Feeling a bit disheartened at the moment...

[Wellsie]

Within the last week, I've been told by 12 people who were planning to Walk the Worcestershire Way with me that they can no longer do so. I feel quite disappointed with this, given we're now just a month away from the event, and for some of these people I did a lot of research into getting them trasnsport, accomodation etc.

I've also learnt first hand a little known side effect of prednisolone. I had a mild infection earlier this year thought to be prostatitis which was treated with a month's course of Ciproflaxin. In April I played in a touch rugby tournament after a month's worth of training, bit I ended up with a partial tear of my right Achilles tendon, and tendonitis, which I have been told will take up to 12 months to heal properly. Apparently pred makes your tendons become fibroid, and more prone to the micro-tears that cause tendonitis when you exercise. Cirpoflaxin amplifies the effects of this and can weaken the tendons to the point of rupture in some cases.

I think I'm now down to 7 or 8 walkers, haven't done any traning now for 6 weeks, and won't be able to do any before the walk. My tendon feels as stiff as iron first thing in the morning and aches by the end of a normal day.

I try and be positive about most things, so I guess I'm lucky that my tendon didn't tear completely, that at least there will 7 or 8 us walking, and that we've so far raised over £3k for Vasculitis UK.

[Jann]

I think the work you have done planning the walk is wonderful. Please do not loose heart.

Some of the more dedicated have been with you from the start. A fellow trustee Richard Eastoe would be able to sympathise with you. He too know the difficulties of planning a walk

Thanks for the information on steroids. I did not know that.

[John_Mills Volunteer]

Is there anyway you can postpone the walk Martyn maybe until September? I will private message you ... Richard's walk was cancelled but he has been able to re-arrange joining in a slightly different walk in August. I will help you re-arrange/organise/ notify people in anyway I can. Please send me an email through John's email address [e-mail] and we will help. I am afraid the prednisolone does have some horrible side effects... John has talked about this side effect before to someone else in the past.

Susan

[Wellsie]

No I don't want to postpone; there's a lot of money that thas been paid to V-UK and I will not let other people or myself down by postponing.

Furthermore, I have chosen mid summer to make sure the entire distance can be covered in daylight; September will be cooler, wetter, and with insufficient daylight to compelte the walk in a day.

[John_Mills Volunteer in reply to Wellsie]

ok it was just a thought.. We thought maybe waiting a couple of months might make it easier for you and the other walkers.... but as you say ... the daylight factor is so important. Try not to be disheartened, as Jann says what you have done up to date has been amazing and so has the amount you have raised so far!! Hopefully the sun will be shining by the end of the month too!

Best Wishes

Susan

[Chris-Bromsgrove]

Hi Martyn

I’m really sorry to hear about these setbacks after all of the work you have done. They are missing out on what is a really scenic walk (albeit a challenging one). Rest assured Sarah and I are still up for it. Besides if I quit now I think I would have to flee the country to escape the wrath of my very generous sponsors.

I know you mentioned about the tendonitis at the AGM and I’m sorry to hear it is still giving you gip. A hydrocortisone injection in the tendon is effective at easing the pain but the doctor may be reluctant to do this if there is a slight tear which could be worsened by over exertion. Fingers crossed that it is going to be OK on the day.

I think the daylight is an important factor and sticking to the June date is the right decision.

Chris

[RichardE Volunteer]

Hi Martyn,

Sorry to hear that people are dropping out after all the work you've put in. As Susan says, I can empathise having had the rug pulled out from under my Lakes walk just before the AGM.

Like Chris, I remember at the AGM you said that you'd do the walk regardless of your achilles problem. Do take care though and don't push yourself too far.

If you've not already thought of it you might want to consider using walking poles. Apart from the obvious help they give you on the hilly sections I think if they are used properly they can still take a noticeable amount of your weight off your legs on the flat. That might be helpful for your achilles over such a long distance.

All the best,

Richard.

[Wellsie]

I am grateful for all the support folks; it will only seve to motivate me further. Richard, I've never walked with poles. I know Chris gave them a try recently...

[RichardE Volunteer]

I've found they are pretty good. They help with stability in general on steep and rocky sections. But for me at least they seem to help take some of the strain off my legs and knees even on the flat.

There's a bit of a knack to using them but once you get the hang of it I find you can stride out without thinking about it too much.

[hamble99b Volunteer]

have you thought of contacting the "One Show" ?

[John_Mills Volunteer]

forum.netweather.tv/topic/7...

Susan

[Wellsie]

ukweatherworld.co.uk/forum/...

All the good work of a certain Andy Mayhew, aka Essan