Piers version of the night walk experience

It's taken a while to get to posting this blog, but what with all the walks either at the start or end of the day, it gets a bit busy...

On the 12/13 June we all met up again as a team to do a long night walk and get another feel for what we've let ourselves in for.

The planned distance: 32 miles (i.e. over half the walk)

The planned time: 11pm Friday to 9am Saturday.

We had to sort logistics with the cars so that there was one at the end and one in the middle with extra provisions, dry clothes, safety, etc. We then headed to a start point at Checkpoint 4 and donned the headlamps. First observation - you become a focal point for flies and moths!

The temperature wasn't bad at all - not as cold as expected, especially with a hill or few to keep up the internal heat.

We had not done Checkpoint 4 to 5 before and so doing it in the dark was interesting...on the whole the directions from the map were fine (I think the team sort of trust me now...). We only had one point at which it was very hard to distinguish any track at all in a field, so the compass came out and did its job.

We made good progress and knocked some minutes off the suggested timing (though we were fresh and not several hours in), and we soon began to see some light - the first of dawn was at around 3.30am (if my memory serves well). A beautiful pale blue began to emerge at the skyline, although the sun did not actually rise for a considerable time later.

By this point we were walking over familiar ground - this helps because you know roughly what's coming, but at the same time you have to remember that there's usually more of it than you'd thought! This also applies if going over the same ground within a few minutes - Jules lost his hat after one of the checkpoint stops and had to walk back. Then he dropped his camera whilst Tweeting (I think) and so jogged back! Meanwhile we had a surprise when two dogs came our way at high speed, only to be equally surprised when their owner appeared and I saw that it was 5.45am!

By 8am (we'd been up for hours you lazy lot!?) we had made it back to the "mid-point" car - actually it was just over 20 miles. This had taken us longer than we'd estimated, but when compared to the 24 hour target times, it worked out fine. We had to leave Stevie at the car here as his knee and hamstring were playing up (doing better now). It reminded us of what we needed to look out for in order to stay as a team.

Jules, Cliff and I then moved on to cover two more stages, the first was familiar and the second not. This second stage from Checkpoint 8 - 9 was l-o-n-g. The acquired heat of the day was temporarily held off by a visit to the ice-cream van that was perfectly situated in a car park. The man didn't look or sound like an angel...but then how would I know?

"Just one more incline. No, really Jules. Look at the guide, it's just this one more..." - phrases that became a little waring as I repeatedly uttered them, putting perhaps too much faith in the guide map's contour histogram. To be honest, by this point the tiredness of limbs, growing soreness of feet and heat of the day made even the level parts seem uphill.

But we made it! We even found where we'd left the car some 12 or more hours earlier (meeting up on the outskirts of Lewes wasn't exactly easy the night before). So now it's more training: pushing it, stretching, vaseline(!), running, walking, stretching, cycling and more stretching, generally before anyone sensible is out of bed, or when the day is done and normal people watch telly or go to bed.

Don't forget to look us up on the Justgiving website...

Training update from Cliff

Went for a run yesterday morning after a 7 mile brisk walk with Piers the night before. Planning on another run tomorrow and walk with Piers on Friday. I'm also trying to shed a stone over the next month so I'm hauling less weight over the South Downs.

Keep going guys!!!

Blessings

Cliff

The night walk

There's a first time for everything. And none of us had done this before whether a night walk or a walk of this distance.

Houghton to Lewes (52km or 32miles)finally achieved in 12hours 15mins.

We started at midnight after securing the permission of the landlord of the George & Dragon pub Houghton. It was very warm and humid and the bugs did like the head torch beams. We set a fair pace from the start (which was checkpoint 4).

On this first section walked in the night we only slowed once to ensure we took the right fork in the tracks.

It was quite early in the walk that Stevie started to suffer an old knee injury that made the descents especially tricky and painful. The mid-trail prayer had an immediate effect and as the sun came up he was out in front with Cliff (the pacemaker).

As dawn overtook the sky however it became clear that he would not be able to complete the target distance this time. In our planning we had left a car at the beginning and end and one also at Devil's Dyke (on checkpoint 7) approx 2/3rds along this walk. That is were Stevie bowed out to preserve his knee - wrecking it this close to the event wouldn't be good.

