Equinoxx’s very own Jacqui Brownridge is going the extra mile (or to be precise, a 100) this year as she takes on another walking challenge. To make the most of this incredible event, she’s raising money for Children’s Hospice South West as part of the Goonvean Group fundraising team. We had a quick catchup with Jacqui, following a 30 mile weekend training walk, to find out why she’s racking up so many miles for charity.
After taking on a 100-mile challenge last year, what has inspired you to do it all over again?
I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge last year. It was further than I had ever walked in one go and I managed to come in under my target time. It’s a lovely friendly event, supported entirely by volunteers. Although eating ravioli and tinned peaches at breakfast time felt slightly odd, and despite the inevitable “down” section during the night, I felt great at the end. I was immediately ready to sign up for this year’s walk.
How do you tackle training and prepare for a walk like this?
I aim to walk at least 5km a day, and from January I’ve done a 20 mile walk every other weekend – with some additional 30+ mile challenge walks when they’re available. These are generally walked at a faster pace due to tight cut-off times. On other weekends I do at least two 10km walks.
Last year I walked the Isle of Wight circular (116km) in under 20 hours as preparation, but I haven’t been able to do that distance in training this year. This year I had a late start to training as I had a knee and hip injury which I’m having physio for. I’ve completed two 30+ mile challenge walks so far and have two more over the next two weeks. The 30 mile walk this weekend took me just over 8 hours and I was the third female in the Ultra March category!
What would you say to someone thinking about doing a challenge like this?
Just do it! Be prepared to be tired, and be sure to practice night walking and navigating skills as this challenge isn’t sign-posted. You always find someone to chat to on the way. I’ve met lots of lovely people, many of whom are now Strava friends who I’ve met again on subsequent challenges. Foot care is key – if your feet are OK, you can cope with aching muscles.
What’s your favourite walk you’ve done?
I have two. One walk was the Women’s End2End Hiking Relay, which spans Land’s End to John O’Groats, with hundreds of women passing the baton across the distance. I walked it across three days, starting at Land’s End along the North Coast as part of a women’s group, Love Her Wild. I had only signed up for two days, but enjoyed it so much I went back for a third day. We walked about 35km each day.
My other favourite was joining in with the St. Ewe Great Egg and Spoon Race. I think I was the only random person who joined them, but they made me feel very welcome. I joined them for the last leg of the race from Poldhu Cove to Land’s End (South Coast) – a 45km stretch.
I also enjoyed taking part in the Goonvean Group Three Peaks Challenge – despite falling over on Ben Nevis and then locking my knee up in that horrendous weather on Snowden!
It’s not too late to sponsor Jacqui
If you would like to support and sponsor Jacqui, please visit this link to donate. If you’re taking on a challenge and would like to do some fundraising for Children’s Hospice South West at the same time, please contact Katie Ovenden who will help post the link to your Just Giving page and get the word out!
It’s going to be a Marathon May for Goonvean Group
Goonvean Group are laying down the gauntlet for Marathon May and there’s never been a better time to donate or get involved in a fitness challenge. We’ve already got a team of five volunteers, led by Matthew Gazzard, all of them ready to each take on 8km a day, every day, during the second week of May. That’s a team of five people, running five marathons, over five days. If you can, please sponsor our plucky runners by visiting and donating on the Goonvean Group Just Giving page which features both our chosen charities, Children’s Hospice South West and Rotherham Hospice.
As well as sponsorship, we’re also looking for other teams to take on the challenge and beat the Goonvean Group average time. The running doesn’t have to be treadmill based, all you need to do is prove the distance you’ve covered through a verified app. So dig out your best pair of running shoes and get involved in Marathon May.
