Accepting the Setbacks

So it’s 7th February and my first day back at work. I’m 7 weeks too early given my decision to stop my expedition due to injury.

It’s been a challenging few days to say the least, with acceptance of an unsuccessful attempt to complete my 2nd 1,000 mile unsupported adventure within a 12 month period now putting my vision back 12 months. 

This is the 4th time in the last 5 years I’ve fallen and not achieved the goal. But hang on a minute, was there an actual defining aspect where I had a win from this experience?

A big part of me wants to get on my bike and go cycle another 1,000 miles across and around the UK, but the reality, I need 7-10 days for my toe and finger tops to heal before I go out and smash another 1,000 miles. I still have 2 months to achieve another 1,000 miles but need to ensure I allow some time for recover. I have very limited feelings in the ends of my fingers due to frostnip and a not-so-great looking middle toe of my left foot. That said, everything is fine and ready to go!

But I pause, I ask myself - What would I achieve if I went and did 1,000 miles on my mountain bike? 

Personally, I don’t think it would be an achievement as I can do 1,000 miles on a bike all day long. I continue my pause for a moment and reflect. 

I realise I wouldn’t be gaining anything by grabbing my mountain bike and going off to cycle 1,000 miles, and it would be a tick exercise. That is not what I’m about!

It’s been a bitter pill to swallow. My pride, risk of reputation, financial outlay, expenses, time from working with clients and much more. All of which I have to overcome and focus moving forward with my learnings from this experience. 

My South Pole world record is still on track!

A big part of me is filled with huge disappointment and something that has yet to process fully within my mind.

All the training, planning and preparation suddenly came to a holt on day 2 when I had conversations with the medical specialist on my options to continue my adventure. I honestly thought it would be a conversation indicating that it would be ok to continue. How wrong I was.

It’s not how hard you fall, but how hard you are willing to get back up fight for your vision, goals and aspirations. You fall down, you get back up, and try again. Fall down twice, get back up again, fall down 3 times, get up 4. Fall down 4 times, get up 5. 

Guess this is where I’m at, it’s the 5th time I've gotten up, brushed the dust off my shoulders and continued my pursuit towards my goals. 

For me, It’s only when you quit following your goals, dreams or aspirations, that failure presents itself.

The Experience

Day 1 turned out to be one of the toughest days on any adventure I had experienced. The moment I was dropped off, I was faced with challenges. Challenges I did not expect to occur given the intensive preparations, especially with my equipment.

It took over an hour to get the pulk set up given one of the securing pins had managed to break into the pulk poles and I had to start making repairs. All of which in sub zero conditions didn’t make for a great start with my fingers and toes.

That said I remained focused on my goal.

For the first 4 hours, things just got from bad to worse. Cold weather management with my snowshoes meant I had to add extra socks, try and warm the toes on my left foot. Bearing in mind I have never had problems with keeping my feet and toes warm, but for some reason this time my toes got very cold and numb all of a sudden. 

By around hour 7 on day one I was ready for rest as I made it to Joatka Lodge.

I needed to be indoors and not in a tent. My right hand finger tips were suffering yet my toes were toasty and warm having worked on them and changed footwear.

As I warmed my fingers up, I knew I had to wait and see in the morning how my fingers were. I checked my toes and they looked great which was a relief, but I had concerns over the level of frostnip on my finger tips.

The following morning having slept with wool mittens on my hands, my fingertips didn’t feel right. I felt it wise to call back to Alta to see a Doctor and get advice before continuing on my adventure.

This meant checking into a hotel for one night as they couldn’t guarantee what time they would see me.

The Showering Moment!

Still in cold shower mode, I started my shower under cold water and then turned on the warmth. 

The lovely warm shower was great until I got out and dried myself off noticing an unforgiving image on my middle toe on my left foot.

There was no doubt, I had frostbite just on the tip of my toe going under the toe nail. I got dressed and went straight to the doctors. After a short wait, I was seen by a lovely caring Doctor. 