By the end even pace-setter Cliff admitted he could not pick up the pace towards the end. I knew that the actual event would take a level of courage, grit and determination - I have been humbled and encouraged at the same time - the same being reflected by e-comments following.

I sense however a renewed determination by the team to make sure we finish, that we finish as a team of 4 and that we finish well. We are starkly aware that every training opportunity should be taken - every step will make a difference on Trailwalker 2009 -only 5 weeks away and counting.

Training update from Jules

A new record for a routine run - 8miles. I'm really pleased with myself (click here for the route). It was not planned but I felt great so rather than returning along the usual I thought I'd go exploring. Next time I think I just run around the ring roads of Bicester! Much simpler.

Last week I ran the usual 6 mile session, then was away in Ireland and managed a good treadmill session one night - 25mins on a varying gradient profile program and a stiff walk up a steep incline for a further 15min and gentler 10min. Then the next night a repeat of the first 25min program.

This weekend we are hoping to do the night walk and as it is the last chance for a team walk we'll need to walk a long one - hopefully 50k+ to set us up for the event on the 18th/19th.

Remember - it's 100k in 30 hours. Please sponsor us if you have not yet done so!

Update from Piers

Having planned a night walk last week, and found that I was surprisingly psyched up/nervous/whatever-causes-butterflies about it, we had to call it off due to unforeseen circumstances. However, now I think I've got my torch working properly and invested a full £3.99 in my own headtorch (instead of my son's) - I think I'm ready to hit a night walk for real. Did I mention that in packing everything I'd forgotten my map?!!

Instead, Cliff and I walked in the bright, Saturday morning sunshine, marching from Tunbridge Wells to somewhere in Hildenborough. The total distance had not been worked out, but we knew we had 4 hours to walk in, so we simply set out for just under 2hrs and then returned. The result was 15.3miles with a total of 10mins break (averaging just over 4mph over the entire walk), and my lower right leg suddenly became quite painful!

Lessons learned: take a scheduled stop earlier; remember that your body is fallible; seek physio advice.

I have now had a session with the physio and done a 4 mile (?) cycle ride. I have another appointment with the physio on Monday, followed by an 8 mile walk with Cliff that evening. Let's see how it all goes.


Fundraising Update

Two local Nepalese Restaurants, the Co-op and a local photography shop have kindly agreed to sponsor us with help producing an alternative Treasure Map (restricted to our school, Cliff's church and a group I help with). This has come out very well and we look forward to seeing many squares sponsored (£2 each) on our way to raising the team's minimum goal of £2000.

We also have some t-shirts planned, thanks to a local small business. Photos to follow...

Gmap pedometer rocks!

Gmap pedometer rocks simply because I have re-calculated my runs previously and have ascertained that what I assumed to be a 4m run has turned out to be 5.5m (click here to see it!) - that is really motivating!

So when I have reported a 12 miles week it has actually been a 16.5m week.

I am currently mapping a new, longer run (which I thought was going to be a 5m run but now needs to be a 6m run!) hmmmm...now a bit daunted!

Off we go!

Training update from Jules

It feels good when you hit your goal.

Last week I ran 3 nights - 3.5m 3.5m and another 3m. On the Friday 3-miler (as my wife was at the Hillsong Colour Conference and can thoroughly recommend it) I pushed my son Samuel in an aluminium 3-wheeler - it was easier than I thought. Except I knew I was going to be in trouble as I lost one of his shoes along the way.

So I thought I'd retrace the steps having picked my 3rd daughter up from playschool on my bike now pulling Samuel in the 2-seater bike-buggy - the second space being taken up by said daughter.

A 3m bike ride later - no shoe. 'Twas only as my wife moved her car on her return I found the missing shoe under her car.....mmmm.....it still benefitted my training.

After a Saturday ride with the family into town and to Launton playground my legs were well worked. And my knees were very painful so I went to Up&Running in Headington, Oxford for the gait analysis. "Proper" running shoes make a huge difference.

This week just gone I have added the 10% gain ready for the training plan Phase 2 - Strength and Endurance, with a 3m 4m and another 4m run. Knees and legs in great shape too. Very pleased.

Training update from Piers

Friday morning was beautiful at 7am - Cliff and I went out for a 7.6 mile walk (see gmap's pedometer for handy route distance calculations - no I'm not on commission!).

