Day 1

Awake at 5am jet lag is inescapable whether you are walking or not. Good to see Intel had its best ever quarter.......... Sky cloudy but, as yet, dry. Last night's couple of pints at the George III over dinner leave me feeling slightly dehydrated. Good to meet the team who have already covered the worst of the terrain and the highest peaks. Hope I can keep up Andrew(Wales), Stacey(Toronto) and Dan(San Diego) will be my walking companions for the next 3 weeks. Swapping diagnosis and McArdle's incident stories meant for a very easy introduction.

Day one turned out to be very enjoyable despite the constant threat of being overtaken by a Saga tour on any uphill stretch. We went on a little further at the end of day to shorten tomorrow. Rained sporadically throughout the day and several long, and quite steep stretches were quite testing. Horse flies have a nastier bite than mosquitoes but to my knowledge no threat of disease. We finished the day in Abergynolwyn with a steep stretch to save doing it first thing tomorrow from cold.
Walking with fellow McArdleite's is much more sympathetic than usual as when one of us stops we all know why and stop as well. A good day's walking. Feel a pint coming on!!!!
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Winchester to Wales

Uneventful journey to the land of my fathers in gathering gloom. Lots of hills -too many hills. Stopped for afternoon tea at Llanfair Caereinion steam railway station just as the train pulled in. Then on to base camp for the first few days - glad tomorrow is an easy walk. Must apply more surgical spirit this evening.

As we drive into Dollgellau among rolling hills the enormity of this challenge hits me. I hate hills and heights, and would rather drive than walk..........

Ready, steady

Sunday evening and I am in the SQ lounge at Changi airport on the first leg of my journey to Wales, one of the perks of my former job - the red wine is flowing nerves though are building as I contemplate the size of the task ahead of me. Just two days ago my legs complained bitterly as I made the simple walk from car to restauarant with my wife , and brother just a little more quickly than McArdle's would allow. My calves are still sore - what will over two weeks of walking the welsh peaks do?? Its going to be a new experience for me that's for sure!!

Testing my new Thorlos walking socks

As the main event begins in Wales tomorrow i shall be trekking round macritchie reservoir here in Singapore sporting my new Thorlos walking socks - hopefully blisters will be a thing of the past now i am more properly equipped!

Walk over Wales 2nd July - 2nd August

Another rapid 11km round MacRitchie- am hoping training in this heat will help when I get to Wales - praying it won't be cold and damp!! two pairs of socks seems to have solved the blister problem while a friends advice on thorlos socks will be taken.........

Less than a month until I start - looking forward to it - i think!

Walk over Wales 2nd July - 2nd August

When in the early weeks of a career break I first heard of Andrew Wakelin's plans to Walk over Wales I was tempted to join but wary of making a commitment my body could not keep.

Now that I have committed to join from 14 July onwards I am both excited and nervous about what lies ahead. McArdle's has meant I have always shied away from a physical challenge- I was reminded today when making lunch just why - simply slicing a cut of pork into stew sized chunks required me to stop several times and left me with aching arms - since diagnosis 5 years ago i have though become much better at walking and have learnt how to pace myself.

Yesterday, as an example I walked 11km around Singapore's MacRitchie Reservoir in preparation for the WoW - slowly at first but after a sufficient time to allow energy to be sourced from the blood rather than muscle I was able to build to a fast walk. And on the second half even to attempt to run/jog up any inclines - if they were short I made the top - if longer the inevitable effect of McArdle's kicked in and I had to rest before carrying on. After plenty of stretching at the end my only problem today is an enormous blister from my new trainers!!!

One month to go - bring it on!!

My exercise prescription

I have added above the exercise prescription I received on visiting Dr Slonim in 2005 - I should emphasise that this was specifically tailored by Dr Slonim for me after a number of tests. I have changed the regime substatially since then, but crucially retain the same overall regime -ie slow warm up and then graduall increase to maximum exercise. i also now push myself in the final stages of the workout with higher pace or higher incline and then ease back before having one final push.