the reality is starting to settle in

Nine days to go to the starting line and I can safely say I still have no idea what is waiting in store for us! Having never been much of an 'endurance athlete' - okay, having never been an endurance athlete at all! - I have no idea how to train for something that covers this much ground. I have done a half marathon, a 52-mile cycle challenge, four throwing events in a day, three munros in a day, but again, they were all just one-day events, nothing covering multiple days and as continuous as this. And the training for those came more naturally - Chelsea was in charge of training for the half marathon (which means it was very organised and it got done!), I was cycling 15 miles a day for work anyway, I had coaches to train me for the throwing events, and the munros - well, there's a pint always waiting at the bottom of a munro so there's enough incentive without proper training :) The longest distance I've ever walked in a day in hills is approximately 15 miles, but that was followed by days of lazy recovery, dinner at a fish and chip shop and (obviously) a pint. Given we will be averaging 15 miles a day, sustaining ourselves on bread and cheese (and peanut M&Ms, because I am a 21st century pilgrim with an addiction to chocolate), for four days straight and sleeping on the ground, it will undoubtedly be an interesting experience! One advantage is having incentive to keep moving - other hill walking journeys have had a day of hillwalking with the option of being lazy the next day. There is no option this time around. 

This all sounds quite negative - I am actually looking forward to it all! A few days away from the computer, phone, media, alarm clocks, sirens, traffic, sense of responsibility and debt to society, and just being present in nature, enjoying Victoria's company and the beautiful countryside. I will bring a camera along, so technology won't be completely absent, but I hope that won't distract too much from the experience and will only serve to help share it with others.

So it's all starting to hit me that I have no idea how to train for this - I've been going with a combination of running, cycling, gardening, ceilidh dancing, walking and yoga - but I think the motivation, incentive and inspiration of it all will make up for my lack of preparation. It has been so encouraging witnessing people's generosity in giving and supporting this pilgrimage, so thank you all!