365 Consecutive 5k's

My 2014kx365 challenge finished on 31st December after running 40+ miles of the Green Man Ultra Challenge route . Many people asked what have I been doing since my challenge finished, have I enjoyed the rest? Well, I did not stop New Years day I ran again  and have ran every day since. My 2014 kx365 challenge was to run/ walk a minimum 1k everyday which I did. My intention was to attempt to run 365 consecutive 5k's but after falling ill in February 2014 I could only manage to walk a mile on two days which kept my 2014kx365 challenge alive but I had to restart my 5kx365 challenge. When I continued running people said "why? stop no one will know", that wasn't the point I would know.

February 4th 2015
It was just getting light, the air was cold, the frozen ground crunched underfoot as I ran along the footpaths and trails. Birds were singing as they darted hungrily in and out the hedges. The cold air made it hard to breathe and my fingers were tingling from the cold. As I trundled along a trail a buzzard perched upon a fence post spread its wings and took off rising up over the hedges and trees that were covered in a white blanket of frost. The sun struggled to force its way through the heavy clouds silhouetting the buzzard. I climbed over a stile and caught site of a fox racing across the field behind s flock of sheep, no doubt startled from its skulking by my running. Nearing a gateway the mud was frozen over I landed heavily in the middle, the icy cold water splashed up over my legs. I could hear a woodpecker drilling in the distance, a stray bramble across the trail entwind itself around my ankle tearing the skin as I ran. Skirting the woods I frightened a pair of roe deer which bounded back into the cover of the woodland, twice stopping and looking back to see what this was running across the fields. I stumble in the frozen divets  made by horses hoofs but manage to stay upright. Just under 5 miles. Day 365 of 365 consecutive days running a minimum 5k everyday, I have reached the milestone. 1 whole year of  back to back running everyday and raising a whopping £1749.06 for my chosen charities Time is Precious and SANDS - Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity. Thankyou everybody for your support and donations you've been immense.

2014kx365 Challenge Complete

On the 1st January 2014 apprehensively I began a challenge 2014kx365 to run/walk a minimum 1k everyday for 365 days. On the 31st of December I completed this challenge by attempting to run Bristols Green Man Challenge route 45.5 miles. The year has been tough with easy days & hard days, but I have exceeded my initial challenge wearing out seven pairs of trainers and clocking up 2044 running miles an average of 5.60 miles per day. I have ran through floods, snow, ice, wind, rain and brilliant sunshine. Along tracks, trails, bridleways, roads, lanes, under and over motorways along the beach, through rivers and woodland, over hills and dales. Seen some superb sunrises and sunsets and ran every single hour of the day. I have seen badgers, foxes, deer been chased by cows and horses and bitten by a dog. Had abuse hurled at, been waved to and cheered on by complete strangers.
I have raced in 19 organised events from a 5k to an ultra marathon including Bath Half Marathon,Wells 19k, 15 mile Big Cheese, Frome Half Marathon, Shepton 10k and ran over the iconic Somerset landmark Glastonbury Tor in the Glastonbury Dash.
A very motivational aspect of my challenge was running for charity, my chosen charities were SANDS - Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity and Time is Precious. To be able do something you enjoy and raise money to help others in the process is very rewarding. Monies raised helps SANDS continue to support those affected by the death of a baby and promote research to reduce the loss of babies lives. 17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth everyday in the UK and SANDS work to ensure as few parents as possible have to experience this devastating loss. Time is Precious was set up in memory of Ben Halford who died aged 5 after his long brave battle against cancer. Every penny raised goes to help provide hospitals with equipment and facilities to make life a bit more bearable for children and their families whist in hospital. Having spent 3 years in and out of hospital with my own daughter I have personally witnessed the good Time is Precious aims to do. So in July I ran from St. Benedicts School Westfield to Royal United Hospital, Bath dressed as Batman. A momentous day and an emotional roller coaster.
Thankyou to everyone who has supported my challenge especially Helen my wife and family if it had not been for their support this challenge would definitely not been possible. A massive thankyou to all who have donated to my charities . If you have a pound or two to spare my just giving pages are open till the end of January or PM me to send a cheque or cash is good.
Thumbs up to Jim Plunkett Cole without his initiative I would not have took on this challenge and to the multi media support from 2014kx365 tribe. Good luck to all the 2015kx365'ers enjoy your year.

