I had another training walk today. Last week was checkpoint 1 to checkpoint 2 of the Oxfam walk. This week was checkpoint 2 to check point 3 and back. A round trip of 32 km's.
Left my place at about 6.30 am on a clear and warm morning which was heading into an extremely hot day. I checked the websites to see if any of the tracks were closed but, sadly, none were.
We went in my car because I have a GPS and none of us had a road map book. Not that that would make a difference because none of us seem to be able to read maps very well.
The GPS kindly took us to a dead end. It made me laugh because just as I left home I thought to myself how funny it was that people who use a GPS sometimes end up in dead ends or other stupid places.
However, we found our way to the place we needed to go which was Lysterfield Lake Park. It is a very busy place for bike riders due to the fantastic bush tracks they can ride on.
We had kind of forgotten this as a checkpoint during the Oxfam walk last year. But we absolutely forgot how long the walk was to the next checkpoint. Also forgot how hilly it was. Last year we were unable to train on many sections of the track (including this section) due to flood damage. We were heading to Ferny Creek.
The weather was HOT. It was at least 36 Celsius which I think translates to about 97 Fahrenheit. Fortunately the morning was reasonably cool so we only had to contend with the misery of the hills that seemed never ended. But that was still over three hours of it.
On the way back, however, it was fiercely hot and there were many areas of walking track that were devoid of shade. It was extremely windy and that wind was northerly and mean. The way back was also psychologically challenging because of the heat and the tracks just were so looooooong.
At one point we had all run out of energy despite eating a big lunch and plenty of lollies. So we stopped off and bought bottles of sugary coke and that was so much better than any sports drink. It fired us up for a good hour. Then it was back to water and lollies.
By the time we got back to the starting point we were very tired and possibly a bit dehydrated from the heat and wind. A sit down at the park cafe to have coffee revived us enough to get home.
Next week there is no training. We all want a week off.
So, what did we think of it all as we walked along? It was the single most unpleasant walk but the fact we did it was a good achievement. There was some whining at different times. The higher and harder the incline, the whinier we became. Just prior to the half way mark I was hungry and needed a toilet trip and my whinging faded into silent grumpiness. Once I attended to those two needs I was fine.
Despite frequent applications of sun screen we all got burnt. It was windburn which is hard to avoid. By the time we got back to the car we were soaked to the skin with sweat and covered with dust that stuck to our sunscreen layered arms. One of the girls had a severe reaction to some plants that brushed against her legs. She has serious allergies and carries and EpiPen around in case she has an anaphylactic shock from something. We all know how, when and where to use it. She also stepped on a snake lying across a path. It moved almost as quick as her back into the bush. It is snake season right now so it was no surprise really.
When I got home I was so grateful for the shower. Also for the fact that K went out at stocked the freezer with nice things. He also did a lot of painting in the house.
Two hours later I have recovered nicely. Just tired and pleased with what we did today.
So, that is my Sunday.
Ciao
LC
4 Squeaks:
97 degrees is very hot outside. It is something we try to avoid here in Florida except when absolutely necessary, like for instance, going golfing! Seriously, we always go early to avoid the high heat.
I was wondering...
Do you use the walking poles?
Do you carry first aid kits?
Do you carry anything for personal protection?
As an ancient former boy scout, one must be prepared.
A tip for the sun...
All the grass cutting crews I see working and the crews putting on new roofs all wear long sleeves, long pants and ball caps which have flaps that protect the neck from the sun.
Yes, they get hot and stinky but not sunburn. Use the sunscreen for the face and you should feel much better next time.
A bit of unwanted advice, I know.
April is racing up to you isn't it!
RJ: Living in a hot country makes me well aware of sun protection. The track was busy. Everyone goes out on sunny days here.
All of us have walking poles, first aid kits. Don't need personal protection where we are.
We wear broad brimmed hats. Full sunscreen on all exposed skin - even faces. I would not walk with full arms covered because of the risk of overheating which is high. There was no sunburn on my face. The sunburn settled overnight and no pain now.
We don't walk in shorts and singlets and no hats. This is Australia and everyone is educated from birth in regards to sun. The three others are die hard camping and bushwalking girls. And I am a sensible person.
A friend of mine is doing the "Warrior Dash" and even paying to go into this insanity of physical trial.
Guess I am just too lazy to do that stuff unless they pay ME!
However I deeply admire you for getting out for Oxfam.
Ms Topiary: I googled Warrior Dash. I'll pass on that. The person who takes our exercise classes is doing a thing called The Tough Mudder Challenge. I ask myself "why?".
Charity reasons are good. They are more motivating.
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