Week 189, Final training notes

I'm doing The Big Walk 2018 in support of the Sheffield Scanner.

I walked part of the route again this week on Saturday 16 June starting from the same point as outlined in the previous walk-notes.

This week was very different. The weather was much cooler and there was a good deal of rain throughout the walk.  Up near Redmires I decided to put on my thin fleece (8 quid from Go Outdoors) thereby spoiling my Northern credentials. I only intended to wear the fleece briefly while the wind picked up but as soon as I put it on the rain started coming down quite heavily, I still had my bag open so quickly pulled out my thin waterproof jacket and put that on over the top.

Going was pretty good for the first 12km (7.5m). I'd got stuck with the fleece on and was getting overly hot but had rolled it up so the effect was minimised, I really should have taken it off though. At this point I started to climb and overheat just as the weather again took a turn for the worse, the rain increased from a background level of annoyance to something more unpleasant. I decided to put my waterproof trousers on to prevent my shorts getting too wet. I was so hot by the time I got to the top of the hill that I took them off again - sweat was pouring out of them. It was an interesting insight in to physiological activity, I was surprised at how much perspiration I was producing, I know I produce a lot but this was startling.

Walking along the to to Derwent edge I had the jacket open and pushed round the back of my pack and the fleece still rolled up, the jacket effectively became a cape, any rain that landed on my front must have evaporated off rapidly as I didn't notice any discomfort. I still didn't take the fleece off.

By the time I reached The Dukes Road, the long and desolate part of the walk, I was feeling quite fatigued. I had done a very rapid walk earlier in the week where I had walked/run the return stage and I felt that I hadn't fully recovered. It was only at the end of this section, the drop down into Low Bradfield, that I removed the fleece - I'd been wringing the sweat out of the sleeves for some time, I'd noticed they'd got considerably heavier as time went on... I must have wrung a decent sized cup full out - lovely. When I finally took the fleece off it was absolutely drenched.

Things to note number one: Extreme exercise in the week before this extended physical activity was not a good idea, I'd not replenished the energy needed and physically hadn't fully recovered, I felt more tired throughout.

Things to note number two: The soaked fleece affected my physiological response to the activity, wearing clothing which doesn't hold sweat against the body is normally advised for this reason and I'd fallen foul of that.

Things to note number three: Even though it was a cold day I drank almost the same amount of water as previously on the baking hot day. I did walk some distance further but hadn't drunk very much in that additional leg. I drank about 2.5 litres.

Things to note number four: I was expecting to get a bus back home for the final part of the walk, however there had been an incident no buses were running due to the road being blocked. This added quite a bit of extra, steep hill walking to the end of the day, an additional 4km (2.5m). If I'd pushed myself to the absolute limit I would not made it up the final hill. In one respect I feel as though I ought to have used more effort earlier although conditions didn't really allow it, and in another respect I feel that unless the final destination includes a guaranteed lift, or is your front door, then pushing to the absolute limit is foolhardy and has the additional risk that over-stretching will prevent reaching the final destination.

Things to note number five: I saw hardly anyone for the middle 6 hours of the 8 hours I was out. The weather played a part in this. I wouldn't have done this without being prepared but even being prepared doesn't remove risk. I'm also comfortable with my own company for extended periods, I can imagine some people would find The Dukes Road a psychological test - post-apocalyptic, desolate, a never-ending labyrinthine route in Hades, make of it what you will, I was talking to myself even more than usual during this part.

Here's a view of The Wheel Stones taken at 10am, about 3 hours in. This is the first time I've not seen anyone clambering about on it. The sky looks surprisingly blue, there was only light rain at this point.

For official/internal use only:

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Week 188, Training walk notes

I'm doing The Big Walk 2018 in support of the Sheffield Scanner. 

I walked part of the route this morning, 31km (19.2 miles). Starting from the 51 terminus I walked to the Redmires Conduit to join the route. Even at 8am it was obvious that it was going to be a very hot day - which hadn't matched with the weather forecast.

First thing to note, I carry a lot of water. I tend to walk with a brisk pace, I pour with sweat even on the coldest days when walking and don't need any layers other than a thin walking top and shorts.  I started with 3 litres of water.

Second thing to note, I was carrying a lot of additional equipment. I wasn't expecting it to be this hot and know that the weather can turn quite rapidly, there were parts of the route I hadn't walked and didn't know what to expect. I was wearing lightweight Merrell walking shoes but had a pair of boots attached to the back of my pack just in case, I had two spare pairs of socks, a thin fleece, a waterproof top and waterproof trousers and other bits and pieces. I've got wet when walking before and it is miserable, however I think I can dispense with the boots and some of the other items now I know the terrain, the only chance of getting wet is if there is torrential rain.

Third thing to note, the roughness of the terrain. I've often been down the Loxley valley to Low Bradfield and am comfortable with that, the same is true of the route out to Stanage Edge. Most of the rest of the route isn't particularly hard going, however, the 2km/1.25miles leading up to Derwent edge was quite hard going wearing walking shoes. I expect wearing boots for that section would make some difference but the diameter of the rocks laid to make to prevent erosion has created a very uncomfortable surface to walk on - and it is a decent gradient uphill too.  This was up through Highshaw Clough and up past the Grouse Butts. Other parts of the route across White Tor, Derwent Edge to Back Tor are slightly rocky in places but no big deal.  After Back Tor it becomes very dull for a very long time, there is no cover, it is almost completely featureless apart from the heather and the bits of wildlife, and it goes on, and on, and on. Almost 10km of this, nearly 6 miles. It's a relief to see trees above the dams at Bradfield.

Fourth thing to note, the fields above Bradfield contain some interesting wildlife. I almost stood on an Aberdeen Angus, which you would think quite difficult for something the size of a 4 by 4, it was lying down so was only the size of small 4 x 4. It appeared to be as surprised by me as I was by it, and then there was another one not far from that which was standing and pointing it's massive horns in my direction. They appeared unconcerned so I walk on muttering to myself, which the third one (again completely invisible until this point) heard and decided was some sort of call which it chose to respond to. Actually the first one of these three looked more like some sort of bull and distinctly not like the other two which were definitely highland cattle. It was either a very benign bull or not a bull, either way it was a monster of a beast.

Once I hit Low Bradfield I caught the bus back into Hillsborough and then another to Crookes.

During the walk I consumed 3 bananas, 3 energy bars and 2.75 litres of water. I took 5 hours thirty minutes to do this stretch, that includes having a chat with other colleagues doing training I passed on the way.

I'm now going to have a beer, it is standard advice for replenishing nutrients, electrolyte and minerals after this type of activity.

A big sky - approaching The Wheel Stones (coach and horses rock formation)

For official/internal use only:

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