  It promises to be relentless. Knowing there is no off switch, no “I’ll skip today,” requires a level of mental strength I really hope I still have after all these years. Some people have commented that I've "lost my edge". I'm sure to answer those critics one way or another with Run Geordie Run 365. 

Finally, there’s public accountability. When people follow the journey, the encouragement is a huge boost. Expectations can add pressure. Thankfully, I’ve always turned that incredible support into fuel. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

The core truth is this: the distance isn’t the hard part. The repetition is. Run Geordie Run 365 won’t always be won by heroic days. It’ll be won by boring excellence, good planning, stubborn consistency and the ability to solve the same problems again tomorrow, slightly better than today.

THE SOUL OF A REGION

Run Geordie Run 365 is also about shining a light on this incredible place we call home. Every stride will move through landscapes that deserve to be seen, celebrated and shared with the world. 

From the rugged Northumberland coastlines that catch the sunrise before anyone else, to the quiet country lanes where the only sound is your own breath and birdsong. This region has a heartbeat all its own. 365 will bring that to life. Through images, video, and stories, we’ll show the world the raw beauty, the grit, and the charm that make our corner of the world so special.

People who followed the USA run saw a nation of contrasts, vast and wild. But 365 will be different. Closer, more intimate, more personal. It will celebrate home. Every route, every backdrop, every finish line will be a reminder that beauty doesn’t always need to be sought across oceans; sometimes it’s right here on your doorstep. This journey will show more than the miles. It’ll show the soul of a region, one day at a time.

DISCOVERY

Run Geordie Run 365 isn’t just about distance or destinations. It’s about stories too. The kind that live in the towns, villages and coastlines of our region. 

This year-long journey is a chance to shine a light not only on the places I pass through, but on the people who have helped to them special. 365 is a platform for connection. It’s a chance to remind us what makes life extraordinary.

The landscapes may be many and wide, but the real journey lies in the details: the inspirational stories, the laughter shared, the challenges overcome and the reasons that keep my miles ticking by. This isn’t just about where the run goes. It’s about what we discover together along the way. 

MOMENTUM

Run Geordie Run 365 will begin quietly on January 1st, 2026. As the days, weeks, months and miles add up toward December 31st, the momentum will grow. There will be no early fanfare or noise. That will come later, once the miles and consistency have earned it.

FOLLOWING THE JOURNEY (OR BEING PART OF IT)

You can follow Run Geordie Run 365 day by day as the miles add up and the story unfolds. I’ll be sharing regular updates, honest reflections and the occasional glimpse behind the scenes. All of the usual social media channels apply. So if you're an X, Bluesky, Facebook, Threads or Instagram user then you'll be covered. The main write up and information will appear on this award winning blog. The great feedback as well as numbers I received from the USA run this year shows that there's still a demand for reading.

For those runners out there, I'm sure there'll be plenty of opportunity to join me on a weekend run. For those who can't or don't want to run 13.1 miles then you could always join me for the first few miles to suit your needs. 

DONATIONS

I had anticipated taking much more time off to allow my feet to fully recover from the USA run. However, St. Benedict's Hospice needs our support and they need it now, not in 12 months time or more.

What little expense Run Geordie Run 365 will incur will come out of my own pocket. Perhaps, I'll be buying more porridge than usual! 

I'll be seeking commercial backing in the form of kit sponsorship. All proceeds from that will go direct to St. Benedict's Hospice. 

All donations can be made direct to St. Benedict's Hospice via this link to Justgiving.

WHAT NEXT?

Watch out for further updates right across the Run Geordie Run universe starting next week. 

365 Announcement Soon

The curtain finally lifts on 13th December 2025, when the mystery of '365' steps out of the shadows and into the daylight. It’s the sort of moment that feels like standing at the edge of a long road just before the first stride. It’ll be that familiar feeling of equal parts nerves, excitement and a quiet grin at the madness of it all. I've been there many times whether it was Carlisle, John O'Groats, Huntington Beach, Cottesloe Beach, Guincho Beach, the Belgrade Fortress or, more recently, Coney Island. 

The reveal won’t just answer a question; it will signal the start of something bold, something crafted to carry people along for every rattling mile, every unexpected twist, every story that deserves its spotlight. 

Once the announcement lands, the whole thing will spark into motion, gathering pace and purpose as it rolls forward. Here’s to an exciting awe inspiring inspirational journey in aid of St. Benedict’s Hospice. 

If you'd like to join those kind folks who have taken a leap of faith in making an early donation to St. Benedict's Hospice then please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.

Helping to tell the story

The design of the 2026 Run Geordie Run leaflet is underway. There's a sneak preview below. I've masked the exact details of the event for now. Fear not! You'll be able to hear all about it in December.

