In Training!

Last week I ventured around the village on foot, for about a mile, walking up and down three small hills, stopping to cough, or catch my breath (the tail end of a cold). Prior to this, I was getting out of breath just climbing the stairs at home! I had to cover my almost-bald head with two woolly hats as the wind was bitterly cold! Next time I will not do a long walk unless it is less windy and less cold. The good news is, my hair is beginning to grow - perhaps one hat will suffice soon! Since the snow disappeared, I have managed to play some tennis, once or twice a week, to improve my stamina too. Gradually improving, from a few practice hits, to a few games, to a full set. My tennis friends are very supportive and encouraging. 'Mad Racquets' indeed!

2nd February 2011:  Decided on a longer walk - a good pace, 30 minutes to do 2 miles uphill on a gradual incline - stopped once to stretch my leg muscles, and still wore two hats against the cold! Downhill on the way home, stopping for a coffee on the way. Had a good stretch again on finishing.

3rd February 2011:  A bit stiff, but I loosened up with another game of tennis - lasted two sets this time! I hope I will soon manage to walk 10 miles at a stretch, or how will I manage my target of 100 miles in 9 days! Still, that is not until 1st May - three months away.

8th February 2011:  My first activity since the last post above! Has been very windy and wet. Today, went to Worthing, and walked 6 miles along the Sea Lane, stopping for a sandwich and a stretch, along the way. A wounded toe impeded me a bit (I put a chair down on it last week!), and got a blister as well. Must get some decent walking boots - had to wear my tennis trainers, for lack of decent footwear. However, not bad going, still managed 3 to 4 miles an hour.

9th February 2011:  Muscles are a but stiff this morning. Had a stretch and hot shower, then played two sets of tennis. The sore toe was more problematic than the hamstring tightness!  But managed a good game. Taking it easy this afternoon.

10th February 2011:  Toe still sore, but managed two sets of very enjoyable tennis this morning. Problem is I can do no more for the rest of the day! Feet up!

12th February 2011:  A beautiful sunny day, so went to Rottingdean and had a refreshing bracing walk along the undercliff path towards the Marina - nearly 5 miles by the time we got back to the car, via going up some really steep steps to the top of the cliff, then up the next cliff, and downhill into Rottingdean, and up the other side to the car park. Needed to stretch the hamstrings by then!

16th and 17th February 2011:  Tennis games both mornings, followed by birthday celebrations with my friends for my 70th, which is on Saturday (19th)!  No more training for several days, due to many planned Big Seven O lunches! Not nice weather this week anyway.  Good news is that one of my presents is a decent pair of walking boots, so no more blisters I hope! Just need to break them in a bit now.

19th February 2011:  70 TODAY!  Brilliant day, lots of lovely gifts, including two very welcome 'spa' treatments,  for use after my long walk! Also had a celebratory lunch with my family and close friends.... couldn't have asked for more.

4th March 2011: The weather has turned very cold again, so not much walking, more planning of the route by maps and internet in the warmth of the house! However, earlier this week, I drove to different areas along part of the route, to seek out car-parking facilities, bus routes and 'watering holes'! Still so much to do...

7th March 2011:  Sunny day - drove to another SDW/road junction, at Whiteways on A29. Fortified with coffee and cake at the cafe, walked along the public footpath to join SDW. It became a long drawn-out climb upwards as far as the eye could see! However, as I was only checking it out, I managed to walk for about 3 miles before I decided to head back to the car. Felt ok, as obviously it was downhill on the way back! Continued by car to the A286 and found a car park right next to the SDW just south of Cocking - a lovely little village, with a gastropub 'The Bluebell'. I walked only about a mile, along the SDW and back, both sides of the road, just to check out the path/road/tractor tracks! Lovely views when you get high enough! Noticed that Fernhurst was not far North of Cocking and Midhurst, so called in there to see a friend for a cup of tea.

8th March 2011:  Another nice day, so drove to Petworth, followed the A285 to Duncton Hill, where the SDW crosses over. Nowhere to park, so just stopped in the 'bus stop' area to check out the SDW either side of the road. This was the junction of Littleton Farm - a working dairy farm. Muddy tractor grooves and slurry! Walked up the steep hill on the driest side for about quarter of a mile. Beautiful views of the Downs, and of course the never ending upward trail on the other side of the road! (which is the one I will luckily be walking down!) Had a snack and some water, prepared to go onwards and upwards, but going into the newly ploughed field, there was no sign of the SDW! Not wishing to get lost on my own, I went back to the car, hoping that the SDW trail will be reinstated and the slurry and deep waterfilled tracks will dry up by May! Drove down to Selsey from there, to see some friends, and unexpectedly was invited to have a meal and stay the night! Whilst there, we walked 5 miles before dinner, and 6 and a half the next morning (9th March). Very glad to end that windy sea walk!

10th March 2011:  Played some tennis - battling with the wind - very gusty.  Good exercise though!

12th March 2011:  Off to Spain for 10 days for some relaxation and some walking in warm weather I hope!

27th March 2011:  Returned from Spain a few days ago, weather was variable - very windy (the Levante), overcast and very wet first few days, but we managed to walk through the howling wind and driving rain one day along the beach! The wild sea was spectacular! A few gorgeous days enabled us to walk further, and also to sunbathe on the terrace (the beach was still too wet). Because of the Levante, the planned walks in the mountains did not happen, so I will now have to do some urgent 'Downs' training!