And no blisters either
on May 06 in General by DanOn Monday I re-walked the first section of the Dales Way – 17 miles along the river Wharfe between Ilkley and Grassington. Unfortunately I didn’t take my camera with me as the forecast was for rain and I didn’t want to get it wet.
It I had taken my camera with me however I’d be able to show you pictures of myself, Dave, Rich Brook, John, and my sister Megan striding courageously and purposefully across the beautiful English countryside with a song in our hearts and a spring in our step. I’d also be able to show you photos of my sisters wrinkled and leathery face flapping about in the rather gusty wind. Thank heavens for small mercies, that’s what I say.
It did rain, but not in any amount that we couldn’t cope with. And anyway it gave me a chance to try out my new waterproof trousers. They were very comfy and dry, with the added bonus of producing a swishy swishy noise as they rubbed together with every step. Combined with the regular clacking of my walking stick on the path every two paces I was almost a one man rhythm section.
I intended to use the walk as a sort of barometer for how difficult I’m going to find the upcoming Cumbria Way at the end of this month. And I’m pretty pleased to report that I’ve come away from it feeling rather optimistic about the whole thing.
Although it is virtually all on the flat, 17 miles is a long way to walk in anyone’s book. And I’m very pleased to say that I didn’t find any of it a struggle at all. At one point at around mile 14 we passed the place where last year I threw myself on the ground and was unable to move for 20 minutes due to sheer exhaustion. This time however I just strode past it without a care in the world. Bloody marvelous.
What’s more I didn’t even ache the next day. A fact I’m still struggling to comprehend. It looks like losing 70lb and talking an hour long constitutional every morning actually improves your fitness levels somehow. Who knew!?
I’m not fooling myself that the Cumbria Way is going to be easy however. In fact Gary’s recent comment on where we are sleeping on the first night has very much unsettled me:
I’ve stayed at Seatoller YH, its very nice for a YH.
I’ve ridden a bike up Honister Pass from the other side of Seatoller, its a very long uphill, very long, so long that you forget what your life was like before you started the climb – the descent into Seatoller is very short and very steep, I wore out a pair of brake blocks in doing so as I get too scared when my bike hits 40mph.
I hope for your sake that you are going up the short steep side and not up the long steep side, its life changing is the long steep side.
We are going up the short side Gary, but I’m finding it hard to take much consolation in that. Still, I’ll be a lot better prepared for it than I was last year, that’s for sure.
You never know, at this rate I’ll be jogging up Everest by 2012.
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- Bicycle
- Learning to walk again
- The Winner!!… well, sort of
- Holiday photo album
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Good on you.
Did you find any moderately priced Diet Coke retailers this time?
SingleParentDads last blog post..The Opposite of Blogging Block
Nice one mate, congratulations. Although I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that jogging up Everest is for big girl’s blouses.
Kevin Spencers last blog post..Unrelated
On Monday I was finishing up the pennine way section. It rained a lot and we were up pretty big hill. Absolutely everything got wet (you could shake water out of my camera!). Hence I am buying some new waterproofs for the Cumbria way.
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I think this would be a perfect moment to say ‘pics or it didn’t happen’, but I’ll believe you on your word this time.
Arjans last blog post..A ‘Lee’ on my wall
‘my sisters wrinkled and leathery face flapping about’
I bow to you sir.
The best bit about Seatoller YH is that they have an honesty box for the shelf full of chocolate bars and other sweeties.
Or at least they did when I last stayed there.
They may have changed their mind about the honesty box shortly thereafter.
Garys last blog post..The toilet attendant
SingleParentDad – Shockingly enough I’ve sort of given up drinking diet coke, although I occasionally have the odd can about twice a week.
Kevin – It’s true, hopping up Everest is the only way to go.
Sam – The only problem with really good waterproofs is that they are rather bulky and take up a lot of room in your backpack.
Arjan – I don’t think I even took any on my camera phone.
Xbox – Thank you. In truth that line was the sole reason I wrote the post.
Gary – If not then they certainly will have reconsidered after we descend on it.
17 miles is a heck of a long way in my book. Be sure to take a camera when planning the Everest jog. I want to see that! lol.
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