Doesn't compare to Paul's adventures but I got blisters and carried a small backpack so don't mind dropping this in here. Did the Keswick to Barrow charity walk for the fourth time on Saturday, having missed it last year. The first time I did it the distance was c. 40 miles, and the next two times it was 42.65, with a changed start and a more challenging off-road section between Elterwater and Consiton. This year they had to move the start again, making it 37.5 miles, with a route change so that we went down the east of Thirlmere rather than the west. Although the shorter distance was welcome, the path on the east of Thirlmere is much hillier than the west, and the first 1.5 miles was a shocker.
The first three times I did this I had a tough time on the long section along Consiton, when you're past halfway, the novelty has worn off but the end section is still some way off, and it becomes a gruel - and the blisters start. In each of those years I had to sit in distress outside the pub at Lowick, change socks, apply blister plasters, and steel myself for the end section over the highest points of the course on the moors. This year with the reduced distance and better foot protection I was able to carry on past the pub and push on, and although the blisters did eventually come, I was much closer to the finish and felt I beat some demons. Finished in 10 hours 25.
You get a tankard for completing seven, so that's my stated aim so it feels like I'm past halfway. If I do the next three years it'll mean I'll do my 7th when I'm 50, so it feels like a fitting target. My team mate, already in his 50s was completing his 8th and (he says) last, and went out with a bang with sub 9 hours, and is very much 'no mas'. It should be back to the 42.65 mile route next year, so I may be saying the same myself this time next year.
The first three times I did this I had a tough time on the long section along Consiton, when you're past halfway, the novelty has worn off but the end section is still some way off, and it becomes a gruel - and the blisters start. In each of those years I had to sit in distress outside the pub at Lowick, change socks, apply blister plasters, and steel myself for the end section over the highest points of the course on the moors. This year with the reduced distance and better foot protection I was able to carry on past the pub and push on, and although the blisters did eventually come, I was much closer to the finish and felt I beat some demons. Finished in 10 hours 25.
You get a tankard for completing seven, so that's my stated aim so it feels like I'm past halfway. If I do the next three years it'll mean I'll do my 7th when I'm 50, so it feels like a fitting target. My team mate, already in his 50s was completing his 8th and (he says) last, and went out with a bang with sub 9 hours, and is very much 'no mas'. It should be back to the 42.65 mile route next year, so I may be saying the same myself this time next year.
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