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Showing posts from May, 2013

Great Glen Way - The Walking Review

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The kit has been done (scroll down if you missed it)... Start at the start... I'd been helping at the Children's Heart Federation Family weekend - Families taken around a farm zoo and then let loose on a driving range before a slap up Chinese buffet... Then on Sunday I was somehow on two Dragonboat teams - the NW's own group and a team led by a fellow CHF runner John.  Five dragonboat races later my arms were aching and the Avengers cam a creditable 4th behind some teams with suspiciously fit people in them... From there it was the sleeper train, a life long ambition - fuelled by too many watchings of the 39 Steps... Alas I didn't end up handcuffed to a damsel in distress, but then again I didn't end up hanging off the hands of Big Ben... I slept well, so a quick coffee and charge of the gadgets in Inverness and I was on my way.  From Flora MacDonald at Inverness Castle it was a gentle start - remembering how to hitch my backpack just so as I strode along t

Kit Review - Great Glen Way

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Ok, before the main event a kit review, mainly because I had to think of something on the path and working out what I liked and didn't... Given the amount of this sort of thing I do, as you should expect there is little that has survived that I don't like... Feet first... North Face Dhaulagiri boots - I've loved these boots from the start, which 14 months ago was a 26 mile challenge hike (Excalibur Marathon) - since then their insoles gave out after 8 months, and the laces spilt a couple of weeks ago... The main sign of wear is now terminal - the outside edge of the back of the heel has worn through.  It's a common area of wear for me, I lead with my heels when walking so it's not a surprise.  Comfortable, light enough but stable enough to carry me and a full camp load for 80ish miles (the route plus the bits to and from the Youth Hostel). The only pain?  TNF don't do them anymore:-( Merrel Trail socks - barefoot foot wear I'd not recommend for car

Back to Basics

Ok, it's time... Time to get my lardy arse into action.  Yup, I've been doing a lot of walking. Yup, I've done a fair distance.  Nope, I've not look after what's gone in as well as I have done in the recent past. Yup, I've used every excuse in the book. Yup, I'm heavier than I should be and its affecting my climbing. So, the solution is simple. Go back to what work - a lighter diet, and switch back to running. And not to beat myself up - this isn't scourging and purification, this is sensible eating and increasing the output. Every little bit helps. And I'm not beating myself up - this hasn't (yet) been a year of PBs - 2012 was remarkable for that.  But I have run a 5 mile PB, and my second fastest half marathon.  And I have had fun in the Peak District, walking in full on winter conditions, walking in half on winter conditions, night hikes and boggy slogs.  When I go back, it'll be to toughen up for the Peak Ultra I'l