Monday, January 22, 2007
IT'S JUST A GENTLE STROLL....HONEST..!
So, my best friend Pat came to stay at the weekend. First visit since I had to move back from Somerset. I promised to introduce her to my 'usual' walk. You know, the one I keep moaning about due to its lack of hills and promised her it was a gentle stroll, no more than 3 hours and flat, no, really. Erm, four hours after we set off, treading through thick mud, up an occasional small hill or two, detouring around the castle ruins so I could show off the stunning estuary views, then down via my favorite trees, through marsh land, over to Benfleet and back along the sea path, we finally ended up back in Leigh On Sea, just another 40 minute walk or so back to my flat! Poor Pat, tired, covered in mud and having had a rapid introduction to the hedgerow at one point all she wanted was a nice lunch and a pint. So I introduced her to the delights of fresh seafood, something the town is famous for. Sorry mate - I guess cockles and whelks aren't everyone's cup of tea - must be an East End thing. Kidding aside, we had a great walk and I've finally realised the value of this route. It's increasing my stamina and general fitness, if not my ascent tactics and my pacing is improving no end. Had to mangle the boots a bit to stop them from pressing in and have discovered that if I lace them differently and mush the tongue up a bit more to break down the fibres they are actually O.K. And the grip is excellent.
Really longing to be amongst some big, rugged mountain type things at the moment and in need of a bit of fun after the rocky (yes, pun intended) start to the year. So I've just taken the plunge and booked myself on a short walking holiday in Poland. Hopefully snowshoeing in the High Tatras. More likely to be avoiding grumpy brown bears who aren't hibernating due to global warming. I'm flying off on Thursday so best go pack. All being well, will update you on my adventure next week!
All for now.
Sturdy Girl
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
BEST FOOT FORWARD
Popped in to my local Millets last week and found a lovely pair of 3 season boots at a really good price. They are Karrimoor KSBs and appeared to offer some great support for my ankle, good grip for all that lovely mud and wet rocks and a good boot for year-round walking. So I happily skipped home with them and wore them around the flat for a few days before taking them on their first outing. All well and good - for the first hour! Then I started to feel the tongue pressing in and when it came to walking up slopes the pain and discomfort grew. After a three hour walk following my usual route via Hadleigh I was more than glad to get them off. The bruising was not good and I can't seem to figure out why they have caused such damage. Perhaps I had them laced too tightly. Perhaps they need wearing in. Perhaps they just aren't right for me. I'll have to keep on wearing them and experimenting for now as I can't afford not to. They were a good price and seemed to fit O.K but good price or not, I don't have money to waste. Just proved yet again how difficult it can be to find the right boots. Still, not giving up on them yet.
Whilst I was out walking my good friend Pat rang me. She was out walking back home in Somerset and had got herself into a bit of a pickle. She hasn't been out walking for a while and was tackling quite a long route. Towards the end she began to have problems with aching shoulders and legs and wasn't quite sure she was going to make it back to her car. Never to fear - Sturdy was here - well - was on the end of the phone. I talked her through some gentle stretches which she could also do on the move, and some breathing exercises and within a few minutes she was O.K to keep going and to get home safely. I made sure she called back when she finally got home! Felt quite good to be able to help a friend like that and to appreciate the knowledge I'm gaining as I walk more and train more. She's coming to visit me this weekend and we're planning some good walks - so watch out boots, I've not finished with you yet!
All for now.
Sturdy
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud..
Nothing quite like it for...er...being muddy!
I've found that walking is a great healer. Alone with your thoughts, free from the chaos of every day life, walking with nature and the elements can bring a sense of space, clarity and deep peace. This is where I find my peace and this is when I feel most alive and contented. It's a feeling that can't be taken away by outside events (well, not easily), it is a feeling inside - it's mine - it's yours - no one else's! So I've been walking, and thinking, and will keep following my dreams, exploring new places and embracing the adventure of life. Attempting to shake off the less than ideal start to the New Year, I pulled on the boots at the weekend and went for my 'usual' bimble, only this time I added on another couple of miles, bringing the round distance to about 7 miles or so. It's not a bad walk, taking in the castle ruins, country park and estuary but I miss my hills! My boots were still slipping and didn't hold up too well in the thick mud and the following day I had serious aching in my hip joints - surely I'm too young for that! Not to be put off, I've also started a regular exercise routine at home combining aerobics, stretching and a bit of yoga and swimming. If nothing else - I'll sleep well.
Still planning some new routes for the next couple of months but with a low post-xmas budget and not wanting to blow my holiday time in one go I do need to think carefully. I'm aiming to reach the summit of Ben Nevis in September so I need to start building up gradually now. All quite exciting really.
As ever, any suggestions always welcome, especially if somebody can explain the hip thing!
All for now.
Sturdy.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
New Year Blues
New Year, new beginnings, new paths to tread...
Sturdy.
New Year Blues
New Year, new beginnings, new paths to tread...
Sturdy.