#trailwalker2018

[0101001101010011]

Oh snap. We did a walk anyway to see how we would’ve fared + because we just needed to do something. While we would have survived + pushed on, right now my feet are a mess, they haven’t felt this sore in like 2 years (well actually, after last Trailwalker but that was 100k rather than 54k). Ice + change of shoes, and some more rest stops would definitely had helped the discomfort not be so bad. I don’t even think the heat was the debilitating aspect, but we did have to take an a LOT of water due to the sweating (on the train now with a celebratory tea to sort out my temp). So even though we are fit, it was hard enough + so amateur (non-endurance) walkers would’ve struggled. We reckon maybe a disclaimer next time (or maybe even a TW veteran) could flush out the weaker ones. Although TW is supposed to be for everyone, it was initiated as a military training exercise so shouldn’t necessarily allow anyone to enter IF (as is likely) the climate in July will continue to be hot. And if it’s not hot then it’s bloody wet + that still involves resilience. We’re deferring our places but would like to see @oxfamgb by way of @trailwalkeruk + @queens_gurkha_signals come up with contingency. I hope those who went out today on the route survived, maybe just doing half, because sometimes it is actually ok to do less. ••• #trailwalkeruk #trailwalker2018 #run1000miles #hiker #longdistance #marathonwalk #wmnrun #salomonrunner #southdownsway #southcoast #eastsussex #sorefeet #endurance #keepgoing #upanddown (at Eastbourne, East Sussex)

[bytheriversofbabylon]

de repente, amaneces y te encuentras en este poblado. tu familia necesita agua y la traes caminando cinco horas con un peso de 50 kilos sobre un hombro. y eso antes del desayuno. y luego, imagínate cómo es el día. y así un día tras otro sin domingos ni fines de semana, ni cotizaciones a la seguridad social. sería una pesadilla? pedirías a Dios que te sacara de esa situación? pasan las semanas y los meses y Dios no aparece, no atiende a tus súplicas. dónde está Dios? piensa que en Madrid hay una trailwalker. qué te parecería? se lo pasarán bien realmente. y la inscripción será una pasta. #Repost @oxfamintermon • • • Estamos de #trailwalker2018 en #euskadi caminando por una buena causa. Si te animas las inscripciones de Madrid de 50 y 100km siguen abiertas 🙆🙆

[vathsansri]

Completed a gruelling 52Km walk yesterday at Richmond park. We had a lot of runners, walkers, cyclists, families and DEERS to cheer us throughout the walk. #richmondpark #trailwalkertraining #trailwalker2018 #parkwalk #50km #deer #richmondparkdeer #spotteddeer #antler (at Richmond Park)

[0101001101010011]

I guess I won’t bother putting these patches onto anything then eh @trailwalkeruk. It is with deepest frustration, anger, denial and quite honestly heartache to announce that our Trailwalker event was cancelled due to the MoD, Gurkhas + Oxfam agreeing the weather conditions pushed the ‘safe threshold’. We’re all fuming because it’s not even hot anymore, it’s seems more of a cover for any further bad publicity - but that could just be the disappointment talking. Along with effort + stress that goes into raising sponsorship, there’s all the personal logistics, not to mention training + mental build up. At least 3/4 of our team are still looking to do something together this weekend but without the army’s logistics, we just can’t do something as long. It’s actually pushing teams to do the route anyway - which was my initial reaction, “well fuck them I’ll do it anyway” but the event is great because of the support + atmosphere. As bloody hard as 100km is to walk in one go, I was mentally + physically prepared for it so now I feel let down, trying to figure out what can make up for it. Unfortunately it won’t go ahead at all this year. That means that my silent auction will be repurposed towards another charity + endurance event (because quite frankly right now I’m too annoyed at Oxfam despite 15 years of supporting them no matter what) or just postponed until next year anyway - I’ll be in touch with you lovely makers once I’ve stopped sobbing every hour. Now I’ve got to go + sort out the pile of protein, excessive socks + unnecessary amount of shoes. ••• #notveryfuckingtrailwalkerstrong #100km #run1000miles #trailwalkeruk #trailwalker2018 #illdoitanyway #letsfindanotherway

[0101001101010011]

