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michael cooling

Moving through May 2026

Help michael raise £1000!

My Activity Tracking

1,157
kms

My target 1309 kms

Thanks for visiting my page.

I am taking part in Kier Group ‘Moving through May 2026’ (#MTM26) challenge to raise funds for the Kier Foundation. This year, I’ve set myself an ambitious target and at 56, I plan to walk an astonishing 1,309 kilometres over the month, which works out to the equivalent of walking a marathon every single day, (42.2Km) all outside of my working hours or counting daily steps!

 

This event is in support of the Kier Group’s charity partner, Action for Children, as well as several other worthy causes chosen by the Kier Eastern & Midlands region, including Animals in Need Northamptonshire, Midland Air Ambulance, and local to me East Anglian Air Ambulance.

 

In these unpredictable times, the need for charitable support has never been greater. Any donation, big or small, will make a tangible difference, enabling these organisations to continue their vital work in our communities. Your support would be hugely appreciated and would help provide crucial aid where it’s needed most.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£540 + £87.50 GiftAid

My Goal

£1,000

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My Achievements

Uploaded a profile pic

Self donated

Shared fundraising page

Added a Blog Post

Raised £50

Raised £100

Reached fundraising goal

Reached 100km

Reached 300km

Reached 1,000km

Reached distance goal

My Updates

Day 22

Friday 22nd May
Friday 22nd May - Week day - Cant believe already week 4 is upon us, and the finishing line isn't too far away - okay, approx 405km, but today will see another milestone with 1000km achieved.

Massive shout out to the family, as had absolutely entered their support-crew era this week. After spending the day speed-waddling my way through yet another marathon, the final 3km hits like I’ve suddenly started walking through wet cement. That’s usually  again I start questioning all my life choices.

But right on cue, the family turns up to walk the last 3km with me — part emotional support, part witness protection in case I collapse into a hedge. Honestly, nothing lifts the spirits quite like moral support and people willing to witness your blister-powered shuffle to the finish line.

Stats on day 22 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:25 - 8hrs 25mins 45km walked 

Day 21

Friday 22nd May
Thursday 21st May - Week day - Week 3 completed! Apart from the troublesome blisters,  morale is still high. The feet may be staging a full-scale protest, but the sun’s back out, so naturally I’ve decided everything is fine again.

Stats on day 21 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:15 - 7hrs 45mins 45km walked 

DAY 20

Friday 22nd May
Wednesday 20th May - Week day - I haven’t yet mentioned that I’m involved in a friendly competition with my colleagues at the SCAPE office. It’s me competing against eight others, and right now their collective distance stands at 501 km. Of course, that’s bound to shift once everyone finishes uploading their latest results.

Stats on day 20 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:25 - 7hrs 45mins 45km walked 

Day 19

Wednesday 20th May
Tuesday 19th May - Week day - Wet windy start

From the high of Monday, Tuesday arrived and my feet said, “Absolutely not.” Now seriously considering reaching out for a sponsorship deal with “Compeed blister plasters” just to keep going.

At this stage, we’ve developed a toxic but functional relationship: they blister, I complain dramatically, and then keep walking anyway. 

Stats on day 19 - start walking 06:30 - finished walking 22:25 - 7hrs 40mins 45km walked 

Day 18

Wednesday 20th May
Monday 18th May - Week day - Massive day over 1 MILLION steps achieved.

For the first time in weeks my feet felt amazing. Honestly, I thought I’d been cured. I was floating along like an Olympic gazelle and this was the turning point I was dreaming off...................

Stats on day 18 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:30 - 7hrs 40mins 45.9km walked 

Day 17

Wednesday 20th May
Sunday 17th May - Weekend - During the early morning walk, I found myself unexpectedly emotional as I pictured reaching the finishing line, It just goes to show how much this means to me, and with below reviewed, I’m even more determined to see it through and not let anyone down. Still a long way to go.

Stats on day 17 - start walking 06:30 - finished walking 17:30 - 8hrs 45.32km walked 

Day 16

Wednesday 20th May
Saturday 16th May - Weekend has arrived and much needed rest time.

This is my typical work day x5 (90hr Week)

04:35 - Alarm goes off - new day begins
06:00 - arrive on site after 50min car journey
06:10 - first walk of day begins before work begins at 08:00
Lunchtime - squeeze in another short walk
16:15 - work ends, evening walk commences
18:15 - leave work 60min car journey home
19:30 - commence final walk with aim of completing distance by 22:30.

Stats on day 16 - start walking 06:30 - finished walking 17:50 - 8hrs 20mins 44.9km walked 

Day 15

Friday 15th May

Friday 15th May - Work day - Made it into the third week 

My mood lifted considerably on Friday when a colleague got in touch to say what a fantastic effort it is, and how they couldn’t imagine the amount of time and commitment involved, let alone how I’m managing to fit it all in

With 15 marathon distances completed in 14 days, perhaps I'm regretting do more, but feeling good when in the grove. 

Stats on day 15 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:40 - 7.2hrs  46km walked 

Day 14

Friday 15th May

Thursday 14th May - Work day – nearly at the end of the second week.

I hit my first mental roadblock in the evening and started doubting the whole endeavour, I obviously have too much thinking time whilst walking. 

Stats on day 14 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:40 - 7.2hrs  46km walked 


Day 13

Friday 15th May
Wednesday 13th May - Work day - Well I spoke too soon, just had my first heavy shower for the morning walk, but at this point a bit of rain isn’t going to dampen my spirits… just literally everything else I own.

