The Jurassic Ultra Challenge, 14th May, 2022

A few of the ‘Purple team’ decided to take on some extra miles of the Jurassic coast and no excuse needed for a weekend at the seaside! Superbly organised by ULTRA CHALLENGE, there are various distances available, 10km, 25km, 34km, 42km, 50km or even 100km for the truly hardcore!! (Lots of other routes, all over the country, available too)

Our very own walk leader Pete, who always loves a challenge! decided to increase his 2021 distance from 34km to 42km (a full marathon!) with 113om of elevation! and finished in a fantastic time of 7hrs 54mins. The route: ‘Classic Jurassic’ scenery, sights, and climbs in the Marathon distance challenge. Setting out from Corfe Castle, the route heads up onto the Purbeck hills and down through Swanage to the coast. It’s then a loop back via Church Knowle, past Corfe Castle and beyond, before dropping down onto the coast at Lulworth Cove, and a final push to the rest stop finish line!

Our Instructor Emma and walker Ian took on the 25km, 1st Quarter Challenge (actually 26km!), with 546m elevation. They finished in 4hrs 44mins. A looped route with a start at the main Corfe Castle base-camp. As with the 42km, the route heads south along the Purbeck Way to a rest stop in Swanage (11km in) for refreshments and a sit down before heading along the coast via the famous ‘Priest’s Way’ route, then looping back towards Corfe Castle and a finish in Church Knowle. All finishers are rewarded with a medal, glass of fizz, & a BBQ meal to celebrate your achievements – and there’s a free short shuttle back to the main Corfe Castle start & parking venue.

We love a ‘Challenge’ here at MK Nordic Walking! A chance to push yourself a little further, try something a bit different, explore a new area, improve on personal timings or quite simply ‘Just for the FUN of it’! The Ultra Challenges are brilliantly organised with a dedicated app and support groups to guide you through your training and information on what you need on the day. Free Rest stops every 10-15 km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more.

TRAINING! Training…training!

I can’t stress enough, how important it is for anyone taking on one of these distance challenges to TRAIN prior to your event! We put on a series of ‘training walks’ at MK Nordic Walking, so that we could gradually increase our walking distances. Getting used to comfortably walking 20 km or 30+ km really helped on the day. Until you start walking these distances you don’t know how your body, and very importantly – your FEET, will react. Simple things like blisters can ruin your day! so, best to learn how to avoid and prevent them. Listen to your body, take time to learn where your potential weak spots may be, or indeed, find out your strengths! Do you prefer flat terrain to hills? will there be ‘inclines’ on your route? find out and physically prepare for them! Investigate your route, terrain and keep your eye on the weather on the day – this will obviously impact on what you carry with you on the day. Train with the backpack you’ll use on the day as well as your favourite shoes and socks – be prepared! then go and have the BEST TIME! ENJOY the experience!

We all used our Nordic Walking poles and would HIGHLY recommend them to everyone taking on a distance challenge! As well as giving you ‘forward propulsion’ as you walk, the poles will help support ankles, knees and hips and really keep you upright on varying, challenging terrains!

If you are interested or have signed up for a challenge then come and Nordic Walk with MK Nordic Walking. Let us help with your training, fitness and motivation. We are a super friendly and welcoming group of walkers and would love to help you achieve whatever ‘goals’ you may have. Complete a ‘POWER OF POLES Intro session’, then join our regular walks available 7 days a week, including some evenings, in and around the city of Milton Keynes and surrounding countryside of Woburn and Aspley Woods.