Again this has been written bit by bit and I have had a few problems with editing and it has been sat in drafts for months now but after a gentle reminder to finish the story....(thanks Dad)...........
The terrain after the 4th checkpoint was really mixed with some tough climbs and incredibly steep descents. We were all feeling good, Chesney was pleased to get his trainers on and with the benefit of some food inside us and the sun on our backs we were marching northwards.
This stage was shorter than the previous and we knew that we were probably 26 miles in or so in by this point. The fact that we hadnt seen the 3rd placed team at the checkpoint despite a slightly longer stop also meant that our position was reasonably safe and so we knew that barring injury we should finish 2nd which we were incredibly proud of.
We were starting to try and organise family to meet us at the finish and my parents (Andy & Maggie) and Aunt and Uncle (Mary & Barry) wanted to try and meet us at the penultimate checkpoint. Jojo and Theodore were going to try and get to the finish to see us there. We were calling to provide timing updates as it was becoming clear that we would be finishing significantly earlier than we had anticipated so calling families to get them to Cleeve Hill Golf Club from 12.30 ish onwards. Ollie again was a great help to cordinate with the families to try and get them to where they needed to be.
There was a particularly nasty descent in this stage that had to be taken carefully and was painful for sore knees after the 28ish miles that we had done to this point.
We later learned that this descent had been too much for our colleague Paul Bennett (Benno) in the other RSG team whose knees refused to take him further and so was forced to drop out following this descent. Benno had been great company for us on one of the training walks and we were all very disappointed to learn that he was unable to finish.
Because of the trails and the peaks, we kept getting glimpses of the team ahead of us and began jeering them, shouting to tell them that we were gaining and that they looked tired! They responded by asking walkers that they were passing to relay messages to us which was a great fun and demonstrable of the camaraderie during the Plod. It was noticeable that there were actually other walkers out at this time of day (c10am) as we had only seen one other person walking with their dog near Coney Hill throughout the entire plod so far. Several asked us what RSG emblazoned on our tops was. We were unable to take time to really explain.
On top of one of the hills, we saw Dean Ryan who used to coach Bristol Rugby and Gloucester Rugby out jogging. From the top of this hill we could begin to see our final destination, Cleeve Hill which is the highest point on the Cotswolds. It was now not looking too far away, but there was a deep valley in between us and it so knew that there was another descent followed by a major climb to come.
We began our descent towards the final checkpoint which this time was in a layby and very small as most of the other teams still had not reached the previous checkpoint. There were only a couple of cars to greet us and aside from Ollie and Dave doing their invaluable stuff was Mum and Dad, Mary and Barry.
We learned that the team in front were again 6/7 minutes ahead of us and had only stopped very briefly. We too were keen to get moving again and so had a fairly brief stop but this time for sun cream, fresh tops and for Stu and Charlie to put their trainers on.
I felt fine in my boots so decided to stay as I was in my Salomon Cosmics. We enquired about the other RSG team that were by this stage some way behind us, but told that they were all still going (we found out about Paul at the finish). I grabbed some water and apples and set off, spirits high after seeing Mum and Dad, Mary and Barry, and knowing that we were leaving the final checkpoint for the 8 or 9 miles up hill to the finish!
After the layby came a climb through some fields and then a descent towards a path next to a damn of some sort near a small lake or perhaps reservoir. We were entering woodland and steep paths were ahead of us. The steep paths were feeling much harder now mostly because of the heat and so our water consumption had greatly increased.
After climbing for perhaps 6 minutes, we were unable to see any signs for the Cotswold Way at a junction that we came too. A quick check of the map didn't help as there were no other reference points available in the trees and so we continued cautiously and reluctant to have to turn back after the climb we had just done.
We bumped into a couple of very helpful dog walkers that were unsure of where the Cotswold way was, but were able to direct us out of the woods in the right direction, much to our relief. Stu was brilliant charging on ahead path finding for us and at times creating a path as we climbed through this woodland to the top of the hill. Stu was clearly determined that we shouldn't have to turn back and throughout the walk had directed us brilliantly over some difficult terrain. This detour had just come from all 4 of us missing a sign at the bottom of the hill and had certainly cost us time, but we were all to blame. I suspect that as we were feeling tired, our eyes were focusing on the floor and next step rather than the surroundings that they had focused on when we had more energy. In all the detour probably cost us 10 minutes so we knew that the lead was out of sight but there was 7 or so miles still to go.
