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
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
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!
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!
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