INVERNESS to HAMILTON
May 11th to May 14th 2011
Well, there we have it folks. We thought Highland March 7 would be tough from Kilmarnock to Inverness (184 miles). We thought that Highland March 8 was tougher from Ayr to Inverness (203 miles - the first EVER Highland March to break 200 miles)
It looks like this year has just become the toughest... With approximately 175 miles to cover in just 2 and a half days!!!!
On a presonal note, I just want to get going now. I've been training hard since New Year having covered over 520 miles in that time, and with a planned overnight 12-hour jaunt tomorrow, i hope to be putting the finer touches into my training. BRING IT ON
For the past few weeks since my last update, there has been alot of headway with regards to individual training.
4 of the Highland Marchers took part in an overnight 'fact finding' exercise at the back end of last month. With Gringo walking around Coventry, Yompa in Ayrshire, Chumba in Edinburgh and myself in Inverness, we all synchronised watches and set off into the night. Despite an early bath for Chumba (persistant foot problems), Yompa bailing out shortly afterward (recovering from calf starin) and Gringo smacking his face off a kerb stone (see illustration below), we believe it was a positive exercise. We found out not only how better we could prepare, but also what equipment was an wasnt essential, as well as how best to fuel our bodies for the long lonley night. As mentioned previously, this 'fact finding' exercise will take place again tomorrow in an effort to iron out those late-march niggles.
All in all, training has been good for the majority, and I took a wee de-tour in front of the Traffic Scotland Webcam, just to prove that A) I was indeed out for a jaunt that particular day, and B) I am an idiot.
I am happy to say there has been progress on the fundraising front also.
The CLAN Supporters (Facebook link) will be looking to raise funds off the back of the Highland March this year, leaving the Marchers to get on with the task in hand, whilst much needed funds are raised to provide our disabled fan-base with a better match day experience, home and away.
Less than 4 WEEKS to go until we set off, and although some routes have already been discussed with anticpation of various possible post-split scenarios, nothing as yet is final. The chances are it'll be predominently OFF-ROAD in an effort to knock off a few miles from the curvature of the A9 and Cycle Route 7. There's the support vehicle, accommodation and other bits and bobs to arrange, so for now it's off to get the maps out, make a few calls, and let these next couple of weeks fly by...
BRING IT ON