Well! With less than a week to go, the nerves are starting to kick in. All training is now complete and this week will be spent trying to eat as many carbs, hydrating and getting our kit together.
It looks like the weather is not going to be great but as long as we prepare ourselves then it shouldn't be a problem.

The last team training took place during the night on Friday 29th June. After work we travelled up to Brecon and then walked along the Brecon Canal to Talybont. A quick stop for a beer in the White Hart and then along the Taff Trail back to Merthyr. It was good to get a night walk in and the weather played its part too with the rain lashing down for most of the night. We completed the 21miles around 2am - a good test, mostly stamina.

3 of the team took part in probably our last large training walk on Saturday 2nd June. 40 miles along the 'Welsh Coastal Path' from Oxwich Bay to Porthcawl. It turned out to be a very tough walk mostly along roads with a few dunes thrown in. All 3 of us were hurting a bit by the end but managed to complete it in less than 13 hours. The Welsh Coastal Path is embarassing in large parts around this area with it leading through heavily-industrial estates and through back alleys - not much in the way of views!

Jamie and Bec in part of the picturesque Coastal Path! 

Bec taking in some liquid and Byron looking like he is insane



I (Jamie) hiked for 36+miles on Bank Holiday Monday on my own in the torrential rain and mud and it was not a pleasant experience. It has to be the hardest thing I have ever done and it has hit home exactly how tough this challenge will be!

With only 9 weeks to go, the training needs to now be intense and we need to start making sure we all have the correct kit.

Saturday and Sunday saw the team take to the actual route for a reconisence mission to experience the 'night stages'. Once we parked the chariot at our abode, the Centurions trekked from CP6 through to CP9, reading the map and making sure we noted important landmarks and bits of grass which we will pinpoint on the actual walk.
We would highly recommend everyone who hasn't taken part previously train along the parts of the route which they envisage walking in the dark - it will be beneficial on the actual challenge.

It was quite a tough day and we didn't cover the miles we really wanted (19miles) to but all the same, enjoyable and worth every minute. We finished the day staring up at the hill out of CP9 and turning around and frequenting The Juggs in Kingston for a well-earned brew (or 2). As the dusk dawned, our VERY kind host from The Rising Sun in Upper Beeding then came all of the way over to pick us up and return to our accommodation.
A quick shower and change of clothes and the 4 of us were sat in the delightful bar at The Riser where we spent a few hours discussing the day and how hard we think the challenge will be.
On Sunday we decided to walk from The Riser backwards along the route to CP5 and then return (16miles) before returning to South Wales on Sunday evening.

All-in-all quite a tough weekend but worthwhile. Thanks to Barry and Sue from The Riser who made us very welcome and were kind enough to come and pick us up from The Juggs on Saturday - very hospitable!

Memorable quotes from the weekend:
Byron - "62miles is a long way"
Byron - "Bec, can I borrow your hair-dryer"
Bec - "I don't like Bacon- it's too piggy"
Jamie - "Which way now Byron", Byron-"How do I know?", Jamie-"You're holding the map", Byron-"Oh Yeah"


Memorable moments from the weekend:
Byron and Bec standing right under the 6ftx6ft sign for The Juggs pub whilst studying their phones trying to find out where the pub was whilst Jamie and Eddie were shouting at them from the beer garden. Even then they wanted to carry on walking down the road! Technology eh?

Our 'Chariot' - thanks to our kind boss who lent us this for the weekend. 

Jamie, Byron and Bec in our training t-shirts along the route 

Byron talking to Eddie in The Riser's bar 

 Eddie taking a breather

This IS the South Downs and NOT a road in Alabama 

What's that coming over hill, is it a monster?

No it's Eddie!

'Jack'....or 'Jill' - one of the 2 windmills on CP8

Jamie hiked up Snowdon on Saturday, training for the 3 Peaks challenge coming up in May and then walked 15 miles on the Sunday morning.
We are hopefully walking 30 or so miles this Saturday down on the Trailwalk route, starting at CP7 and walking to the end and returning to Upper Beeding. The plan is to get up Sunday and walk the opposite direction.

Not a lot has happened over the past 2 weeks due to work and Bank-holiday.
I myself spent 5 days painting my house which I consider useful training for the Trailwalk - mental attitude training, trying to focus on getting the job done and I think the fact that I did manage to finish it stands me in good prep for the walk!!

The team are travelling down to Upper Beeding on Sat 21st April and plan on walking CP7 to CP9 and back on the Saturday and a sprightly 20 mile or so on the Sunday. Really looking forward to it.