It's about 9 months since the persuading took place and Trekkers-r-Us were formed. 2 teams would enter, with Clara, Hannah, Phil and Alan making CHAP, and Kaila, Jam, Shaz and Gaz making KaiJamShazGaz (we were nothing but inventive back then)!!!! Training started in January in the depths of winter and continued through the spring months - and as you will have read, we were incredibly lucky with the majority of our walks! In the lead up to the day itself, we met with the support crew and made list after list to ensure we had everything.
After work on Friday 26th, we jumped in the cars for registration. On arrival we could not believe the number of people that had decided to camp the night before. We certainly agreed that our own beds would be far better than under canvas being woken at 5am! Ultimately though, 5am the following morning was still awake time and very little sleep was had due to anticipation and dreams of what was to come.
6am came and we met in the car park at work. Shaz & Jam made it eventually despite their trouble with their front door and keys! The van was packed (to the rafters) with our boxes of food and clothes...you might recognise it as a 9-seater (and there were 12 of us!) - just one of the issues we faced in the run up! Our support crew were too young to drive the right type of minibus! Thankfully we had lifts to the start point and some very kind supporters to pick up from the finish (otherwise it was back on the train for some of us!).
And so off we trundled to the start of the event at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. We met the others and then wandered down to the start for some wonderful Gurkha brekkie to start us on our way. What could be more simple - a gentle stroll of 100km up and down some 2500m of hills in the summertime. Actually, there are probably millions of things that were more simple! Weather forecasts had been analysed and, despite weeks of fabulous weather, it looks liked it was to break overnight! Oh joys...did we have enough clothes to see us through?
We gathered at the start just before 8am and were entertained by some of the Gurkhas, but nothing could take away those nerves that were setting in. We were ushered to the start line, motivated by the Commanding Officer and then piped across the line. And so it began....
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| L to R: Jam, Gaz, Shaz, Phil, Clara, Me, Kai & Hannah (Oh and Nige lurking in the background) |
We'd already done the first 2 stages in training and so were prepared for all eventualities (sadly no ice creams on leaving the Park - perhaps he'd got all the Lego he'd wanted...see previous blogs!). We did really well for the firs couple of legs and the time passed quite quickly. At the pace we were walking, we were looking for 24 hours in total. It was fab meeting the guys at the checkpoints and we knew we had the routine down to a T...and they made their packing and unpacking of the van an art-form!
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| On arrival at CP2 |
CP2 onwards to CP4 were a little of an unknown for most of us. Kaila had undertaken it last year in vastly different weather, so it was lovely to be able to do it in the sunshine! And so, 8h 30m after leaving QECP we arrived at CP4, ahead of time but sadly were to leave one man down as well. Gary had the mother of all blisters on the bottom of his foot and bowed out, much to all of our disappointment, but we vowed to move on and succeed for him.
Tiredness and soreness was certainly kicking in and our pace dropped off as we walked into the evening (and the thunderstorms). Over the next 2 stages, the weather closed in and, as we approached CP6 at Botolphs, it was with relief that we saw our support team and the lights of the camp. Sadly we then lost Phil to a foot injury too. It was very emotional all round leaving the guys behind, but they did what they could do and even getting to the start is one hell of a challenge. It was now 2330...and 15 1/2 hours after we set out. The last 2 stages had taken almost as long as the first 4. My biggest mistake (and regret to this day) is that I didn't look after my feet at that stage. My one HUGE HINT to all undertaking the walk is to look after them...they'll see you through if you do. I decided to change socks and boots at that stage from my faithful Hagelofs to some cheaper ones I'd started training in months before. They were less comfortable and gave less support I now realise - still, reflection is good if you want to improve in the future!
Now, with just 2 guys and 4 girls in the team, it was highly important we stuck together - but that was challenged as we walked through Steyning after leaving CP6. A few idiots who had been on the lash decided to hide in the bushes and spook us all as we left the village. This threw some of the girls completely and really challenged us to get our heads and selves together. I sincerely hope the Police did in fact pick them up after we phoned...if not for our benefit for some of those that were following us out of Botolphs.
We soldiered on and gradually got our heads together as we moved towards Devil's Dyke and CP7. However, by this time, my feet were playing silly buggers with me...the old boots weren't supporting as they should have and I was relying heavily on my poles to get me along as well as up. In the mist, the lights of CP7 were clear to be seen up on the hill, but were deceptively far away as well. That leg took us over 3 1/2 hours, but we were so glad to see it when we arrived, with a welcoming warm pasta meal supplied by the Gurkhas.
I very rarely don't finish what I start (particularly in the food dept) but those 30 minutes that we rested were the worst of my life. I went through SO many emotions and just couldn't find the energy to eat everything on my plate. In fact, I was ready to drop at that stage and let the team go off on their own....what stopped me? Two things...firstly, pride. I'd done all the training and with all the support from everyone across the globe with sponsorship, I just knew I couldn't pull out. Secondly, CP8. I knew I just had to make it there after all the Facebook banter with the Oxfam volunteers.