It's early days but it's really starting to take shape. There'll be the usual useful background info, details on the 365 event, useful maps, sponsors logos and information on how to donate to St. Benedict's Hospice. 

I'm in the process of finding commercial sponsors for Run Geordie Run 365. The beauty of this event is that all expenses for it are coming out of my own pocket. All commercial money will go direct to St. Benedict's Hospice.  

Leaflets have always been one of the most important tools in my fundraising journey. From the early days of Run Geordie Run, they’ve helped tell the story of why I run, who I run for, and how every donation makes a difference to St. Benedict’s Hospice. A simple leaflet has the power to start a conversation, inspire a sponsor or remind someone that every mile counts for something much bigger. 

Over the years, these little pieces of paper have travelled as far as I have. They’ve been tucked into shop windows, handed out at events or passed to random passers by. Many of whom, have subsequently made a donation or have helped to spread the word (and in some cases they've helped to get me out of a spot of bother!!).

That’s why I’m so excited for the Run Geordie Run 365 leaflet. It’s not just another flyer. It’s an invitation to be part of something special. 365 will be a huge challenge, but it’s also a story to be shared every single day of the year. The new leaflet will help bring people into that story, spread the word far and wide and keep the fundraising momentum strong.

The images below show some very kind people from all corners of the earth with a Run Geordie Run leaflet. Every picture tells a story and is a reminder that sometimes the smallest things, like a leaflet, can help make the biggest impact. 

A chance to shine a light

Run Geordie Run 365 isn’t just about distance or destinations. It’s about stories too. The kind that live in the towns, villages and coastlines of our region. This year-long journey is a chance to shine a light not only on the places I pass through, but on the people who have helped to them special. 365 is a platform for connection. It’s a chance to remind us what makes life extraordinary. 

The landscapes may be many and wide, but the real journey lies in the details: the inspirational stories, the laughter shared, the challenges overcome and the reasons that keep my miles ticking by. This isn’t just about where the run goes. It’s about what we discover together along the way.

The soul of a region

As you will soon discover, 365 isn’t just about endurance. It’s not just about running day after day, through the seasons and the storms. It’s about shining a light on this incredible place we call home. Every stride will move through landscapes that deserve to be seen, celebrated, and shared with the world.

From the rugged coastlines that catch the sunrise before anyone else, to the quiet country lanes where the only sound is your own breath and birdsong. This region has a heartbeat all its own. 365 will bring that to life. Through images, video, and stories, we’ll show the world the raw beauty, the grit, and the charm that make our corner of the world so special.

People who followed the USA run saw a nation of contrasts, vast and wild. But 365 will be different. Closer, more intimate, more personal. It will celebrate home. Every route, every backdrop, every finish line will be a reminder that beauty doesn’t always need to be sought across oceans; sometimes it’s right here on your doorstep.

This journey will show more than the miles. It’ll show the soul of a region, one day at a time.

365 goes beyond miles, routes or records

There’s a new chapter about to begin: Run Geordie Run 365.

The full details will be revealed in December and from January, people will be able to follow the journey day by day. What’s certain already is that this isn’t just another challenge. It’s something far deeper. The physical, mental and logistical demands will be there as per usual, of course. However, the true meaning of 365 goes beyond miles, routes or records.

It’s about connection, endurance, purpose and discovery. It’s about what happens when you commit to something so big that even you don’t fully understand it at the start.

For now, 365 remains a mystery. But as the months unfold, its real significance will slowly reveal itself. Not in the announcement, not even in the early stages of the journey, but much later on next year. When that moment comes, it’ll all make sense.

If you'd like to join the early sponsors in making a donation to St. Benedict's Hospice then please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.

Taking it to the next level

Run Geordie Run 365 isn’t just about the physical, mental and logistical challenge. It’s about taking everything I’ve learned from past adventures, especially the run across the USA, and building something even bigger.

During the USA run, people didn’t just follow along; they bought in. They became part of the story. Every mile, every setback, every sunrise on the road, it was shared and felt together. That connection meant everything. 

With 365, the goal is to take that experience to the next level. To bring people closer to the journey than ever before. To show the highs, the lows, the grind, and the joy in a way that’s real, raw, and immersive.

This is about more than miles. It’s about creating something that inspires, connects and moves people to believe that impossible things can be done, one day at a time.

Watch this space for further details coming soon.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365

Build it and they will come

Before anyone knows what Run Geordie Run 365 truly is, something remarkable has already happened. The first kind donation to St. Benedict’s Hospice has arrived. No launch, no big reveal, just quiet belief. It shows that when something is built with purpose and heart, people can feel it even before they fully see it.  

That first act of support says it all: build it and they will come.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365