Mud Sweat and Tears

When I first started out on this adventure it was my intention to Blog at least once a week. However the weeks seem to have a mind of their own and keep flying past before I can catch them.

The trek is getting ever closer, and I am getting more and more excited and more and more terrified as the time goes on.

Training is in full swing and my poor husband barely has time to set a foot inside the door at the end of the working day before I hand him his walking boots and drag him out again. It has been amazing watching the area come to life again after the long cold winter. Buds are budding, blooms are blooming and sheep are lambing.

The lambs have been gorgeous and I am really trying very hard not to think about the inevitable.



I have to say that there are times when I wake up in the early hours of the morning and wonder what I have let myself in for. I worry about being the little fat one on the end of the trek that can't keep up. I worry that no-one will want to talk to me and I will be the one that no-one wants to walk with. Then I worry some more about getting the fund-raising side of things done.

Then I think about the bears and spending time with them and it all comes together and I get really excited again.

I really do feel like I am on a Roller Coaster and last weekend was no exception. There was an event in our town called Made in Tod - organised by the local Business Association it is an event that showcases local businesses and organisations. I was there with my Teddy Bears and raised quite a bit of sponsor money as well as another pledge for when I completed the trek. I was moved to tears by a sweet elderly lady who tapped me on the shoulder while I was walking round the exhibition and pressed a five pound note in my hand and said 'I think it is wonderful what you are doing for those poor bears'. Moments like that make me very determined to do well on the trek.

On the downside, I have been having a few problems with foot and knee pain, so I took advantage of the free Physio taster sessions that were available. Behind what was a fairly flimsy screen I slipped off my jeans and waited for the verdict. Like a plumber surveying a leaking toilet the Physio gave a sharp intake of breadth and said 'you are planning to walk how far?'

It seems that I have a problem pronating (I can't remember if it is over or under) and that is causing all sorts of other things to go haywire. Anyway to cut a long story short I need bionic shoe thingys or something like that. Long gone are the days of glamorous purchases it's all sensible things now! So, tomorrow I have to go and see the Podiatrist to get fitted up. Then a few sessions of physio and I will be fit to walk. Anyway, no way will any of this deter me - I will finish that trek.

Saturday night we went down to our local pub and I was overwhelmed by the reception I got there. The sponsor form that had gone down the week before was almost full, and loads of people came to talk to me about the trek. I also got lots of hugs. The Masons Arms in Todmorden really is the best pub in the world. Thank you so much to the regulars for all their support.

Sunday and it was time to do some shopping. Now the evenings are getting lighter and longer we can venture further over the moors above our town. However, even in the dry weather it can be very boggy up there and if you are not careful it is easy to land thigh deep in mud. So, some trekking poles were to be bought. We immediately tried them out high above Hebden Bridge and have to say that they really did make walking down uneven paths a lot safer.





Well time is running out, only about four weeks left until I need to hand over the majority of my fund-raising target. Now, off to get an early night - lots of training to do tomorrow.

If you would like to sponsor me, my online fund-raising page is here:

www.justgiving.com/dawnjames1