Monday, January 26, 2009
Eight Weeks To Go...
... Yep, in just two months time, we will be flying out to Ouazazate to start the adventure!!!
So much to do, so much procrastination... not helped by the fact that my cold became the full-blown snotty and makes-you-feel-like-shite variety so I have lost three days training... and now it seems to be turning into a cough... great, like I have got time for this!
I also turned, ahem, 39 on Saturday- b*gger!
I have discovered that I will need jabs! Now I had some when I went to Peru, and although that was five years ago I am hoping that some will still cover me. I am going to have to ring my GP surgery tomorrow! Then there's the small matter of the GP certificate and ECG! No ECG, No MdS!!!
Then I just need to figure what I am sleeping in, wearing and eating!
I have some events lined up... this weekend is the 40 mile Town to Tring- London to the village of Tring. Only (sshhh) I haven't actually entered it. I am kind of gate crashing it...
We are having another weekend in Wales, those of us on the MdS forum, with the intention of doing back to back walks over fairly challenging terrain, should be a good laugh as well.
Just feel frustrated at doing nothing, especially as these are the final stages of the training!!
So much to do, so much procrastination... not helped by the fact that my cold became the full-blown snotty and makes-you-feel-like-shite variety so I have lost three days training... and now it seems to be turning into a cough... great, like I have got time for this!
I also turned, ahem, 39 on Saturday- b*gger!
I have discovered that I will need jabs! Now I had some when I went to Peru, and although that was five years ago I am hoping that some will still cover me. I am going to have to ring my GP surgery tomorrow! Then there's the small matter of the GP certificate and ECG! No ECG, No MdS!!!
Then I just need to figure what I am sleeping in, wearing and eating!
I have some events lined up... this weekend is the 40 mile Town to Tring- London to the village of Tring. Only (sshhh) I haven't actually entered it. I am kind of gate crashing it...
We are having another weekend in Wales, those of us on the MdS forum, with the intention of doing back to back walks over fairly challenging terrain, should be a good laugh as well.
Just feel frustrated at doing nothing, especially as these are the final stages of the training!!
Labels: illness, Jabs, MdS, Ouazazate
Friday, January 23, 2009
Bloody Illness!!
After a good result last week, I've had a much less productive week this week... Sunday I woke up with a sore throat, but as it went off I decided to push ahead with my second back to back 13 miler, so loaded up the pack and made my flask of coffee. The route I planned was a bit of a mish-mash; there was a 5 mile route round the next village in one of my walking books, and I figured I could walk from home to pick this up, and would just add bits on afterwards.
I set the Garmin, and set off along the footpath- it was another lovely day, unexpected after the downpour the night before. Before too long, I came to a path leading off to the left, but looking at the map I wasn't convinced it was the one I was looking for, so decided to press on and take the next path.
Big mistake. The path I took ended at a minor road, which took me to the road I wanted to be on, but much further down- it was the earlier path I needed! I ended up squeezing round a 'private' (oops!) sign and walking back up the road. Once I realised where I should have been, I back tracked across the fields back to my starting point- nearly having my Garmin eaten by an over excited Springer Spaniel!
After retracing my steps back to the road, I crossed it and found a path which followed a dyke in a loop back round to the Ferryboat Inn at Stoke Bardolph. I decided to stop and have my lunch by the river, and ended up sharing it with a load of geese.
The next stretch was easy but muddy walking along the River Trent- just before I needed to turn off, I noticed a nature walk around a couple of raised lakes, so decided a circuit of these would add more mileage. By the time I followed the track back to the starting point I'd done 9 miles, so got out the map, had a coffee and found a footpath past factories (worst bit!) to Colwick Country Park. My legs were aching a little by this point, but nothing major. I mostly walked today with a few short runs. By the time I got home, my Garmin told me I had done 13 miles, so mission accomplished! I then had my training program review at the gym; she got rid of the lunges on the half ball, as I have the balancing skills of a stork with no legs, and I can now do them on the floor... holding 7kg weights... she made me do quite a few of these so she could watch me and it nearly killed me! She has also increased a few of the exercises and added a couple more for balance (called Superwoman!) calves and shoulders. I had been increasing the treadmill and ellipticals anyway so she told me to continue with these.
I rested Monday, and felt rough again when I woke up Tuesday so had a fairly easy session in the gym. Well, when I say fairly easy, I mean 30 minutes on the elliptical at a high resistance and the training program...
