I can't think about anything other than The Walk. I'm hardly getting any painting done. On Saturday I found myself looking at my watch and thinking - this time next week we'll be at the second checkpoint. This time next week, we'll be heading for Kinder. This time next Saturday we'll be - crawling on our hand and knees to the Cat and Fiddle.......
My mind is constantly traversing the route. I've been up and over Kinder in my head more times than I care to think about. And Torside. Dropped down into Doctors Gate. (In fact, I've done a Virtual Walk, so I don't need to do it now, ok? I've got a note from my Mum and everyfink)
The last couple of weeks have not been without their ups and downs. I've been hanging onto a really nasty virus, and was banned from doing the last Sunday walk, as every time I felt a little better, I'd go training and then go into a decine. It was such a nasty bug, I started to think that I wasn't ill at all, it was just me being lazy - I didn't have an ounce of Go in me! Luckily, the enforced rest has turned it around, and I am back to feeling full of energy.
We have all bought specialist fell running shoes. The Kit Inspectors for the walk insist that proper walking boots or fell running shoes are worn, and we are anxious that our lovely Asics Nordic Gels won't meet the criteria. Even though we've done all our training in them and I've worn out a pair and a half. But the alternative is, if 'They' don't like our shoes, "Their' decision is final, and we don't do the Walk....
Problem is, the fell running shoes are dead comfy, and we can't decide which ones to wear on the day. But, we KNOW our Nordic Gels. We've all walked over 25 miles in them, and not a trace of a blister to be seen. Not even sore feet at the end. And we haven't had an opportunity to wear our new shoes for anything longer than about 7 miles, so, I think I've just talked myself out of making them my first choice for the day! Ultimately, I won't be heartbroken if I have to wear the fell runners, whereas I would never be able to manage it in walking boots, it'd kill my joints.
We're having some great publicity - Radio Wales broadcast our interview on the Jamie Owen show on Tuesday morning, and they want us in the studio for a live 10.30am broadcast with Roy Noble. The Evening Echo did a great whole page spread on Wednesday.
If you've managed to read this far - please don't forget to sponsor us! www.gonordicwalk.co.uk has all the links. It's for a great cause. There will be a bucket collection in the Cowbrige HIgh Street on the Day, with live updates available as we phone through to tell you where we are.
Blogging daily from now on....
Monday, March 26, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Second training weekend - getting better all the time
What a great weekend we had. We left early on Saturday morning - Karen and Paula drove my car up (brilliantly, thanks girls!) as I was still nursing a pesky bug and didn't fancy it - and by lunchtime we'd booked into the hostel and were starting the climb over Kinder Scout. We have to cross a stream first - it's about 12 feet across, fast running and ankle deep, and there are one or two stones peeking tantalisingly above the water level, so you think you might just keep your feet dry.....last time we all slithered about, Dawn went in up to her knees and Karen and I scampered up and down the bank like worried sheepdogs trying to find a better place to cross with David tapping his foot going - "you can't do this on race day girls - get ON WITH IT' and eventually we just did the same as the others and got wet. This time, well, we just got wet. But it was great climate control for the ensuing uphill section, which is almost vertical at the top. My sand dune training paid off and I felt a lot more comfortable. Dawn 'Scout' Lee did her job by fast-forwarding to the top, finding the finger width path and guiding us onto it. The rest of Kinder was a bit of a breeze, the weather was glorious, we found all the right tracks and groughs - until suddenly Dawn sank deeply into a peat bog, accompanied by a sickening SNAP! I thought it was her leg.....until I heard her trademark giggle, which quickly turned to dismay upon seeing one of her beloved poles snapped completely in half.
The long steep descent into Edale is a bit of a killer, and I am still quite slow trying to sidestep downhill, but I'll work on that (sand dunes again). When we reached the Nags Head, one of the 'Four Inns', Karen checks her watch and announces that we have knocked 20 minutes off our previous time!! I feel really proud of myself. A lovely cup of coffee, quick potter about in the Peak District Centre and then we set off back over Kinder - as we begin the seriously steep climb, the wind picks up gradually at first, and then with increasing severity until it is not only difficult to stand, it's downright scary! In true Barefoot Studio Team form, I am puffing my way up in front, and Karen and Dawn are singing directly behind me. I mean, I have only just enough breath to WALK, and they're SINGING....
At the top, my head is spinning from the wind which by now is about Force 8, and I was so glad to have my poles for stability. I know Dawn really noticed the difference on one pole (apart from walking round in circles all the time) and we very very carefully paced downhill with surefooted Karen in front leading us down to the Snake Pass Inn. Where she let us have a half of lager!!!! We really deserved it, mind....
Found a great pub just down the road from the hostel, for an evening meal, and made plans to book it for the pre-walk evening meal pasta-fest.
