Well the big day has final arrived and it seems the weather gods have smiled down on the NEN Walkathon – it’s not quite so hot this morning and there’s also a gentle breeze.
So walkers, the final check:
Sun hat?
Sunglasses?
Water?
Sunscreen?
Regal King Size?
Attending Betty McVay’s belated birthday party last night was perhaps not the ideal pre-walk preparation for me, but good luck everyone – and thanks for supporting your community newspaper!
Participants in tonorrow’s NEN Walkathon are being urged to put safety first as the recent spell of hot weather shows no sign of cooling down. Walkers should carry and drink plenty of water, wear loose, light-coloured clothes and stay out of the sun as much as possible – especially in the fierce heat if the midday sun.
Temperatures over the weekend are expected to remain high, with many places expected to reach 26 or 27 degrees centigrade – that’s into the eighties in Fahrenheit – so here are some timely tips for our Walkathon walkers:
Seek Out Shade
Direct sun can make the temperature feel up to 15 degrees hotter! Check your area to see if there are parks with trails through the trees.
Expose Your Skin
Sweat can evaporate more easily from bare arms and legs – wear plenty of sunscreen, even under your shirt.
Just Add Water
Wet your shirt, and you’ll have on-the-spot air-conditioning!
Ice Your Thirst
Freeze a half-full water bottle, then top it off as you head out. Take sips regularly while you’re walking. Six to eight ounces of water every 15 minutes should be enough. As an extra precaution against dehydration, weigh yourself before your walk and again afterward. If you’ve dropped a pound or two, drink up. You’ve lost fluid that is important to your body’s cooling system.
Try Sports Drinks
If you just can’t get yourself to drink more water on your summer jaunts, then why not try a sports drink? They taste good and supply less than half the calories of fruit juices. They’re absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, so you can walk farther and avoid post-exercise fatigue. If you don’t like the taste of a sports drink, you can also diluter your favorite fruit juice with water and take it along with you.
Cover Your Head
Wear a breathable hat (not a visor—it will only protect your face, not your head), and wet that too.
Switch Shoes
For warm-weather workouts, you need lightweight, ventilated walking shoes and socks that wick away sweat. Mesh is cooler than leather and dries faster when your feet sweat. Or try a walking sandal.
Reduce Friction
Be aware of areas where skin rubs against skin—between your toes, thighs, and under your arms—and apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or use Runner’s Lube, a nonstaining cream made from lanolin, zinc oxide, and benzocaine. It can be found in many sporting goods stores.
Listen to Your Body
Your body will tell you when you can push yourself, and when it’s time to coast. If you develop a headache or become dizzy or weak, stop exercising and head for a cool place. Drink plenty of cool fluids, and rest.
NEN Walkathon
Saturday 20 July
Leaves Edinburgh College Granton Campus 10.30am
Come and join us!
A group of overseas students have been attacked and robbed in Muirhouse. The incident happened outside the Millennium Centre on Muirhouse Medway on Wednesday night.
A dozen foreign exchange students were confronted by a gang of 15-20 local youths, both males and females, aged from nine or ten up to 18 years of age. Two of the students were assaulted and robbed and another two students received minor injuries.
A Police Scotland spokesman said the attack took place at about 22:00 on Wednesday and added: “This was an unprovoked attack on a group of foreign students who are currently staying with host families in Edinburgh. Inquiries are continuing and we are determined to find those responsible for this attack. Additional high-visibility police patrols are in the area and anyone with any information is asked to contact us.”
Almost there, people – just two days until the BIG DAY!
The latest itenerary for Saturday is as follows:
Gwen’s family have been in touch to say that her funeral will take place at Warriston Crematorium on Monday (22 July) at 3pm.
Just in case you’ve missed one or two previous posts, NEN Walkathon is taking place this Saturday (20 July), leaving from Edinburgh College Granton Campus.
Registration takes place from 9.45am and the Walk starts at 10.30.
NEN boeard member Ann Confrey has helped to organise the event. She said: “I have had a very productive meeting with a group of volunteers who will be assisting on Saturday. There are five ladies, all of whom have experience leading or helping to lead groups of walkers in the North Edinburgh area.
Best wishes and many happy returns to Pilton Youth & Childrens Project’s Gena Wylie, who celebrates a special birthday today. Happy borthday, Gena!
The NEN Walkathon is just four days away now – I hope your rigorous training regime, like mine, is holding up in this tropical weather …
Another alternative route to consider:
THE TIPPLER’s TRAIL
I could regale you with the tale of the Boswall Battler – Big Boab Baxter, the barefist bruiser – but I will save that story for another day. Instead, here’s are the watering holes that make up the historic Tippler’s Trail:
Telford Arms, Telford Road
The Doo’cot, Ferry Road
Ferry Boat, Ferry Road
The Gunner, Pennywell Road
The Anchor, West Granton Road
For seasoned drinkers walkers you could add detours into Davidson’s Mains and/or continue beyond the Anchor to The Old Chain Peir and beyond … each tavern is a new adventure!
Cheers!
The Total Craigroyston team have put together a comprehensive guide which details the organisation’s aims and activities since it’s launch last year. It’s well worth a look …
Rough guide to Total Craigroyston