Wednesday I woke up feeling even rougher with another sore throat- so did nothing (apart from work obviously- but this blog is about training!!) I went to see a mate who's just had a back operation Thursday so did nothing again apart from scoff a chinese.
I still feel a bit bluerrgh today, but thought I'd better make the effort, so threw on a 2 kg pack and headed out for my hill run. I did the same as last Friday- up to the top of Arnold Lane (hilly) over the other side and back up. Only with a slight twist, as instead of running straight back home I turned round and fast walked back up the steepest climb again.
Tomorrow I am going to try to pretend I'm not turning 39, and will probably need to go out and do something to mark the occasion or help me forget, and will no doubt have to fit some training in there somewhere too...
... roll on the taper!!!
I set the Garmin, and set off along the footpath- it was another lovely day, unexpected after the downpour the night before. Before too long, I came to a path leading off to the left, but looking at the map I wasn't convinced it was the one I was looking for, so decided to press on and take the next path.
Big mistake. The path I took ended at a minor road, which took me to the road I wanted to be on, but much further down- it was the earlier path I needed! I ended up squeezing round a 'private' (oops!) sign and walking back up the road. Once I realised where I should have been, I back tracked across the fields back to my starting point- nearly having my Garmin eaten by an over excited Springer Spaniel!
After retracing my steps back to the road, I crossed it and found a path which followed a dyke in a loop back round to the Ferryboat Inn at Stoke Bardolph. I decided to stop and have my lunch by the river, and ended up sharing it with a load of geese.
The next stretch was easy but muddy walking along the River Trent- just before I needed to turn off, I noticed a nature walk around a couple of raised lakes, so decided a circuit of these would add more mileage. By the time I followed the track back to the starting point I'd done 9 miles, so got out the map, had a coffee and found a footpath past factories (worst bit!) to Colwick Country Park. My legs were aching a little by this point, but nothing major. I mostly walked today with a few short runs. By the time I got home, my Garmin told me I had done 13 miles, so mission accomplished! I then had my training program review at the gym; she got rid of the lunges on the half ball, as I have the balancing skills of a stork with no legs, and I can now do them on the floor... holding 7kg weights... she made me do quite a few of these so she could watch me and it nearly killed me! She has also increased a few of the exercises and added a couple more for balance (called Superwoman!) calves and shoulders. I had been increasing the treadmill and ellipticals anyway so she told me to continue with these.
I rested Monday, and felt rough again when I woke up Tuesday so had a fairly easy session in the gym. Well, when I say fairly easy, I mean 30 minutes on the elliptical at a high resistance and the training program...
Wednesday I woke up feeling even rougher with another sore throat- so did nothing (apart from work obviously- but this blog is about training!!) I went to see a mate who's just had a back operation Thursday so did nothing again apart from scoff a chinese.
I still feel a bit bluerrgh today, but thought I'd better make the effort, so threw on a 2 kg pack and headed out for my hill run. I did the same as last Friday- up to the top of Arnold Lane (hilly) over the other side and back up. Only with a slight twist, as instead of running straight back home I turned round and fast walked back up the steepest climb again.
Tomorrow I am going to try to pretend I'm not turning 39, and will probably need to go out and do something to mark the occasion or help me forget, and will no doubt have to fit some training in there somewhere too...
... roll on the taper!!!
Labels: gym, hill running, Stoke Bardolph
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Weekend Thoughts!
The weeks seem to fly by! It won't be long before a certain frolic in the desert is upon us...
I have had a productive week this week- after Tuesday's speedy 6 miler I followed it up with a gym session Wednesday and forced myself to do the most boring of my suggested sessions... the 3 mile run at 2% incline. This seems absolutely interminable, there's nothing worse than watching the tenth miles tick off slo-o-owly... I am supposed to do this at 5 mph but would quite frankly be there all sodding night, so tend to cheat a little and up the pace to 5.3 mph, 5.5 mph and some faster (short!) bursts at 6 mph and 6.3 mph. I did my usual core work and finished up with 10 hard minutes on the stepper.
I have my program review tomorrow at 6pm which should be interesting!
I had tea with mum and stepdad Thursday, and we watched the MdS documentary which had been on a few nights before. My mum couldn't watch the blister treatment bits (and there were lots!) and said "Did you know what it would be like when you entered?" (Yes!!)
