30 miles and no Ice Creams

Coming into CheckPoint 4 - Houghton

After a series of 15/20 mile walks covering various sections of the TrailWalker route we decided it was time to tackle a longer walk to see how we got on, and see which support crew provided the best service.

The plan was to walk from the start, QE Country Park, to CheckPoint 5 (Washington) - a distance of around 30 miles.  All four walkers, plus pacemaker, were doing the walk - supported by all three support crews.  It was almost as if we were organised.

Setting off from QE Country Park at around 7am the weather was a bit grey and foreboding - the numerous forecasts watched over the previous days made it difficult whether to expect rain, clouds or sunshine - in the end we experienced all three during the day.

Support Crew "Beagan" @ CheckPoint 3

The first stage, to Harting Down, was completed at a good pace - we were 10 minutes quicker than 24 hour pace - which was encouraging.  After disturbing support crew "Gavaghan" from enjoying a movie in his car, we adjusted boots, had some refreshments and contemplated upcoming Beacon Hill - the first painful bit of the course.

In previous training walks we'd already decided that taking our time up hills wasn't an issue - we knew most of them were followed by fairly level sections to give us time to catch our breath and make up a bit of time - so again we slowly made our way to the top, with a promised reward of fruit pastilles and twirls when we made it to the summit.  After a short break to catch our breath we ploughed on and, again, picked up our pace.  The knowledge that, for once, we weren't going to turn round and face some of these hills on the way back played in our favour - though going down Beacon Hill was still hard work.  Such hard work that three of the team decided to cut a crucial corner a bit further on - by my calculation they walked at least half a mile less than me.

Beacon with Beacon Hill in the background

After passing "Devil's Jumps", expertly pointed out at least a mile in advance by John (for once, not corrected by a local), the track opens out into a long, straightish section - the first part where fields drop away each side of the path, a common feature of the route, and a section we'd walk many times before, usually in glorious sunshine.  As if on cue the weather brightened a bit as we passed the logs we'd used as a lunch spot before, the pile of manure we'd commented on before and a ball of chalk.  We were also met by support crew "Gavaghan" who'd torn himself away from his movie this time and decided to walk a way up the course to meet us and guide us to his car.

We made CheckPoint 2 around 8 mins slower than 24 hour pace - again, a time we were happy with.

Looking back to CheckPoint 2

After waving goodbye to our first support crew of the day (who had to head home to check his newborn hadn't been abandoned in a Tesco car park) we headed up another long, steepish hill, to a section that skirts around the edge of woods, occasionally opening out to give views north wood.  Again, this is a section we remembered well, but the anticipated gate that signals the final descent to CheckPoint 3 seemed to take an age to get to - hopefully not a sign of fatigue and boredom too early on.

After reaching the gate you descend through a rapeseed oil field, sadly green now rather than the vibrant yellow of previous walks, before walking through a field.  Here we met a group heading in the other direction, walking the entire length of the South Downs Way (Eastbourne to Winchester) over a few days - making us thankful we were only walking the one day.

Anyone bring the Latin dictionary?

We were met at CheckPoint 3 by support crew "Beagan" who had made themselves at home in the actual check point field, attracting the attention of the farmer who'd told them they were a "bit early" but resisted the temptation to chase them "orf his laannnd" with a gun.  Here we sat for a spot of lunch, some water top ups and a bit of a chat while Libby wondered why her parents had bought her to a cold field for a strange picnic with some strange people.  Team "Beagan" also get a highly commended for their range of snacks and their text ahead to see if we "wanted anything from Tesco", though I'm glad I didn't ask for the full roast chicken I momentarily thought about.

Our time between CheckPoints 2 and 3 was around 17 mins over the 24 hour pace - still not bad, but interesting to see if we were gradually slowing - or if we'd reached a comfortable pace.

Slindon Estate looking South

Out of CheckPoint 3, after climbing the steepish incline, we entered the Slindon Estate and, as on previous occasions, enjoyed the fantastic views down to the sea.  We also, worryingly, noticed that the sheep had moved fields.

As we passed the Roman Villa sign and headed up towards "Toby's" resting place the clouds began to break and blue sky appeared.

The route then snakes down quite steeply, again we gave thanks for not having to come back up this on a return journey, before passing the spot where we previously heard rave music coming from the wood - unfortunately there was no rave on this time, but at least we weren't tracked by the police helicopter this time.

We headed down the poppy lined fields towards Houghton, enjoying the sun, and were welcomed by support crew "Foley".  As we delved into the car boot for treats suddenly sausage rolls became the best food known to man - after a lot of sweet drinks and snacks, we were obviously craving savoury.  We also fooled ourselves that eating these were better for our athletic frames than the 960 calorie energy bars we had been scoffing.

Our time to this checkpoint was 13 mins over the 24 hour pace so we'd levelled out a bit in terms of our average.

Me and my shadow

Unfortunately one of team Towis had to end their walk here suffering from a twisted knee (or after hearing the support crew talk about a pub at the next check point - we'll never know) so the others trekked on.

The final stage was walked in glorious evening weather with the sun lowering behind us, but the skies still clear to allow us a view.  This was a stage we'd walked twice before - once was walked with clouds closing in (ending in torrential rain), the other started, continued and ended in torrential rain - so it was nice to experience in decent weather.

As we reached a barn on the section we knew we were roughly 45 minutes from the end so upped our pace - a good sign that we still had the energy 13 or so hours in.  After descending towards the A24, the bridle path that skirts around the checkpoint field seemed to take an age to navigate, before we finally met with our support cars marking the end of the walk.  Just under 31 miles, 12 and a half hours walking time - 13 and a half hours including stops.  If we can do that on the day we should be within our 30 hour target as some of the stops were longer than we'll take on the day.  The final section was around 13 mins over 24 hour pace, so over the last three sections we'd seemed to have hit a steady pace.

I was clean shaven when I started

As a team I think we learned that lots of energy bars aren't the way forward - more savoury, filling, food is required.  And also there is a need to keep drinking and forcing yourself to eat even if you necessarily don't feel thirsty/hungry.  I also learnt new places where blisters appear.  We all felt that extra 7 or 8 miles at the end but hopefully we'll be good on the day.

But, all in all, a good walk - hopefully the twisted knee will sort itself - and over the next few weeks we need to return to shorter walks, maybe building up speed and attempting hills quicker for general fitness and stamina.

A cow

Date: 4 Jun 2012 7:06 am
Distance: 30.7 miles
Elapsed Time: 12:35:55
Avg. Speed: 2.4 mph
Max. Speed: 5.1 mph
Avg. Pace: 24' 38" per mile