1st December, Christmas trees are going up, advent calendars tucked into and Parish Walk entries are open!
I have been asked to write a blog in the run up to the 2020 Parish to share my training, experiences, the ups and the downs and other helpful tips I have picked up along my way which I hope will be of help.
My name is Lorna Gleave, I’m 35 and live in Onchan with my husband Mark and little lads Fynn (6) and Leo (2).
My first PW entry was in 2012. I entered it with not much thought and was pretty chuffed to make it to Peel. The year later I went back for another go in the hopes to get a bit further. I’d had my eldest boy in the February and the only way he would sleep was being pushed around in his pram like a little lord! This proved great training as I managed to make it to Jurby.
The PW bug now had a hold of me and I set my sights on a finish in 2014. I was still out pushing the pram which was great resistance training as the fitter I was getting the heavier the load was getting. I also upped my number of long distance walks and changed my thinking from “I’ll see how far I get” to “I want to cross that finish line!” Race day was glorious sunshine which I was pleased about and I couldn’t wait to get going. I walked with my friend Kath to Peel who I’d done a lot of training with and knew we walked well together and the time flew by. After her stroll to Peel, Kath jumped in my support car and seen me through to the finish. It was great having Kath in the support team as she had finished the parish the previous year so knew exactly how I was feeling. Kirk Michael, Ballaugh and Jurby all seemed to fly by quickly. I felt like I was ticking the churches off at fairly good speed. That was until Bride! The stretch from Jurby to Bride was by far the toughest part. It went on and on and on. I felt like a kid in the back of a car saying “are we nearly there yet” every 5 minutes to my support! Clocking in at Bride was such a relief. My mood picked up and I felt confident again for my aim of finishing. On my way to Lezayre it was time to get my warmer layer on and lights/head torch. This was a really exciting part for me and it felt like a new race. Ramsey onwards is my favourite part of the course and I enjoyed every step. Although I must admit, I didn’t realise how far off the main road Lonan church is. I found coming back down that hill tough on my knees and feet and the same going down the butt to Onchan church. Once I got onto Douglas prom the feeling was incredible with the end in sight. I flew along that prom and crossed the finish line with the biggest grin.
Highs of the PW, definitely the support along the course. There are loads of feeding/water stations along the way to Peel, but there are so many people who sit out in their gardens, street, the pub till all hours to cheer you on. It’s amazing. I have to say Maughold village throw one hell of a welcome party! The lows, definitely that stretch up North for me but having a cracking support team to push you through those rough patches really does make all the difference. Having 3 of them in the support car was great because they all took it in turns to get out and sort me with whatever I needed. Seeing different faces and being offered different things each time was really refreshing.
So that was it, I’d conquered the PW and I put my feet up. Until boy number 2 came along and I was back out with the pram pacing the streets of Onchan and Douglas. I loved being back out walking and decided to enter the 2019 PW in the hopes of knocking some time of my previous finish and of really hoping to finish under 20 hours. My training this time was a lot different to 2014 as having 2 small lads I didn’t have the time to do so many long walks. I crammed loads of little walks in where I could and tried to work on my speed. I went into the walk feeling unprepared but it turns out that this style of training actually suited me better and I managed to knock a good chunk of time off and get across the finish line in under 19hrs.
My goal for 2020 is undecided as of yet, firstly I need to get myself signed up. My training is still on going , I’m definitely a fair weather walker (which is something I need to push myself out of, I just hate being soggy!) so getting the miles in when and where I can at the moment. I will talk more about my walking and training in my next entry. If there is anything you want me to write/ramble on about let me know and I’ll try and help.
Thanks for reading
L x