Time is Precious www.justgiving.com/365jimbarron

SANDS www.justgiving.com/2014kx365jimbarron

Day 365/365 The Last Day

To finish my 2014kx365 challenge, without any specific ultra marathon training I attempted to run Bristol's Green Man Challenge route. Setting off from Long Ashton just after 6am on a very cold and frozen morning in the dark a procession of head torches climbed Dundry Hill. Just under 12 hours later returned back in Long Ashton after passing through Pensford, Keynsham, Hambrook, Patchway, Easter Compton, Blaise Castle & Ashton Court 40+ miles. At mile 12 I reached 2014 running miles for the year.

Day 364/365

The last time I will run up Holcombe hill this year. Just the minimum 5k and very steady along a familiar route around the lanes of Holcombe. Today's run took my total mileage over 2000 miles for the year, total mileage 2002/2014.

Tomorrow as a grand finale toto 2014kx365 challenge I am joining fellow 365'ers to celebrate the Last Day by attempting a full circuit of Bristols a Green Man Challenge route taking in the community forest path. Starting at Long Ashton and looping around Bristol to finish back in Long Ashton after a run of 45.5 miles. If you would like to join or follow the Last Day http://www.kx365thelastday.co.uk or Facebook 2014kx365-The Last Day

Thankyou to everyone who has made a donation to my chosen charities over the year, every penny goes towards making a difference. It has been very motivational to run for charity and now very rewarding when people donate to know my efforts have been appreciated...... and so to tomorrow.... The Last Day.

Time is Precious

www.justgiving.com/365jimbarron

SANDS

www.justgiving.com/2014kx365jimbarron

Day 363/365

A crisp and cold morning, the road was slippery and wanting to get my run done early opted to jump over a stile and run off road rather than risk slipping on an icy puddle especially with only 3 days left of my challenge. Did my normal minimum miles off road route which took me up past The Holcombe Inn and down through Holcombe woods and past the old church. Even the mud was frozen which made it a lot easier running off road in my road trainers, the fields were white with frost but the sun was rising in the blue clear sky warming up the morning, a beautiful morning.

Just over 4 miles, running total at 1998/2014 miles leaving me with 16 miles in 2 days to hit my total for the challenge. As a Grand Finale to my challenge I have decided to join others on New Years Eve in in attempting to run a full circuit of Bristols Green Man Challenge route 45.5 miles, if you would like more information or to follow this challenge you can on Facebook  2014Kx365 - The Last Day or http://www.kx365thelastday.co.uk This is going to be a huge challenge to end a whole year of activity, if you are able to support along the route or join for all or part of the route everyone is welcome.

Day 359/365 Christmas Day

Christmas Day run just the minimum, Nanny and Grampy are settled with the children looking at what Santa has brought, my dear wife is busy in the kitchen. There is no way I could run after Christmas Dinner and the children were busy unwrapping presents early, 11.30 am it's now or never. Minimum miles 5k up Frog Lane to Stoke St Michael past The Duke of Cumberland through Stoke past The Knatchbull and back home lovely bright sunny morning. 6 days left in my challenge. 1980 running miles of 2014.

Day 362/365 Glastonbury Tor Dash

Well organised by Rogue Runs Glastonbury Tor Dash, a short multi terrain race of roughly 4 miles with a route that ran around the bottom and then up and over the Iconic landmark of Glastonbury Tor. Starting and finishing at Old Oaks campsite the course started along the lane almost immediately heading along bridal ways and muddy pathways. My off road shoes being out of action I competed in this race wearing my road trainers I managed ok due to the sharp frost we had had over night which kept most off road running fairly solid. We were soon running uphill along lanes very steep lanes before getting to the base of the Tor itself. Around the bottom through grassy fields till we came back on ourselves to make the ascent up the Tor. The steps caused a bit of congestion and there was no alternative but to go the same pace as who ever was in front of you. Well supported at the top of the Tor with folks cheering and ringing bells, the descent again down steps I was able to gain momentum and ran past 3 others. Back out on to the lane again climbing before going back along a very muddy bridal way where I struggled for grip. Downwards now across two grassy fields as I reached the stile at the first my legs shot out from under me down onto my buttocks I slid but the momentum brought me back upright. Back into the campsite and to the finish with an official finish time of 00:38:16, 23rd in a field of 75. This was my 19th race of 2014 bringing my running miles up to 1994/2014 with 3 days left to go in the challenge.