The Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside

Yes, we did it! We completed the 100 kilometre Trailwalker 2008 course in just under twenty eight and a half gruelling hours.  Blisters, aching limbs and the overwhelming feeling of tiredness left us for a fleeting couple of minutes whilst we were greeted by our wives and supporters, made our way through the check in procedures to receive our much treasured medals.  Then it was quickly up on the rostrum for photographs and to spray champagned like formula 1 drivers.  What a moment!  Something we will remember for a long time.   
We set off on Friday afternoon and set up camp, and then passed through the check-in, kit checks and registration before tucking into our dinner.  After that, it was early to bed.   
In the morning the atmosphere was electric as the myriad of tents were taken down and packed away as more than 500 teams prepared for the challenge ahead.  There were four start times – 6 a.m. 7 a.m. 8.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m.  We were in the 8.30 start.  We gathered at the start, butterflies were churning up the stomach whilst we listened to the speeches of the organisors.  A lone Gurkha piper played “Scotland the brave” from the hillside as we sent on our way, laughing and smiling masses, full of eager anticipation for what was ahead.  We couldn’t help thinking about how long it would be for the laughs to become scowls as we got into our stride.   
The first checkpoint was reached twenty minutes ahead of our schedule and after a short break we were on our way again. It was on this second leg that David slipped near to the top of Beacon Hill, but thankfully no serious damage was done.  As we passed checkpoints two, three and four we were progressing fairly comfortably, until poor old Rob started developing a few blisters.  He really had to grit his teeth to carry on for the remaining 40 odd miles to the finish.  God only knows how he did it.   
We were still in relatively good shape when we left checkpoint six for the night leg to seven.  It was this leg that was to cause us some real problems.  David was the first to crack, complaining of sharp pains in his knee on every hill.  Rob and Gerry took it in turns to carry his rucksack to ensure that he finished the leg.  By the time we reached checkpoint seven, David was near to exhaustion.  We were served a hot meal and were sitting together when Terry suddenly became ill.  Gerry was the first to spot the problem and quickly wrapped him in blankets and got him to the sleeping area.  Ann Nash gave him a hot cup of tea and he went to sleep.  He was suffering from hyperthermia giving us all cause for concern.  Ann quickly ordered David and Gerry to the sleep tent whilst Rob sat in the car with the heater on full blast.  After another half an hour or so we felt able to continue, but Terry was still looking rather frail.  Wrapped up in as many clothes as we could muster we set out for checkpoint eight at a much slower pace.  We were determined to support each other and get safely to the finish line.  Thankfully, that leg was shorter and took us through to dawn. More hot drinks and food were served up by our remarkable support crew before we set off for checkpoint nine, this leg being the longest on the course, so if we made it there, we felt confident that we would reach the end.
  Each mile was taking a little longer and we were taking breaks after every hour’s walking, giving us the opportunity to conserve what reserves of energy we had left.  By now we could observe lots of other competitors who were suffering just like us.  Our team spirit never waivered although there were plenty of others around us who were giving each other a hard time.  We finally made it to checkpoint nine which was reached by climbing a very steep hill.  That last kilometre felt like ten.  But we made it.  This was the last checkpoint where we would have the support crew with us, so we had to ensure that we carried plenty of water and provisions to see us through to the end. 
On the way to checkpoint ten, David was beginning to feel the hills again and had to make frequent stops.  Then poor old Rob succumbed to even more blisters which Gerry expertly dressed, allowing us to hobble on to the checkpoint.  After a short break for a cuppa, supplied this time by the organisors, we stepped out for the finish. 
Two more fairly stiff climbs and then it was relatively downhill all the way to Brighton.  we were continually passing other sufferers all the time, and some of them were in a really bad way.  The last couple of miles to the racecourse seemed like eternity but then just as we thought it would never arrive, there was the racecourse on the other side of the road.  We crossed over, and entered the track four furlongs from the finish.  We could now see the finishing line, the crowds of spectators, the banners and we could hear the piper and the announcements of the teams reaching the line.  200 yards out the course took us off of the track  and on to the finish.  The announcers voice boomed out “The team in the blue tee-shirts is “The loose cogs” of the Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside.  Well done and congratulations on finishing, it will stand you in good stead for next year.”  Terry was the first to react waiving his arms around signalling “No Way” whilst there were several expletives that made it clear that once was enough.  As we walked four abreast over the last few strides we were invited to do “high fives” with several of the spectators as we passed by.  Across the line – what a relief.  A hug from the wives and supporters before checking in and celebrating the moment.   Rob quickly went to the first aid tent for treatment to his ravaged feet, Terry had a quick check up and Gerry naturally went to get some food, this time a curry cooked by the Gurkhas and David found himself a seat and had no intention of moving.   A team of four, 100 kilometres in less than 30 hours.  They say it is the toughest team challenge ever, and we had somehow survived it – JUST!  All four of the walkers were unanimous in praising each and everyone of the entire back up steam without their support we definitely would not have made it.  Doug had delayed his medical treatment to ensure he didn’t let us down and his wife Ann together with Peter Burfoot were outstanding, together with help from Pat Burfoot, Lyn Finnegan, Eva Fenn and Mikaila Waite all did their bit.  And of course, not forgetting nine year old Jessica Waite who was so proud of her dad, Rob and rightly so.  He proved  that the banners along the route proclaiming “Brains over Blisters” were right.   
All of the team had their crisis at some point, but as a team they battled through them and triumphed.   It was tough but both walkers and support crew were of the same opinion, it was a magnificent and well organised event and the atmosphere was electric.  The comradery between the teams showed real friendship and warmth, but most of all collectively we all raised an awful lot of money for Oxfam and The Gurkha Welfare Trust.  Oxfam will be using their share to feed the thousands suffering in Dharfour whilst the people of Nepal will benefit from the work of The Gurkha Welfare Trust.   
Our sincere thanks to each and every one of you who have supported us – For together we are strong.
For photographs of our Trailwalker please click here

