Given that Mark has recovered from an exhausting nail-biting Wembley Final and Lee is fighting fit after his 34km stroll on Sunday, it seems right to plan our next training walk for this Saturday.
Martin and Julian are unavailable this Saturday and Simon who has masochistically joined us as an honorary Red Harrow - 'has something on' (or at least thats what he said after he saw the proposed route....)
In trying to gradually increase our walk length by about 10% each time, we find ourselves looking for a 20km walk. To try and keep with the ups and downs of Trailwalker we need to accommodate some elevational changes of about 200m and would expect about 500m in total over this distance.
This means we're looking for another 'double-peak', so in search of some variation, we've decided to venture a little further afield into the nearby Peak District.
After a bit of discussion and plotting we've come up with this route, a 20km hike giving us an estimated total 600m of elevation change which will be our toughest test to date.
The route takes us from a car park (coincidentally near a pub) in the village of Rushton Spencer towards and up Golden Hill, a long ascent of about 220m before dropping down a little before ascending Croker Hill standing at 402m above sea level and proudly sporting a transmission mast. From the top of Croker Hill, we descend to Bosley reservoir, a steep descent of 230m and then skirt the edge of the reservoir before making our way to The Cloud which has featured in several of our training walks so far and another 230m ascent this time using a permissive footpath up the steep face. From here we'll descend back towards Rushton Spencer and sample some of the landlord's finest after (hopefully) 5 hours.
We'll be trialling the MapMyHike app for the iPhone on this walk. The idea is that at the start of the walk, it should Tweet a link using our @TheRedHarrows Twitter address to a website where we can be tracked live by anyone who follows us. This obviously depends on mobile signal, battery and GPS accuracy as to how well this will work, but we're hoping it will mean our supporters can track our progress live when we're doing Trailwalker.
We'll report back with our findings later in the weekend.
24/02/2012 - Oxfam Fundraising Leaderboard Update
We were surprised to learn following an Oxfam update that The Red Harrows are currently second in the fundraising leaderboard published on the Oxfam Trailwalker website.
We have been amazed by the support we have received from friends, colleagues and work associates but this really got us excited given that 550 teams have now completed their registrations for this event - we had no idea we would even be in the top 20!
We have received 33 separate donations to date and have raised £1,112.14 so far for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
We have been amazed by the support we have received from friends, colleagues and work associates but this really got us excited given that 550 teams have now completed their registrations for this event - we had no idea we would even be in the top 20!
We have received 33 separate donations to date and have raised £1,112.14 so far for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far for helping us achieve this.
22/02/2012 - Advice from India's 1st Trailwalker
We were recently fortunate enough to (virtually) follow Rohan Abraham on India's 1st Trailwalker as he tweeted his experience live and taking some amazing photographs along the way.
For anyone who would like to look back on Rohan's experience, his Twitter address is here.
Rohan has kindly shared with us the advice he received from a doctor regarding diet before the event and has permitted us to share it here.
Diet
1. Pre-walk - in the run up to the final day
Objective - Load up on carbs
Nothing special to be done here. Just ensure that approximately 75 per cent of your meal is carb based. Sources of carbs - Pasta, whole wheat bread, rice [pressure cooked], potatoes, chappatis and parathas.
There's no need to eat extra food, just ensure that the above percentage of the quantity that you normally eat is carbs.
2. During the walk - while actually walking
Objective - Keep it light, digestible and simple. Hydration and Mineral Balancing
The doctor suggested that while walking, the food intake should be liquid as far as possible. Your body will be losing water and salts at a high rate and so the primary purpose is to put those back in to your body.
Suggested liquids include - Gatorade / Electral, Juices, Water
Others munchies while walking - cereal/ muesli, almonds, bananas and glucose biscuits
Warning - Possibility of cramps (so keep hydrated continously). Acidity - carry gelusil/ digene.
3. During the walk - while at a service stop
Objective - Nourishment, rest
The doctor suggested that no complex food be eaten such as fried stuff etc.
Suggested eats include - Cereal/muesli, boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, bread / rotis / naans, grilled/ tandoori, roasted meat [has to be made fresh and not carried around as this is likely to spoil]. You can make sandwiches of the food suggested.