We reckoned on 1 3/4 hours for a steady 4 mph walk, but with a little jog we managed to do it in just under time! Without knowing an exact speed, I've tended to go by the strain I can feel in my legs. However, obviously it was not noticing 4mph and had upped a little - so that's good!

We've arranged more walks now in order to focus and get the training in, so we'll keep you informed.

We have also got some sponsorship plans underway - watch this space! (or go to a Nepalese Restaurant in Tunbridge Wells)

Another 26k along the trail completed

in 5 hours and 20mins on Sat 18th April 2009. Not bad actually and I'm in full agreement with Piers. What's more - I can report that my legs weren't particularly stiff! Stevie seemed OK too and have received no complaints from Piers or Cliff.

I had been feeling a little nervous about adding another stage to the trail distance we accomplished last time we met as a team, owing to a lack of training opportunity over the last 3 weeks. An optical exhibition build-up, show and subsequent follow-up of interest took me until Easter which then involved a day of rest, a day's house cleaning, a days hospitality and a visit to friends for 2 nights. Hectic, really hectic.

Stevie P had suffered a seized back earlier in the week (house-mate found him on the stairs unable to move) through sleeping in a wrong position, though his performance this walk proved his resolve for training - running and cycling 12 miles to and from work each morning in Oxford. No pain no gain. Actually he had been wondering whether he should go for a run that evening. Apart from a little cramp on approx 24k he had a good walk.

The day started well, the light cloud stubbornly held against the sun, carried by the chilly NW wind, providing a comfortable walk from CP5 to CP8. This section will be our night sections on the event. We are looking to see if we can manage a similar walk in the near future at night so we are prepared - the night of the Trailwalker event is due a new moon and so we'll need to know each and every turn along the way. We found on this jaunt that there were a number of places where notes had to be taken to avoid a wrong turn - we don't want to walk any more than the required 100k!



Also, we were very pleased to welcome Terence and Kate Rosslyn-Smith, the pioneers of the support crew, to the day's proceedings. Whilst we walked they visited CPs 4-8inc to view each of the access points to the checkpoints and time the drives between them, so they know what to expect. That effort was very valuable. It is great to know that they are there - their attention to detail and commitment are wonderful. They are truly an integral part of the team.


We need to recruit another pair to help them, after all, they are going to be working for 24 hours in support of us. Any volunteers?!



Once we had worked out how to get there through the country lanes, the de-brief in the tea rooms in Steyning was both enjoyable and productive with more detail going into the logistics, kit and co-operation plan.

So we are looking forward to our next team walk on the 23rd May - we'll keep you posted on the training.

Piers on the Blog

Blog from Piers R-S:

What a fantastic walk on this our second get-together as a whole group!

The weather was kind, i.e. it didn't rain, the wind played its part (Stevie considered bringing a kite next time) and the sun tried hard (ahh!).

We're all trying out different bits of equipment and seeing what works - I've crossed bare feet off the list now. I tested crisps...honestly, they kept me going for another hour and were a helpful alternative to banana, apple, satsuma, etc. Oh, and I've got a water bladder thing that goes in my rucksack (I already had the rucksack and so spent the day before sewing a clip into it to hold the bladder - v. good if I say so myself!).

That reminds me - no plugging here, but...as we trudged (no, lithely skipped) uphill at one point I had a moment of revelation: on Stevie's backpack in front of me I noticed the make, like mine, Karrimor. I suddenly realised (after 30 years) that it was like: carry + more !!!!!!! Now Jules who's into marketing knows what he's up against - not surprising major companies spend millions on getting their message across!

Must be time for some exercise soon (besides finger-tapping on the keyboard) - I'll try a run tomorrow for variety (and because I don't usually like running any distance). Really looking forward to our next group walk, possibly in the dark...

14 weeks to go - training is now serious

The 14 week prescribed training period started Easter weekend. Oxfam have 3 streams of training schedule they have provided us in their notes. I will be taking the intermediate stream (which I am already a little ahead of so I'll be adding 10 mins of running to each of the suggested runs from the start.)

Again - it's not the speed of the run but the time taken that matters. "They" say that if you can't hold a conversation during the run then you're running too fast and in danger of injury.

Training builds through 3 phases - Phase 1 (week 1-4) builds basic fitness, Phase 2 (week 5-10) builds strength and endurance, Phase 3 (week 11-14) is a peak and taper where I'll drop back on the training for the 2 weeks leading up to the event.

