9 May

Saturday was a good day. After two weeks out of action I upped my mileage from 17 to 25. In fact I set out round Draycote Water aiming for a minimum of 20 miles and hoping that I would achieve 25. I stopped after 10 miles for a short break and to check that the feet were holding up to the strain after my injuries. They were doing well though it was a relief to take my boots off for a few minutes.

I'd set a good time for the first 10 miles, 2.5 hours, so I allowed myself to slow down a bit after that. Strangely the lap from 10 - 15 miles was the hardest and I felt quite weary. Though another foot check and some lunch and I was off again. They've installed some mile marker posts around the lake which is a great help. The next two laps went well though I knew I had completed a good distance by the end because I simply felt weary and my muscles ached a little. I think listening to Genesis 'Live Over Europe' was a great help, especially the tracks where the beat fitted my walking rhythm. Knowing it was also coming to an end also helped a great deal.

The next day saw me out and about again though I only did 6 miles it was useful, it got rid of the ache in the limbs. All in all an excellent weekend. Next weekend I'll be back at Draycote, doing either another 25 or possibly pushing on to 27 miles depending upon how I feel.

Short stroll

After the trauma of two weeks ago I can at last put boots on and today went for a short stroll. Back to it next week, 20 or 25 miles next Saturday, depending upon how the feet hold out.

The fundraising is coming along nicely, justgiving and other sponsorship has taken me to the verge of £400. I also had a nice phone call on Friday from a chap who saw me on the John Barrowman show. It's his 50th wedding anniversary this year and he and his wife want to donate to charity to celebrate. Having lost a nephew whilst serving with HM Forces they are looking at a military charity, so they are going to sponsor me. What a lovely gesture, now I have to do them proud.

My first Donations

Hurray! First donation on justgiving and my email was circulated at work and within an hour or so had 9 responses pledging me money! At last, success, of a sort.

I am still in pain though, heels are healing but still can't walk properly. Never mind.

From the ecstasy to the agony

Well last night was special. We all sat down to watch ourselves on 'Tonight's the Night' with John Barrowman on BBC1. I have to say I was so relieved, the filming had gone by in a blur once I'd been surprised. So much so that I could not remember very much of it even the next day. So, a fortnight later I was scared stiff that I was going to look like a right plank. Watching it last night was like watching a new show. I still do not remember much of it actually happening but at least now I know what happened!

Having had a late night I was up at 7.30 this morning for a training walk along the Stratford canal to Lapworth, another 17 miles. Unfortunately, wearing my proper walking boots, because I knew the condition of the canal towpath, I really suffered. For some unknown reason my boots decided to really rub my heels and the walk was most uncomfortable. When I got back my heels were in a terrible state and my toes had also suffered. I think I'm going to feel very uncomfortable tomorrow. Apart from the pain the walk back had been quite good; the sun was shining, swallows were skimming over the surface of the water and I was listening to Jenkins, Karl on my iPod. You all thought I was going to say Katherine after the Tv show...she came later!! I couldn't do the walk and not listen to her could I?

Justgiving

I have created my justgiving account for the walks...please visit, but more importantly, part with some cash.

http://www.justgiving.com/footsore

Good News

I've just had an e-mail to say that I have drawn a permit for the Nijmegen Marches and so will be able to take part. Well back to the training and also a start to the fund raising!

Registration

Well, having registered I've been watching the rest of the process. When registration closed on Maundy Thursday over 3,000 too many people had registered. This means that tomorrow there will be a draw to discard excess numbers...there is a 1-in-6 chance that I will not be selected. Hence I've cut back on the training. Sunday may see me walking once again, or I may have some free weekends ahead of me!