W.H.W and other ramblings

elantan

bob has left a message on my facebook which i think might be of interest to others ...aldi has walking gear on sale ... socks poles etc ... might be worth a wee visit

competitionscafe

elantan wrote: »

and the more i think about it the more i am thinking mayb trail shoes will be the way to go for me ... thanks for the zinc oxide tape info as well ... any other wee nuggets you know that you think might help ?

There is a bit of info here with some tips, advice, etc:
http://trailblazer-guides.com/book/west-highland-way/about-the-west-highland-way
http://trailblazer-guides.com/book/west-highland-way/when-to-go

This website also has a route guide:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/west-highland-way.shtml

I have not done the whole WHW, only sections but the main advice/tip I got from those who have is look after your feet! Have heard of even tough burly army guys having to give up before the finish due to bad blisters - so for an enjoyable walk do all you can to avoid them (blisters that is, not tough burly army guys).

So basically zinc oxide tape for prevention, good socks and boots or shoes that fit. Take some compeed and paracetemol as well just in case you do get a blister despite all your best efforts.

I have heard that a lot of people buy brand new boots especially for the WHW and then end up in agony! Whatever you wear on your feet (boots or shoes) make sure that you have done a fair bit of walking in them already so that you know they will be comfy and blister free. I have also heard some people use this foot cream to rub into their feet each night to help them recover overnight: http://www.vit-shop.co.uk/store/p/2692/1/Gehwol-Foot-Cream-75ml.html Boots / shoes should have enough room so that your toes do not bash the front when going downhill as you will be in a lot of pain if they do.
Hope that helps!

elantan

have been doing some more research on the w.h.w and it appears that everyone and their granny knows that may is the best time to go ... so they all go in may ... the advice i was reading was to go in june as it isnt as busy ... still keeping reading and researching

elantan

sorry all have been busy dealing with the burglary etc this week ... hows the walking going though? ... anyone had any thoughts on when to go ?

Double_Trouble

June would suit me better as I usually go to Uganda in May and it is an extra month to get ready :rotfl:

DTxx

elantan

anyone else ??? it would be good to get an idea of when suits most people so we can try and get things sorted ... do you go to Uganda every may DT? lovely place i would imagine


right operation get fit for the west highland way started in earnest today now that uni is done and i am no longer on placement


i walked 8.5 miles i have two blisters in very unusual places might i add ... i am all sore and stiff but i had a ball

my plan is to do 2-3 walks a week ... two on weekdays and one on weekends with hubby (shift work depending) i am also thinking of taking up some kinda fast energetic kinda sport type thing like zoomba dancing or something like that

but this will all be built up slowly so walk one was today ... i am planning on another walk on wednesday but a much shorter one ... i am night shift at the weekend but wouldnt mind doing a wee one then as well then going to my bed ...


how is everyone else doing?

elantan

competitions cafe just noticed i hadnt replied to your post sorry ... looked up that cream think i might buy me a couple of tubes ... and those sites were saved to my favs in the laptop ... but thats been stolen so i will put them in the favs of this one

elantan

ohhhh i am all stiff today ..i'm walking like john wayne ... but i will get moving shortly

Karmacat

Oh blimey, this is getting a bit serious! I'll have to look at the budgets properly now :eek:

elantan

yes you had better start mrs ... you have a year atleast so that should give you plenty time to save and get hill fit ... when suits you best?