And so, with very sore feet, I decided to at least make CP8. We set off and, despite being the shortest of the legs, it felt like a hell of a long way. Still, as it had done on my solo walk, the sun started to rise as we walked through the golf course and on towards Jack and Jill. We hadn't requested any music to arrive into the CP with, and I know the team wouldn't have chosen what was blasting out as we walked down the path...."I would walk 500 Miles, and I would walk 500 more" - Oh god no...I've just done 50!!!! However, David Morley and the team at CP8 were amazing! High Fives all the way in - they'd been doing it for the best part of 18 hours and were STILL looking alive and up for it! If you need any proof of this - check out this clip...
And so, 21 1/2 hours in, we were just 20 km away from the endpoint - Brighton racecourse. A mere 20km and most of that downhill too! We're going to make it...lots of tears and emotions came out at CP8 with doubts and fears all around, but we were ready to go. I was definitely on my last legs but thought I could make it. We left to more rousing encouragement from the volunteers and made our way up and over Ditchling Beacon to the downhill route to Lewes and CP9.
Now, having already walked this part alone, I knew exactly what was to come...and with my feet in the state that they were, it wasn't the best thing to have to do. Although it is downhill, the path from the top of the Downs into Lewes is narrow and pitted with flint...nothing flat at all and a HUGE challenge to everyone. It took 3 1/2 hours just to get to the bottom of the hill and Lewes...and I was struggling big time. With just over a km to the checkpoint (and another big hill to negotiate) it took another 45 mins but we were greeted by the support crew with beaming smiles knowing that this was the last time we would see them until the end.
At this point I was ready to change back into my proper walking shoes and some dry socks...but they were still soaked from overnight. I decided not to...and regretted it almost immediately. As we left the checkpoint, my feet started to feel as if they were floating. The guys stopped to use the facilities and, at that point, I made up my mind. 90km in with just 10km to go, I just wasn't going to make it in time. I just had to pull out and let the guys walk on (again, having walked the leg to Brighton I knew what I was in for and my feet just didn't feel that they would take me).
So with heavy heart and wet eyes, I said to the guys that I wasn't going to make it. So hugs given, we waved them off and I retired to registration to sign out and then the first aid tent just for a quick check up. No blisters, just some very weary toes and feet. I was hugely disappointed in myself and couldn't really express it, but post-walk everyone was SO supportive of my decision. On the walk back to the van, I managed to catch Laura and the guys from Boulders Bumblers, along with Catherine and the Downhill Walkers team. They were hugely supportive as well - so nice to meet such lovely people and to finally put faces to names!
As we were about to leave the van gave up the ghost! Too many phones charging we think! Quick thinking from Nige meant a portable battery and jump leads were commandeered and we were on our way...with a slightly fuller van than before!
And so we moved onto Brighton racecourse to await the guys and their completion of the 100km. With every speck on the horizon, we waited with baited breath for the guys to appear. And so it was, at just after 1230 on Sunday 28th July, 5 of the remaining Trekkers-r-Us team walked hand-in-hand towards the finish. We ALL had tears of joy in our eyes...showing both relief that they had made it, as well as HUGE pride in their achievement.
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| L to R: Clare, Hannah, Jam, Shaz & Kaila - having just walked 99950m...just 50 to go! |
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| The remainder of Trekkers-r-Us receiving their finishers medals! |
Personally, I would like to say a HUGE WELL DONE to each and every one of you that trained for, started or completed the walk. We all had our challenges along the way and, whether we finished or not, we did what we could and then some.
As a trainer, there always are learning points from our experiences, and these were mine...
1) Trailwalker is advertised as THE UK'S NO.1 TEAM CHALLENGE...you'd better believe it. You will need to be a team from way before the start to the finish. And you're not a team of 4...your support crew and your family will also be part of that. Be a team, start as a team, walk as a team and try to finish as a team. Although we didn't all complete the walk, we finished as a team.
2) DO NOT underestimate the weather. If it's looking like it's going to be wet, be prepared for it. Make sure you take all the precautions as well - plenty of socks, dry clothes to change into...and LOOK AFTER THOSE FEET!
3) Training walks really help. It doesn't matter if you walk on the SDW or not, just make sure you put in the distance and the hills. If you can walk on the Downs you know what to expect - which can be great but can also play on your mind! However, a training walk will be NOTHING like the real thing!
4) Make sure you eat at each checkpoint whether you're hungry or not. There will be plenty of food for you...if what we had leftover is anything to go by. Make sure it's little and often to keep you going.
5) The supporters and volunteers are there to support you - give them a high five as you pass.
6) Check out the video and give it a go yourself next year!
What's next? Well, I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be a year of challenges. I've already applied for the Virgin London Marathon, the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Triathlon and the Virgin RideLondon100 and I have said that I am willing to volunteer or support in next year's Trailwalker (and David Morley knows that CP8 is my preference!!!).
Will I be back? ABSOLUTELY - 2015 is the 200th anniversary of the Gurkha regiment - a celebration I cannot miss. So if anyone fancies a short walk from the park in July 2015...let me know!!!
Finally, thanks to EVERYONE for their donations and support leading up to the walk. We made our target the night before we started and then smashed through it during the walk. You're all stars!
Signing off for the time being......Al & Trekkers-r-Us