Salt balance - Tender coconut for potassium.
Each participant must eat at every stop even if not hungry.
4. Post walk
The doctor said to continue to eat the carb loaded meal for at least a day after and continue hydration. Pop in a brufen right after the walk in anticipation of cramps and pains.
Also must carry - pain balm, spray, antacid liquid, crepe bandage, insect repellent, sun screen, brufen, loose motion pills
Now as if we ever needed an excuse to eat some great Indian food!
Our thanks to Rohan for sharing the advice he received.
For anyone who would like to look back on Rohan's experience, his Twitter address is here.
Rohan has kindly shared with us the advice he received from a doctor regarding diet before the event and has permitted us to share it here.
Diet
1. Pre-walk - in the run up to the final day
Objective - Load up on carbs
Nothing special to be done here. Just ensure that approximately 75 per cent of your meal is carb based. Sources of carbs - Pasta, whole wheat bread, rice [pressure cooked], potatoes, chappatis and parathas.
There's no need to eat extra food, just ensure that the above percentage of the quantity that you normally eat is carbs.
2. During the walk - while actually walking
Objective - Keep it light, digestible and simple. Hydration and Mineral Balancing
The doctor suggested that while walking, the food intake should be liquid as far as possible. Your body will be losing water and salts at a high rate and so the primary purpose is to put those back in to your body.
Suggested liquids include - Gatorade / Electral, Juices, Water
Others munchies while walking - cereal/ muesli, almonds, bananas and glucose biscuits
Warning - Possibility of cramps (so keep hydrated continously). Acidity - carry gelusil/ digene.
3. During the walk - while at a service stop
Objective - Nourishment, rest
The doctor suggested that no complex food be eaten such as fried stuff etc.
Suggested eats include - Cereal/muesli, boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, bread / rotis / naans, grilled/ tandoori, roasted meat [has to be made fresh and not carried around as this is likely to spoil]. You can make sandwiches of the food suggested.
Salt balance - Tender coconut for potassium.
Each participant must eat at every stop even if not hungry.
4. Post walk
The doctor said to continue to eat the carb loaded meal for at least a day after and continue hydration. Pop in a brufen right after the walk in anticipation of cramps and pains.
Also must carry - pain balm, spray, antacid liquid, crepe bandage, insect repellent, sun screen, brufen, loose motion pills
Now as if we ever needed an excuse to eat some great Indian food!
Our thanks to Rohan for sharing the advice he received.
19/02/2012 - The Junior Red Harrows get in on the act
As the team were a bit dispersed this weekend, Mark and Kate decided to take the kids to the top of Mow Cop - something they had never done before. Aged 5 and 8, about 4 miles on fairly flat ground has previously been the limit so a 4.5 mile round trip with a 200m ascent was going to prove challenging.
It was also a chance for the kids to try out their new Camelbak's in an attempt to stop them mithering Dad for his all the time.
Holding 1.5 litres of water, the added weight didn't seem to bother them and they seemed happier to keep going than needing an excuse for a rest and a drink.
Mark was also trying out zinc oxide tape to his feet to see if it would make any difference.
Once at the top we ventured right up to the Folly where Mark tried to work out if it was possible to imprison the kids in the tower but alas no, it seems they've though tof that.
A quick snack of KitKats for the kids and a test of energy bars by Mark and Kate. A banana and a raspberry Torq bar bought from GoOutdoors were tasted for the first time. Both bars have a chewy, sweet almost molasses like consistency.
A very edible and welcome burst of energy for the descent but not a patch on Kate's flapjacks (I have to say that)
The view from the top today was probably the best we've had for a long time.
To the North we could see across the Cheshire plains beyond Jodrell Bank to Fiddlers Ferry power station near Warrington and across to the snow capped Clwydian Range in the West.
To the south we could see across Staffordshire to the Potteries.
A fairly short 7.4km walk with the kids at reduced pace given their little legs but the Junior Red Harrows are both showing early promise for future Trailwalker events to come.
Once returning home and removing my socks, I was surprised to see the zinc oxide tape remained well in place around the heel and toes and seemed to have almost moulded itself to my feet. Where previously I've managed to avoid any blisters but have had some skin soreness, there was no tenderness whatsoever. Perhaps a longer walk is needed for a better test but I'm impressed with the result so far.
