The Dodentocht is an annual event in August in which those taking part walk 100km in less than 24 hours. It has been a desire of mine to participate at some point and, with the encouragement of my sister-in-law, who is also participating, I am now on the path to partake this year.
I originally thought that the Dodentocht was linked to a march of POWs during the 2nd World War, but when I look it up I can find no references to this. So For information check out these sites: Wikipedia and Dodentocht the official website.
I have decided to apply a logical, mathematical approach to training but, let's be honest, it will be an emotional and psychological feat to complete the course. I have a training plan, I have looked into my footwear and socks. I have checked out the amount of energy I will need and decided on mixed fruit and nuts (so far) to provide for my needs.
My aim is to build up my endurance over the next 30 weeks by going out each Friday and putting in the KMs. That in itself is a challenge not just in time but also to dovetail with my travel and work plans. Commitment is required, clearly!
Training Day 1
I work in Canary Wharf in London and live just next to Clapham Junction, approximately 10 miles. It dawned on me that this would be a sensible start point in my regime. Fridays make sense as I could recover on the Saturday.
As my working day drew to a close, it was already dark outside and I was beginning to suck the air in in anticipation of starting out. I ended up working over by half an hour, but that was not down to any nervous reluctance to start. I discretely changed my socks and donned my hiking boots. I maybe should have doused my feet with talc first, but I was not that prepared. I topped my water up and packed my gear. Saying my goodbyes I headed for the lift and down to the lobby of the building.
I had not read my map to get an exact route, nor had I set any kind of navigation in my phone or watch. No, my nav preps consisted of: Walk to the river, turn right, follow the river all the way to Battersea and turn left towards Clapham Common. I was worried about some of the areas I was going to pass through but, as it turns out, I needn't have been.
Canary Wharf is essentially a financial district full of suits and an ambitious international community of thrusting individuals, some of them quite rude it has to be said. I looked entirely out of place with my hiking boots, lightweight walking trousers, green Jack Wolfskin coat and Black Northface bag.
I reached the river fairly quickly and took a moment to reminisce as I saw the expanse of the Thames stretching for the far bank. As a young Naval Reservist I had often sailed down the River Tyne on our way out to commence a training weekend and I felt the cold windswept memories of those trips as the breeze touched my face Turning right, I now followed the river, keeping it on my left hand side until I could reach Tower Bridge.
During my military career I have been required to do a few, but not many, treks/hikes. The key to enduring and keeping able to function is the timely consumption of water and food. It may not seem important but it soon tells when you cover any reasonable distance in challenging conditions. It also helps if your team keep an eye on you as you do with them, but in that respect I was buggered!
The route, reassuringly, was alive with walkers, runners, cyclists and post work drinkers. I had carried out an assessment of the value of my possessions prior to setting out and, throughout the walk, I would run through the immediate action drills should I be confronted with some unsavory characters wishing to deprive me of them. You could never be sure.
I had started my watch to track the key stats of the walk, but failed to bring my phone charging cable and thus my phone was on its last legs early on. It was later to die and then my watch decided that it would stop recording my time/distance, a minor irritation that occurred just over half way through.
On the initial leg I was transiting through Wapping and Shadwell, away from the riverside due to the number of developments closing off the path for the privacy of those living there. More than once I saw signs urging passers by to keep quiet. My thoughts turned to the Blitz as I walked past old converted warehouses and cobbled roads. I wondered how it must have been during those horrific nights of bombing during the war. I also thought about the printing unions and their riots when Wapping was being closed down. I ended up, annoyingly, going down some blind alleyways. I was following some misleading signs but the diversions were not much to speak of.
There was something rather pleasing when I saw Tower Bridge come into view, it plays on the mind when you try and estimate how far you have come and where you expect to see things. I had not really orientated myself much over the numerous visits I have made, but this was to change.
I heard the klaxons sounding as I approached, these signaled that the bridge was raising the causeway. This was not too bad as I had planned to stop and refuel. I had 800ml of water with me and 1,000 calories worth of nuts. My back was already quite damp with sweat but my heat rapidly turned to chill as I waited to cross. I was only wearing a polo shirt underneath my coat, it is important to regulate the temperature and not to lose too much fluid, something I will have to be careful of for the longer distances.
Setting out, I passed a number of landmarks and, interestingly, I started to learn which order these are in. We had HMS Belfast, a veteran of WWII and the Korean War. I longed to feel the metal decks under my feet as I reflected on my service career, the many times I had stood guard on the gangway in port in such conditions as these. Naturally the Tower of London was on the North bank next to Tower Bridge. On the South Bank I first passed the Lord Mayor's building before getting to the Belfast. It gets a bit hazy after that but the Shard came next and then, surprisingly later and eventually the London Eye and Tate Modern. I had decided to have another pit stop when I got to the London Eye. On the way I noted that the Houses of Parliament and St Pauls are on the Northern side. I had also noted the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office on the Northern side as well. It seemed to take quite a while to get to the Eye but this was the 9km mark, just over half way.
The next phase was less certain, only because I knew that I would, at some point, have to move South towards Clapham Common. In the distance, I thought I could see the MI6 building and Battersea Power Station, but I was not sure. I did pass (presumably) the old London Fire Brigade HQ on the South side. I checked out the numerous maps on the lamp posts as I passed, keeping a lookout for Battersea Park, that was my waypoint to turn in. I could not see it on any of the maps, but MI6 almost came up on me without warning. I knew I was approaching Vauxhall and that it should be there. At this point, for no particular reason, the Russian national anthem was humming in my head. I cast the building an inquisitive look as I walked by, but my focus was on the road traffic signs indicating that Clapham Junction was nearing.
I made the decision to turn South and follow the Clapham Junction signs. I had checked out a map and seen that Wandsworth Road would lead in the right direction, to a point. As I walked on I came across the Wandsworth Road Overground station, this is one of the stops my train passes through on the way to work. So I paused to take stock and, following another sign heading towards Clapham North Clapham /Common, I started to weave through some residential streets. This was quite a punt as I had no idea if I was heading in the right direction or not. My feet were also starting to tell at this stage so the last thing I wanted was an unnecessary diversion.
I 'burst' onto the main road connecting Clapham North to Clapham Common, instinctively turning right. It was maybe a few minutes before I realised how close I was to Clapham Common Station. Going visual with the underground station, I was firmly locked in to the last mile or so, a little relieved but now wondering if I had acquired a blister on my left foot. The ball of my left foot was feeling sensitive, but not yet painful. My water had run out but I still had my nuts (forgive the pun).
When coming down the home straight it is quite uplifting, but the physical assessment was already beginning in my mind. How were my legs, my feet? How much longer could I have endured? What point should I change socks? How many pairs would I need if I change them every 16km!
I stopped off at Tescos, just a 150 metres or so from the house. I had stopped the clock. 3 hours and an estimated 16.5km. My watch said 22km but 3.5 would be walking to work. Google maps indicated 16.5, so I settled for the lower figure. The average speed of 5.5 was a good rate and included stopping, so if I could maintain that kind of average it would be okay. As the distance progresses it is unlikely to stay that high, but one must try.
Post completing the first walk (my target was 12km), some friends have said they want to train along with me, which is great. Things can be a lot easier when you have some company.
Day 2 - Richmond Park is due next Sunday, all being well!
