Diary of a long-distance walker
On May 19, Bernie Comaskey will set out on a 130-mile walk from St Camillus Nursing Centre, Killucan, to Croagh Patrick, in order to raise funds for the Patients Comfort Fund at the centre.
Well, it won’t be long now and I am ready to go. I just hope that I feel as good in myself on the day as I do now.
There is always the niggling fear of a troublesome back or foot, or catching a cold just before the off.
For the last 20 years I generally go for a four to six-mile walk most days, but I went into serious walk-training mode at the beginning of March. In the week ending March 23, after the heaviest week of training, I suffered a touch of a shin-splint, so I rested up for two weeks. I also got a blister at one stage too; but lessons learned and that was the time to get the injury and learn how to avoid recurrences.
I was hit by tendonitis in my inner left foot on May 11, but a couple of days of anti-inflammatory tablets sorted that out.
My son, Ian, was a sports injury therapist in another life and he has been a big help to me; although his first and loudest advice was, “Don’t even think of doing it – because I wouldn’t be able to”!
When he realised I was serious, he ordered me to submit myself to an ice-cold bath after every day’s hike. I think I remember Fr Smyth giving me that same advice for some complaint or other in my youth and it didn’t work that time!
I got great advice and help on feet and footwear from Sean at Amphibian King, Oranmore, and from Dorothy Duffy, who has everything for the sports person at her Tri and Run shop on the Lynn Road, Mullingar. World Ironman and Deca winner, Gerry Duffy has also been generous with his time and advice.
The support from everyone I talk to is absolutely fantastic and I am happy to report that sponsorship is rolling in nicely. I am bowled over by the generosity of the offers of accommodation and food along the route.
John Feerick of the hotel in Rathowen is housing me the first night and all at no cost. Similarly the amazing reception I received from the people at the Percy French hotel in Strokestown shows the generosity of spirit still out there is these stringent times.
Then on to Ballaghaderreen, and John Spellman actually phoned me back just to enquire the details of everything I might need on my overnight at his place – and again, all sponsored.
There is no B&B doing business any more in Bohola and I had to find a bed there, as it is the halfway divide between Ballaghaderreen and Westport. Luck, or God even, was on my side, because I met Canon Joyce by chance in the post office and he generously offered to put me up on the Thursday night.
These are the places with a good day’s walk dividing them and not a euro to be spent on the walk. Mind you, a hotel in Longford did hmmm and hawhhh about giving me a bit of breakfast, and said they would phone me but looks like I’ll be buying my own rasher that morning.
In order not to have the longest walk on the first day; the pilgrimage will now start from the Camillians after 10.30am Mass on Sunday 19. I will just walk the six miles or so to my own house and then leave from there to walk to Rathowen on the Monday morning. This leaves me with a 27-mile walk, from Rathowen to Strokestown on the Tuesday – but it is better to ease into it the first day.
So that’s it for now folks. I shall inform you of my experiences through this newspaper diary, and the Examiner will also carry a daily blog online – as will Twitter and The Coastrider in Spain.
Please remember why we are doing this: it is to raise funds for equipment to make life more pleasant for the residents of St Camillus Nursing Centre. Please help us with sponsorship.
Thank you.
Related story: http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2013/05/13/4015771-bernie-gets-his-boots-on/