She did ring me the next day to say she thinks I will be ok as I am determined!
I did the hill run Friday, with a bit of a twist in that when I reached the top of the last, and worst, hill, I walked down the other side and ran back up for another steep ascent.
I have decided to try two shortish back to back walks this weekend, with a heavyish (8 Kg) pack, as I haven't really done this... I put two walks together from my book of short walks; the first was an 8 miler from Lowdham to Epperstone, Woodborough and back to Lowdham. I'd done some of the route before, on a longer walk, but some of the tracks (bridleways) were glutinous mud so I was cursing rather loudly. The later part was good though, down good tracks; it was sunny and I was having a chat to my cousin's husband on the mobile, as my cousin has just undergone a back operation (she's recovering well). I had a few slow shambling jogs when it wasn't too muddy- mostly downhill!
I finished at 2pm so headed off to Caythorpe Village just down the road, for a 4 1/2 miler. I have been here before- for the Millenium 10k. It's quite a pretty village, and I jogged most of the way through fields and tracks to Gunthorpe, where I joined the River Trent. I had to find a footpath from the river through fields back to the road, and with sinking heart realised that the first field contained bulls with rather large horns and rings through their noses... I saw a runner coming up behind so mentally decided to sacrifive him if needed, but they didn't turn a bovine hair.
I reached the road and started walking back to the car, but decided to detour off on another footpath to make the distance up to 13 1/2 miles (plus I needed a wee and the footpath had been a little exposed!)
It was cloudy when I got back, and quite windy so I was glad of my flask of coffee. I am not sure where I will go tomorrow yet, but it will be a similar distance and no doubt just as muddy.
Oh, yeah- I have paid the final installment for the MdS- so no backing out now...
I have had a productive week this week- after Tuesday's speedy 6 miler I followed it up with a gym session Wednesday and forced myself to do the most boring of my suggested sessions... the 3 mile run at 2% incline. This seems absolutely interminable, there's nothing worse than watching the tenth miles tick off slo-o-owly... I am supposed to do this at 5 mph but would quite frankly be there all sodding night, so tend to cheat a little and up the pace to 5.3 mph, 5.5 mph and some faster (short!) bursts at 6 mph and 6.3 mph. I did my usual core work and finished up with 10 hard minutes on the stepper.
I have my program review tomorrow at 6pm which should be interesting!
I had tea with mum and stepdad Thursday, and we watched the MdS documentary which had been on a few nights before. My mum couldn't watch the blister treatment bits (and there were lots!) and said "Did you know what it would be like when you entered?" (Yes!!)
She did ring me the next day to say she thinks I will be ok as I am determined!
I did the hill run Friday, with a bit of a twist in that when I reached the top of the last, and worst, hill, I walked down the other side and ran back up for another steep ascent.
I have decided to try two shortish back to back walks this weekend, with a heavyish (8 Kg) pack, as I haven't really done this... I put two walks together from my book of short walks; the first was an 8 miler from Lowdham to Epperstone, Woodborough and back to Lowdham. I'd done some of the route before, on a longer walk, but some of the tracks (bridleways) were glutinous mud so I was cursing rather loudly. The later part was good though, down good tracks; it was sunny and I was having a chat to my cousin's husband on the mobile, as my cousin has just undergone a back operation (she's recovering well). I had a few slow shambling jogs when it wasn't too muddy- mostly downhill!
I finished at 2pm so headed off to Caythorpe Village just down the road, for a 4 1/2 miler. I have been here before- for the Millenium 10k. It's quite a pretty village, and I jogged most of the way through fields and tracks to Gunthorpe, where I joined the River Trent. I had to find a footpath from the river through fields back to the road, and with sinking heart realised that the first field contained bulls with rather large horns and rings through their noses... I saw a runner coming up behind so mentally decided to sacrifive him if needed, but they didn't turn a bovine hair.
I reached the road and started walking back to the car, but decided to detour off on another footpath to make the distance up to 13 1/2 miles (plus I needed a wee and the footpath had been a little exposed!)
It was cloudy when I got back, and quite windy so I was glad of my flask of coffee. I am not sure where I will go tomorrow yet, but it will be a similar distance and no doubt just as muddy.
Oh, yeah- I have paid the final installment for the MdS- so no backing out now...
Labels: gym, Marathon des Sables, MdS, walking
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Feeling Unmotivated...