Up early the following morning, walked directly from the Youth Hostel, over the dam and up over Torside and down to Doctors Gate. This time, we followed the Pennine Way for quite a lot of it, with a little navigation thrown in. Yes, it is a longer route, but much easier going - more of a track, so we should be able to pick some speed up here. Having conquered it, we returned over the moor. It was a fabulous walk. I could feel myself using both legs much more evenly, my agility had improved, my energy levels felt ok, except that I had glands the size of golf balls, my throat and my head hurt and I felt like shit actually. But hey, if I can walk feeling like this, it'll be no problem on the Day!
We made a decision at that point that Paula and I would drop Karen and Dawn off to do the remaining section of navigation from Wessenden Heights to Crowden Youth Hostel, where we would collect them and then drive back.
Paula and I enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate in the car as we watched Capt K and 'Scout' Lee set off at a blistering pace over the hills, and then drove leisurely - in the wrong direction! Oops, turn around, and drive into the village of Holmfirth, where Last of the Summer Wine was filmed. We had chips. We looked at Nora Batty's house. We got cold and bored and decided it was time to go and collect the girls. Off we went, following a bus which crawled along, full of incontinent old geezers doing the Last of the Summer Wine Tour. we didn't really mind, until I noticed that we weren't actually going the right way. Paula obligingly turned around, and we found ourselves sucked back into this junction in the middle of town where all signposts take you to Nora Batty's house, but not to any town or village. Slightly anxious about the time now, we try a different route, still wrong, and so I get sally sat nag out, who was as much use as a chocolate fireguard and was nearly hurled out of the window in exasperation. Sweaty with nerves now, imagining both girls at the pick-up point cold and hungry, we retrace our original route, and Paula drives like a demon along Snake Pass, pausing only to flick her wiper blades at a cyclist as we passed (the indicators and wiper blades are reversed on my car) which made us both laugh hysterically (you had to be there), we careen wildly onto the approach road, passing a sign saying Police Accident we stare at each other in horror that it might prevent us from getting to the girls.....we arrive at the Phone Box meeting point, to see with relief that they weren't there! About 30 seconds after our arrival, my mobile rings and Karen's cheery voice tells us not to worry, they'd be about another 45 minutes.....phew! Talk about stress - I wondered if it might have been preferable to do the walk!
When they arrived, we tucked them up in the back of the car, came clean about the chips and the navigational nightmare, and they slept almost all the way home whilst Paula and I shared the driving.
This virus thingy is hanging on for longer than I'm happy about, but I feel so much more confident about the Walk. I know it's going to be tough, but re-visiting the moors has de-scarified it for me. We've seen just about every weather variety, and coped with it. We've got great kit. We really bonded together as a Team, and I know in my heart that we will all be around to pick each other up when (if) we hit THE WALL. (so long as we don't all hit it together. We'll have to sing our way out)
Today we were interviewed by the South Wales Echo and Radio Wales.
If you haven't already sponsored us, Please please dig deep and do it online by following the links from www.gonordicwalk.co.uk, or pop into Barefoot Studio, or send us a cheque made payable to MacMillan Nordic Challenge (BArefoot Studio,61-63 Eastgate, Cowbridge CF71 7XX
THANKYOU if you've already sponsored us!!
The long steep descent into Edale is a bit of a killer, and I am still quite slow trying to sidestep downhill, but I'll work on that (sand dunes again). When we reached the Nags Head, one of the 'Four Inns', Karen checks her watch and announces that we have knocked 20 minutes off our previous time!! I feel really proud of myself. A lovely cup of coffee, quick potter about in the Peak District Centre and then we set off back over Kinder - as we begin the seriously steep climb, the wind picks up gradually at first, and then with increasing severity until it is not only difficult to stand, it's downright scary! In true Barefoot Studio Team form, I am puffing my way up in front, and Karen and Dawn are singing directly behind me. I mean, I have only just enough breath to WALK, and they're SINGING....
At the top, my head is spinning from the wind which by now is about Force 8, and I was so glad to have my poles for stability. I know Dawn really noticed the difference on one pole (apart from walking round in circles all the time) and we very very carefully paced downhill with surefooted Karen in front leading us down to the Snake Pass Inn. Where she let us have a half of lager!!!! We really deserved it, mind....
Found a great pub just down the road from the hostel, for an evening meal, and made plans to book it for the pre-walk evening meal pasta-fest.
Up early the following morning, walked directly from the Youth Hostel, over the dam and up over Torside and down to Doctors Gate. This time, we followed the Pennine Way for quite a lot of it, with a little navigation thrown in. Yes, it is a longer route, but much easier going - more of a track, so we should be able to pick some speed up here. Having conquered it, we returned over the moor. It was a fabulous walk. I could feel myself using both legs much more evenly, my agility had improved, my energy levels felt ok, except that I had glands the size of golf balls, my throat and my head hurt and I felt like shit actually. But hey, if I can walk feeling like this, it'll be no problem on the Day!
