Been a bit slack with the Trailwalker updates

Training Walk #4 – CP3 to CP5 (8 Feb 09)

You may be aware that we’ve had the worst bushfires on record over the last week. On Saturday (7Feb) I spent a lot of time checking the CFA and other websites prior to our walk on the Sunday. We were due to go from Grants Picnic Ground (CP3) through Sherbrooke Forest and streets up to Olinda (CP4) and then down to Silvan Reservoir (CP5) then back again, a total of 40klms. There were some fires around Ferntree Gully but where we were due to walk seemed ok.

We met at Grants with a typically small crew; Fiona, Evan, Tony, Julie and myself (Brett was still recovering). We were expecting Rodney, Bec and Maz but as they were running late (and detoured by road closures) they said to start and they’d catch us along the way.

We headed off into the surprisingly green and lush forest with the sound of thunder above (we found out later this was due to the hot smoke rising into the colder upper air). After an initial short downhill we started the leg-burning uphill tracks through the Sherbrooke State Forest. There was a confusing array of tracks and intersections before we came out of the forest at the 4k mark. I commented that I hoped the others behind wouldn’t get lost. We had to detour around a set of gardens close due to the fires and followed Nobles Lane down a very steep hill past houses with many fallen trees. From there is was along Sassafras Creek to the infamous Hacketts Lane. This is one of the steepest parts of the walk; a clay road so steep there’s a sign telling you not to call the locals if you get in trouble! This hard climb took us past the 9klm mark and then we followed the Olinda Monbulk road to CP4 (Olinda Footy Ground). Brett was waiting with supplies and we relaxed for a while. The trailing three didn’t catch up which was a worry.

Next it was down the hill and into the R J Hamer Forest and Arboertum. We were nearly bowled over by some mountain bikers flying down the track (what brakes?). This is another pretty part of the walk meandering through the bush through the Dandenong Ranges National Park and then Silvan Reservoir park. There’s a particularly steep downhill section in Barges Road that started to give my knee a bit of grief. It got so painful, I had to stop a few times. At the bottom, the others were waiting and I had a chance to stretch the hamstring out. Between this and the flat walk where I could stretch out my gait, the pain went away (yay). Silvan Reservoir Park was closed (fires) so we relaxed in the overflow carpark. It became apparent that Rod’s knee had started playing up and he’d hit it with a few stumbles, so he was out for the day. The two girls are very fit and should have caught up but became a little geographically challenged, so we agreed to meet them on the way back.

The return was somewhat uneventful. We picked up the girls and headed back up the Barges Rd hill. At CP4, Tony and Julie took off as Julie had to work. The rest continued on back to Grants (CP3). The walk down Hacketts Lane caused my knee to flare up again and was the beginning of the end for my day. I found my self really struggling after this, falling off the back of the pack and feeling the fatigue. At the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground I was willing to give up (2klms to go) but persevered to the end, coming in 10 mins behind most of the others.

The last downhill had been painful and really brought home how long and hard the actually walk will be. We’d done 40klms over about 10 hrs 20 mins and I was pretty drained. On the upside, I’m feeling a lot better with the (up)hills; the leg strength and cardio seems to be getting there. I think the leg pain is manageable and one of the guys suggested I try anti-inflammatory pills. I’d taken two jam sandwiches a banana and some jelly snakes. This wasn’t enough for the day and I could easily have eaten twice that. I might try some of the energy bars. The gear is holding up nicely and seems fit for purpose.

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