BOB'S 7-NOV-2007 "60-MILE AT 60" WALK
On the 7th November 2007 I became sixty years of age and set out
to walk sixty miles in the twenty four hours of birthday.
The route chosen was one and half times clockwise, (that's the
opposite way round), around the Coventry Way starting at Bretford
and finishing at Meriden.
Most of the training took place on the route as even though I felt
I knew the route I would be doing it in reverse and about half of
the walk would be at night and I am not the best navigator. I was lucky
to have pacers for the whole walk and good back up transport.
Bretford to Meriden
At twelve mid-night Sheila and I were dropped off at Bretford and
set off towards Wolston on a very mild and light night. The only
problem we had with the route from Wolston to the A45 was where we
struggled to find the path past the Sewerage Works as the fields had
been ploughed. We arrived at Meriden at 7am for the first twenty
miles and a change of pacer.
Meriden to Kenilworth
At Bedworth we picked up an extra pacer and the three of us
arrived at Bretford for forty miles at 2.05pm. We continued around
the Coventry Way I had completed in the dark fourteen hours earlier
and this time had no problems finding my way past the Sewerage
Works. By now I was now getting tired and struggling to eat solid
food. At Ryton one of my pacers retired to the Blacksmiths Arms
(after walking twenty-three miles instead of nine which he had
planned to do). I was able to eat a bowl of porridge which I had
rushed out to me and now fortified I continued with one pacer
through Bubbenhall to Stareton for around 5pm (lots of traffic on
this short Road Section) to Stoneleigh. We crossed over the A46
(more traffic) and across the Golf Course to Kenilworth for 7pm and
fifty-two miles.
Kenilworth to Meriden (last bit)
More porridge at Kenilworth and one pacer finishing and joined by
three pacers. For the last section I followed behind the three along
the Greenway and across the back of Masseys and towards Meriden
where we had to step the pace up to finish at 10pm and twenty-two
hours.
Afterthoughts
I was really surprised I completed the walk without any real problems
and enjoyed the course and particularly the night section. The
pacers and back up were friends who helped me along the Way and made
me realise how much support you take for granted in an organised
walk.
Good Cause
A total of £750 was raised for the Warwickshire and Northampton
Air Ambulance Services.
Bob Rainsley
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