We made a decision at that point that Paula and I would drop Karen and Dawn off to do the remaining section of navigation from Wessenden Heights to Crowden Youth Hostel, where we would collect them and then drive back.
Paula and I enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate in the car as we watched Capt K and 'Scout' Lee set off at a blistering pace over the hills, and then drove leisurely - in the wrong direction! Oops, turn around, and drive into the village of Holmfirth, where Last of the Summer Wine was filmed. We had chips. We looked at Nora Batty's house. We got cold and bored and decided it was time to go and collect the girls. Off we went, following a bus which crawled along, full of incontinent old geezers doing the Last of the Summer Wine Tour. we didn't really mind, until I noticed that we weren't actually going the right way. Paula obligingly turned around, and we found ourselves sucked back into this junction in the middle of town where all signposts take you to Nora Batty's house, but not to any town or village. Slightly anxious about the time now, we try a different route, still wrong, and so I get sally sat nag out, who was as much use as a chocolate fireguard and was nearly hurled out of the window in exasperation. Sweaty with nerves now, imagining both girls at the pick-up point cold and hungry, we retrace our original route, and Paula drives like a demon along Snake Pass, pausing only to flick her wiper blades at a cyclist as we passed (the indicators and wiper blades are reversed on my car) which made us both laugh hysterically (you had to be there), we careen wildly onto the approach road, passing a sign saying Police Accident we stare at each other in horror that it might prevent us from getting to the girls.....we arrive at the Phone Box meeting point, to see with relief that they weren't there! About 30 seconds after our arrival, my mobile rings and Karen's cheery voice tells us not to worry, they'd be about another 45 minutes.....phew! Talk about stress - I wondered if it might have been preferable to do the walk!
When they arrived, we tucked them up in the back of the car, came clean about the chips and the navigational nightmare, and they slept almost all the way home whilst Paula and I shared the driving.
This virus thingy is hanging on for longer than I'm happy about, but I feel so much more confident about the Walk. I know it's going to be tough, but re-visiting the moors has de-scarified it for me. We've seen just about every weather variety, and coped with it. We've got great kit. We really bonded together as a Team, and I know in my heart that we will all be around to pick each other up when (if) we hit THE WALL. (so long as we don't all hit it together. We'll have to sing our way out)
Today we were interviewed by the South Wales Echo and Radio Wales.
If you haven't already sponsored us, Please please dig deep and do it online by following the links from www.gonordicwalk.co.uk, or pop into Barefoot Studio, or send us a cheque made payable to MacMillan Nordic Challenge (BArefoot Studio,61-63 Eastgate, Cowbridge CF71 7XX
THANKYOU if you've already sponsored us!!
David Ingram said...
The girls did really well on the training weekend. It's not without reason that the Four Inns describes itself as one of the toughest walking competitions going. The first half is due south across the Dark Peak (boggy peat moorland of the worst kind) and the second takes in the high bits of the White Peak (limestone karst). They worked hard, learned the route and their fitness is good. Take it from me they will finish.
Please, Please give as much as you can to this worthy endeavor. If for no other reason than that they deserve it and it's also the 50th aniversary of the event.
David, Captain K's brother and previous 4 Inns competitor
Please, Please give as much as you can to this worthy endeavor. If for no other reason than that they deserve it and it's also the 50th aniversary of the event.
David, Captain K's brother and previous 4 Inns competitor
Monday, March 05, 2007
26 DAYS TO GO - Please sponsor us!
If you have been a regular follower of this blog you might have noticed the tone changing somewhat recently - now we've seen exactly what we are letting ourselves in for - and it ain't no walk in the park for 45 miles!
Dawn and I have come from a minimum level of fitness a bare 6 months ago, tackling all sorts of personal lows along with our training. Karen and Paula have been absolutely solid in their support and commitment.
And now we have a bare 26 days - it's scarey as hell for all of us to tackle this - but make no mistake - WE WILL DO IT - so when you are having your Saturday lie-in, out shopping and chilling our in Starbucks, curled up in front of the tv on that Saturday evening, we will be up at 4.30am to get breakfasted before a 6am kit inspection, and putting the first foot forward at 7am, and then walking non-stop over the most difficult terrain any of us have ever experienced for the next 14-20 hours until we finally get to that finish.
Every step that we take will make a difference to someone's life. Help us do that by donating online at:
www.justgiving.com/gonordicwalk
or pop into Barefoot Studio and make a donation
EVERY LITTLE HELPS!!!!