Less than a fortnight to go before the BIG walk and I must admit I’m both looking forward to it and yet dreading the prospect of walking for 20 -24 hrs non stop !
The majority of my training has been based in the Gym to let my feet get into a good condition to cut down the risk of blisters. In my research to find the best method to prevent blisters I’ve decided that no one really knows ! All the views expressed on walking forums online etc. greatly contradict each other and sometimes even within the same article ( i.e keep the feet dry by using talc yet lubricated with petroleum jelly ??? ) Can you imagine mixing those two together !. One trick that I was given was to wipe my feet with Surgical Spirit twice daily to harden the skin – this does seem to have made a difference. Anyone for fire walking ?
My training has been very hard to fit around work and family commitments and to be honest I’m not sure if I’ve done enough. I suppose the other 3 in the team ( Terry, David and Gerry ) will just have to carry me while I wave to passing public !
Cheers, Rob 

Training in Norway…..
My time in Norway was spent partly in dealing with some family business and the remainder for training. I started on Saturday 14th June with a climb up Stoltzekleiven. This is a famous route up to the top of the mountains above Bergen to a height of 579 metres. During their annual race up there in September the young, fit Norwegians manage it in under ten minutes, I managed it in just about 35. It is mainly climbing a rocky path, almost vertical, so I am pleased to have made it to the top. The next day I walked up to the top of Floyen, the summit usually reached by the tourists by the funicular railway, but I walked, and then continued on to Blamann and Rundemanen to a height of 551 metres, which included a 30 degree climb for more than a kilometre up the side of the mountain. I did it again the next day, but this time in heavy rain.
When we travelled on to Ardalstangen I managed to climb up to Vettifossen which is the highest waterfall in Europe. I also managed to climb to the top of Klatta, which requires a six mile continuous climb up to 640 metres. In all I walked about 150 miles whilst on holiday and hopefully this will tide me good stead for Trailwalker. By David Fenn

In temperatures between 25 and 27 celcius the team covered four more legs of the course on Sunday 11th May 2008.
Starting at Washington (after a cup of tea provided by Doug and the support team) we made our way up the biggest climb on the course, which is some 230 metres high. It may interest you to know that a mountain biker passed us at the beginning of the climb but only reached the summit about ten yards ahead of us. We don’t hang around you know. Once we reached the summit, the remainder of the walk was fairly uneventful, although Terry and Rob could not resist the temptation to make the obvious remarks whenever we passed a flock of sheep. Rob even referred to them as a “Welsh brothel” which was hardly complimenatary to a Welshman. Nevertheless we arrived at the next checkpoint in 1 hour 55 minutes, a distance of 10 Km. The back up team were there with a nice cuppa and we were able to take on more drinks, change our shirts and socks and we were soon back on the road to Botolphs.
The first part of this leg was quite easy as it followed the course of a river before we had to climb yet another hill, this time just 200 metres high. Once we at the top we could enjoy a cool breeze and most of the way to the next checkpoint was downhill. We covered the 9.4 Km in1 hour 48 minutes. Here we enjoyed some leek and potato soup provided by Doug and Ann, and we even enjoyed the sight of Peter Burfoot doing the washing up. As we finished the leg we were following a path which was shielded from the road by some hedges when we heard some loud “Cooing” noises coming from the other side of the hedge. Terry immediately thought it was Pat Burfoot and started “cooing” back, only to find it was some farm hands trying to round up some sheep that had strayed. Trust Terry to put a spanner in the works.
Duly refreshed we embarked on the next leg from Devils Dyke to Jack and Jill. Two more big hills on this leg both around 200 metres high. We coped with them quite well and were able to enjoy the scenery more. We could see right through to the coast as well as the other breathtaking views. Jack and Jill were two windmills which sit at the top of the hill. We met the back up team at Jill and enjoyed a nice cuppa courtesey of Doug who had obtained it from the mill shop. Thanks Doug, it went down a treat. That leg was only 6.9 Km and we had covered it in just over an hour. We decided to chance our arm on a fourth leg, as this one is likely to be encountered in the dark when we do it for real. Thankfully, the heat was having little effect, although Gerry had the misfortune to pick up a couple of blisters.
From Jack and Jill, we set off for The Old Racecourse which as it turned out was fairly innocuous. No major hills, as we were already up around 200 metres and the 1st part of the walk was steadily downhill. More sheep (together with the usual insults), plenty of cows and horses and we even found time to direct some ladies who had managed to lose their bearings. I’m not sure that Terry had put them on the right road or not (only joking) but they seemed to be quite happy for the help. It’s a good job they don’t know him like we do. After this we kept up a steady pace as we passed the racecourse and the various hurdles, there were plenty of rabbits to be seen all over the place, but it was good to spot Doug and his team waiting for us at the end of a long day. We were in much better shape than we have experienced on previous trips. Our fitness levels have improved enormously. The support team were there to feed us, this time with corned beef and baked beans, followed by pineapple. It was wonderful.
It was a good team excercise and proof that our hours of training are paying off. Doug and Ann, as usual did a great job of looking after us, ably supported by Peter and Pat Burfoot and Terry’s wife Lyn. And lets not forget Rob’s wife Mikaila and little Jessica who again gave us terrific support. Thank you one and all. We’re now planning our next visit to the Downs, which is likely to take place sometime over the weekend of 31st May/1st June. This one we will be doing in the dark. I do hope Terry can read in the dark, better start eating plenty of carrots !!
The picture below shows some lovely scenery and from left to right Gerry, Rob and nearest the sheep …… David – Baaaaaa !!

