Did it: London Winter Charity Walk. 26 Miles (42 Kilometres) 8 hours 25 minutes

 

Finished. 26 miles (42 kilometres) 8 hours 25 mins. Very sore feet and legs, but it's been a great day. Raised money for a good cause (St Mungo's Homeless charity) , improved my fitness a bit and it has reminded me what a beautiful city I live in.

Started at the Oval Cricket club 10am, walked along south bank towards Rotherhithe, back to Tower Bridge, crossed to north of Thames and walked west until Vauxhall Bridge. Had lunch at Oval then walked west along south of Thames and then crossed Putney Bridge. Walked East alongside Thames (in darkness) until Vauxhall then back to Oval for 6.25pm.

Listening to music and podcasts took my mind off the aches and pain.

Over 30 of my colleagues from Clarion took part and also 2 Newham Councillors, Cllr Kamali and Cllr Chadha.

Many thanks to staff from the organisers https://www.ultrachallenge.com/london-winter-walk/ for looking after us so well.

Will I do next year? Maybe, but see how much pain I will be in tomorrow and the next few days. I will post more photos on Facebook.

You can still sponsor me. Many thanks for all those who have donated so far. https://www.justgiving.com/page/john-gray-1702669640623

Less than 4 days to go before 26 Mile Homeless Charity walk in London

 My wife Gill describes me looking like a condemned man in this photo!

Now wishing that I had trained more and sorted out my walking gear earlier but it is too late now to do much about these things.

I did a 10 mile walk from home to Chingford during the weekend which left me feeling a little sore the next day (it was very muddy) so what I will be like this Sunday after 26 miles? 

We start (team of 35 from Clarion Housing) 10am on Saturday 27 January at the Oval Cricket club for the 26 Mile route which goes around the River Thames from Putney to Rotherhithe finishing again at the Oval. There about 4000 walkers in total taking part during the weekend. 

I hope to walk around 3mph so it should take just over 8 hours (with another 30 minutes in breaks). 

Wish we luck and if you can sponsor me please do at this "JustGiving" site. St Mungo's is a National Homeless charity, which as a housing officer, I have seen first hand do some great work in supporting vulnerable clients. 

Chorleywood to Chesham walk: Chilterns Society

 

Today Gill and I had another marvellous walk courtesy of the Chilterns Society  8 miles linear walk from Chorleywood to Chesham. We took the Lizzie line from Forest Gate, changed at Liverpool Street for metropolitan line all the way to Chorleywood. About 1 hour and 30 minutes in total.  It is amazing you can get into the heart of the countryside on the London underground. 

Started off with yummy breakfast and coffee at the Rootv cafe onroute in Chorleywood. Lot of ups and downs but nothing too strenuous. A mixture of woods, hill tops and lots of lovely ancient green lanes.

Some great views, especially over the Chess Valley. Cold but dry. We passed Latimer House, which was used during World War 2 to hold high ranking German officers, whose private conversations were "bugged" by British intelligence and the information used by codebreakers at Bletchley Park. 

The walk was surprising quiet with very few other walkers. Definitely worth doing again, maybe go the opposite way, perhaps in the spring for the bluebells. 

The journey back went smoothly but back home I went out again and did a few more miles around Forest Gate in training for my 26 mile London Winter Walk at the end of the month in aid of Homeless Charity St Mungos. 

My knees were a little sore at the end of the day today so not sure what they will be like after 26 miles!

I will post more photos of today on Facebook. 

Exploring the Elizabeth Line: Brentwood to Harold Wood Walk

Today Gill and I tested out a walk in a new book "Exploring the Elizabeth Line" by Jeff Lock. The new Cross London East to West ("Lizzie") rail line from Shenfield to Reading has been a boom for commuters and travellers (but so far somewhat unreliable). 

This walking guide book lists 23 walks from "Lizzie" rail stations. Today we did walk 12 "Brentwood to Harold Wood via Tylers Common".  Only 5.5 miles (we also did do about a mile extra to avoid mud). A lovely walk. Went past the headquarters of Fords Cars UK (bottom left) and next door the Essex Regiment Church (top right).

We stopped off for lunch at the Upminster Garden Centre (recommended). Some road noise from M25 but mostly very quiet and peaceful. No rain!!!

Looking forward to the next 22 walks. 

When we got home, I went out for more walking around the mean streets of Forest Gate to train for my 26 Mile London Winter walk at the end of the month. Goggle fit and Zepp life estimate that I have walked 13 plus miles today, which is means that my walk preparation is so far going to plan. 

Countdown to London 26 Mile Winter Walk 2024 - 24/25 days training days to go

I am taking part in a sponsored 26 mile walking marathon at the end of this month for the homelessness charity St Mungos with colleagues from work. 

Most of the recent holiday was spent walking in the Peak district which was good cross training but I only averaged around 13500 steps per day. For the 26 mile walking marathon I will have to complete around 55,000 steps. It should take between 6-8 hours of walking at a reasonable fast pace. 

I am trying to go out walking 3 times a day (early morning, lunch and evening) for short walks and plan longer ones in the weekends. Listening to BBC sounds on my headphones or making telephone calls is a great way to get some walking practice. 

Yesterday evening I went to Westfields to check out suitable walking footwear but could not find anything I like, so I might take part in my normal sports shoes but I think I will need more cushioning for concrete/tarmac. 

I am raising money via this Just Giving Page. Please consider sponsoring me if you can.