Todays walk stats can be found here.
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| The kids race ahead with their new Camelbak's |
Holding 1.5 litres of water, the added weight didn't seem to bother them and they seemed happier to keep going than needing an excuse for a rest and a drink.
Mark was also trying out zinc oxide tape to his feet to see if it would make any difference.
 |
| So where's the dragon you promised us Dad? |
Once at the top we ventured right up to the Folly where Mark tried to work out if it was possible to imprison the kids in the tower but alas no, it seems they've though tof that.
A quick snack of KitKats for the kids and a test of energy bars by Mark and Kate. A banana and a raspberry Torq bar bought from GoOutdoors were tasted for the first time. Both bars have a chewy, sweet almost molasses like consistency.
A very edible and welcome burst of energy for the descent but not a patch on Kate's flapjacks (I have to say that)
 |
| The view across Cheshire to the North |
The view from the top today was probably the best we've had for a long time.
To the North we could see across the Cheshire plains beyond Jodrell Bank to Fiddlers Ferry power station near Warrington and across to the snow capped Clwydian Range in the West.
To the south we could see across Staffordshire to the Potteries.
A fairly short 7.4km walk with the kids at reduced pace given their little legs but the Junior Red Harrows are both showing early promise for future Trailwalker events to come.
Once returning home and removing my socks, I was surprised to see the zinc oxide tape remained well in place around the heel and toes and seemed to have almost moulded itself to my feet. Where previously I've managed to avoid any blisters but have had some skin soreness, there was no tenderness whatsoever. Perhaps a longer walk is needed for a better test but I'm impressed with the result so far.
Todays walk stats can be found here.
18/02/2012 - Two-thirds of the way to our target...
Today we have reached £1000 raised towards our target of £1500.
As a team we have been amazed by the generosity of people we know and work with and we would like to thank Lagib, Red Leaders Mum and Dad - Colin and Christine, Andrew Hornby (aka Dick Grasso), Sparkleberry Sugarfluff (you know who you are), Mark's little bro Ste, Andy Dunhill at Wardell Armstrong, Steve Brown from Jennors, Robow and Snax - you're all brilliant and we won't let you down.
In the meantime, Red Leader (taking his training far too seriously) has traveled to the foothills of Mongolia (well Northumberland actually) to stay in a Yurt.
I hope thats water you're drinking Red Leader. Give our regards to Genghis.
As a team we have been amazed by the generosity of people we know and work with and we would like to thank Lagib, Red Leaders Mum and Dad - Colin and Christine, Andrew Hornby (aka Dick Grasso), Sparkleberry Sugarfluff (you know who you are), Mark's little bro Ste, Andy Dunhill at Wardell Armstrong, Steve Brown from Jennors, Robow and Snax - you're all brilliant and we won't let you down.
In the meantime, Red Leader (taking his training far too seriously) has traveled to the foothills of Mongolia (well Northumberland actually) to stay in a Yurt.
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| Lee in a Yurt - cosy! |
11/02/2012 Training Walk #5 - First Full Red Harrows Training Walk
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| Cold enough for ya? |
Todays training walk was the first opportunity for the full Red Harrows Team to walk together. We were also joined again by honorary team member Simon and Julians two energetic dogs.
Lee (Red Leader) had arranged for everyone to meet at Mark's for 9am. Unfortunately Red Leader didn't set his alarm properly so arrived late, looking like he'd just got out of bed (which he had) and having missed his porridge. Hastily scoffing down a flapjack, we set off for the top of Mow Cop ribbing him all the way.
Mow Cop Castle is a folly of a ruined castle built in 1754. Mow Cop is famed for the 'Killer MIle', a one mile race from the bottom to the folly which gets run each year. It was for this latter reason that we thought this would be a good training exercise for the team.
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| The Folly at the top of Mow Cop |
We set a reasonable pace as we left, first joining the Macclesfield Canal which was frozen over before hitting the base of the hill and starting out ascent.