Yesterday was a novel session for me- I went to the gym but instead of using the cardio stuff, I warmed up on the treadmill and then concentrated on weights and core work. I have never done that before, and had to fight the urge to jump on the ellipticals. It was bloody busy though... New Years resolutioners!!
I had intended to do a fairly speedy 6 miler tonight, but suffered from complete lack of motivation. It was one of those nights when you feel really down, and would rather sit around, read and scoff loads of chocolate than force youself outside.
I could think of so many reasons NOT to go, and I kept putting it off... I'm too tired... my foot hurts a little... I'll just stay home and eat chocolate tonight and start from tomorrow... but then told myself I would just go out for a brisk 4 mile walk. Nothing more. Even when I was changing into my training gear I almost took it all off and put my pyjamas on instead, but mentally threw myself out the door.
I walked down the street, plugged in the MP3 player and actually started to jog- I ended up doing my fairly fast 6 miler with a few faster sprints thrown in! It was quite funny... the next village has those signs that light up and display the speed you are driving at, flashing a warning if you are driving too fast. There were no cars behind me when I approached one, and it suddenly lit up, displaying 7 miles an hour with a 'Thank you'!
Ok- I have still scoffed far too much chocolate- but at least I have done my training!
I had intended to do a fairly speedy 6 miler tonight, but suffered from complete lack of motivation. It was one of those nights when you feel really down, and would rather sit around, read and scoff loads of chocolate than force youself outside.
I could think of so many reasons NOT to go, and I kept putting it off... I'm too tired... my foot hurts a little... I'll just stay home and eat chocolate tonight and start from tomorrow... but then told myself I would just go out for a brisk 4 mile walk. Nothing more. Even when I was changing into my training gear I almost took it all off and put my pyjamas on instead, but mentally threw myself out the door.
I walked down the street, plugged in the MP3 player and actually started to jog- I ended up doing my fairly fast 6 miler with a few faster sprints thrown in! It was quite funny... the next village has those signs that light up and display the speed you are driving at, flashing a warning if you are driving too fast. There were no cars behind me when I approached one, and it suddenly lit up, displaying 7 miles an hour with a 'Thank you'!
Ok- I have still scoffed far too much chocolate- but at least I have done my training!
Labels: core, running, training, weights
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Update... And A Bit Of An Anyhow Week...
Thought I'd better update in case anyone thinks I've dropped off the planet... I have had a bit of an anyhow week last week and haven't felt like doing b*gger all...
For starters, I have had to make the really difficult decision to find Lucky a foster home. My mate, who's spare room I'm currently renting, is sadly allergic and was getting worse and worse... that, together with the fact that I am out of the house for hours training for a certain event, kind of forced my hand, and she is staying with a lovely, cat crazy colleague from work. It isn't going to be forever and my long term aim is to get my own place again and have her back... I think a lot of us have given up a bloody lot for this race...
I took her Tuesday so Monday and Tuesday were non events as far as training was concerned. I did haul my ass back to the gym Wednesday, and did a tough 30 minutes on the ellipticals (levels 16 and 17) then 20 minutes steep incline walking on the treadmill.
Thursday I woke up with a terrific headache, so didn't go to work. I tried a short 4 mile walk Thursday night, but still felt headachey and tired Friday. I went to see a mate Friday night, who's about to undergo spinal surgery (kind of puts things into perspective!) and stomped round Ruddington Country Park for 2 hours first, with a 6 kg pack.
Yesterday I was going to rest, but ended up doing my hilly route- walking but jogging up the hills. So today I reckoned it would be an idea to actually make an effort, with the MdS looming ever closer now, so did a 17 miler from one of my John Merrill guides. It started from a car pack in woodland south of Blidworth, but I got slightly lost, found the car park and started the walk, only to discover I had found the wrong car park! Luckily, it was on the actual walk route, so I just resolved to start and finish there instead.
It was a nice walk, mainly through woodland, but some of the paths were a little ambiguous so I had to keep stopping and checking the library map. I have come to the conclusion that I am pretty good at reading a map, oh, and so modest!! Saying that, I did take a wrong track and had to retrace my steps for quite a while (the paths had changed! Honest!!) so probably made the walk more like 18 miles. I took a flask of coffee which was very welcome, and which helped take the pack to around 7 kg.