Good news Jonathan she said, there is circulation on the toes but the injury needs observing and the frostnip on your right hand fingers will ease off over time. That said, you need to be cautious until everything heals. Any further exposure at this stage could lead to serious damage.

The Realisation

It was at this point I made the call. I couldn’t feel any temperature difference on the tips of my right-hand fingers. This is a major concern. Purely because if I can’t feel the cold on my fingers, if I go back out on my expedition, I could lose some or all of my fingers and risk suffering a major issue, furthermore the frostbite injury on my toe could get a lot worse.

My ego and pride initial said just get on with it. My heart said hang-on Jon, Norway will still be here next year, but your toes and fingers may not. Calculate the risk. 

It was a simple decision to make. Norway will still be there next year!

Safety first and live to fight another day. No question about it or negotiations needed with my ego. It was simple and quick, postpone my adventure until next year. Afterall, I do control my bear!

It could have been very easy to be egotistical and push on. But really! What would I be proving, that I can destroy my body at any costs just for one of the many adventures I have planned. 

No. I’m in full control of my bear, and sometimes, we have to take a step back to go forward.

So I chose to take a positive step, rest, recover and regroup, to the go back another time for a successful outcome. 

What I know, is that I can influence my direction going forward and whilst I didn’t achieve my desired outcome at this moment in time, I have to ask the question if it is the universe having another plan for me to which I have chosen to accept this adjustment.

Conclusion

Sometimes in life things don’t always work out as we hope they will do, but it doesn’t mean we bury our heads into the sand and take our bat and ball home. No, I believe in the approach where I embrace my learnings and grow from them. 

Parts of my equipment are being upgraded and my training is back on track for 2023 onwards.

Since writing this blog, I’ve spoken and met with my Doctors here in the UK. Everything is going to be OK. The frostbite has became localised and both toes and fingers are healing well. 

Could the injuries have been avoided? Mostly yes which I take ownership of. Could I have prevented the equipment failure at the beginning. No, I have stripped and cleaned the equipment maticulously.

That said, things don’t always go to plan in life, but it’s the actions and decisions I made during and afterwards that I embrace and take with me going forward.

For now, I will be focusing on my private client work, supporting clients achieve a solid mindset that can take on anything they desire both in the office and outdoors.

Roll on 2023 and beyond for my next set of adventures...

If you want to explore how I support clients, just click on the get in touch button below to arrange a short discovery session.

An insight of me pursuing my personal best

Saturday 21^st November 2020

I’d like to use the testing day of a sport’s car when the mechanics are fine tuning - analogy.

As the driver drives the car to its limits, when the driver identifies something that’s not right, he signals into the cockpit team and comes back in so they can adjust and go back out. Usually with great results although sometimes the driver takes it back into the cockpit as it’s not right. They keep trying and testing until they get it right.

Today for me is a similar scenario. I’m not a race car but I’m me and I’m pushing to be very best I can be.

The day got off to a steady start, albeit a reasonable pace. That said I noticed my right calf muscle was tighter than usual and doesn’t want to play along!

I complete the first 10mile lap at a respectable 2 hours 15mins 34 seconds. I knew I could achieve the sub 6hour target if I manage the pace.

Hydration is good, fuel intake spot on, mindset as usual flawlessly driving me as I enjoy my journey of the day!

What do you do when things don't go to plan?

The first 10 kilometres Is mainly uphill with only a few sections where I can increase my pace. It zaps the life out of my legs I can tell you! Just past the 18.5 kilometres, my right leg locks up. I have severe cramp in both front and back and I drop my sticks to deal with it. Just as I began to set off, my leg kept locking up. Not good!

The last time I got cramp like this and continued, was 16 miles into the Wolverhampton marathon. I persevered and paid the price by struggling to walk for 3 days after although completing the marathon in 3hours 43minutes.

So, I knew today was no day for a PB, but merely get 20 miles completed get home (pit stop at the cockpit analogy) and sort my leg out ready for another hard training session tomorrow.

17 miles done and 3 miles to go. As I continued, my rear muscles in my left leg began to cramp as well. So it became a game of stop stretch go and repeat.

