EQUIPMENT, BLISTERS AND NAILS...

Have spent a lot of time over the last two weeks trying to decide on equipment to take with me. Very confusing! Some equipment is compulsory - compass, signalling mirror, anti-venom pump etc. - and other items are down to the individual. The balance, whichever category, is between weight, as it all has to be carried 150 miles, cost and appropriateness. Every little reduction in weight will help, but the lighter the more expensive in many cases and there is no good, for example, going for the lightest sleeping bag on the market if it will not be warm enough for temperatures below 5 degrees C, as getting a good sleep each night is going to be essential. (And I would hate not to finish because of hypothermia!) I think I have got most things sorted out and at least Cherith and my children will have a list of potential Christmas presents for me this year!

One of my decisions has been around contact lenses and glasses. I normally wear contact lenses but have been concerned about the hygiene aspects while in Sahara. Have toyed with the idea of daily disposables or even constant wear lenses - not a good idea as an eye infection in that situation could be a disaster! Although an expensive option I have now ordered a pair of Adidas EvilEye sunglasses. These provide a pair of sunglasses with 2 exchangeable lenses, an optical insert based on my own prescription and a further clear lens so that they can be used when the sun has gone down. In addition the arms can be removed and replaced by a band so that they will double up as a pair of goggles in case of a sand storm.

As well as checking out equipment I have been getting in some good training and managed 79 miles and 84 miles over the last two weeks. I don't think I have ever done more than 80 miles in a week before! I was a bit concerned after my initial long day walking when I did 30 miles as my legs felt so sore. However, the last two weeks I have increased this to 32 and 34 miles at the same time as increasing the weight in my bag to 7kgs and then 7.5 kgs. Both walks have gone really well and I have felt fine at the end and recovered well.

Last week was a bit odd as I had to do two days with double training sessions. The first was on Sunday when my plan was for a 22 mile run. However I also had tickets to watch Blackpool v Preston which kicked off at 1 o'clock. I decided that rather than getting up and setting off when still dark, I would do 18 miles in the morning, go to the match and then do 6 miles in the late afternoon. It's a pity Blackpool players couldn't show the same level of commitment! Also was not able to fit in a run on Wednesday, so did a double session on Thursday. Saturday would normally be a rest day but decided to do a short run with my bag on my back, although at a reduced rate of 5kgs. It seemed really odd when I set off and I wondered how on earth I would manage 150 miles at 40 deg C. However after about 1 mile I settled into a rhythm and it actually felt quite comfortable in the end.

My 32 mile long walk wreaked a bit of havoc with my feet. Have decided that I will almost certainly be running in UK Gear's desert shoes, having found them so good when training in Tenerife. Decided to give their Winter shoes a try. They seemed OK but obviously just a little too small and over 32 miles they resulted in bruised nails and blisters. One blister is right next to the nail and has worked under the nail adjacent to the nail bed. Fairly painful and am going to loose the first nail ever after many years of running. Good experience for learning how to look after my feet and manage blisters next year.

I contacted UK Gear and am delighted by their excellent service. The shoes have been replaced at no extra charge for a half size bigger and used them for my 34 mile walk with no deterioration, so hopefully they will be OK. Nice to deal with a company which values customer service.

As I am writing this I am looking out of the window - it is blowing a gale and the rain is pouring down and despite being 10.30 in the morning it is pretty black. Fortunately it is my quiet week for training after 3 heavy weeks and am not planning a run today! Looking forward to just a few short runs during the week and later in the week am heading back out to Tenerife, so hopefully next weeks training (about 80 miles I hope) will be in some better weather.