100k, 4 men, ascent similar to that of Ben Nevis - within 30 hours!

I'll keep you posted! Feel free to sponsor me.

We've started team training on the Trail...

20k in 4 hours is not a bad start especially when we encountered some good climbs.

Together for the first time as a team we left a car at CP2 and journeyed to the Trail start. After a quick stretch and prayer we were off on the fairly gentle climb towards CP1.

Cliff set a stiff pace which was good as we were a little behind schedule to get back to the Prep session where we were to be joined by Piers' father who is playing an integral part in our support crew.

Along the way we met a band of four men. Cliff asked if they too were training for the Trailwalk. Actually, they explained they had walked from Canterbury on their way to Wales and then onto Scotland. Their mission is to encourage people that Britain has hope and make their living singing traditional music of the various locations they walk. The fourth member is a journalist covering them for the Telegraph. Their website is here.

When we made CP1 we were thankful that we had avoided any rain - the forecast was not good. A few sarnies and photos later we carried on.

The second stage has a pretty steep climb and various trekkers have worn steps into the side of the hill and we realised this was going to be a serious undertaking - looking at the newly arrived directions and route info from Oxfam this is not going to be the most severe either.

The ground was mainly flint which tested the feet especially as we descended to CP2 where we left the car. The descent was long and this made tired legs more tired.

Fromt he ridges of the South Downs Way we saw rain to the North and West of us - with a NWesterly wind. Thankfully we avoided it all and had a great walk!

Another great prep session and now the team are all briefed. Looking to the next team walk on the 18th April.

As for personal training - 3miles runs 4 times per week are not uncommon. Stevie and I shall be running once a week for encouragement and to hold each other to the training necessary.

This 20k - one fifth of the challenge - has brought everything closer to view.

Equation is simple:

Train more = enjoy the challenge more.

"The Leading Followers" from L-R:
Stevie (Mr Pea) Pereira - Team Genius and (Ex) Trainer of Oxford Uni's Mansfield College Ladies Rowing Club
Jules (Lofty-not!) Clarke - The one who got us all into this mess and Communications
Cliff (Our view of Trailwalker) Allen - Timekeeper/Paceman and Pastor extraordinaire
Piers (High altitude) Rosslyn-Smith - Navigator and Mr Detail.

So why am I doing this again?

Oh yeah I remember ! Thank you so much to those who are following the training and sponsoring me.

For those who have not yet sponsored me - please click on the presentation to go through the pages. This is why I have chosen to give myself the biggest challenge of my life so far.

The largest Ultra-Marathon in the UK...

...that is how the sergeant of the Gurkha Royal Signals described the event.

There's nothing like starting gently! But then it is a training route for Gurkhas...

What a preparation session we had Saturday - really eyeopening. We enjoyed a 2 hour session from the sergeant - information about camping before and after, some health and safety stuff so we don't die of exposure/ exhaustion / low flying sea-gulls!

Perhaps the most compelling were the presentations from 2 guys who had completed the walk last year - one as a walker and one as a member of the support group. The degree of planning was impressive - I'll be emailing them for a template of their schedule which thankfully they have offered me.

Each CP (checkpoint of which there are 11 including the finish line) timing was calculated by Naismith's rule and reviewed so that they knew if they were walking too quickly and therefore were in danger of burnout along the way. In fact even after the first CP they were 30mins ahead - by CP5 they were 3hours ahead - but all seemed happy to continue.

The logistics too were considerable - making sure that the support crew had enough water to supply them with for 1 ltr per CP (totalling 44 litres during the route), spare socks, night-walking kit, folding chairs for a CP stop, snacks a hot meal and stove - not to mention spare socks and the right type of underwear etc etc.

We need to organise the support team - and they need to understand that they are an integral part of the team success of the walk - and the fundraising.

As for training this week, I have completed 2 10 mile bike rides and 2 x 1.15mile runs - all is getting much easier and waist is benefiting.

If you feel led - volunteer for our support team and you can play an important part in making a difference in the lives of countless people who Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust serve.

Drilling into running

For some this is kids stuff - a customer in Northampton I spoke to yesterday is a seasoned marathon runner - a son of marathon-running parents. I didn't feel that small talking about sports eyewear to him, really.

