Walking in Circles

Covid19, Lockdown 1, 2, 3 etc. Looking back, it all seems a bit surreal doesn’t it?

It was a period in all our lives that tested us in many ways. But ultimately what stood out for me was how you could take something as awful the pandemic was, and discover how our human spirit, our drive to show the world that we are all together, connects us all.

But this blog isn’t about dwelling too much on Covid19 per se, I thought I’d share with you just some of the things I got up to during this time in our lives. Ultimately what kept me sane! What nutty ways I could invent to challenge myself!

How I literally ended up “Walking In Circles”!!

Why? Are you nuts?

Erm…maybe? Ok, definitely then! That’s what my neighbours must have thought! My family definitely did (yeah and still do - thanks fam!).

Joking aside, why did I decide to hike 50km round my back garden? Short answer? What else could you do during lockdown? Oh, relax and eat whatever snacks you could find in the cupboard! Damn, didn’t think of that at the time! I’m still joking aren’t I? Ok, get serious Marc…

Reason 1: My scheduled trip to Everest Base Camp (EBC) got cancelled…obviously. I had meant to fly out to Nepal on 3rd April 2020. I had trained so hard over the preceding year leading up to March, going on multi-day hikes with friends, building up my fitness and stamina for what was to come. I was determined to keep up my motivation and fitness levels throughout the pandemic so I’d be in great shape for whenever I’d eventually be able to go to EBC.

Reason 2: The idea of doing a virtual 50km challenge was presented by Action Challenge to all their hiking community, as a substitute for what should have been a live 50km event (it was the first of many such virtual challenges they designed). Instead of doing a continuous 50km challenge event, as we were all in lockdown, we were given the whole month of April to achieve the 50km distance (damn…I must have forgotten about that part!).

Reason 3: No reason…why not? But also, why not try and complete the challenge in 2 days instead of 30 days? Hmm…very appealing!

How did I do it?

First things first, I decided to try and re-create an ultra challenge look and feel, by setting up my garden with some familiar items - start line, pink coloured arrow markers, rest stop (complete with sugary snacks and drinks), some music, and a finish line. Job done.

Then, walk once around my garden to measure the distance it would take to complete one lap…which came out at approx. 0.05km p/lap. Yikes! If my maths was correct, it would take around 1,000 laps!!

Day 1: So, 7am Friday 10th April, I set off, and so began one of the strangest, but weirdly most enjoyable hikes I’ve ever done! Mission for today - 20km (as it was a long bank holiday weekend, I had originally planned to do the hike over 3 days).

My little ‘cheer squad’ buddy showing me the way!

It all started so well. I was having a blast! Just me, amusing myself as best I could, whilst trying to stay focused on actually getting the job done.

It wasn’t long before a few neighbours began to spot what I was doing…”Hi Marc…you ok? Covid got to you already then?” Haha! Very funny. But after I explained what I was up to, they gave me a few words of encouragement, but I could still see the bemused look on their faces! I can’t say I blame them. My family at this point were just ignoring me!

So how hard was it just walking round and round my garden in a 0.05km p/circuit? I can tell you it was harder than I had imagined it would be! Firstly, it’s very hard to get into a rhythm that you can get when you’re walking in a straight line. So it’s very difficult to go at a quick and consistent pace. The most obvious challenge is the boredom factor. What with no change of scenery and the repetition, keeping my mind focused and positive was critical. On some laps I would change my stride pattern, incorporating music into how I would walk on a particular lap. Other times I would give myself targets…counting the seconds in my head for instance it took passing a landmark such as a tree or sign, and seeing how long it would take me to pass it again. Either way, I knew the time would drag on!

But, some 5 1/2 hours later my first 20km was done!

Time to rest up, and seek some professional help!

Day 2: So, overnight I had decided the best way to do this was to get the remaining 30km done and dusted in one day! Why not eh?

So, 4.30am Saturday 11th April 2020 I got up and dressed in my hiking gear, and went outside into my garden. It wasn’t quite light yet, so I had my torch on (probably didn’t really need it, but it added to the challenge).

I didn’t start straight away, as dawn was just breaking and It was an incredibly beautiful sunrise. the deer were in the field behind my garden, and I watched them in silence for a while.

5am as a young fallow deer gives me a quizzical gaze

By 5.30am I was ready to get going on my 2nd day, and hopefully final day of my 50km virtual challenge.

Although it was a beautiful morning, the air at that time of day was noticeably cooler. So I began with much more of a purpose, and a few more layers, to try and warm my body up a little. I had a long day ahead.

On and on I went round the garden, in a sort of rhythmic stride, knowing that with each lap completed I was counting down the remaining kms.

By the time afternoon came, my family came outside, and gave me some much needed encouragement to complete my challenge. Marissa joined me for a few laps, but soon got tired bless her and put her feet up! It was now baking hot in the afternoon sun!

With the final few laps remaining, they all waited for me by the finish line, ready to take some photos and spray me with the hose!

Finally, around 4.15pm I crossed the finish line. Yay!!

50km, over 2 days, in a garden, just walking in circles!!

You can see my highlights video here

I’ve only gone and done it!

You can watch highlights of my “Walking In Circles” challenge on my YouTube Channel! Hope you enjoy!

What other nutty virtual challenges did I get up to then?

Thanks to Action Challenge, they continued to set virtual challenges throughout 2020. It was a great idea, and was amazing to see how everyone else was facing and completing these challenges!

I participated in all over them obviously! Without listing them all and going through them in every detail, a couple of memorable ones included…

May 100km anyway challenge: As we were by then allowed to venture out a little, I completed 50km of it by doing a night hike around my local park.

Me getting a little spooked in my local woods!

Boost it for June 500km challenge: Now this was a challenge! It required getting out every day at an average of 17kms p/day. In the end I completed it by 23rd June. so i continued until I reached 600km!

My favourite part during that month, was when I went with a couple of friends to Box Hill to do a night hike! Obviously no-one else would be mad enough to be out hiking in the dark woods in the night. Except for us!

A staircase in Box Hill going up into the darkness!!

Summer Trails: Kilimanjaro 5,895m ascent ‘virtual’ challenge: To complete this challenge, I decided to virtually climb Kili on my staircase!! Approx. 2,500 flights! Oh, and with a fully loaded rucksack!

Smiles as I set off…one week later…not so smiley!

Well I think you’ve now got the picture! there were many other virtual challenges along the way. Each one just as nutty as the last in their own way! Needless to say I loved them all!

But for me, the first one, the Easter 50km Challenge has to be my favourite…the one where I was literally…Walking In Circles!!

Until next time!

Happy Hiking!

Marc

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