I knew if I lowered my pace, kept my heart rate at around 115-120, I could see the next 3 miles through even though I was still in some parts fighting with myself to try and increase my pace against the cramps.

That said I reached the car just short of 20 miles in 5 hours 5 minutes 54 seconds.

Is there a silver lining in the experience?

This is promising signs! Why, because even though I couldn’t push the level I wanted I’m seeing the times evidently show I’m getting faster and stronger whilst pulling the tyre.

I could have pushed on and pushed 30 miles for the day, but with too much risk taking me out for tomorrow. A great positive experience for me. Why?  In the sub-zero conditions, my ego/mind needs to know when to take a step back so that I can go 10 steps forward etc. 

Whilst I know confidently, I can manage and control my mindset, it’s always good to apply in training so your mind is ready and can act automatically when needed.

At home I rested, stretched and consumed lots of lovely food, as well as maintaining my hydration. Early bed ready for getting myself out of the bed for 4.30am. with expectations my legs will be fine for the morning. 

Can we sometimes miss what’s around us when we get too focused and channelled in our vision?

Sunday 22^nd November 2020

A day full of intentions to push and see if a PB could be achieved with the tyre. I woke up feeling relatively OK, but if being honest the thought of going back to sleep at 4.30am was very tempting! That said I got my lazy butt out of bed and began the process of prepping myself for a long day with intentions of rattling off 40-50 miles.

The weather forecast was said to be cool but dry. Not sure they were completely right!

As I set off, head lamp on as it was still dark, my energy is great, mindset as always solid, but in the back of my mind is the concern about the muscles, bands/tendants/ligaments in the right leg after yesterday’s episode.

So my decision was to not jog for the first hour once I’d past the incline sections, at which point my legs would be relatively loosened off.

Things seemed to be going OK, with a good walking pace of approximately 6kmh.

I found myself continuously being distracted by the beautiful reflections in the reservoirs. 

Can we lose sight of the beauty and great things that are right in front of us?

It’s not often you get to see things so calm and I took time out to enjoy the journey.

I made a conscious choice very early in the journey today, and that was to enjoy the stunning scenery. Yes, I could have pushed for a PB, but to be honest, the scenery was more important. 

I feel we can sometimes miss what’s around us when we get too focused and channelled in our vision. Simply, we can miss so much, so I chose to enjoy the day and I don’t have an issue with the decision I made.

I see and hear it sometimes when people wish they had spent more time with their loved ones, kids etc when they are transitioning for retirement and reflect on their past.

As I reached the stone bridge around 9 kilometres, I noticed my pace was holding well and figured I’d make up more time on the second lap.

1st lap completed and my time wasn’t too bad considering the stops, but something was still not right. Whatever happened yesterday when my right leg locked up, it had clearly disturbed something, and my glute was twitching with an urge to cause problems. I eased of slightly and kept a reasonable pace.

What do you do when things don't go to plan?

From about 20 kilometres onwards, although I tried to jog a few sections, whenever I stepped it up a gear, my right leg agitated by my glute, giving me the impression it was ready for locking again. This continued for the remaining 12 kilometres. It was clear no PB was being achieved.

Me being me, I pushed on but with an increased sense of awareness and a steady pace to manage my condition.

Whilst I had intentions to complete 40 miles on the Sunday giving a total of 60 for the weekend, it was clear had I pushed for the mileage, whilst my energy nor fitness wasn’t an issue, something wasn’t right with my right leg firing order.

The night before, I realised what I had been doing over the last 2 weeks differently which had contributed to my leg locking up on the Saturday, and I knew this was the cause. 

I know with my healing ability/recovery rate, if I didn’t push the 40 miles today, I would have every chance for a potential PB next Saturday.

So I took the decision to enjoy a steady 20 miles and enjoy the scenery and the aspiration to achieve a sub 6 hour tyre pulling marathon continues.

Focusing on what I can influence, and allowing the things I can't influence to unfold.

On the basis international travel restrictions are relaxed by mid to late January 2021, and I am allowed to enter the Yukon and Alaska to complete my 1,000 mile unsupported arctic expedition trek, my training plan has 6 weeks remaining before I ease off.