All four members of the team, together with our support team visited the course for a training exercise on Sunday 20th April 2008.We set out from Corringham with Rob leading and Doug following behind. We stopped at a service station on the A3 for breakfast and then set off to our start point. It didn’t take long before we had lost sight of Doug’s car, and after some frantic telephone calls we established that he had followed the wrong silver Ford and had turned off onto the A31. Somebody muttered something about he might find it difficult to find the checkpoints if he couldn’t follow the correct car, but thankfully, it didn’t take him long to catch up with us. Terry meanwhile was beside himself with the fear that Gerry, who was travelling with Doug might have found Terry’s lunch and devoured it.We arrived at Cocking Down, near Midhurst in time to start our walk at 11.15 a.m. There were still anxieties about Doug finding the rendezvous points as he was carrying our food and water supplies. The walk started with a long and labourious climb that lasted for over a mile, not exactly what you want after sitting in a car for two hours, but once we had walked the stiffness out of our legs we made good time. The weather soon turned to a nice sunny day, and we were able to arrive at Littleton Farm, checkpoint 3 on the walk (5.2 miles) in just 1 hour 22 minutes. That’s 8 minutes ahead of schedule. Doug and Ann had got the farmer to allow them to use the corner of a barn to brew up. So there we were, tucking into hot vegetable soup. Gerry had developed a small blister to which he applied a blister plaster and we were off on the next leg.This was quite picturesque, with young lambs everywhere and some stunning views. As the official checkpoint was not available, we had agreed to meet in a pub car park. We covered the 5.8 miles in 1 hour 30 minutes, ten minutes ahead of schedule. We then had about half a mile to reach the pub. Naturally, we could not brewup in the pub’s car park, but the publican of The George and Dragon in Houghton provided us with tea and coffee “on the house”. We would like to express our sincere thanks to him, it was much appreciated.We returned to the route and made our way along the river bank and then we had some big hills to climb. On the second of these, David was having difficulty with a tightened calf muscle and Terry came to his aid by lending him his walking poles. Soon after we decide to have a short break and David took the opprtunity to take on board some isotonic drink, which appeared to help him. He did manage to keep up with the others (or was it that they slowed down for him). This was the longest leg and one in which a navigational error would result in disqualification in the event. Learning from their previous experiences (when they took a wrong turning for being over confident), this time Terry was doing the map reading whilst David would read out the instructions from the walk guide. As a result, no navigational errors ocurred and we got to the official checkpoint after 7.8 miles in 2 hours 30 minutes, just fifteen minutes behind our schedule, but we did have a stop on the way. Tired, but in good spirits, we now had to locate the support team. The nearest safe place for them to stop was a car park a mile further along the route of the next leg, and of course it was uphill all the way. Nevertheless, it was great to meet up, and Doug and Ann had prepared “a feast” of corned beef and baked beans, apple tart and a welcome cup of tea. It may sound basic, but to the walkers it was heaven. A very big thankyou to Doug and Ann, your efforts were very much appreciated. Rob’s wife Mikaila and 9 year old daughter Jessica were also there to greet us. A successful training stint, a great team spirit and some valuable experience gained.