I always knew that the end of the beginning would be in Bristol, the end of the first section, the easy bit.
This was the part where I test out how I'm feeling about walking, give myself an easy mileage to do, to go over a route I've walked before.
It's been a great start to a journey, blue skies almost all the way, no rain, meeting lots of people, connecting with strangers, getting hosted by friends. All perfect, wonderful, my soul is singing.
How was I on the first night in Bristol? My body ached and my feet hurt of course. It's a funny kind of pain, foot pain. Feet that can throb and ache so badly at night will somehow perform the next day when strapped into their protective casing, feel good even, stride out and take my plump little body 17 miles in a single day.
Four day later, I'm feeling relaxed again, bodywise.
I'm realising that the first month has been very hard on my feet.
Here's the first stupid admission - I didn't actually train for this. I had to work so hard as a carer to earn enough money to see me through the journey that I had no time for walking. No time for anything actually, virtually no social life, cancelling trips to see friends, no family at Christmas, just work, as much of it as possible. I'm a little bit obsessive that way see, I've realised that whatever I do in life I kind of throw myself into it. I don't mind too much, at least I can recognise that this is the way I am - self knowledge is a step on the path towards balance, right?
My body feels good after this week of rest; I've relaxed, stretched and slept. I had two massages, one hospital appointment, four baths. I've sent emails to Welsh MPs and AMs, I've been tweeted about, had articles written about me in a newspaper.
At least 15 MPs and AMs are interested in meeting me so far which feels Great. Wales is the only UK country that is not addressing the need for improved ovarian cancer symptom awareness and I have MPs and AMs that want to meet me - maybe I really can do something about this.
Other big news is that I have changed my shoes!! Again!!!!!!!
It feels so stupid, as if it's a very panicy decision to be changing footwear in the middle of a walk. This should have been sorted 6 weeks ago but 6 weeks ago I was still working - anyone who knows me back then will remember how Stressed Out I was! Well that led to bad preparation - rushing into a discount shop and buying a too small pair of boots which led to a huge blister which led to another pair of boots in Shrewsbury which are now giving me tendon pain so (deep breath) I've decided to change again to a pair of trail running shoes. Basically posh trainers with really good grip. I've also bought a pair of shock absorbing insoles for the boots which makes them much better and I'll be able to put them on again when I'm heading over the mountains. The Offa's Dyke Path doesn't offer much challenge in the way of mountain walking so maybe I don't need a pair of hefty mountain boots.
It feels silly to be changing again, I shouldn't be making these decisions any more but I need to do what's best for my body and I think lightweight and flexibility are key - at least while my body brings itself up to scratch.
On Saturday I set off again, up the Offa's Dyke Path, I'll turn left in Welshpool and walk around the Glyndwr's Way then up again to the top of Wales. I'm making a few little tweaks to the weight of the rucksack, my kit, but mostly it's the same as before only this time I'm aiming for 15 miles a day.
Its the beginning of the next phase.....can I really do this? I truly have no idea.
This was the part where I test out how I'm feeling about walking, give myself an easy mileage to do, to go over a route I've walked before.
It's been a great start to a journey, blue skies almost all the way, no rain, meeting lots of people, connecting with strangers, getting hosted by friends. All perfect, wonderful, my soul is singing.
How was I on the first night in Bristol? My body ached and my feet hurt of course. It's a funny kind of pain, foot pain. Feet that can throb and ache so badly at night will somehow perform the next day when strapped into their protective casing, feel good even, stride out and take my plump little body 17 miles in a single day.
Four day later, I'm feeling relaxed again, bodywise.
I'm realising that the first month has been very hard on my feet.
Here's the first stupid admission - I didn't actually train for this. I had to work so hard as a carer to earn enough money to see me through the journey that I had no time for walking. No time for anything actually, virtually no social life, cancelling trips to see friends, no family at Christmas, just work, as much of it as possible. I'm a little bit obsessive that way see, I've realised that whatever I do in life I kind of throw myself into it. I don't mind too much, at least I can recognise that this is the way I am - self knowledge is a step on the path towards balance, right?
My body feels good after this week of rest; I've relaxed, stretched and slept. I had two massages, one hospital appointment, four baths. I've sent emails to Welsh MPs and AMs, I've been tweeted about, had articles written about me in a newspaper.
At least 15 MPs and AMs are interested in meeting me so far which feels Great. Wales is the only UK country that is not addressing the need for improved ovarian cancer symptom awareness and I have MPs and AMs that want to meet me - maybe I really can do something about this.
Other big news is that I have changed my shoes!! Again!!!!!!!
It feels so stupid, as if it's a very panicy decision to be changing footwear in the middle of a walk. This should have been sorted 6 weeks ago but 6 weeks ago I was still working - anyone who knows me back then will remember how Stressed Out I was! Well that led to bad preparation - rushing into a discount shop and buying a too small pair of boots which led to a huge blister which led to another pair of boots in Shrewsbury which are now giving me tendon pain so (deep breath) I've decided to change again to a pair of trail running shoes. Basically posh trainers with really good grip. I've also bought a pair of shock absorbing insoles for the boots which makes them much better and I'll be able to put them on again when I'm heading over the mountains. The Offa's Dyke Path doesn't offer much challenge in the way of mountain walking so maybe I don't need a pair of hefty mountain boots.
It feels silly to be changing again, I shouldn't be making these decisions any more but I need to do what's best for my body and I think lightweight and flexibility are key - at least while my body brings itself up to scratch.
On Saturday I set off again, up the Offa's Dyke Path, I'll turn left in Welshpool and walk around the Glyndwr's Way then up again to the top of Wales. I'm making a few little tweaks to the weight of the rucksack, my kit, but mostly it's the same as before only this time I'm aiming for 15 miles a day.
Its the beginning of the next phase.....can I really do this? I truly have no idea.
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