My aim, to achieve the sub 6 hour trye pulling marathon and complete a 200 mile tyre pull over 4 days by Christmas 2020.

I hope you enjoy the pictures I’ve shared,  and thank you to everyone who has been following my journey so far.

Warmest wishes

Jonathan

If you would like to be kept up to date with my training and 1,000 mile adventure, click below.

How do you train for a 1,000 mile unsupported trek?

Stepping up my training

Is there a method in my madness, or am I just mentally insane?

A question I often ask myself when self-checking on my approach and commitment or theory to application.

With just under 5 months to go before I fly to the Yukon for my amazing 1,000 mile unsupported trek along frozen rivers, lakes and wilderness, in temperatures that can plummet to minus 50 degrees, I’m now stepping up my training whilst pulling my tyre in the Derbyshire Peaks.

Please be warned, I've shared the images of my feet over a 6 day period so you can see how quick they can heal when your mindset is trained.

The last month has been about training and gaining mileage, on harsh terrain, whilst pulling the tyre. Sometimes even throwing the tyre over my shoulder whilst scrambling over boulders and much more.

Yes, I’ve had choice words with the tyre and moments of thoughts questioning my sanity and training plan. Yet, this recent weekend has evidenced the benefits of why I am so hard on myself and with my training schedule.

Exploring my pace

Friday night I went to bed at 10pm with the aim of a 4am alarm to get my butt out of bed, showered, fed and a 1-hour drive to my training destination. True to form I hit the snooze button and eventually kicked myself out of bed by 4.30am.

I get to my starting point with the vision of consistently walking a 6km/h pace which is just short of 4mph (3.72mph to be exact).

You may be thinking, this is just a fast walk, which it is, but I’m also pulling a tyre over uneven terrain with plenty of ups and downs as well.

Within an hour I hit just short of the 6km/h pace and now focus on maintaining the pace for a minimum of 26 miles. I know my total distance for the day will exceed a marathon distance, but my target is just to see what the marathon distance timing is. Afterall, whilst I may have walked 40 miles with my tyre a few Saturday’s ago, on testing terrain and hills, which took me over 15 hours, this time it was about easier terrain that could simulate the type of terrain I will be trekking along.

I wanted to explore my pace over long distances and how best to maintain hydration and body fuel/food intake.

My previous weekend training events had resulted in some pretty nasty blisters, yet they healed very quickly due to knowing how to work with my mind, but also some good basic first aid application. So, blisters were not going to be a surprise on this day’s training.

Sure enough, I feel the blisters arrive on my right foot towards the end of the marathon distance. One under the pads of my foot and one on the side of my heal. I finally decide that I must ditch my shoes when I get back and go back to my running trainers for the time being.

7 hours 18 minutes and I complete the marathon distance with just over 5 kilometres still to go. Feet hurting, legs stiff, but overall, feeling great as I continue my training day.

I’m not fazed by the blisters and know they will need treating with the full understanding that I will be repeating the distance the very next day!I complete the 1st day with just over 29 miles achieved and a very hungry tummy resulting in me having 2 ice creams at the ice cream van (99 flake cones).

Back home whilst enjoying a relaxing bath, I inspect my feet. Left foot OK, right foot has a nasty blister in the middle between the pads of my foot, and a blister on the edge of my heal.

Crap I think, these will hurt tomorrow. I dress the wounds and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Already I'm having to resolve my state of mind. The last thing I need is a mindset telling things will hurt before I've even begun the next day's training!

Setting the day's agenda

Setting the alarm for a 4am start again, true to form once again I hit the snooze button and eventually get out of bed at 5am.

I’m sort of relaxed about the idea of sleeping in and prep my feet ready for action.

As I set off from my starting point, my legs are screaming at me and my right foot feels like it’s walking on razor blades! Stiff, painful and weary, it takes around 1.5 hours before my legs begin to ease off, but my pace is way off! I’d been averaging 5.4km/h which wasn’t acceptable. But why? Tired from yesterday!Also, I set my goal to complete the marathon distance within 7 hours pulling the tyre, so I had put some pressure on myself to push the boundaries of the previous days’ performance.

