The Long One - Alice's version!

The short version of this story is that it was crap and I didn't do the 20 miles I set out to do.

The slightly longer version of it is that actually, I don't really mind! I did quite well and I know that I won't have a problem on the night.

Basically, due to other commitments/injuries/blisters etc the furthest I had walked before last Sunday was 11 miles. So I think my first problem was attempting to go from 11 to 20 miles in one big leap. I'd done shorter walks and been to the gym so my fitness levels are fine but looking back, this was not a good idea.

I worked out a route around Worcester, up to some local villages and back again. I reckoned it would take me six hours at the longest. And that's where the psychology of walking took over. Six hours?!? Of just walking?!? On my own?!? I honestly couldn't think of anything more boring!

But I tried to put this out of my mind and set off.

All was going quite well for the first few miles. I was doing a good pace, my feet and blisters didn't hurt and I was actually enjoying it. Then it started to rain. And continued to rain (heavily!) for over an hour. I was soaked.

Desperate not to be detered I carried on, through the first village, round the corner. As I came round this corner I noticed a small brown and white dog lying dead at the side of the road. It really upset me but there was nothing really that I could do. I carried on and tried to put it out of my mind.

Stopped off at the local shop for some more water and a Mars bar then back on my merry way, on to some windey country lanes. The scenery was beautiful and the sounds and the smells were great. I felt good but started to get a bit bored and tired.

As I walked, several cars passed me and dutifully slowed down. And then one car actually pulled up next to me and stopped. The female driver wound down the window and said 'Excuse me, you haven't seen a small brown and white dog around have you?'. Ah.

This was the point it really turned. I was miserable, wet, uncomfortable and more than anything BORED! I really wanted someone to talk to. I really wanted someone just to help me, to spur me on.

I carried on and found a bus stop. I had a bit of a sit down and decided to change my route slightly. I walked another half a mile and found another bus stop.

And cracked. I sat down and burst into tears. I couldn't do it but at the same time, I didn't want to fail. My feet hurt but not horrifically so. It was all in my head. As it says on the wall of my gym 'The extra mile is between your ears'. But try as I might, I could not get over this psychological hurdle. I was ready to give up and call my parents to get them to come and pick me up.

I called my sister instead. She'd just completed her 20 mile walk and I hoped she might inspire me. She did. She helped me get up and carry on walking.

I didn't complete the 20 miles, I did about 14. I walked straight home and collapsed in a warm bath.

I'm not worried though. I'm physically fit enough, I'm trying to combat my blister problems and I'm bloody minded enough to know that on the night, I will crawl the 26 miles to the finish line if necessary.

When it comes to it, I don't give up. When it's down to the line, when it's the actual event, when it counts - I'll be there. Stepping up and saying here I am.

Because yes, it will be hard and it'll hurt. But giving up hurts more.