Still catching up ...the ***May Birthday Walk

The Trail Ferret Camp Members

After feeling sad leaving the Trail Ferret Training Camp (see earlier post), but altogether feeling a little fitter after the all the running we did.. I got ready for my 38 mile walk on May 1st.

I say I got ready. The plan was to leave early with my friend Mark, drive to Tintagel, leave my van there and walk 38 miles on the coastal path.

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A couple of miles into the walk, looking back at Tintagel Castle

It didn't quite go to plan ...Mark took one look at my van, then at its tyres and shook his head and said;
"We aren't driving anywhere with those tyres".
So, nearly £100 worse off for two new tyres and two hours later, we were ready. Bearing in mind it was my Birthday, this didn't seem a great start.

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Part of the walk. Mark is down the bottom. I hadn't told him there were going to be hills..

Or that there were going to be many steps ...

Finally, Mark and I arrived at Tintagel, fighting the traffic most the way and parked the van in an overnight car park.  You also have to remember something, yes, I am a Personal Trainer, not your cheesy lycra type exactly, but one nonetheless, and I am Mark's best friend. 

Mark doesn't  'do' personal training, or gyms, or anything in a conventional fit way. He is however, the fittest person I know, and many moons back I wrote him a training plan to run the Marathon des Sables with me, which he did, having never run before....
So, knowing all of this, did Mark have energy gels packed or energy bars or any sort of food? No.  Did he have water with him?...Umm...No, he hadn't brought anything.

So, at 12:30pm, Mark opted for pub lunch as preparation before the walk. It was my birthday present apparently and then we went to the local Spa to stock on supplies.

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The Nearby Spa Shop and pub. Start of the 38 mile walk.

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With our stomachs full, we began our 38 miles walk ...

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Mark pointing out that when I suggested a walk, this wasn't quite what he had in mind .
Anyway.. the challenge was completed, Mark and I walked through the night, (we did start at 1pm) and I was forgiven for the crazy terrain. Nothing quite as satisfying as a good hill to get your heart rate going and a sense of accomplishment when you reach the top. Mark, however, used it as an excuse to eat his Spa supplies.

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Enjoying the view. Worth the walk.

And so we finished at 6am...the sun was up by the time we reached the van.

Now, where were those keys?

NB****This walk took place in May 2013. Over a month later, my best friend Mark was involved in a paragliding accident in the French Alps. (Hence, the delays in my blog). Mark was in Intensive care for a week in Annecy Hospital. The next blog will follow his sheer determination during his recovery when I flew to France to look after him.

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