Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Cape to Cape Planning Post

Planning to walk some of the Cape to Cape Track over Easter.

As I will be walking (at least some of the time) with my 7y.o. I think we'll aim to complete half of it (in four days) and then do the last half next Easter.

2009
DAY 1:...Cape Naturaliste To Yallingup...14 Km
DAY 2:...Yallingup To Moses Rock Road....17.5km
DAY 3:...Moses Rock Road To Gracetown....16.2km
DAY 4:...Gracetown To Rivermouth.........18km

2010
DAY 5:...Rivermouth To Hooley Rd.........26km
DAY 6:...Hooley Rd To Cosy Corner........21.5km
DAY 7:...Cosy Corner To Cape Leeuwin.....21km

We've actually done the Day 1 section before and some of the Day 2 one too. However, I would like to do it again as major sections.

I found this information on a site that does guided walks

The biggest single problem we have is not a lack of fitness, but feet problems. Shoes or boots that have been fine in the past suddenly give blisters. The terrain is sand and up and down. I cannot emphasise enough that you have very well worn in shoes or boots, and good socks, and preventative first aid as well as first aid for blisters.

Please ensure you have completed at least 3x 20km walks in your shoes.

As a prevention for rubbing and blister formation, I recommend "sleek" or "fixamull" or even duct tape. Plastic freezer bags worn between the sock and shoe can help, and others recommend "knee highs" worn under socks. Vaseline is popular too.

The principle is to have your skin "slide" rather than rub against your shoe. In all instances, prevention is better than cure. As soon as you feel rubbing, or a "hot spot", stop and do something about it. Blisters are very difficult to dress so as to be able to walk comfortably. Blister treatments vary and you may have you favourites.

The second skin variety (often sold as burns dressing) seems good, though you need good tape to keep it in place. Blister Bloc or Compeed is another choice.

TRAINING

People often ask how they can best prepare physically for the trip. Walk, walk and walk! And preferably in sand! Try to walk frequently, starting over winter if possible. Even walking around your suburb will get you walk-fit. By spring you should be able to comfortably walk 10km, and try and do a couple of 20km walks before the Cape to Cape. However, walking small distances frequently helps a lot- for instance walking 2km 4times a week and then 5km once a week is a great help. It's a good idea to try and get in some hilly terrain and some beach walking. As mentioned above, start walking in the shoes you will wear on the walk now!!


Okay, Easter is about 12 weeks away, which does give us some time to prepare ... the 2kms/4times a week and then 5kms once a week sounds good. We don't have any sand around here, but we have lots of hills.

I have hiking boots but I don't think my daughter has anything that is suitable. I will have to see what we can find.

Okay I have planned the following:
Will keep this page updated with my progress

Mon Jan 12th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km ... DID!
Tue Jan 13th - Walk 5.5km without girls Nope :( Hubby didn't get home from gym in time
Wed Jan 14th - Walk 1 1.78km with girls then do 5.5km on own later Nope :( House guests
Thr Jan 15th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km LA cancelled due to heat 40C (104F). DID 2km on treadmill in gym instead.
Fri Jan 16th - Walk 2 1.82km Nope, too hot - and family commitments stopped me getting to the gym

Mon Jan 19th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Tue Jan 20th - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Jan 21st - Walk 3 1.89km
Thr Jan 22nd - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Jan 23rd - Walk 4 2.13km

Mon Jan 26th - No walk - Australia Day
Tue Jan 27th - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Jan 28th - Walk 4 2.13km
Thr Jan 29th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Jan 30th - Walk 5 2.23km

Mon Feb 2nd - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 1.56km
Tue Feb 3rd - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Feb 4th - Walk 6 2.24km
Thr Feb 5th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Feb 6th - Walk 6 2.24km

Mon Feb 9th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 1.74km
Tue Feb 10th - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Feb 11th - No walk planned - away in Sydney
Thr Feb 12th - No walk planned - away in Sydney
Fri Feb 13th - No walk planned - away in Sydney

Mon Feb 16th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 1.97km
Tue Feb 17th - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Feb 18th - Walk 6 2.24km
Thr Feb 19th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Feb 20th - Walk 7 2.58km

Sun Feb 22nd - Walk 5km (route to be confirmed)

Mon Feb 23rd - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 2.18km
Tue Feb 24th - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Feb 25th - Walk 7 2.58km
Thr Feb 26th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Feb 27th - Walk 8 2.87km

Sun Mar 1st - Walk 6km (route to be confirmed)

Mon Mar 2nd - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 2.38km
Tue Mar 3rd - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Mar 4th - Walk 9 2.94km
Thr Mar 5th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Mar 6th - Walk 9 2.94km

Sun Mar 8th - Walk 7km (route to be confirmed)

Mon Mar 9th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 2.42km
Tue Mar 10th - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Mar 11th - Walk 10 3.20km
Thr Mar 12th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Mar 13th - Walk 10 3.20km

Sun Mar 15th - Walk 8km (route to be confirmed)

Mon Mar 16th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 2.71km
Tue Mar 17th - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Mar 18th - Walk 11 3.59km
Thr Mar 19th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Mar 20th - Walk 12 3.66km

Sun Mar 22nd - Walk 9km (route to be confirmed)

Mon Mar 23rd - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 3.14km
Tue Mar 24th - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Mar 25th - Walk 13 4.00km
Thr Mar 26th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Mar 27th - No walk - Guide Camp

Sun Mar 29th - No walk - Guide Camp

Mon Mar 30th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 3.30km
Tue Mar 31st - Walk 5.5km without girls
Wed Apr 1st - Walk 13 4.00km
Thr Apr 2nd - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km
Fri Apr 3rd - Walk 13 4.00km

Sun Apr 5th - Walk 10km (route to be confirmed)

Mon Apr 6th - Walk home from Little Athletics 1.31km / Guides 3.39km

4 comments:

Old NFO said...

A FWIW recommendation, if it's hot or feet get hot, change socks at every break. For socks, I'd recommend Thurlo brand if you can find them down there. They are EXCELLENT with boots.

Anonymous said...

Looks awesome Julie. Can't wait to see your progress. We are going to start the Heyson Trail in SA next year. I'll watch your progress closely. :)

Julie said...

thanks Kylie & Jim. Appreciate the suggestion about the Thurlos, I'll see if I can find some.

Jim, do you use cold cream or anything else between the socks & feet?

Gwennie said...

Geez Julie, I did the 10k Moonwalk this year and my feet were sore after that! My problem, along with feet, is my knees. They tend to give out after a while. But good luck!!!