But I did run a mile last night....OK I've got some way to go and I'm still a tad daunted.

I asked him about correct choices in footwear for cross-country (perhaps team-member Cliff, who has just completed a half-marathon this weekend could also give me pointers) and it seems there are dedicated footwear outlets that have gait analysis services where they video you on a treadmill to determine the best shoe for you personally. They analyse each stride to see at what angle your heel strikes the ground - any angle is bad as it will have an impact on various muscles. I found an outlet in Oxford that I'll have to take a look at.

Oxfam advice suggests I need trainers for the day and boots for the night - the support team will carry them for us.

Anyhow - my customer referred me to Runnersworld.co.uk - and I found this very useful article on getting started and being the salesperson's dream I am - I think I'm enthused already (not at all bemused).

The key element I have learned is to run comfortably and to measure by time, not by distance or speed. Apparently it's the best way to build endurance. I can handle that and so I'll be setting some time frames - the 25mins on the treadmill could have been a bit of a fluke...I'd rather build confidently without injury or burnout and strops!

Question: How do you run by time and chose the route so you get home when you should.....? Ha!

Team is good...

This coming Saturday we are to learn exactly how to prepare for Trailwalker at one of Oxfam's preparation days but the sheer unimaginable challenge has caused me to train NOW! Like yesterday!

Over a Valentine's take away last night Nikki admitted to me she has no idea how I am going to complete it. My male pride is now motivation enough. Perhaps this is her way of spurring me to action?

At church Stevie was good enough to offer to cycle with me this afternoon on a route that will build to a 24 mile round trip to one of Oxford's Park and Rides (where I intend to meet my family for the weekly trip to worship at St Aldates).

Today I reached 5 miles into the 12 mile leg and then returned, glad I had not dived in for the church journey this morning as I had intended - I admitted to Mr Pea that without him I may have stopped a few more times!

Team is good - it spurs us on to endure more than we alone might, were we to rely on our own weak determination. In order to complete the Trailwalker in July we'll all need to build mental and physical endurance.

As Stevie has trained rowing teams he gave me some insight into the psychology of training and how to listen correctly to your body (subduing the flesh without ignoring warning signs). I'm really looking forward to drawing that out so a heart rate monitor is now on the shopping list.

My mountain bike and low saddle height did not make things easy today - whilst Stevie on his road bike seemed to be sickeningly efficient and untouched by the workload.

Planning my next week I am hoping to ride that route at least once to the same marker without stopping - probably Thursday morning. With a run around the block to keep the heart moving Tuesday.

So...onwards and upwards and looking forwards to noticing the gains.

You are welcome to the journey!

Learning that I am to walk the distance of 2 1/2 marathons and ascend the equivalent of Ben Nevis has surely focused the mind.

It's just dawning on me the seriousness of the challenge.

So I've started to train - a business trip in Torquay involved a 25min uphill treadmill session earlier this week; today an à pieds trip to the postoffice (combined nicely with looking after the 2 youngest children) turned into a training sprint. I was late picking up my 2 eldest from school and in meeting with Hope's teacher ("Sorry I'm late Miss Maule!").

I'm so pleased that I've been able to hook up with 3 other people who are as mad as me - as I queried Stevie as to whether he'd really understood the task at hand he replied...

"1. I am mad
2. I am not insane!"

I wanted a challenge - something to reach for - an impact to make.

For me Oxfam is an important charity. On the "About Us" section of their web site they have this statement of intent:

"Our purpose is to work with others to overcome poverty and suffering."

Seth Godin in his book Tribes says that we in the West don't just have an opportunity to lead, to create something good and to overcome poverty and suffering - we have an obligation to do so.

So in brief that is what has brought me to this place - with 3 other team-mates under the banner of "The Leading Followers" (a testimony to our Jesus-following credentials) we embark on a challenge that is 2-fold: As Oxfam say...

"walking a blinking long way, and meeting your fundraising commitment."

So now I turn to you...

Please get on board - here's how:

1. Recruit a team and take the challenge yourself - that would be the best thing;
2. Sponsor me by clicking the button below - the next best thing;
3. Consider volunteering for our support team - er, also the next best thing;
4. Subscribe and follow this blog to be a part of it each and every step of the way (there's an RSS link to the right).

I hope that I can Tweet the walk - if I can make sure I have the mobile battery life.