Training on Offa's Dyke

Three days training on Offa's Dyke and I now know just how tough the challenge will be in the summer. If after this I have a sore knee and ankle, I dread to think what state my legs will be in after 177 miles! It was also really good to get an idea of what awaits me in July and also to sort out places to sleep (not that I'll be doing much of that!) and to refuel with water and food.

Early on Monday morning I set off from Prestatyn and headed inland for 20 miles. The path is very much up-and-down over this section and it was good to get an idea of the pace I need to walk/jog at. Quite often I slogged up the hills and then jogged down them to make up the time. The weather was stunning which made the views incredible, but at the same time made it hard work as the temperatures rose.

If the heatwave we're predicted for the summer appears then it will make the challenge even more difficult! 40 miles completed, I drove down to Welshpool in mid-Wales for a few hours sleep.

I started the 2nd day of training from the point where I'll be setting off for the 2nd day of the challenge in the summer. After about 2 miles of relatively flat terrain, the path the heads straight up a very steep hill. Not so much fun at half 5 in the morning, but at the least the views were worth it! Again I walked out for 20 miles and actually this part of the path is not too demanding. As with the first day, when I reached the 20 mile mark, I turned back on myself and headed back to my starting point from where I then drove to Hay-on-Wye.

On the 3rd morning my luck with the weather ran out and I was woken by heavy rain hammering down on my tent! The start of this section is probably the most challenging on the whole route as it takes in the Black Mountains and the climb up to Hay Bluff (677 metres) is tough when your legs are aching. The weather meant that any views from the top were non-existant as the clouds had descended and visibility was about 30 metres at best. I walked for about 15 miles and then turned back again down to Hay-on-Wye where the festival was in full swing.

The next 2 months are going to be really busy with training. The three days on the path have given me a good idea of what I need to do now - plenty of hill training and also increase my walks to 50 and then to 60 miles in a day.

Seeing what it was like on the path has made me even more determined to succeed with this challenge, although I now know that if I am do this it will be stretch me to the absolute limit both physically and mentally. It's a good job that I'll have the whole of the summer holidays to recover and relax!

Again, thank you to all of you who have donated money to this cause. The donations make me more driven to succeed and I really appreciate your generosity.

Oli.