Thanks so much for your support.
Dawn's latest blog is next - read on!
love sue
x
Dawn and I have come from a minimum level of fitness a bare 6 months ago, tackling all sorts of personal lows along with our training. Karen and Paula have been absolutely solid in their support and commitment.
And now we have a bare 26 days - it's scarey as hell for all of us to tackle this - but make no mistake - WE WILL DO IT - so when you are having your Saturday lie-in, out shopping and chilling our in Starbucks, curled up in front of the tv on that Saturday evening, we will be up at 4.30am to get breakfasted before a 6am kit inspection, and putting the first foot forward at 7am, and then walking non-stop over the most difficult terrain any of us have ever experienced for the next 14-20 hours until we finally get to that finish.
Every step that we take will make a difference to someone's life. Help us do that by donating online at:
www.justgiving.com/gonordicwalk
or pop into Barefoot Studio and make a donation
EVERY LITTLE HELPS!!!!
Thanks so much for your support.
Dawn's latest blog is next - read on!
love sue
x
Disastrous training Day
Yesterday did not go well at all.
Sue has been poorly with a migraine for 3 days so Captain K decided we would be better off doing some sand dune training at Merthyr Mawr rather than going to Brecon as originally planned. The weather was awful but hey, we are used to that!
Karen was brilliant, powering up the dunes, while Paula and I struggled. Paula has had a horrible cold all week, affecting her energy levels and breathing, and I was simply exhausted, having not had a full nights sleep in over a week. Sleep is something I can have problems with, (I come from a long line of insomniacs), but recently it has got pretty bad. Add to that I had done an hour and a half of sand dunes the previous day, my legs simply felt like lead and my lungs weren’t much better.
After 45 mins Karen said we should call it a day as we risk injuring ourselves. We hate not finishing what we have started, but I for one know I didn’t have much more in me to give. Got back to the team bus and I burst into tears and cried for a good 20 minutes. Not good - and a sure sign of needing some quality sleep.
The girls were great and decided this was a Starbucks emergency and took me racing to the nearest one for a Cappuccino and some lunch. They then took me to their house and told me to go and have a sleep. It was the best quality sleep I’ve had in ages.
So, as well as March being an alcohol free zone, I’m going to have to reduce my caffeine intake ( No more Strbucks!!!) to see if that makes a difference, and also try not to be full pelt on the go all day and evening long, making relaxing difficult. This is however easier said than done.
But, that’s it, there is no use dwelling on one bad day when we have had so many good ones. At least the team know what my ‘hitting the wall’ is likely to look like. It’s time to turn the frown up-side-down and focus on next weekend. Hopefully I will get into a better sleeping pattern.
Get well soon Paula and Sue!!!
Oh and as you can see, this isn’t a walk in the park for any of us. And the reason we are doing it is to raise money for Macmillan Nurses. Please donate to our fund today; you will be making a huge difference to someone’s life.
Sue has been poorly with a migraine for 3 days so Captain K decided we would be better off doing some sand dune training at Merthyr Mawr rather than going to Brecon as originally planned. The weather was awful but hey, we are used to that!
Karen was brilliant, powering up the dunes, while Paula and I struggled. Paula has had a horrible cold all week, affecting her energy levels and breathing, and I was simply exhausted, having not had a full nights sleep in over a week. Sleep is something I can have problems with, (I come from a long line of insomniacs), but recently it has got pretty bad. Add to that I had done an hour and a half of sand dunes the previous day, my legs simply felt like lead and my lungs weren’t much better.
After 45 mins Karen said we should call it a day as we risk injuring ourselves. We hate not finishing what we have started, but I for one know I didn’t have much more in me to give. Got back to the team bus and I burst into tears and cried for a good 20 minutes. Not good - and a sure sign of needing some quality sleep.
The girls were great and decided this was a Starbucks emergency and took me racing to the nearest one for a Cappuccino and some lunch. They then took me to their house and told me to go and have a sleep. It was the best quality sleep I’ve had in ages.
So, as well as March being an alcohol free zone, I’m going to have to reduce my caffeine intake ( No more Strbucks!!!) to see if that makes a difference, and also try not to be full pelt on the go all day and evening long, making relaxing difficult. This is however easier said than done.
But, that’s it, there is no use dwelling on one bad day when we have had so many good ones. At least the team know what my ‘hitting the wall’ is likely to look like. It’s time to turn the frown up-side-down and focus on next weekend. Hopefully I will get into a better sleeping pattern.
Get well soon Paula and Sue!!!
Oh and as you can see, this isn’t a walk in the park for any of us. And the reason we are doing it is to raise money for Macmillan Nurses. Please donate to our fund today; you will be making a huge difference to someone’s life.
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