When Joe asked me if I wanted to
take part in a 26 mile walk for Macmillan I didn’t hesitate in saying yes. This
seemed like a really good idea, a way of getting fit and something that meant I
could avoid running. It wasn’t until later that I realised that this was not a
straight forward flat walk but was in fact from Brighton to Eastbourne across
the South Downs. This means hills and no one said anything about hills, but I
was not going to back out.
So I ploughed ahead with the registration,
paid my money and set up my Just Giving page. I hate asking for money and even
raising money for charity makes me feel uneasy but I sent the link out to
generate some interest and got some donations straight away.
I am not really a fan of
exercise, never have been, but since joining Portsmouth rugby team back in July,
which meant well and truly stepping out of my comfort zone, I have decided I
want to do more to challenge myself and this seemed like a good place to start.
Two days after completing the
registration I decided to start my training. I went onto Google Maps and
plotted a route from my front door into town, having planned a coffee date with
Mum as a nice little incentive to get me to the end. I worked out that by going
the longer way round it would be roughly 4 miles and should take around 1 hour
and 20 minutes which for a first attempt seemed reasonable.
I am a nightmare for putting
things off because sitting at home is easier but on Sunday this was not going
to be the case. Even with Joe telling me he had hurt his knee in his rugby
match the day before and therefore wouldn’t be joining me. So undeterred I
grabbed my trainers, my headphones, turned on my audio book of Harry Potter and
off I went.
I did the first mile in 17
minutes 47 seconds and I felt good, (even if the walking app lady did start
talking over Stephen Fry to inform me of my achievement which I thought was
rather rude). The second mile I was going strong even with the wind against me,
but as the sun was shining I wasn’t too bothered. I found myself taking in the
surroundings rather than walking with my head down as is my normal habit. Part
of the route I took was the way I used to go to school many moons ago so it was
quite nice to reminisce even if only with myself.
Turning on to Haslar Road (or
Haslar Mile as it is also known) I started mile three, again the wind was
against me and due to the high walls it was more like walking in a wind tunnel
but I carried on determined to make it to the end. Thankfully my feet were
holding out and I was finding that I was actually enjoying the walk. I reached
the other side of Haslar Bridge and decided to extend the walk slightly by
heading to the ferry terminal and up on to the High Street. I reached the card
shop and stopped, destination achieved!!
Checking the app I had walked 3.09
miles in 56 minutes and 38 seconds, this was an average of 18 minute miles. I
felt a little robbed as Google had promised me 4 miles but 56 minutes was a
good time and I wasn’t at any point out of breath.
I sat down to enjoy my Costa
reward comfortable in the fact that if I apply myself and make sure I do the
training I will not only enjoy this walk but be able to nail it.
The next job is to buy a pair of
good walking boots as I have been repeatedly informed that this is a must for
such a distance of walking.
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