Mark's target: Malin to Mizen in seven days
Mark McCormack is a 33-year-old Mullingar man living in Dublin and is hoping to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society with his attempt to set a record for walking from Malin Head to Mizen Head.
Here Mark explains his plans:
In only a few short days I’ll be setting off from Malin Head, Donegal to walk the length of the country to Mizen Head, Cork. People are continuously telling me I’m mad but the plan is to complete the walk over seven consecutive days and in doing so, be the first person on record to walk the length of Ireland in a week.
Months of preparation are coming to a head for an idea conceived almost three years ago and the Guinness World Records have given the go-ahead for this to be an official attempt. They have however imposed some ridiculous conditions, including recording every minute of it and having an independent witness accompany me along the way for the 546km. Not the most appealing of things to ask a randomner – “Hey, fancy walking a week with me for over 12 hours a day?”
When I set the June 21 start date I hadn’t factored in (a) the World Cup was going to be this good and (b) it could be ridiculously hot.
Fair enough I could have foreseen the World Cup being a scorcher and the fact that I’d miss some decent matches but temperatures hovering over 20 degrees is a bit of a stretch, summer or not.
A number of challenges have been faced (manflu mercilessly striking me down during the height of my training being one of them) but Saturday morning at 7am I’ll be taking my first steps southbound and praying my almost transparent white Irish skin does not combust.
Training has included over 80 hours of distance walking, usually in six-mile blocks. Two back to back 30-mile walks proved that the legs will hold up on consecutive days but with an average daily distance of 48 miles, I’ll be up against it.
I did some hiking in Sydney last week and added some holiday fat for insulation! Like a bear preparing for winter, I’ve built a layer of reserves to draw on.
The nerves are there: will I be able to ‘go the distance’, ‘will I raise as much money as I hoped to’, ‘will I miss the game of the tournament’? Well, what to do. I’ve committed to giving this my best shot and a week of pain could lead to a lifetime of memories.
Onwards and upwards – you get nothing if you don’t try.
Contribution and contact details:
www.mycharity.ie/event/malin2mizenwalk
www.facebook.com/malin2mizenwalk
malin2mizenwalk@gmail.com