We managed to get to the top in 47minutes a distance of 3.6km and an ascent of about 200m. Once at the top we realised just how cold it was as we struggled on packed hard ice which had melted and refrozen turning it into a skating rink so the opportunity was taken for a quick flpajack and team photo.
We found this quite slowgoing as we tried to avoid the inevitable slipping and sliding though the walking poles with spikes proved invaluable in our effort to stay upright.
We continued along the Congleton Edge and once off the roads we were onto frozen fields again with views across Cheshire and Staffordshire.
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| The view into Staffordshire from Congleton Edge |
We had hoped to set a decent pace along this gradual descent but found ourselves negotiating more icy patches on the trail.
As we broke out of woodland we were presented with a great framed view of The Cloud so took the opportunity for another flapjack and Lee downed an energy gel pack. Fearing this would give him bionic abilities we marched on towards Congleton. Lee proposed a small diversion to the route and we hopped onto the Biddulph Way, a former railway line now widely used by walkers and cyclists.
 |
| The Cloud in the distance |
The ice continued to abound and we made steady progress towards the Macclesfield Canal.
The canal itself was heavily frozen but so was the tow path. Having gained some confidence by this stage walking on ice, we set off at a pace only occasionally having a comedy fall moment as walking poles went flailing but thankfully managing to mostly retain our balance if not our composure.
 |
| The (frozen) Macclesfield Canal |
Team total distance walked so far in training is 164.7km.
A very enjoyable training walk at a decent pace managed by all the team members.
09/02/2012 Half Way There!
Thanks to the generosity of our friends, family and colleagues we are now more than half-way to our target!
A special thanks goes out to Si C, Geraint, Soj, Marion, Bath Demolition and Jim Brindley for helping us to achieve this.
We're blown away by your generosity in helping us get this far so soon.
The Team will have a spring in their step at this weekends training walk!
A special thanks goes out to Si C, Geraint, Soj, Marion, Bath Demolition and Jim Brindley for helping us to achieve this.
We're blown away by your generosity in helping us get this far so soon.
The Team will have a spring in their step at this weekends training walk!
06/02/2012 - A third of the way there....
Today thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and kind donations, we have gone through £500 on our way to our £1500 target.
In achieving this we would like to thank: Kate at Raring2Go! (South Cheshire), Simon Brooks, Knackered, Smarm, Dave88, Pierre, Steve Edgar, Fell Runner, Anonymous, Julia99, Ian Yaz and Walter Sulaman-Evans, Gareth Wynne, Mel at Betts Associates, Gizmo and "Snowcheeks Twinkleleaf Gigglesheen" - probably the best nickname we have yet to come across!
We will put the extra effort into this weekend's training - thanks to you all!
In achieving this we would like to thank: Kate at Raring2Go! (South Cheshire), Simon Brooks, Knackered, Smarm, Dave88, Pierre, Steve Edgar, Fell Runner, Anonymous, Julia99, Ian Yaz and Walter Sulaman-Evans, Gareth Wynne, Mel at Betts Associates, Gizmo and "Snowcheeks Twinkleleaf Gigglesheen" - probably the best nickname we have yet to come across!
We will put the extra effort into this weekend's training - thanks to you all!
05/02/2012 - Training Walk #4 - The Cloud's Revenge
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| A bit of a snow drift to contend with. |
In advance of the first full team walk, Mark and Lee decided to up the distance and planned a 14km walk using The Cloud but with a variation - more hills.
The plan was to increase the ascent and descent a bit more before tackling The Cloud from the other side.
There was however, one small flaw in the plan...........
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| Red Leader 100m apart maximum please! |
The night before we'd had a reasonable dumping of the white stuff, though nothing like what we were about to experience on the hills. Coupled with a mist and fog and an a partially unfamiliar route we were in for an interesting time.
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| The consequences of leaving a man behind |
We were joined by Polly (Lee's girfriend, support team member and a well trained fell runner) and Simon (colleague and honorary Red Harrow).
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| Mark and Lee at the Trig Point - no view today! |
The stats for this walk are here: The Cloud 2
28/01/2012 - Training Walk#3 - The Cloud
 | |
| The Cloud in the Distance |
It was a cold clear day and views from the top were spectacular.
