Shoes for PW Virgins

With thanks to Paul for following the blog thus far - and with apologies to everyone about the complete lack of formal training 'notes'  - it's not that they are top secret - there just aren't any. Training walks completed since last blog = O. Plans for training walks with Mr Dunn, PW virgin = O. Opportunity for serious walks = O - just too busy. And what's more annoying - my treadmill thingy I run on is broken - serious undermining of attempts to stay in shape - and unlike MrTaggart (no not the famous one who wins running fell races - the other one from Laxey) I'm not partial to running up, and rolling down Snaefell - ok so it may have only happened once but it still a great chance for me to get my own back... allowing me to finish 2 mins slower than his PW PB last year - and not telling me in time to speed up.

But I digress...(just like Mr T did one year in the mist and ended up... no that would be too cruel). I've been asked about footwear. Again nothing scientific just how it is for us. It's something I took a couple of years to get sorted and as with many things it is personal preference - try a few different types early on  - and then choose a pair and train in them for a few hundred miles! Dad uses good walker/trainers - I use RBK's road plus running because I have such broad feet, and they give really good support. On the day I get blisters - which pop and I walk them in. Try never to remove shoes unless its an emergency - and good socks are essential! All of which probably isn't tremendously helpful....but it has worked for us. Now I did see one person in multi-coloured flip flops at Santon one year......

171 days (or thereabouts) and counting....

The trouble with numbers is just that - they make everything sound much more definitive. 171 doesn't sound a lot when you say it in the context of  - for example - the global population or distance to Mars... but it's only 5 more turns of the calendar til June and that makes PW2011 just that little bit more real. So time for some serious stuff... Well update from last blog in December. Walking on ice - now that is a skill I have yet to master. A thick layer of glass like shiny stuff all over the pavements and two Springer Spaniels to walk is just the scenario you need for a comedy sketch. The dogs won by several paws. However the discovery of ice grippers not only transformed what was becoming a daily creep along railings to work into the normal aerobic blast past the traffic - it also meant the canine steam trains could be controlled. Thankfully by the time we hit County Clare on Boxing Day the ice was no more. Saw the local Rugby team training on the beach at Lahinch....it looked such a good idea... a run along the beach...into the wind  - in soft sand  - air temp about 2 degrees..... still have a sore knee. However onwards and upwards. The 'Parish Virgin' has finally agreed to come out of the closet. Mr Robert Dunn you have been called by name. Have discussed with Dad (very briefly as we had both just come out of the Irish Sea on NY day and at this point were turning a delicate shade cornflower blue) our training programme. Given Rob is relatively fit & healthy and can do the physical cardio vascular stuff himself - we agreed we needed to concentrate on the psychological side. Walking the full route, getting to know and hate the hills  - both up and down - dealing with the monotony of long hauls (Andreas to Lonan) etc. Although we need to finalise this with Rob - we are confident it is a good strategy for a first timer. I left Dad at home tonight working on his training - a box of 24 posh chocs and a bottle of 2001 Shiraz. It's only numbers... 

  

Boob's n other Bits

Can't disagree  - its a rather interesting title - let me explain... Dad - a now fighting fit 76 year old - was diagnosed with prostate problems a few years ago (with absolutley no apologies to the squeamish - it's just one of those things that happens to men of a 'certain age'). In fact it was one of the reasons we very nearly didn't enter the 2008 PW.  Anyway...  a fall on the ice in Feb this year (ripped tendon) had him operated on and in plaster for 10 weeks I think it was ( ok so it may have been less but it felt like 10  - not a patient patient!).  The plus side was that  (in a very convoluted way far too tedious and frustrating to mention) this led to his being diagnosed as needing an op on his prostate.... which happened just before the Parish. Stalwart as ever he bounced right back and, along with number 1 and only son, was my support for 2010. This year he's back walking!
So that's part of the 'Bit's (see above).  As many of you know my Big Sis died of breast cancer in 2005. That in fact was the reason Mum got so involved with Breakthrough, and Dad and I started walking - the latter not particulary to raise funds - just to 'do it for Michele' - and also to raise awareness of the need for TLC (touch look check - men and women). And it's not just boobs - there are so many other diseases which, if detected early, really can save lives - bowel cancer being another. So I guess for us its the year for 'Boobs and Bits' . All about not sticking your head in the sand and knowing that you need to take care of your bod and get stuff checked out if it doesn't seem right.....
Ok  - that's that one cleared up...

Just to clear up the bit about the 'Parish Virgin'

Last - well this year - following several pre PW comments about me being 'old' (its all relative) and grey (technically correct if you change the 'e' to an 'a') the gauntlet was thrown down after crossing the finishing line.... The challenge was, of course, to beat me the following year. Well common sense prevailing - and as I fundamentally disagree with the use of humiliation as technique for learning - we agreed that this year we (that's Dad and I) would train and potentially walk with said protagonist. If this was sucessful, then the following year the gloves would be off...
So Mr (at present) Anonymous PW Virgin.... the challenge still stands. If you're up to it, & ready to be named, then we'll have to give some serious thought to training....( note to Dad - walking Hamish and drinking red wine are not recognised training techniques)
Right - that's that one cleared up...... 

OK 17 mins to go until the site goes live....

and I'm the last one to get organised (what's new!). Just about managed to hit most of the right buttons to get the blog set up..... Murray if this works it'll be a minor miracle : )