I'd have been annoyed with myself if it had taken over four hours. That was my published target for this year's slightly shortened Kiltwalk 'Big Stroll'. In my head I knew I wanted to break three hours and forty five minutes. I imagined myself doing a 3:42. That would be win for me.
Cue reality. Two practice walks ago, when I last tried a similar distance, it ended discouragingly badly. Partly redeemed by a more successful shorter walk last week. But the memory of that failed longer effort stayed in the back of my mind. So it was a relief/miracle/pleasure/palliative/comfort/bloody big surprise to find myself still making good time after the uphill section with only three miles to go. And a bit of a shock to find myself crossing the finish line three hours and thirty three minutes after leaving the start in Musselburgh. (Which is probably why I feel totally knackered now, as I write this seven hours later.)
It helped that the weather was a bit cooler than it's been this past week, and the wind a lot less obstructive. That I was able to find my own pace soon after the start and stuck with it. That I didn't stop walking the whole time except to get safely across the few roads placed in our path (aided by a fellow walker who held my backpack for a minute so I could take my sweater off without breaking stride, helpful friendly people these Kiltwalkers). Nor did I stop to take photos, so all I've got here is a shot of the crowd ahead of me at the start line.
I think I need my bed...
Meanwhile, if you are still considering donating for my efforts... here's a link to my Kiltwalk donations page.
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