Johnson Controls Trailwalker 2007 Challenge

With only 2 days left before the start of the walk, the only thing left to do is pack and prepare. To start as a team and Finish as a team is our primary objective, and to acheive it we will need mental toughness, team spirit and the support of our crew. A last minute replacement for Jim has been found and the hours of training have strengthened our legs ready for the distance. All we need now is the self beleif that we will succeed and the support of each other. I am very confident that we wil all be stood on the finish line together on Sunday morning, and that it will be well worth all of the sacrifices we have made to get us there.

"The difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary is so often just simply that little word - extra. And for me, I had always grown up with the belief that if someone succeeds it is because they are brilliant or talented or just better than me…and the more of these words I heard the smaller I always felt! But the truth is often very different…and for me to learn that ordinary me can achieve something extra-ordinary by giving that little bit extra, when everyone else gives up, meant the world to me and I really clung to it…"

Bear Grylls

Just to keep you updated on the healing process, I had to "remove" my big toe nail on Tuesday night. The picture below shows my toe after the procedure. It was basically swollen with poisonous stuff so I cut it down both sides with some nail scissors then pulled it off. It feels a lot better now, but I'm pretty sure I won't be 100% healed by next Friday. I have cut out a cardboard replacement for my toenail, which reminds me that we now have 3 cardboard replacements coming along next week. Jim is unfortunately committed to staying in Spain so he won't be able to make it, I have made a cardboard replacement for him, which will be sitting next to cardboard Mike in the bus. Cardboard Mike is coming even though real Mike is also coming because for some reason some people just prefer the cardboard one.So, the only thing left to do now is carb load on the stella artois all week and pack plenty of bandages. It's time to Man up and walk, remembering that the pain is just the weakness leaving your body!

The final training walk took place last weekend. Three of us walked a total distance of 35 miles on Saturday 30th June across Cannock Chase. It took us from 0700 to 2100 including break times (some of which lasted longer than anticipated due to blister treatment). Mike was unfortunately unavailable for the walk, but we did take a cardboard cut out of him along, and found cardboard Mike was much more of a team player than the real thing! As you can see from the pictures below, the weather wasn't too good, and we did have a few navigating problems as usual, but the worst part was the blisters I managed to get on my heal. The first picture shows the damage on the day, and the second one was taken this morning. I have got 10 days to heal, which I'm sure is possible. Having completed just over half the distance we all feel very confident now, and are ready for the main event.