The Road Is Long

The Road is Long
A personal journey

January:
The road is long, 100 kay, what the heck am I doing?
Aching legs and furrowed brown, feet gone to rack and ruin.
Blisters size of 50p’s legs heavy as a ton.
We walk and walk and walk and walk, no sign of when it’s done.

We reach the end, at last can rest and stop to look around.
With peak and dale, brook and stream the vista of Yorkshire’s ground.
And then the realisation, you’ve covered 15 miles and more.
The feeling of achievement, is one not too ignore.

So maybe not the worst idea, Trail trekking cross the moors.
A first for me, and Oxfam, and in a worthy cause.
‘Same time in a fortnight? We’ll push another mile!’
Mind is shot and bodies weak, ‘Of course!’ said with a smile.

Recovery is slow coming, for a fat and feeble man.
My fitness far behind my group, who ‘almost’ could have ran.
So I begin some training, on bike and on Wii Fit,
I hope this works, cos Yoga… make’s me look a twit!


February:
Fitness is getting better but the feet are not improving.
Every time I walk the blisters come, but still I keep on moving.
A nice long track up Birkwith Moor, a change from mountains high.
Add to the mix some gale force winds and I feel like I will die!

At last a respite from the wind as Cam Woodlands arms embrace.
Hopes dashed in double quick time and the storms back in my face.
A stop for lunch is welcome and the view an inspiring distraction.
But with 12k done and 14 more, will I end up in traction?

At days end as dusk sets in, we see Buckden in the gloom.
Not long now to The Buck pub and a warm and welcoming room.
We pull our boots from aching feet, a quick change is required.
As I realise how I coped with it, damn! I’m re-inspired

Fundraising is a vital part, as well as getting fit.
Pig Racing is our vehicle as my club has all the kit.
What is that? I hear you cry, Pig Racing sounds so weird!
Battery operated on a track, there’s nothing to be feared.

The Cross Key’s pub in Skipton, were our generous hosts.
With races sponsored and piggy’s sold, that was a brilliant boast.
It was a fun filled night, with prizes won and bets galore.
By the end we had Four Hundred pounds, a great start that’s for sure!


March:
Could socks be the answer to my prayers? Anything’s worth a try.
If I get one more blister you will see a grown man cry.
So double lined and guaranteed to help with my condition.
Will this be the final jigsaw piece that solves my impossible mission?

With confidence in my feet, a walk home from work is done.
Despite the rain and wind I can’t believe I’m having fun.
My ‘waterproofs’ don’t seem the best and I feel I’m getting wet.
I get home soaked, steam from my clothes but that was the best walk yet!

The weekend is for families not just for Trailtrek training.
A respite from the weather, thank goodness it’s stopped raining.
With dog in tow we walk along, the ground is very soggy.
With bush and grass, puddle and bog, the ideal playground for a doggy.

We’re getting slicker with our plans, equipment is in place.
I even have a hydration pack, with a tube right near my face.
Check list in hand I pack my kit, ready for the morrow.
Compeed, map and compass too, there’s nothing left to borrow.

A personal tragedy visited, my mum has passed away.
Words can’t describe the shock I feel this is my very worst day.
I remember she was proud of me for my charity ambition,
So I’ll carry on in her memory, completion is my mission!


April:
It’s time to maximise our walks, 20 miles and more.
It feels a very strange mindset, to do something that makes you sore!
Plans for walking through the night are made for better trials.
Ten and twelve hours walking across moonlit fields and stiles.

No matter how much exercise, I’m getting every week.
The doubts are always in the wings will I ever peak?
Distance walking’s a strange beast, with emotions all the way.
Fun, elation and confidence, and worry never far away.

The greatest challenge of my life, is how I would portray.
This multiple non-stop marathon, continuing over a day!
In equal measure up and down, confidence and fear…
And now the task is very real, because the day will soon be here.


May:
A weekend walking in the lakes seems a good idea,
An evening round the campfire would be so much better with beer!
Helvelin is a daunting sight as we go on our way.
Sun and friends and blister free, could there be a better day?

The time is now upon us, its only weeks away.
Support and kit is all in place, all ready for the BIG day.
Despite how daunting this has been I’m feeling I can do it.
Everybody’s with me, I just hope I can get through it.

Fundraisings still a constant issue, to get the money in.
A recipe book is so grand I think were going to win.
Ramping up the walking is now our main concern.
Organised and prepared with everything we learn.

Friday nights alright for fighting, and for walking too.
It’s 22 miles to my house, that’s what I hope to do.
The pounding of the pavement and road where there’s no path.
Were very hard on my feet and legs so they’ll get a welcome bath.

I feel as fit as I have been for a long long time.
The muscles on my legs have hardened helping me to climb.
Recovery times a worry as the ache takes days to go.
So my training has the simple pattern of quick, quick slow.


The Event!
The trainings all completed, I'm as fit as I can be.
My feet are the only thing that still worries me.
I need a good start too the walk, preferably blister free.
So off we set at 8am to be all that we can be.

The weather is so shocking, I've not walked with it so hot.
Moral is good, it’s a moan free zone so we're happy with our lot.
As we approach the first water stop I'm worried by a feeling.
Some hot spots starting on my feet, I hope there not already peeling!

Soon we are at Malham and we've made a cracking pace.
Everyone is beaming as the sun shines on our face.
The boots are off the feet revealed, I can't believe my eyes.
Five of those damn blisters and we've only done 14 miles!

The walk from then's a struggle, although the team are great.
Up Malham Cove and Pen Y Ghent, over stile and gate.
Passed waterstop and checkpoint, we walk into the night.
The pain ever increasing, each step becomes a fight.

At checkpoint 4, there are no more, Skipton is so near.
There's only one more trek to go to reach my special beer!
The steps are getting harder, like walking on broken glass.
The pain is spreading up my legs, I sink down on the grass.

My journey now is ended, I can go on no more.
The pain is now too much and I cannot endure.
The team go on without me, with best wishes in their ears.
As I am driven back to base I'm on the edge of tears.

Back to Skipton I return but not on foot as planned.
As other teams land one by one all to a rousing hand.
And eventually The Q Team, are in the final straight.
Three of the four members, their effort has been great.

As blisters heal and health returns the money's coming in.
Our target has been obliterated, meaning its all win, win, win.
A tentative question raised, what about next year?
Excuse my French, the answer comes. NO BLOODY FEAR!!!

Be Humankind
Adrian Stokes, The Q Team