When I was a member of the @oxfamgb Youth Board way back when I was 17, one of the first meetings explained Oxfam’s infrastructure and where money goes. So I already know this distribution, for some reason it stuck with me - and then from then on whenever I saw a street fundraiser from any charity, I understood how necessary they were, or should I say still understand. But perhaps you aren’t aware how your donations will be spent. Even though £1 could get you something really tasty to eat, or 2/3 a bus fare, that £1 will be put to great use with Oxfam - or the Gurkhas. And you’ll also make me feel like the pain I’m going to put myself through will be worth a little bit more. . . . #TrailwalkerStrong #trailwalker2018 #sponsorme #fundraising #charityfundraising #onepound #donate

[0101001101010011]

As part of the @gurkhawelfaretrust’s drive to deliver a more mobile approach to aid in Nepal - when considering the inaccessibility of certain areas, as seen by the photos - thw Trust has partnered up with the UK road safety charity IAMRoadsmart to provide relevant training to the Pensioner Support Teams. 🏍 Now the Trust has the only 12 trained motorcyclists in Nepal! . . . By sponsoring me and thereby donating to the #GurkhaWelfareTrust you are enabling more training like this to take place so that staff (and other road users) are safe and in turn the Gurkha veterans are able to receive aid more efficiently and more abundantly. . . . Link in bio! ••• #TrailwalkerStrong #Trailwalker2018 #iwillwalk500furlongs #run1000miles #walk1000miles #sponsorme #fundraising #charityfundraising #nepal #gurkhaveterans #gurkha

[0101001101010011]

It’s #WorldRefugeeWeek. Like it needs only a week of attention but perhaps it means those not bothered with the issue will take note a bit. I watched Simon Reeves’ Burma program a few weeks back, which was completely eye-opening. I’m not a news reader; I grasp what’s going on but never truly get involved as there’s just too much to think about. But that program put it into perspective for me, the scale of it. Displacement due to fear, or a lack of alternatives is what I take from it. No control, no choice, no familiarity or comfort. Uncertain and unpredictable surroundings - as is seen with the effects of monsoon season on Cox’s Bazar. . . . I’m sure you’ll have been in a situation where you’re homesick, or lost, or without some comforts. You are then grateful for what you have on your return. I get it a lot when I’ve been hiking - I sort of it do the camping putting up with discomfort so that I am more grateful. I’m urging you to think of those times when you really just wanted to be at home, safe and secure and then imagine those that probably can’t ever have that again. Yet, charities like Oxfam who get to emergencies and communities fast are able to provide food, water and protection. Now we can even see women’s centres being set up in camps to provide a place of support. . . . The UN states that there are currently 68.5 million displaced peoples. I’m in my bed right now, I’ve had some food and I can probably sleep pretty well. But there’s 68.5 million people - plus those not in that statistic (maybe homelessness isn’t categorised here) - who won’t. I ask you to sponsor my 100km non-stop trek in order to give a little bit of nice to those without anything. Link in bio. ••• #ronhingya #refugees #displaced #homeless #without #monsoonseason #myanmar #oxfamgb #TrailwalkerStrong #Trailwalker2018 #sponsorme #fundraising #womenwhowalk

[vathsansri]

Good to meet up with friends who share your disappointments about the canceled Trailwalker 100Km challenge. #trailwalker2018 #betrayal #Blamingthe weather #oxfamtrailwalker (at Bierschenke)

[0101001101010011]

Following on from the water theme, the other charity I’m walking 100km non-stop for is the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Last year they provided 21,000+ people in Gurkha communities across Nepal with clean water through their work in installing pipes and tanks. 3 years on from the earthquake, this infrastructure is helping get the communities back on track. . . . I hadn’t heard of the Gurkhas until my first Trailwalker back in 2016. That was the ankle year so I didn’t take part, but I did head to Brighton to see the Gurkhas in action and man are they strong. Proper endurance. Gurkhas are British Army-recruited Nepalese soldiers who unfortunately don’t get the same pensions as fully-fledged BA vets, and so the @gurkhawelfaretrust comes in to provide financial, medical and development aid to Gurkha veterans here in the UK and in Nepal. Whether you support the military or not, the GWT offers a lifeline to vets and their family who may otherwise be cut off from medicine and aid. . . . It would be really nice if you could support this charity through me and my team challenge. Link in bio! ••• #TrailwalkerStrong #trailwalker2018 #charityfundraising #supportme #fundraising #gurkhawelfaretrust #gurkhasoldiers #nepal #developmentaid #cleanwater