I ran a little, but not a lot, as I had a bit of soreness from my left foot/ ankle, which I really hope isn't going to develop into anything undesireable! I finished the last stretch, through Blidworth Woods, as it was getting dark; I passed a family going the other way, who stopped my and asked if this was the track to the main car park, as they were a bit lost. I confidently directed them back down the track towards the car park I had just walked to, then it later dawned on me that they may have left their car at the one where mine was, in which case I would have directed them the complete wrong way... ooops...
So, rather slow, but another 17 miles in the bank, with a quite heavy pack; that makes around 33/ 34 miles this week, so not too bad for a quiet week...
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For starters, I have had to make the really difficult decision to find Lucky a foster home. My mate, who's spare room I'm currently renting, is sadly allergic and was getting worse and worse... that, together with the fact that I am out of the house for hours training for a certain event, kind of forced my hand, and she is staying with a lovely, cat crazy colleague from work. It isn't going to be forever and my long term aim is to get my own place again and have her back... I think a lot of us have given up a bloody lot for this race...
I took her Tuesday so Monday and Tuesday were non events as far as training was concerned. I did haul my ass back to the gym Wednesday, and did a tough 30 minutes on the ellipticals (levels 16 and 17) then 20 minutes steep incline walking on the treadmill.
Thursday I woke up with a terrific headache, so didn't go to work. I tried a short 4 mile walk Thursday night, but still felt headachey and tired Friday. I went to see a mate Friday night, who's about to undergo spinal surgery (kind of puts things into perspective!) and stomped round Ruddington Country Park for 2 hours first, with a 6 kg pack.
Yesterday I was going to rest, but ended up doing my hilly route- walking but jogging up the hills. So today I reckoned it would be an idea to actually make an effort, with the MdS looming ever closer now, so did a 17 miler from one of my John Merrill guides. It started from a car pack in woodland south of Blidworth, but I got slightly lost, found the car park and started the walk, only to discover I had found the wrong car park! Luckily, it was on the actual walk route, so I just resolved to start and finish there instead.
It was a nice walk, mainly through woodland, but some of the paths were a little ambiguous so I had to keep stopping and checking the library map. I have come to the conclusion that I am pretty good at reading a map, oh, and so modest!! Saying that, I did take a wrong track and had to retrace my steps for quite a while (the paths had changed! Honest!!) so probably made the walk more like 18 miles. I took a flask of coffee which was very welcome, and which helped take the pack to around 7 kg.
I ran a little, but not a lot, as I had a bit of soreness from my left foot/ ankle, which I really hope isn't going to develop into anything undesireable! I finished the last stretch, through Blidworth Woods, as it was getting dark; I passed a family going the other way, who stopped my and asked if this was the track to the main car park, as they were a bit lost. I confidently directed them back down the track towards the car park I had just walked to, then it later dawned on me that they may have left their car at the one where mine was, in which case I would have directed them the complete wrong way... ooops...
So, rather slow, but another 17 miles in the bank, with a quite heavy pack; that makes around 33/ 34 miles this week, so not too bad for a quiet week...
Labels: Sherwood Forest, Woodland
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Happy New Year!!
The first thought in my head as Big Ben chimed in the New Year was not 'I wonder what this year will bring?' or 'Where's my glass' but- 'Oh my God. I am running the Marathon des Sables THIS year!!!'
I am so worried I haven't done enough. I expected to be running around 50- 60 miles per week at this stage but I am not... mainly because all the advice I have read actually suggests focussing less on mileage and more on quality training sessions...
I am going to have a good think about the kind of plan I will need to make for the final few weeks. Oh, and work out how I am going to cough up the money for the last installment due on the 10th...
I actually had a lovely start to my New Year. Carol contacted me about doing a long walk New Year's Day as she was staying at the Sherwood Forest Center Parcs. I have an old route description from the 26 mile 'Major Oak Walk' I took part in around 12 years ago (God that seems a long while!!!) so we met at The Royal Oak in Edwinstowe.
The route went past the Major Oak, and through the forest to Hazel Gap. I had loaded my rucksack to around 7 kg, the heaviest ever, and although I didn't get any shoulder pain, I felt it in my legs. I started off in walking boots as I expected it to be very muddy, but it was surprisingly good underfoot. Although rather grey, the weather was good- cold but dry.
