Clare Josa | Author And Keynote Speaker

UK's Foremost Imposter Syndrome Expert, International Keynote Speaker & 8x Author

Lessons Learned From A Trailwalker Training Trek

Inspirational Messages / by

Yesterday, Peter and I walked 33km (that’s 21 miles) as a training walk for our full-blown Trailwalker hike this summer.

Here are some lessons I learned:

Just because it is difficult, it doesn’t mean you have to stop. But it does mean you have to do something different.

Funny that – ‘cos you could apply it to lots of situations in life?!

Here are some that I applied it to yesterday:

  • It’s ok to take a break – it might even stop you giving up.
    My left knee (the dodgy one) hurt at times – quite badly. So I got into a routine of allowing myself 30 seconds of “pause time” (not “stop”!) to stretch, massage and generally send it love. 🙂 This really worked. It released the tension in the knee and took the pain away. Then I could keep walking. Had I continued, without these pauses, I’d probably have had to give up the walk early on.
    .
  • It’s amazing how far you can get, when you’re motivated.
    We had already walked 10 miles and I was REALLY ready for lunch. The pub we had planned to stop at told us we couldn’t bring our wet, tired and cold dog inside. She would have to stay in the car park, on her own. I can kind of understand this, but it cost them our custom yesterday – and probably long-term.
    Anyway, although I didn’t relish the idea of walking another mile into town for lunch, we did, and had a lovely meal in the cloisters (kind of outdoors) at the cathedral.
    I didn’t think I could keep on walking without a break. But the thought of a hot lunch kept me going!
    .
  • A little planning prevents problems.
    When you’re out for a very long walk, drinking enough water to stay hydrated, there comes a point in every girl’s life when you have to pee outdoors.
    And here’s what I learned.
    When it comes to a countryside pee, it’s all about location, location, location!
    Here are my top tips for “outdoor comfort”:

    1. Location: Ask your fellow walkers to look away. Find a spot that makes it easy for them.
    2. Location: Check the chosen area for brambles and nettles, before you do the deed (nearly fell foul of that one yesterday!)
    3. Location: Before you “go”, don’t just check the area in front of you – check out who might be able to see you from behind, too. Nearly had an embarrassing moment yesterday at one point when I hadn’t spotted that the convenient rest point was in full view of a multi-acre field 😉

As I said, just because it is difficult, it doesn’t mean you have to stop. But it does mean you have to do something different.

And I’m wondering, what could you apply that to today? Just a thought! Please do share, via the comments box. 🙂

And here are some pics from yesterday, to show you how we got on.

2 miles - beautiful bluebells
2 miles - beautiful bluebells
3 miles in
3 miles in
4 miles: wonderful ancient yew forest - minor diversion to investigate :-)
4 miles: wonderful ancient yew forest - minor diversion to investigate 🙂
6 mile point - and some confused sheep watch our hill-climbing efforts
6 mile point - and some confused sheep watch our hill-climbing efforts
10 miles: A long-awaited lunch, outside in the cold, at Salisbury cathedral
10 miles: A long-awaited lunch, outside in the cold, at Salisbury cathedral
11 miles: and a swan nests in front of the cathedral
11 miles: and a swan nests in front of the cathedral
14 miles - and 15 miles. Don't ask! ;-)
14 miles - and 15 miles. Don't ask! 😉
16 miles - walking along the windy ridge
16 miles - walking along the windy ridge
Tara dog gets a well-earned break.
Tara dog gets a well-earned break.
21.6 miles: smiles (and a pint) at the pub :-)
21.6 miles: smiles (and a pint) at the pub 🙂
Up for a challenge?
Want to see how we get on?

Want to see how we’re getting on with our 60 mile walk?

  • Hi Hannah,
    Congratulations! That’s a wonderful achievement!

    One Step Beyond completed the course in 26 hours & 40 minutes.

    Everyone who even got their boots on did an amazing job!

    I’ve just written a blog article about my experiences this weekend:
    http://www.beyond-alchemy.com/ready-for-alchemy/why-im-glad-i-didnt-make-it/

    Great to hear you’re going to give yourself permission to smell the roses and take more time to meditate!

    Hope you love the results.
    Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
    Namaste,
    Clare x

  • Found this when looking for Trailwalker times – how did you go? We did it in 24 hours 45 – I am very impressed with myself. And then I saw it your site talks about meditation: which is something I know makes a huge impact on how I show up the world, and yet I de-prioritise it all the time… now this is serendipty! If there’s one thing I learnt through Trailwalker, it’s that if you have a clear goal and the desire, you can do it. My next goals will be about smelling the roses – and taking the time and committing to a regular meditation.
    Thanks

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