My JOGLE - My First Long-Distance Jog

Preparation and Testing

To prepare and test my gear for “My Run Around the World for the Living and the Dying,” I decided to attempt my first long-distance jog: the JOGLE (John O’Groats to Land’s End). On June 19th, I started at John O’Groats, which is nearly the northernmost point in Scotland. Thirty-three days later, on July 21st, I arrived at Land’s End, the most southwesterly point of England, via London.

‍

‍

‍

‍

Preparation and Goals

In terms of preparation, my main goal was to see how many miles I could run each day, both physically and mentally, while self-sufficiently organizing my trip. I aimed to run an average of 30 miles per day without taking any rest days in between.

When it came to testing my gear, I focused on evaluating the practicality of my buggy (as I came to call it), a bicycle trailer that can be transformed into a jogging stroller. I bought it after some research and was eager to test it out as a potential companion for my future long-distance run around the world.

Before even using the buggy, I realized its weight, size, and limited steerability might pose challenges when traveling with it by plane, bus, or train or encountering obstacles like narrow doors, steps, or certain surfaces. The buggy itself weighs 14 kg, plus about 1 kg for the jogging kit. Inside, I stored all my luggage: a backpack with clothing and other necessities, a sleeping bag, tent, mat, food, water, and other drinks, my electronic devices, repair materials for the buggy, a smaller backpack with my laptop, books, and a lot of other stuff.

I knew I was probably carrying too much, but I thought it would be better to test out more weight than I would actually bring for my run around the world. Fortunately, I had a good packing system, with each item having its dedicated space. The buggy turned out to be waterproof, durable, and a great choice for my adventure.

The Start of the Journey

When I arrived at John O’Groats, I was nervous, intimidated, and unsure of how it would all work out. The weather was wet, windy, and cool. I had a plan but also doubts about executing it as imagined.

I first had a coffee at a restaurant and talked to some strangers about my intentions and itinerary. They were quite impressed by my idea. For me, talking to people often helps calm my nerves and organize my thoughts. However, sometimes people can confuse and irritate you with their reservations and uncertainties. That day, on June 18th in the afternoon, the conversation was helpful and comforting.

Even though everyone says you can wild camp in Scotland, well, not at John O’Groats. I paid for a site at the camping ground and found a somewhat wind-sheltered place behind the bathroom house. I pitched my tent, boiled some water for tea, and made couscous for dinner. After eating, I went for a walk to the signpost where I would start my journey the next day. I felt both doubt and excitement about the days ahead, with uncertainty awaiting.

‍

The Journey Begins

On June 19, 2024, at 5:30 am, I left the John O’Groats signpost and started to run. Where to? Not always sure. I planned to run between 30 to 40 miles a day and would then look for a place to sleep. Google Maps was my navigation tool of choice for my first long-distance jog. I used pedestrian and cycle paths to make my way south and then southwest.

Every day, I had to navigate and find a suitable path for myself and my buggy every step of the way. I averaged 35 miles per day, mostly running, though I had to walk uphill. As expected, some days were easier than others, which is typical when we are used to running consistently.

Some times my legs felt tired, and other times my mind did. Occasionally, I felt as if I had wings and could move my body effortlessly and with agility. Consistently attuning my mental and physical abilities to the current situation was challenging yet interesting. My body and mind performed surprisingly well throughout the journey. Although my gear had some minor flaws and problems that required attention and fixing at times, it held up very well overall.

‍

Lessons Learned

My JOGLE presented me with many learning situations I hoped for in my preparation and test run:

• Weather Conditions: I learned to handle various weather challenges.
• Sleeping Sites: From wild camping to B&Bs and hotel rooms, I explored different sleeping arrangements.
• People Encounters: I met some very helpful and open-minded people, while others were less understanding of my undertaking.
• Nutrition and Hydration: I gained insights into managing my diet and hydration needs.
• Fitness and Adaptability: I tested my fitness and adaptability to different circumstances.
• Organizational Skills: I realized how many decisions needed to be made every day.
• Gear Practicality: I assessed the practicability and essence of my gear.
• Financial Burden: I learned about the financial aspects of such an adventure.
• Personal Enjoyment: I discovered my liking for this kind of adventure.

‍

The Finish Line

On July 21, 2024, I arrived at the Land’s End signpost at around 3 pm. The sun was shining, the weather was dry, and, for me, there were too many tourists. I had to stand in a queue, pay, and have pictures taken of me and the signpost. In the house where I picked up the pictures, a lady signed a certificate to officially declare me an “end-to-ender.”

‍

Conclusion

In conclusion, my JOGLE has given me the confidence to believe that I can complete “My Run Around the World for the Living and the Dying.” My upcoming journey will require 14 times the effort of my JOGLE, spanning various countries over approximately 18 months.

‍

‍

A Note of Thanks

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the citizens of the United Kingdom for their support throughout my journey. I especially want to thank the Scottish and English police for ensuring my safety, as well as the cyclists, pedestrians, and the truck, car, and motorcycle drivers who slowed down or made room for me along the way. I know I was sometimes in your way, but I’m grateful we could share the roads and paths with kindness and safety. Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey!

‍

Here are the maps of my JOGLE Route

‍

‍

My Strava Data:

‍‍