Pushing on day 2

I eventually hit the average 6km/h pace and now focus on maintaining it. There was no way I wasn’t going to achieve my goal of a sub 7-hour marathon pulling a tyre.

24 kilometres and I’m feeling strong and managing to keep the 6km/h pace. That said I know any faster and I’ll need to jog. If you have ever tried walking at 6km/h, you’ll know it’s a pretty fast walking pace.

I keep a close eye on my pace and by 32 kilometres I’ve dropped to 5.9km/h average pace. I feel annoyed and know I have to make a decision. Knowing full well the nasty blister under the pads of my right foot will only get worse if I jog sections of the route. Is my pain of not achieving my goal greater than the pain I feel from the blisters? You may have guessed, yes, it is, and I begin to jog 100 yards or so and walk, and repeat. “I will complete a sub 7-hour marathon pulling a tyre” I say to myself.

The downhill sections are really taking their toll on the pads of my right foot and I know the blister is a big one!

Only one option

My music is blasting away and by now I’ve pretty much listened to all The Killers albums and much more. Singing away in my head I keep going. Jogging walking, jogging walking and so on.

I hit the 38.5 kilometre point and its way in front of my target time. I smile and have two choices. Ease off and settle for the 7-hour marathon or push harder to ensure I smash it. Only one option and that’s to smash it. I press on and maintain the jog and walk momentum.

Pushing your boundaries

6 hours 56 minutes I hit the magic 42 kilometres. I’m so chuffed with myself as I know I can get my time down to a 6:46 marathon within a couple of weeks given my training schedule and ability to jog pulling the tyre.

But hang on a minute! I have a very nasty blister! “Good” I feel. Why?

I take the mindset approach that I want to experience pushing my mind and body beyond any perceived limits. I’ll soon be walking 1,000 miles in extreme conditions and inevitably experience some challenges along the way.

I want to experience, explore and remind myself how my body recovers and how I deal with potential injuries, bodily sensations and mindset when going beyond the unknown.

Method in madness

My method in my madness I feel is to prepare now for the variables. See how quick I can heal from injuries such as blisters, tiredness and fatigue both physical and mental.

I’d completed over 57 miles pulling my tyre in just over 34 hours, having had rest, food and water. My plan for walking the 1,000 miles is a minimum of 30 miles a day with walking time of 15 hours a day. I know I’m on track. Under 9 hours to complete the 29 miles on the Saturday and 7 hours 56 minutes to complete the 28.5 miles on the Sunday. By allowing myself an extra 7 hours each day to achieve the minimum 30 miles a day, this will allow me to push for the 40 miles each day where possible.

Blister Management

With regards to my blister management. I genuinely wanted to incur blisters during my training. Why? Because I want to explore how quick I can heal when combining my mindset with healing, but also first aid treatment.

Can I actually recover within a few days so I can continue my journey on my expedition trek if I experience a bad blister? I know, don’t get blisters in the first place! Crap happens, things don’t always go to plan and if you’re not experienced in dealing with challenging situations, how on earth do you know how you will handle the situation when in extreme conditions?

As I began writing this article, within 1 week, I will complete another 28.5 miles pulling my tyre whilst healing a major blister as shown in the images. People thought it couldn't be done, but you can see from the images it can! 

I experience fast healing due to the combined mindset and first aid I apply. This is such a mental positive boost.

Day 6 Ready of another 28.5 miles

My training

Training to walk 1,000 miles whilst pulling my expedition pulk isn’t just about getting the mileage under your belt. To me it’s about pushing yourself both physically and mentally in a safe place. So, you can understand how you react, respond and apply yourself in a fatigued state. Afterall, I’ll be in extreme conditions on my own with no medical assistance or any support.

Even the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest Dog Sled race isn’t being run in 2021 due to COVID19, so I’ll be no doubt making my own route at various stages.