We walked through Clumber Park, where I changed into my running shoes as I could feel some hot spots in my feet. Much more comfortable, we walked back into the forest and then had a break for lunch and coffee (a luxury we are not going to get in the Sahara!) It was good to be walking with someone else, and share the worries about lack of training etc, but came to the conclusion that most folks will be having similar concerns. We also felt that the race is going to be as much about discipline, organisation and getting systems in order as actually completing the distance and I am going to have to do some serious work on this!
After crossing open country, we came to Cresswell Crags, where a massive new visitor's centre is being built. This is a ring of caves surrounding a lake, which were used as shelter by prehistoric man; several artifacts and cave drawings have been found here, most things were shut but it would be a good place to come back to for a better look around.
I had a bit of a heartstopping moment when we entered a field by a sign saying 'Beware bull and cows with calves' but there were no cows! There was quite a bit of road walking after, passing a deer park full of white deer. It started to get dark, and we were gradually heading back towards Hazel Gap; although the route description took us a different way through the forest and back into Edwinstowe, we decided we would retrace our route from here to avoid wandering lost in the forest.
After reaching Hazel Gap vis a rather muddy rutted track, I confidently set off down a track straight opposite. It was now getting very dark, and after a while we realised that the track didn't look at all familiar, and was taking us somewhere completely different! We retraced our steps, put head torches on and found the right path. It was eerie walking through the forest in the dark, and I was so glad I wasn't alone... we missed the path by the Major Oak (my fault again! 'Oh yes, this is definately the right path...) but realised that the path we had taken would take us back into Edwinstowe. In all I'd say we did 24/ 25 miles, so a really good day.
I am going to have a serious think about what I am going to be doing for the next few weeks; I think it will have to involve some long back to back walk/ runs...
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I am so worried I haven't done enough. I expected to be running around 50- 60 miles per week at this stage but I am not... mainly because all the advice I have read actually suggests focussing less on mileage and more on quality training sessions...
I am going to have a good think about the kind of plan I will need to make for the final few weeks. Oh, and work out how I am going to cough up the money for the last installment due on the 10th...
I actually had a lovely start to my New Year. Carol contacted me about doing a long walk New Year's Day as she was staying at the Sherwood Forest Center Parcs. I have an old route description from the 26 mile 'Major Oak Walk' I took part in around 12 years ago (God that seems a long while!!!) so we met at The Royal Oak in Edwinstowe.
The route went past the Major Oak, and through the forest to Hazel Gap. I had loaded my rucksack to around 7 kg, the heaviest ever, and although I didn't get any shoulder pain, I felt it in my legs. I started off in walking boots as I expected it to be very muddy, but it was surprisingly good underfoot. Although rather grey, the weather was good- cold but dry.
We walked through Clumber Park, where I changed into my running shoes as I could feel some hot spots in my feet. Much more comfortable, we walked back into the forest and then had a break for lunch and coffee (a luxury we are not going to get in the Sahara!) It was good to be walking with someone else, and share the worries about lack of training etc, but came to the conclusion that most folks will be having similar concerns. We also felt that the race is going to be as much about discipline, organisation and getting systems in order as actually completing the distance and I am going to have to do some serious work on this!
After crossing open country, we came to Cresswell Crags, where a massive new visitor's centre is being built. This is a ring of caves surrounding a lake, which were used as shelter by prehistoric man; several artifacts and cave drawings have been found here, most things were shut but it would be a good place to come back to for a better look around.
I had a bit of a heartstopping moment when we entered a field by a sign saying 'Beware bull and cows with calves' but there were no cows! There was quite a bit of road walking after, passing a deer park full of white deer. It started to get dark, and we were gradually heading back towards Hazel Gap; although the route description took us a different way through the forest and back into Edwinstowe, we decided we would retrace our route from here to avoid wandering lost in the forest.
After reaching Hazel Gap vis a rather muddy rutted track, I confidently set off down a track straight opposite. It was now getting very dark, and after a while we realised that the track didn't look at all familiar, and was taking us somewhere completely different! We retraced our steps, put head torches on and found the right path. It was eerie walking through the forest in the dark, and I was so glad I wasn't alone... we missed the path by the Major Oak (my fault again! 'Oh yes, this is definately the right path...) but realised that the path we had taken would take us back into Edwinstowe. In all I'd say we did 24/ 25 miles, so a really good day.
I am going to have a serious think about what I am going to be doing for the next few weeks; I think it will have to involve some long back to back walk/ runs...
Labels: Clumber Park, Edwinstowe, major oak, Marathon des Sables, New Year