Stats on day 13 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:45 - 7.5hrs  46km walked 

Day 12

Friday 15th May
Tuesday 12th May - Work day - No let up on blisters, It’s basically a rotating cast of foot-based drama. Every time one disappears, another turns up like, “Morning boss, I’m your new problem.” but on the positive, its still dry weather for walking.

Stats on day 12 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:40 - 7.5hrs  46.5km walked 

Day 11

Friday 15th May
Monday 11th May - Work day - I know I have a long week ahead, so head down and away I go.

Stats on day 11 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:30 - 7.5hrs  46.76km walked 

Day 10

Sunday 10th May
Sunday 10th May - Weekend - 13hr recovery between walks was bliss - morning walk felt good, but more blisters appeared in between the toes - ouch! - i'm not on top of these, but doing what i can to ease the pain.

End of day 10, with 10 Marathon's now completed and a total of 453km walked is like traveling from Norwich to Liverpool or Newcastle, Crazy.

Stats on day 10 - start walking 06:40 - finished walking 17:10 - 8.2hrs  44.75km walked 

Day 9

Sunday 10th May
Saturday 9th May - Weekend - lets get some well needed recovery time in

Stats on day 9 - start walking 06:40 - finished walking 17:10 - 8.4hrs  44km walked 

Day 8

Sunday 10th May
Friday 8th May - Work day - Made it into the second week - with 7 marathons completed in 7 days, renewed energy I can do this!

Stats on day 8 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:30 - 8hrs 40mins 44.75km walked 

Day 7

Sunday 10th May
Thursday 7th May - Work day - Now trying to ignore the discomfort of the feet, evening foot spar's working along side the blister plasters, but no time for recovery as only 7hrs between walks

Stats on day 7 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:30 - 8hrs  44km walked 

Day 6

Sunday 10th May
Wednesday 6th May - Work day - The first morning walk felt like this is 'D' day, feet in so much pain, with 5 marathon distances covered, should I amend my challenge as becoming tough, but I'm not giving up - head wins again!

Stats on day 6 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 23:10 - 8hrs 30min 46km walked 

Day 5

Sunday 10th May
Tuesday 5th May - Work day - reality set in, feet blisters extremely sore, first 2km walked like an old man - felt like brain protecting feet, until eventually things back to normal but with discomfort, Legs stiffened up when at work station, so work colleagues questioned if I should carry on and only do the bare minimum as addition Km's had been banked, but I know my body and the hundreds of hours in the gym and 1200km walked in the last 4 months - head wins I now choose to complete the Marathon distance of 42.2km a day 

Stats on day 5 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:45 - 9hrs 15min 42.5km walked.

Day 4

Sunday 10th May
Bank Holiday Monday 4th May - Stats on day 4 - start walking 07:00 - finished walking 17:30 - 8 hrs 46km walked.

End of Day with 185km walked, the blister gods apparently wanted my feet to have their own dramatic storyline, Arhh!!!!


Day 3

Sunday 10th May
Sunday 3rd May - Early morning start Family duties - driving Dad to Airport - 210 mile round trip 4.5 hrs 02:30 - 07:00.

Stats on day 3 - start walking 08:00 - finished walking 20.50 - 9hrs 50km walked. 

The journey has gone pretty much as expected: equal parts “wow, this is amazing” and “why do my legs hate me?”

Day 2

Sunday 10th May
Saturday 2nd May - Stats on day 2 - start walking 06:40 - finished walking 20:30 - 8 hrs 45.5km walked.

Day 1

Friday 1st May
First km completed at 06:20, photo moment, now only another 1,308 to go. Work day, so know it will be a long one! Stats on day 1 - start walking 06:10 - finished walking 22:36 - 7 hrs 41 mins 45km walked.

Thank you to my Sponsors

£100

Sotham Engineering

Good luck Michael; an incredible challenge!

£50

Michael Cooling

£50

Mark Mears

Come on Michael and at 56

£30

Chris Smith

Good luck with the Blisters!

£30

Steen Bryant

This is extraordinary! Covering this distance by walking every day is beyond comprehension. Keep plodding on!

£25

Ritesh Mistry

Fantastic challenge Micheal. Wish you all the best every step of the way!

£25

Roisin Byrne

The design team are rooting for you Michael!! I hope you have a good pair of shoes.

£25

Steve Smith

Just the thought of walking a marathon a day is painful enough! Keep going Michael - Incredible effort! 👏

£20

James Wood

Great challenge Michael, lots of thinking time and podcast i'm sure.

£20

Stefania Tammaro

Go Michael! Incredible dedication for such great causes.

£20

Allie & Graham

Great job! Keep it up

£20

Lee Smart

£20

Aswin Prakash

Keep going Forrest , you've got this !

£20

Nicci Girkin

An absolutely crazy challenge for an amazing cause. A marathon a day for a month and you are smashing through it. Well done Michael

£20

Dorin P.

Impressive work Michael you are raising the bar for the rest of us. Keep it up !

£20

Ros & Trevor Dockray

Keep it up, so proud of you.

£15

Jamie Downie

£10

Jacob Harker

£10

James Warrington

Go smash it Michael!!

£10

Steve Marrison

Quite some achievement and definitely a life moment to look back on with pride.