I can’t believe it is a week since we completed the final day. It was straight back into work on Monday … the print pc had crashed and burned, so that set us up for a good week, starting of a day behind! Anyway I digress.

On the last day the atmosphere was buzzing, we were all on a mission, and so nearly there. I was shocked to read later that over 800 people had given up on day three… why? so close? Most of the hard work was done! The first 8 miles seemed easy, it was cool and misty and we walked most of this part with the soldiers. As planned we stopped for food, the mid morning broth was tasty and renewed our energies. I had developed a nasty blister on the side of my foot, the pressure on this was increasing as the day progressed. After lunch we had to make an emergency stop at the Red Cross tent to get it drained and dressed. It took 2 red cross workers and a nurse to remove the compeed. The Red Cross don’t like compeeds, I was informed ”they were for city walking, not heavy trekking”. With my foot sorted and a sandwich stop, we managed to pick up the pace. The welcome into Cuijk was very lively, and the giving of Gladioli began! We walked through the town and across the river on the temporary bridge built by the soldiers.

From Cuijk we walked to Mook and the long stretch to the finish. Mook is my Mothers maiden name and must be where her family originate from. The support grew through Mook, Molenhoek and Malden until the last 6km it was just continuous. The crowds were fantastic, nobody was left out, everybody was given gladioli and cheered on. By the time we got to the outskirts of Nijmegen the pace slowed right down due to the sheer numbers. It was painfully slow, all I wanted to do was stride out a little and stretch my very tired legs, but that was not an option. Luckliy the crowds, and the marching bands were a welcome distraction and caried is through to the finish. We marched past the dignitries to the finish line. We handed in our check cards, had our wristbands scanned for the last time and collected our very special medals.

Some facts from the walk:

• 45,000 people registered
• 39,933 started the Four Day Marches
• 38,788 finished the first day
• 37,545 finished the second day
• 36,702 finished the third day
• 36,504 completed the Four Day Marches!

Bobbies

Nearly Home

We retired to Vanessa’s flat for a sit down, a shower and a much needed cup of tea, and then onto the beers! Simmone and Judith also completed their 160km Four Day March, so there was big celebratory hugs. Last year only one of Vanessa’s four guests had completed the event and collected their medals We were all very chuffed. The Atmosphere in the town that evening was so open. Everyone was wearing their medals and swapping tales of their ups and downs. It was a huge achievement and all the competitors were rightly proud. I have to say it was physically the hardest thing I have done to date! Will we do it again next year … We would both like to go back and get our crowns (The medal for completing two walks has a crown!). I think we ‘have done’  200km and would happily settle for the 160km march – only 40km/day! Luckily John turns 50 next year, so can walk this distance and still get his medal! Being a mere woman, I automatically qualify for a medal at this distance regardless of age! It was commented on that I must be a very loyal wife to support my husband doing the 200km walk … lol.

We have many memories from the Four Day Marches:

• Wilma the cat, who certainly came to support on 2 days. Perched on her table next to her owners
• The outstanding support from 3.00am on the first day
• Wijchen with at least four brass bands playing us through the town
• The marching songs which kept us going through the toughest stretches
• The seven hills in the last 10 miles of day three
• The traffic warden who conducted us in with Gladioli
• The competitors wearing costumes, that looked like they were being given piggybacks on little guys
• The T-Shirts marking down the days of the 94th March, and the years to the 100th March
• The Red Cross tent with 50 beds full of people having their blisters sorted
• The marching bands, with the tiny music clipped onto their arms
• The children handing out sweets and putting up their hands for high 5’s
• The openness of the Dutch people.

I have just signed up for my next challenge. 50 miles in 20 hours over the South Downs Way in Sept. I am sure that will be equally tough! Thanks to everybody who sponsored me during the Nijmegen Marches. I have raise about 3% of my total for The Jamie G  Sporting Trust Fund, which is a great start. Have a good weekend. X

We made it! I will write a proper blog about it tomorrow when I get home. Now it is party time!

The Finish!

Today was a day of 2 halves! Having got an early night and done lots of stretches I felt really good and the first 15 miles seemed to whizz past; then the dreaded joint pain set in and we slowed down hugely. John really struggled with about 10 miles to go; and that was when the hills started. We had thought they might be a rumour when we hadn’t seen one in the first 20 miles! We walked the 7 hills which were not overly steep, but were continuous, up, down, up down. Luckily we walked with soldiers for most the hills, and their marching songs kept us going…. “push a  little harder …”

We have put Johns ‘burn outs’ down to a lack of food, so tomorrow we will stop a few times and enjoy the local food en route. For the last three days, the only stops we have taken have been loo stops!

The temperatures were much better today. Tuesday and Wednesday it was 28 deg. Today is was a cloudy 24 deg! They had forecast rain today which never happened! It is meant to be similar tomorrow. Apparently it is one continuous party tomorrow, I am sure it will be very emotional. The support from the locals has been fantastic, today we had our first brass band playing before 5.00am!

Blister repair took over two hours for John this afternoon (I think I was done in just under an hour). How many red cross workers does it take to drain a blister on your heel? Three, with the first one who had tried, holding your hand saying this will be a little mean!!

Have you ever wondered what Father Christmas does in the summer?? The Nijmegen Marches!

Father Christmas - keeping fit!

We had a lie in today! The start time which had been moved forward for the heat yesterday reverted to the normal time for the 50km of 4.00am, so it was only a 3.30am get up! At the start we met a nice PC from Cornwall and South Devon Constabulary, in full uniform. He had either bought four lots of uniform, or had been up late pressing his shirt and trousers! John asked if it was hot walking in his bobby’s helmet. The reply was “horrendously so, but at least he could fill it with water and tip it over himself at regular intervals!” The PC mentioned he had met a 67 yr old the day before doing the walk in cloggs. We had yet to see anybody walking the Marches in the native shoe … but not long after the start we heard clip clop clip clop, and saw our first and only cloggy so far!

I found day 2 really hard going. My hips, knees and thighs were really sore. The ibuprofen, seemed to have no effect. I am hoping things will be a bit easier tomorrow… this may be a little naive as it is the day of hills. We have seven hills to climb…. but hills in flat Holland can’t be that hard – can they? John by contrast was on fine form, and was out of the starting blocks almost at a run, it was a consant effort to keep up with him (and take photos / video!) I got my own back when he ran out of steam at 8 miles from home and I maintained my steady even pace. All my training is obviously paying off!!

John Blister repair

We learnt from last nights experiences (where we had to queue 4 hours to have blisters sorted by the red cross). Today we went straight to the tent when we finished walking and was seen in an hour … I was sorted in about 40 mins. John however took 1.45 hours to get fixed up.

A few things that made me smile today:

• Hounden Toiletten – patch of fenced in grass for a dog toilet
• Umbrella in walkers back pack with a bell on it
• Walkers wearing a t-shirt with the text Nijemegen Marches. Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. .. Day 1 was ticked as completed
• Two soldiers walking along supporting a third soldier in the middle – helping her to keep going.
• Hose pipes fixed to a stand with a sign – Water
• Supporting couple dressed as HRH Queen Elizabeth & HRH Prince Philip
• Soldiers singing as they march
• Ladies band – players all dressed up in smart frocks and hats.

I have some more video to share with you. I have been a bit more selective today, but it is hard to video as you are walking: Arctic-Mummy Nijmegen Marches – Day of Wijchen