WRITTEN ON June 8th, 2009 BY Selina AND STORED IN Community

Well, the weather forecast was terrible, my back was twingeing and the prospect of walking 50k (32 miles) was seeming a little surreal on Saturday morning.

Bec and I had agreed to take part in the Papworth Trust 50k for 50k challenge - 18 teams of 4-6 people, all walking from the Elvedon Estate to the Bull in Burrough Green, Suffolk, in one day…

Our team, made up of Bec and myself and Claire and Katy from the Papworth Trust had not met before. Clare set the pace early on and kept us moving all day. I struggled along at the back, holding the team up whilst I tried to ‘walk off’ my back pain and, having gone wrong once, Katy decided that she would take charge of the route - she did not want us walking a single step further than we needed to.

50k for 50k - The Fruits of the Forest

The weather and route were brilliant, a cool day, sunny at times, we kept a steady pace through the Kings Forest as we walked the five hours until lunch (14 miles). Lunch was a much appreciated break - sandwich, crisps, chocolate, a new bottle of water and a chance to take the shoes off and inspect the damage, blisters for the most of us!

After 20 mins, our Seargant Major Claire insisted we get moving again, so off we went, clambering through the cornfields and following our little blue 50k markers.

The next stretch was tough, we were all feeling the heat and starting to clock up injuries. 10 miles later we crawled into the afternoon tea stop. The cup of tea, homemade cake and immaculate service and support from the Taylor Vinters sponsor gave us the energy to move on again, about another 6 miles until the next checkpoint and the breaking of us all.

Tired and delirious, we hardly stopped at the next checkpoint - suddenly aware that the worst was done - we all felt better for knowing that whatever happened now, the finish was in sight.

Eventually, just over 11 hours later we made it to the finish line. The welcome we all received was amazing, camaraderie was running high and we collapsed in a heap as we fell over the finish line. We did it.

50k or 32 miles - however you look at it is a very long way, but collectively Bec and I raised more than £500 so a big thank you goes out to all of our sponsors who made it very worthwhile.

A great team, a great event…

Selina