Walsall to Wembley: The walk, days two and three

Apologies, I skipped a day. This will NOT happen again. Sunday was my longest day so after I finished – I was just too tired.

On the bright side you get a double bill in this post.

On Sunday I woke up buzzing at 6am to find a good old blister on my heel, a worst case scenario! Then, when I got to Salford Junction I found that my water pouch had leaked in my bag! To cap it all off I then realised I had walked three-quarters of a mile in the wrong direction! The award for worst walker of the day went to yours truly.

It was a peculiar thing walking through Brum at eight in the morning.

Solihull's muddy tow path, picture: Graeme Brookes

When I hit Solihull and Catherine De Barnes it was all very beautiful. It was all very idyllic. The towpath however, wasn't! Gone was the Tarmac – in its place was mud, mud, and more mud. This led to an impromptu blister stop to establish I now had another new one! Not even 20 miles in and I had two blisters. What is that about?! I really feel it's due to the uneven and soft surfaces.

Anyway to the walk: I cracked on and hit 18 miles ok. I've never walked more than 17 in a day, so this was good going, but then my mind started playing tricks on me. My legs were heavy, got quite grumpy, and began to slow down. Getting to Hatton Station was the worst though, as my original plan was to stop there, but weeks ago I changed my mind and said I'd stop at Warwick Parkway, so I still had several miles left. My feet turned to lead, every muscle hurt and twitched. It was mental and very painful, but either way I made it in the end!

Not as if I can turn back now can I? Can I? No seriously, can I?

I got home and one of my BFF's and documentary maker's, Rob, decided an ice bath would be good for recovery. I sat in this bath for 10 minutes, losing feeling in my feet and calves. It was positive, though a little agonising and I didn't ache as much on . . . .

Monday - day three

Picking back up at Warwick all the way to Braunston (by Daventry). It should've been 18.5 miles, but it wasn't, in the end it was longer and I wanted to cry.

Again, the mind said: "We are walking 18.5."

I said: "We aren't, we are walking further."

The mind said: "Nope, sorry mate! Your mistake, your problem!"

It was the same as yesterday, my boots felt as if they were filled with lead and everything hurt! That sucked big time! I was not a fan at all!

To combat this I played some tuuuuuuuuuunes:

Guns'n'Roses – Welcome to the Jungle

Rage against the Machine – Know your enemy

30 Seconds to Mars – This is War

Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith

It was nice to finish the day in the nicest house and bed I may have ever been in!

Sunday:

Distance: 25.5 miles. Time: 8 hours, 21 mins. MPH – 3.05