Back to the Chase!

The walk around Milford, Great Haywood and Shugborough has become a favourite in the pre-GMFR prep walks for me and my brother. Its about three quarters the length of the Sutton route, so we know if we're okay on that one, we can manage a bit more on the day. Its also not all flat terrain, so better than some of the canalside walks (though it does have a canal towpath section) as a preparation for the Fun Run route, though the route for 10th of June has the harshness of being virtually all paved, compared to the Chase where you can at least some of the time walk on grass. I think we perhaps have a fondness for the area too as Milford (and other parts of the Chase) was a regular weekend destination for days out when we  were kids.


The weather today was great for walking - mild and dry - a chilly wind at times, but never really cold - and not too hot either!


We set out from the Seven Sisters car park which leads quite early on the the canal stretch before you cross the Shugborough estate with views of the hall and parklands and glimpses of some of the rare breed livestock from the Park Farm. Coming back out on to the road for a short stretch, we saw an Orange Tip butterfly in the roadside greenery - quite a few Ladybirds too - I've heard there are a lot about. Most of the non-human animals we saw though were dogs, and horses too.


I was accompanied by my walking poles (Pawel & Kamil, for those with long memories, but they were incognito on this occasion and I'm not sure whether they will be sporting their personae in this year's Fun Run) and fully kitted up in joint support - ankles, knees and hands with my lightweight Merrell walking shoes making their debut in an "official" Fun Run practice walk. Steve has abandoned pole-ish support saying he no longer needs to use them since losing three stone(!) through a healthy eating plan over the last year or so. I was glad of my sticks and stretchy supports though as this weeks walk was less painful than the shorter walk I did on Bank Holiday Monday - the left knee and foot got a bit painful, nothing too serious, and there was a moment when I had to get out of the car after the journey home that was a bit dodgy - but I did manage to stand up and walk into the house after a few seconds' concentration!


There was a donation via Everyclick waiting for me when I got home (Thanks, Helga) and a message from someone seeking advice on the process and I've had a couple of pledges too this weekend by email and phone, so that's encouraging. The walk is all about raising funds for charity after all!

Rambling on....but not walking much!

Before I left Ware, I did actually get to do the other half of the aborted circular walk - well almost! We set off in the opposite direction and at one stage got to the other side of the field where we had encountered the cattle - and they weren't there! We did consider doing the complete circle, but remembering the claggy mud that lay in wait beyond the now cattle-free field, opted to continue further on towards Hertford, before turning back.

More urban tramping but mostly confined to retail parks! As Ikea and the B&Q Depot were included, the distances were not negligible!!

Bank Holiday Monday brought a more serious attempt with a canalside walk, elaborated into a large circular walk (a very waggly circle actually) starting and finsihing at home. At an hour and a half, this must be around half the distance of the Fun Run, so some ground to make up over the next month!

The lower limbs are making their objections felt...but help is at hand: ankle supports on sale at a bargain price at the local discount store and plant-based natural anti-inflammatory supplements from the natural supplement supplier. And at work, they've helpfully temporarily moved some of the seating for my team so that we are...well a few yards further apart....every little helps.

Now with four weeks to the big day, I've finally arranged a proper walk with brother Steve; the long up and down circuit around Shugborough that we've done before. If I survive that OK (I will...I must) then I know I'll be alright on the day!