JenHunt
Well-Known Member
Yesterday OH, I, and two friends set off at 7am from Middleham (home of racing in yorkshire) to walk 30 miles. This was the final "big" walk before our 41 mile challenge in 3 weeks time. It was the first time 3 of us had ever walked more than 20 miles (only OH is mad enough).
The first 12 miles past Aysgarth Falls, to Castle Bolton went quite quickly, despite walking into a very strong wind. a short stop in the sunshine beside the castle was welcome though, and gave us a chance to change our wet socks (there'd been a heavy dew overnight and it soaked into our boots and socks).
The next 8 miles to Reeth was over the top of the dales and was mostly up hill, or that's how it felt! But it went quite quickly, and we arrived in Reeth just in time to avoid a heavy shower by making use of the public loos!
. The sun quickly came back and we enjoyed picnic part 2 in the sunshine.
The last 10 miles to Richmond were going great up until mile 24ish, 2 short sharp hills in quick succession slowed us down, and by the top of the second one even OH was feeling it. The next 2 miles were gently down hill into the Swale valley, and quickly turned our tiring legs to jelly. The last 4 miles seemed to take as long as the rest of the walk so far. We followed the side of the River Swale and had a beautiful view of Richmond Castle in the evening sun, but I think we were all too tired to really enjoy it. Eventually we reached the bridge over the Swale. I was so relieved to see the bridge I could have cried. At this point, my feet ached, I had blisters on one toe (the one next to my little toe
), my hips, quads, calfs, and arms ached (I walk with 2 poles as I suffer with dodgy knees, and the poles help that, but they do make my arms work harder!). I was also suffering from mild dehydration despite drinking nearly 4 litres of water over the previous 13 hours.
The last stretch was up a steep hill, on the road, up into Richmond's market square to find a taxi to take us back to Middleham. That last stretch, despite being less than half a mile took me nearly 20 minutes. I have never, ever, ever been so happy to see a taxi. Ever.
We got home at 10pm last night, having left here at 6am. I was too tired to do anything, but shoved some pasta down my throat, had a sitting down shower, and went to bed. OH had agreed to walk the same route again today with the last of our party (who couldn't do yesterday due to work), so I was up at 5.40am again today to take him up to Middleham again. My feet still hurt, and my hips/ITB are aching like mad. Seriously, I have broken my back in the past and still reckon this hurts more.
But - I am so pleased I managed it. I never in a million years thought I would. I think I am as ready as I can be for our Lyke Wake Walk Challenge in 3 weeks time.
Please, please can you sponsor us? We're raising money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Something that means a lot to me after they saved my friend's life a year or so ago. She broke her leg out hunting, and had to be air lifted to hospital. The bones she broke had gone through her long leather riding boots, and had also ruptured several blood vessels. If we had needed to wait for an ordinary ambulance she would have bled to death
. She was back hunting this season despite still finding it difficult to walk.
please have a very large cup of tea and cake for reading this. I'm off to find some pain killers.
The first 12 miles past Aysgarth Falls, to Castle Bolton went quite quickly, despite walking into a very strong wind. a short stop in the sunshine beside the castle was welcome though, and gave us a chance to change our wet socks (there'd been a heavy dew overnight and it soaked into our boots and socks).
The next 8 miles to Reeth was over the top of the dales and was mostly up hill, or that's how it felt! But it went quite quickly, and we arrived in Reeth just in time to avoid a heavy shower by making use of the public loos!
. The sun quickly came back and we enjoyed picnic part 2 in the sunshine.The last 10 miles to Richmond were going great up until mile 24ish, 2 short sharp hills in quick succession slowed us down, and by the top of the second one even OH was feeling it. The next 2 miles were gently down hill into the Swale valley, and quickly turned our tiring legs to jelly. The last 4 miles seemed to take as long as the rest of the walk so far. We followed the side of the River Swale and had a beautiful view of Richmond Castle in the evening sun, but I think we were all too tired to really enjoy it. Eventually we reached the bridge over the Swale. I was so relieved to see the bridge I could have cried. At this point, my feet ached, I had blisters on one toe (the one next to my little toe
), my hips, quads, calfs, and arms ached (I walk with 2 poles as I suffer with dodgy knees, and the poles help that, but they do make my arms work harder!). I was also suffering from mild dehydration despite drinking nearly 4 litres of water over the previous 13 hours. The last stretch was up a steep hill, on the road, up into Richmond's market square to find a taxi to take us back to Middleham. That last stretch, despite being less than half a mile took me nearly 20 minutes. I have never, ever, ever been so happy to see a taxi. Ever.
We got home at 10pm last night, having left here at 6am. I was too tired to do anything, but shoved some pasta down my throat, had a sitting down shower, and went to bed. OH had agreed to walk the same route again today with the last of our party (who couldn't do yesterday due to work), so I was up at 5.40am again today to take him up to Middleham again. My feet still hurt, and my hips/ITB are aching like mad. Seriously, I have broken my back in the past and still reckon this hurts more.
But - I am so pleased I managed it. I never in a million years thought I would. I think I am as ready as I can be for our Lyke Wake Walk Challenge in 3 weeks time.
Please, please can you sponsor us? We're raising money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Something that means a lot to me after they saved my friend's life a year or so ago. She broke her leg out hunting, and had to be air lifted to hospital. The bones she broke had gone through her long leather riding boots, and had also ruptured several blood vessels. If we had needed to wait for an ordinary ambulance she would have bled to death
. She was back hunting this season despite still finding it difficult to walk.please have a very large cup of tea and cake for reading this. I'm off to find some pain killers.
