Great Barrow Challenge 2012

Day Three

Wow! I have had a very tough four days. Its funny though because I have done this challenge twice already and every time I go through this emotional rollercoaster. Its very hard to describe, I will try later, but only those who have taken part in something like this can truly understand.

The Great Barrow Challenge originally began as a walking challenge based on the Nijmeagan in the Netherlands which has taken place since 1916 and sees thousands of participants. It is the London Marathon in the walking world. The Great Barrow Challenge is the vision of Glen Moulds (who is lucky to have a such a supportive wife!) at the Academy Fitness Health and Fitness Centre. If you ever met Glen, his passion for this makes you want to just take part and before you know it you have signed up again forgetting how hard it was last time. It is nice to see how much it has grown in the last four years since the first event which had only 60 walkers and now includes runner and cyclists. It is like a family reunion where you get to catch up with people who have been out and about doing other challenges. Also the different people from different walks of life you meet is interesting too.

I joined in the first year with a very naive perception of walking marathons. I thought, 'how hard can it be to walk four marathons in four days, its only walking'. I sprained both my ankles half way through the third day but I finished and have the medal to prove it! It was what I needed at the time as I was still adjusting to life in England without the United States Air Force. I would tell you even after completing this three times, it is very hard no matter what condition you are in.

Day one-Jane and I did really well on the Newmarket route. We set off bright and early in the chilly September morning. This route takes you out to Gazeley, Kentford, Snailwell, Newmarket, Ashley and Dalham. Glen switched it up a bit and we walked amongst the heaths and studs. It was a very pleasant day. We both had no aches or pains at the end of the day so we went home to face another day. I usually get home, take a bath and relax. I usually am wiped out, as you burn around 2,000 calories each day just taking part, so I end up falling asleep and Jon wakes me up when dinner is ready and then laughs at me as I scoot very slowly across the floor.

Day Two- We walked one of the hardest routes that takes us out from Barrow up to Thetford and back. The reason why this route is so difficult is that a lot of the track is sand and is uneven so you are constantly looking for a smooth path to walk on. We finished with smiles and with a runner who had already run the full distance after going the wrong way. I noticed that my right shoe was feeling a bit tight and was constantly adjusting it. I was wearing new shoes that I had broken in a bit and they were really comfortable. When I got home, I noticed my right foot was a bit swollen but just thought I twisted it a bit.

Day Three- We went on the route I hate the most, the Wichinghambrook route. I hate this one because it is the most challenging terrain and was where I sprained my ankles the first year and almost gave up. That year I sat down in the middle of the path and called Jon telling him I didn't know where I was and how long I had left to go and asked him to pick me up.

This year I wrapped my swollen foot in a brace and took a Nurofen. My foot didn't hurt as in a throbbing pain but was uncomfortable and my shoe was a bit tight. Its funny these walks, this day Jane and I were not feeling particularly positive about the day we had ahead of us. We had negative talk that day and I could tell that in parts we were both in pain, my pain was the kind of pain that made my stomach hurt and when the conversation died down, that was the only place my mind would go. We walked mostly on road this day but around 4 miles to the end, we had to cross some sugar beet fields and the dirt is in clumps as big as softballs and is not easy to walk on. If you go around the edges, it is very uneven so the pace slows down and any pains you have are amplified.  Around two miles away from the end, Jane gave me my own advice and suggested I relace my boot every other hole as I have high arches. So I stopped and did it and that was my problem sorted after 24 miles of pain! We seemed to get our second wind and crossed the next field with ease and caught up with some girls that overtook us earlier in the day. On the way home I needed to stop by the shop to pick up a few items and I cannot imagine what people thought of what I was dressed in- my running leggings, 1,000 mile socks, ankle wrapped up, garden shoes and a very strong stench! Oh well, I got what we needed for dinner.

Day Four- This was a new fresh day! Alison, from Yorkshire, and Rebecca, from earlier walks we had taken part in, joined us. It was nice because although Jane and I can talk for Britain, it is nice to have new people to add to the conversation, although we set the world to right two days before. The Bury St Edmunds route is my favourite route because you walk around the grounds of Ickworth House and Nowton Country Park. My foot didn't hurt, the chatter was pleasant and the weather was perfect! It was the perfect ending to the whole week.

We did it!

Earlier on I mentioned an emotional rollercoaster that is experienced whilst taking part in this challenge. Its different than an one off event. To get up and do the same thing four days in a row is harder than you think and especially if you have blisters or a twisted ankle. We started off the first day optimistic, dreaded the middle two and almost quit and the final day was a breeze because we knew it was the last. I know that the runners and cyclists felt the same way and at the end you feel elated because you finished!

The best one finish I got to see that really sums up how hard this really is and the emotions that you feel doing this were displayed by the two girls we passed on the third day. They overtook us that morning because they needed to make up some time as they took a wrong turn. When Jane and I saw them then, they were very cheery and positive (this was their first day) and later we saw them and you could tell they were struggling a bit but they kept us in their view so that they wouldn't make another wrong turn. On the fourth day we saw them about three miles from the finish, walking the way that you do when your feet are covered in blisters and they didn't have smiles on their faces. We told them that they were doing great and they were almost there. I saw them cross the finish line and they were in tears because it was over and they said they didn't know how people could do four days of walking. I cried because I knew exactly how they felt.

Sue and her mom

Whilst there were so many inspiring people taking part, the countless runners running past us, cyclists whizzing by and other walkers, there are two people who reignited my appreciation of this challenge, Sue and her mom. Sue and her mom attempted this challenge last year but her mom's blisters were to bad that the St John's Ambulance crew told her that she could not continue half way through the second day and Sue carried on alone. This year these ladies started every day at 7 am and gave themselves 11 hours to complete the distance. Every morning Jane and I would caught up to them and everyday they were smiling and positive but they knew that they would go at their own pace no matter how long it took them and we would carry on. I didn't get to see them finish but when I saw the pictures of them finishing I burst into tears because although I struggled a bit this challenge, it will never feel as good as it did for them.

Well done to all of the people that took part!