So, you see, I feel that when training or practicing you need to push yourself beyond your limits when in a safe place. That way, when you’re in the real world of applying your training, everything is automatic, and your mind knows exactly what to do. Don’t put yourself in a position where you are learning on the job. That could cost you your life when it’s minus 50 degrees with no help around.

My training schedule

It’s September the 7th 2020 and I have approximately 11 weekends left before I ease off training.

My aim is to manage and maintain 2 x 40-mile days each weekend. 3.72mph = 11-hour tyre pulling walks.

I will maintain 2 x 29-mile tyre pulling walks each weekend for the whole of September and October

In November and December, I will increase and maintain at 2 x 40-mile tyre pulling walks.

My feet will be conditioned, my adjustments to the insoles, boots broken in, equipment positioned perfectly to suit my walking style.

My mind will unconsciously know where everything is positioned within my pulk (sled).

I will know key areas exactly on the maps; where I will be resting.

Everything will be in place allowing for January 2021 where I just ease off, gain a little weight and maintain regular training but at a reduced rate ready for the 6th February 2021.

Chasing your dream, goal, ambition, pursuit of success etc etc can be an exhilarating experience, and for some, a rollercoaster of a ride. But is there a danger we can be drawn in too deep, and not maintain our health and wellbeing, with a risk of injury, whether it be to the mind, body, soul or business/financial wealth?

I want to share an example of a recent training day pulling my trye, as it’s the principle of taking a step back to all aspects of life and business where I feel it matters.

My training day target – to walk 40-45 miles over the Derbyshire Peak District pulling my tyre.

The weather – Hot, clammy and sunny with very little wind.

The terrain – undulatingly brutal, muddy, boggy, lots of boulders to scramble over with my trye on my shoulder. Plenty of moments with my tyre getting stuck between small boulders on the rocky paths, interest hills and a route I haven’t walked before which requires map and navigation skills.

It’s a bit like life really!

Food intake – an understanding my body will burn between 5-6,000 calories, therefore lots of

nutrition required for my training day.

Fluid management – I took 6.3 litres of fluid. Why 6.3 litres? 6 litres of water and a can of coca cola. I know, Coca Cola is bad for you, but I like it!

I plan to get up a 3am Saturday morning, have my breakfast, go through my route and double check my kit for the day. My aim is to be off in the car by 4am with an approximate 1-hour drive to my destination. Start walking by 5am.

In bed for 10pm and I’m wide awake. I slept in! 3.15am I wake up and drag my rear end out of bed! Shower, teeth cleaned and ready for action, I relax over my breakfast.

My mind is questioning what on earth am I doing up at this time of day and I chuckle to myself. “get on with it Kattenberg” I say to myself. My Bear is muttering at me. Just like a grumpy teenager not wanting to do something.

I get distracted and eventually leave the house at 4:10am thinking the roads should be clear! I thought too soon. My first obstacle of the day! A detour due to overnight road works. This puts another 40 minutes on my journey. I begin to get a little frustrated as I know this will have a knock-on effect on my finishing time but soon relax to some calming music. My blood line is part Italian, and yes, I have a tendency to allow the Italian temperament to sneak through every so often! But I know how to control it, well most of the time lol!

If I average 3 miles per hour (mph) over 45 miles, it will take me approximately 15 hours excluding breaks. Which means if I start at 5am, I should be finished around 9pm; if I allow for a 1-hour break and can maintain the 3mph average speed.

5:45am I eventually begin my walk. I’m a little frustrated with the start time and just focus on looking forward to the sunset once I get out of the valley. My pace is initially fast and I’m averaging 4mph for the first 15km. It’s an easy surface. (The calm before the storm lol!)

I then hit my first unforgiving terrain section of the day. Stop start every 20 yards, tyre jarring and getting caught on boulders. I know it’s going to be a long day but I’m enjoying the experience.

Part of my route is not often used, and the shrubbery clearly shows! Checking my map, compass and every so often cross referencing with my gps device. All to ensure I am on track regardless of my ego telling me I’m going in the right direction.

