Jen - So You Think Walking Is Easy

Long distance walking..... Not for the faint of heart. Though I am sure most people would think it can' t be that hard. 

We have now walked for 12 days with two days off. We have walked from 9 miles to 25 miles a day. No two days have been the same and not one day has been easy. Each day has had its own challenges. 

Both Linda and I started preparing the. 1st of April and our husbands will tell you that we took our training very seriously. I walked well over 800 km in preparation. For the most part I was endurance training. I now know I should have been much more focused on hill training. One day in the Lake District of the walk we climbed up steadily for OVER four hours in the rain. That was interesting! 

Going up is one thing, going down is certainly another. Fortunately we have had exceptional weather with only one and a half days of rain. I really do not know how we would have made some of the descents if it had been pouring rain. Slippery and dangerous is all I can say!

Another layer of distance walking is carrying a pack. I am estimating our packs weighed between 15-18 pounds. Most of that weight being water. Other items included rain gear, first aid kit, guide books,poles and lunch. We purchased Osprey packs.  Wow are they great. First thing in the morning when you put on your pack it feels as though you are carrying a small dog or child or both on your back. As the morning progresses and you are climbing up the first of many hills you quickly forget about your back as your heart threatens to jump out of your chest and your legs are begging you to stop and rest. You and your pack become one.

So distance walking is not something to be taken lightly. It is strenuous and a great deal of determination is required. Being a stubborn person is a good trait to have if you are deciding to head off on a 200 mile adventure. 

There is a tremendous satisfaction that comes over you at the end of a long and exhausting day. Once you sit down, take off your curs'ed boots, rub your sore and tired feet and have a sip  slurp of wine all of the anxieties and worries of the day fade way and before you know it you are talking about the next day's adventure. 


So get out and go for a ten mile walk, you will never know how rewarding it is until you try!