Stage 11 -checkpoint 10 (Woodingdean) to finish (Brighton Racecourse)
Distance - 5.8 kms ( 3.6 miles). Total distance covered 100 kms (62 miles)
Total time taken - 33 hours and 1 minute. Time since sleep - 35 hours
The team leader's experience - having stopped for 20 minutes or so, it was difficult to get going again .. but we knew we had to. When we'd climbed the next hill in training it had seemed huge but, after food and a change in attitude, it felt like a mole hill. Alison was losing faith and so we motivated each other, as well as the girls who were now part of the team, with a group hug - we couldn't give up now!
As we neared the end a sign popped up which we all thought was 1km to go, but in fact was 3km. This was a bit disappointing to see. I rang support to let them know we were close and they walked back from the finish line to meet us. It was so good to see the rest of the team coming towards us and the tears that I thought I would shed crossing the finishing line never came.
This is a walk I'll never forget for the way complete strangers were willing to help each other to achieve the same goal and, through this, everyone in the end was a true winner!
Alison's tale - as we went in to checkpoint 10 I was so glad to have seen the '' Ladybirds again. They were great and waited longer than they otherwise would have. I asked if we could rest up just that bit longer.
The Gurkhas were fantastic here. They found me a chair, gave us squash, offered bread and then asked did I want jam on it. Then I was asked what flavour jam I'd like! I felt like royalty! We were waited on hand and foot. By this stage it felt like everyone was just one big team. We were all on the same side - all heading towards the finishing line and all utterly exhausted but still determined. But at the end I was really struggling. I knew I would need a rest in between checkpoint 10 and the finish.
Every step was a struggle. I wasn't certain I'd get there. I felt pretty confident but I knew that after walking so long, with such exhaustion and pain in my knee, I couldn't take it for granted. So I had to take my time. I was trailing the rest of the group for the final stage, but still determined to get there. One of the Ladybirds stopped 15 minutes before the end saying that she felt so sick she just couldn't continue. But I distracted her with a funny story and she told me one- then we had a group hug and sang a song- any song we could think of which was 'Pack Up Your Troubles'- then another rendition of 'I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts' and we were all on our way again! Even the 1km to go mark hardly lifted my spirits. My thoughts were, 'how am I going to go on for another kilometre?'
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| Approaching the finishing line |
The support crew walked out to meet us and we all hugged and started walking back. Then we crossed the final road and walked on to the race course. That's when my spirits really lifted! Although it was a long way at least we could see the finish line and that there were people there! It was also wonderful that the whole team were with us- even Aly and Heather who had walked for so long and been poorly. That was a special moment!
I knew my sister would be waiting at the finish line. She had texted me all through the walk. On the Sunday morning the texts started saying things like, 'can't wait to see you at the finish line,' and 'I'm so excited! I'm here at the finish waiting....' Her support was invaluable in keeping me focused on my goal. And as I walked that final straight the emotion overcame me - as it did everyone I'm sure. The tears were welling up in my eyes. My sister Jo looked like she would burst with pride. She kept saying she was so proud of me- and Michelle and my friends in all they'd done to make this success happen! It was such a moment. The proudest of my whole life!
I knew my sister would be waiting at the finish line. She had texted me all through the walk. On the Sunday morning the texts started saying things like, 'can't wait to see you at the finish line,' and 'I'm so excited! I'm here at the finish waiting....' Her support was invaluable in keeping me focused on my goal. And as I walked that final straight the emotion overcame me - as it did everyone I'm sure. The tears were welling up in my eyes. My sister Jo looked like she would burst with pride. She kept saying she was so proud of me- and Michelle and my friends in all they'd done to make this success happen! It was such a moment. The proudest of my whole life!
When people asked me- at the finish line would I do it again- my reply was 'never, ever, ever, ever again- it was GRUELLING, TORTURE...' But so worth it! And would I????
View from the crew - waiting for the walkers to appear on the race course felt like the longest bit of a very long walk. We waited at the finish line for them for a while and then when we got the call to say they were nearly at the finish so we decided to walk up and meet them. And a fine finish it was too - all of the support crew, Aly and Heather (despite their illnesses and injuries) plus the remnants of the 'Ladybirds Are Go' team. The walkers even managed a bit of a song and dance routine as the approached the finishing line.
And it was a bit emotional. There were times during the walk when we began to doubt that we'd get anyone across the line and to get two people across was brilliant. That they did it with friends that they'd made along the route summed up the nature of the whole event. Not a competition but a shared experience. Mind, if it had been a competition we'd have got last place - which if you can't come first....
Would I do it again? Well, I can't help feeling that if only we could organise the contents of the support car better we could knock a few hours off the time. But, no. Some experiences you shouldn't repeat - it's better to have the shared memories of the one time we took on the challenge of Trailwalker and came out with our heads high. Well done all the walkers - we're all immensely proud of your achievement.