This walk was a little over 12km and took us down the Macclesfield
Canal and across often boggy fields, up to the top of The Cloud before
dropping back down again through more boggy fields, along the railway
and back to the Canal.
Stats for this walk are here: The Cloud 1
Stats for this walk are here: The Cloud 1
 | |
| At the top 343m above sea level |
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| Lee on the Macclesfield Canal |
25/01/2012 - Please give generously
Now we’re motoring! Our Virgin Money Giving Page has gone live!
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/theredharrows
All donations gratefully received!
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/theredharrows
All donations gratefully received!
23/01/2012 - "Social Media" - Whatever that is...
Mark’s wife (and vital member of our support crew) Kate, has created the
team logo though admittedly this was after a few versions and critique
by “picky men”.
This was shortly followed by our Facebook page…http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Red-Harrows/180313788735323 and Twitter…@TheRedHarrows
So now we’re Social Media sorted. Now to work out how to use it….
22/01/2012 - Training Walk #2 - Mow Cop
Offically the team training program doesn’t commence until mid-March with
an early full team walk pencilled in for the 11th February to assess how well we can walk as a team.
Mark and Lee decided to head out and go over Mow Cop, a hill which separates Cheshire from Staffordshire and offering a good 200m ascent similar to those on Trailwalker.
Mark and Lee decided to head out and go over Mow Cop, a hill which separates Cheshire from Staffordshire and offering a good 200m ascent similar to those on Trailwalker.
The weather conditions were very windy at low level with gusts of
about 40mph. This proved more interesting as we tackled the Cheshire
Ridge from where you can see across the Cheshire Plain and into
Staffordshire at the same time.
The stats for this walk are here: Mow Cop 1
The stats for this walk are here: Mow Cop 1
It was also the first opportunity for Mark to try out his newly
acquired Camelbak hydration pack. Having never used one before and
previously being used to stopping and getting a water bottle out of the
pack, the technique of drinking on the move was soon mastered resutling
in a much smoother pace and ultimately more liquid taken on board.
Another first was Lee using walking poles and trying
to get into a rhythm.
16th January 2012 - Too late to turn back now
Today the team were offically registered to take part in Trailwalker
2012 and "The Red Harrows" team name was born.
Far from celebratory cigars and a night out to "wet the baby's head" we started to put together the training schedule that would see us through the coming months and hopefully over the finish line.
Far from celebratory cigars and a night out to "wet the baby's head" we started to put together the training schedule that would see us through the coming months and hopefully over the finish line.
15th January 2012 - Training Walk #1 - A gentle solo walk along the canals
As the enormity of the task ahead began to sink in, Mark decided to
get some early training in.
A solo walk round part of the Cheshire Ring and across fields to get a flavour of what he had let himself in for.
Stats for the walk are here: Canals 1 A solo walk round part of the Cheshire Ring and across fields to get a flavour of what he had let himself in for.
It was enough to blow a few cobwebs away and get the muscles aching but thankfully no blisters.
13th January 2012 - Our permission slips get signed...
After reading the website and assessing the level of commitment
needed, Lee, Martin Julian and Mark discussed it with their partners to
ask their permission to do it.
Our wonderfully understanding wives and
girlfriends (may they never meet), realising this was some form of
mid-life crisis and that this was by far a much better endeavour than
going out and buying a Harley Davidson or a Porsche happily agreed.
11th January 2012 - So it begins...
While undertaking some detailed 'research' on the internet, Lee stumbles across
Trailtrekker, a charity walking event in the Yorkshire Dales and sends
the link around to colleagues. "Would anyone fancy taking part in this
with me and entering a small team?" was the question.
The option
to do short sections was met with a degree of enthusiasm though it was
apparent that the timing of Trailtrekker coincided with Mark's annual
leave so he wouldn't be able to take part.
After a bit of further
'research', Lee then sends a second email with a link. "How about this
one in July instead?" was the question.
The link in question was this one... http://www.oxfam.org.uk/Trailwalker
The link in question was this one... http://www.oxfam.org.uk/Trailwalker
The initial enthusiasm among collegues was met with a degree of trepidation. "A hundred kilometres?!"...."in 30 hours!?"...."Could we?"
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