As we came out of the woods at the top of the hill, there was a very curious noise that seemed to be coming from the trees around us but we were unable to identify the source. The buzzing sounded like the trees were thick with flies which was not a pleasant thought, but until we emerged from the tree line, it was our best guess of the source. Upon leaving the trees suddenly a huge overhead electricity pylon loomed into view as the source of the noise. It felt thoroughly unhealthy to hang around so we moved on down the path as quickly as we could through the gradually climbing fields with Cheltenham off to our left. The view was spectacular and on a warm day would be a really beautiful walk with family and friends over Cleeve Hill. As ever, the Cotswold way doesn't level out for long and before we could enjoy it we would be descending and climbing our way along to the golf course which we could occasionally see a glimpse of.
We were all running out of water and shared the few supplies we had. We should have picked up more at the last checkpoint, but hadnt really realised how much water we would consume during the climb up Cleeve Hill over the final miles. I had a couple of apples in my rucksack that were welcomely received.
This part of the walk, we all found tough. After 35 miles and no sleep, the end was tantalisingly close and we could see the end of Cleeve Hill, but the Cotswold Way is constantly up and down so saps your energy raplidly, especially in the heat.
We knew that the end was in sight and were impatient for the finishing line to come into view. Each time we though that we were nearly there, another climb presents itself and so the final miles were probably mentally challenging as much as physically.
Desperate for a drink and navigating the thin dusty paths that make up the final 3 miles or so, we were slowing as the heat and terrain were taking its toll. Cleeve Hill is the highest point in the Cotswolds with a summit of over 1083 feet and was a tough place to finish a walk of this length, but the views are astounding. Eventually climbing up onto the golf course, we knew that we were nearly there but that there was a golf courses walk to go to the finish. We had to climb to the summit toposcope to answer a quiz question and as we approached the crest, the blue flags and the Cleeve Hill Golf Club clubhouse came into view about half a mile away and downhill!
There was a path that would take us in a direct line to the finish, but Stu and Charlie were particularly keen for us to take the Cotswold Way path which of course isnt direct! I was starting to develop a nasty blister on the sole of my foot but reluctantly we dipped out of view for a few minutes before coming around the corner for the final third of a mile to the clubhouse.
The greeting as we approached was brilliant. Jojo and Theodore, Mum and Dad, Mary and Barry were all there with lots of other family, friends, supporters and Action charity staff to cheer us in. Dave and Ollie walked out to meet us and it was really emotional to see everyone welcoming us in. Stu, Charlie, Chesney and I had made the 40 miles in 13 hours crossing the line at 13.00 hrs exactly, finishing in 2nd place.
We were tired but overjoyed with the welcome and the sense of achievement. As a team, we had all trained hard and pushed each other to get through but had got on brilliantly and achieved more than we set out too.
After greeting family, we were awarded medals and T-Shirts and offered drinks. From earlier walks we had always looked forward to and enjoyed a cold coke when finishing so cokes quickly ordered.
Socks and Boots removed, my feet looked horrendous, wrinkly, deathly white and big blisters starting to come through. In reality, they werent that bad, I just should have changed my socks at the penultimate checkpoint which would have stopped any problems developing.
We then sat down for the BBQ and to welcome other teams in.
Benno arrived after dropping out and hitch hiking to the Cleeve Hill Golf Club and then a few of the other teams started arriving home. The Golf Club is worn but friendly and the food was eagerly consumed. The 2nd RSG team finished an hour and a half behind us in 6th place which was satisfying but emotional to welcome them in. Between our finish in the blazing heat, the weather had turned to torrential rain and a cold front and so they were freezing and soaking wet after ditching their wet weather kit to save weight. It was a lesson of how quickly the weather can change on the hills.
Once the other team arrived, no one stayed around for too long, keen to get home, have a bath, food and get some shut eye.
The event was hugely rewarding and one that I would definitely like to repeat some day. It was the hardest physical challenge that I have completed, but the exhileration at finishing was immense. The training had been brilliant fun and ensured that we were still relatively fresh at the end and I am sure that I could have done another 20 miles. Not sure about 2012 as shortly after the PLOD, we discovered that Jo is pregnant with twins, due in January 2012.
I hope to be back walking soon and can thoroughly recommend the PLOD as a challenge and walking some of the Cotswold Way for mind body and soul.
If you are planning to take part, get some training in, particularly for the hills and buy some decent boots / kit. We found some key bits really made a difference.
Finally, you need an understanding family to support you through the training and recovery after the event.
Hope you enjoyed reading this and good luck if you are intending to take part in the future!
Jonny
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