36 DAYS TO GO!
Sometimes it’s best to stick with what you know, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Last week I purchased some new Salomon Trail Runners (Pulsar Pro). The reviews were excellent and I liked the anti-debris collar (so that I could save a few grams and not bring sock gaiters). They seemed fine around the house so I took them to the gym. With the treadmill on a steep incline, I completed half a mile before I had to stop. Blimey! The pain in the bottom of my foot was making me limp and I had a hot spot on my heel. These are not the right shoes for me so I’ll send them back. Lesson learned! I’ve hiked miles in my Salomon Senseride 4’s and I’ve never had an issue. Stick with what you know Julia!
I also discovered that Decathlon sells compression toe socks (good for my foot problem). Tried them out on the Cotswolds walk and they felt good.******************************************************
SHAKEDOWN HIKE – COTSWOLDS (A BIT SCARY!).
Camping in the Cotswolds this weekend was interesting. I pitched up in the dark as I was “stealth camping” near a car park. I was all cosy and at 9.30pm I turned off my headlamp to snuggle into my quilt and fall asleep. A short while later a car pulled into the car park and the headlights skimmed over the top of my tent but they didn’t see me. I kept quiet as three people got out of the car and just stood around talking in a foreign language. They then walked off (I’ve no idea where they were going as it was a car park out in the sticks!). I was concerned about them returning so I couldn’t fall asleep. Around 10pm I heard an almighty scream. This got my attention and my heart started pounding. What on earth was that? It sounded like some woman was being murdered!! After a while, the screaming stopped and I think it may have been a fox. I’m not sure.11.10pm I hear foreign voices again and the people have returned. I can make out two men and one woman. They are loud and have obviously had a few to drink. I’m glad I took the time to pitch my tent in a corner which is shielded and hard to see. I hear car doors banging and then an engine fire up. They zoom off and I’m on my own once again. An owl hoots in the distance as if to say “you can go to sleep now”. Night night owl!
2am – I wake up and find I’m scrunched down towards the bottom of my tent. My pitch is on a slight slope and these down pants are extremely slippery. I use my feet to push myself back up but the underside of my new tent socks are also a nylon fabric which slips against my sleep pad. It’s comical and I find myself giggling as I try to get myself back up to the top of the tent, slipping all over the place! Bear in mind, that my tent is dinky and I’ve only slipped about 1ft! Lesson learned, try not to pitch on a slope, but if I have no choice then I need to sleep with my head lower than my feet!
SATURDAY – 11 miles hiked with a full pack, no food (so about 22lbs)
SUNDAY – 10 miles hiked. Again, no food. This one had some challenging ups and downs but I felt good.
SUMMARY:
As the snow hit the UK I took to the gym. It’s amazing how many people will talk to you when you have a big rucksack on your back! Usually, people just ignore me! I have been hitting the treadmill with my full pack (and getting donations for SHOUT at the same time which is awesome). My friend Emma pointed out a little button on the treadmill that says “Variety”. This goes through a 1hr workout that takes you up and down hills. Brilliant!
I feel ready for the PCT. My gear is dialled in, I feel strong enough and I think I’m mentally prepared (time will tell).
I have created a “Gear Load Out” video – so if you are interested in seeing my gear list then check it out here. https://youtu.be/s9y1TYngRdA
Thanks, as always, for listening to my rambles.