Gumming down a protein bar at the start line. Photo courtesy Frank Gervasi
Despite my fear of sleeping through every alarm known to personkind and missing the start of the Bloody Long Walk, I was there in good time. As anticipated, it was chaotic, so Dr B dropped me and left. I collected my bib, cap and water bottle from the registration team, then bumped into an old schoolfriend who was also doing the walk. He's responsible for the photo, in which I am battling with a protein bar (hence the bulging cheeks). They're hard work, in my experience, but they certainly provide a good energy boost.
The walk was long. Well, duh. I had lots of short stops, often to top up my water bottle or change the sticking plaster on my problem heel. That's the one requiring long words to describe its general state of ruin, so it's best to deal with it on a "prevention rather than cure" basis. I did that about four times along the route, sitting to attend to the task. No blisters; no puffy feet. Despite pain medication, I hurt by the end of the walk BUT I was upright and coherent, as well as still capable of walking to where Dr B had managed to find a carpark. That was relatively nearby, but not close.
The trekking poles? It is true that they provide stability and prevent falls, both of which were helpful in the early stages of the walk where the paved surfaces were sometimes bumpy and irregular. An added bonus that I hadn't considered is that they help to prevent "sausage fingers". Dr B was pleased to see me in such good shape, if also a little disappointed that I wasn't totally wrecked because he thought I hadn't done enough training! Also? Still jealous because I can bend over and pick things up off the floor.
We stopped at a 24-hour cafe on the way home, so that I could inhale a pie and chips. I reckoned I'd earned that! Think of the kilojoules I'd burned in the (official time of) 8h51m32s it had taken to walk 35Km. I probably could have had two pies!
Next challenge? Continuing to improve my pole technique on local walks, and then tackling the Lavender Federation Trail. Like the Heysen Trail, some of whose route it shares, it's usually undertaken in stages. Dr B immediately wanted to be involved, but it's definitely a trail for walkers only. It would be too difficult for him. There are, however, nearby cycling options, so we might be able to work out doing something together for at least parts of it. The Riesling and Rattler Trails spring to mind immediately. They are familiar territory and could be factored into family visits; always a pleasant option.
I hope you, too, have some good long-term goals to tackle. After tinsel time is out of the way, of course 😀
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