I feel it’s very easy to just allow your ego to tell you that everything is fine, but in fairness, I believe it’s better to have milestone markers and systems in place to verify you’re on the right path etc, whether it be on a trek, personal, or in business or work life. Having systems in place merely helps you get to your destination even if you go off track at times.

The temperature is now getting very warm, and the air is clammy. I’m managing my water intake as it’s super warm pulling the tyre. It honestly feels like I’m in the Marathon Des Sables again!

I’ve got to the stage where I’m navigating around knee-deep boggy terrain and using my tyre as a bridge to step over at times. I know my 15-16-hour target has evaporated due to the terrain I’m on, but I’m still focused on hitting the 45-mile point.

Navigating sections where you can’t see 20 yards ahead, unless you climb above the drops, proves very time consuming. You can see from the image how deep the sections are. This is where you have to trust your process and skills, have safety catch points to ensure you maintain course and much more.

As you can see, it’s an interesting section of terrain.

As the day goes on, I settle into my stride and enjoy the scenery and experience, knowing my time target has gone out of the window! It’s now just about enjoying and completing the distance.

I’ve already met some nice people and had pleasant conversations. Only a few remarks about the tyre and where’s my car, did I forget something etc, not forgetting “Oooh you must be Tyred”.

Once again, I get to the point of responding to the question, what are you training for – A cold beer when I get back!

Before I know it, I’m well over the 40km mark into my day and it’s now early evening. To my pleased mind, as I enjoy a flat surface, I begin to jog pulling the tyre for 1 km, I start laughing with a brief thought to myself! “You daft bugger Jon, why are you jogging”. The sunset is to my left and I’m approaching Bar Tor and Loose Hill. The scenery is stunning, but I am very aware I’m just about run out of water with half a litre left.

It’s been super warm; I have had to drink fluids to ensure I remain hydrated. I had people in the past at times say, “Oh you don’t need that much fluid, as your body can cope with just one day” Mmmmm, all very well if your body is willing to suffer the next 3-5 days with dehydration. Not something I’m prepared to experience. Certainly not something I want to train my mind to do when taking on a 1,000-mile trek in arctic conditions. Very simply – dehydration = frost bite! Training is also about your mind, not just physical fitness/stamina.

Approaching Kinder Scout

I know the next 20km’s will be brutal due to the inclines and terrain. I look at my watch and figure it will be probably midnight before I get back. More importantly, I can tell I’m at risk getting dehydrated and have to make a decision.

I have 2 options;

1/ Be stubborn and egotistical and push for the whole 45 miles, knowing I am dehydrated and could risk causing injury to myself.

2/ Take a step back, alter my route so I can get to my car and ensure I can continue my training the next day with a walk in the Lake District?

What would you have done?

Once I considered my options, planned a different route, I took the decision to cut my training short. Instead of 45 miles, I decided to finish at 40 miles, slow my pace and take more breaks so I can continue the next day and be fit for another walk.

Sure enough, I slow my pace and break the next approximate 24km into sections. My water isn’t going to last and I manage my hydration intervals the best I can.

It’s approximately 10pm, and I open the boot of my car. I devour a bottle of water and prep my protein drink. I feel pleased with my decision to cut my route short. Yes, I could have continued through to midnight and pushed for 45 miles, but what would I have achieved? A dehydrated body? A next day of suffering walking around the Lake District?

When I take on my 1,000-mile trek in the Yukon and Alaska, my target is to average between 40-45 miles a day. There will be times where I may not achieve even the 40-mile distance in one day due to the conditions and terrain. That’s fine in my mind. Having the ability to decide whether I take rest and shelter can be the difference to successfully completing my trek, or failure!

Training your Bear to protect you on your journey of life can be the difference of having an amazing journey, or the experience of pain and discomfort.

Don’t be scared of taking a step back and planning different routes to your destination. It’s the journey that counts, and if you have the right systems in place, you may find yourself on a different route, but still get to your destination, smiling!

If you wish to discuss anything with Walking With My Bear, don’t hesitate, get in touch.

We’re also very happy to share other people’s journey and success stories within our community. If you have an interesting story you want to share, why not reach out to us.

Warmest wishes

Walking With My Bear