The clock is ticking, it’s only 6 weeks to go until the Oxfam Trailwalker! Teams of 4 will tackle the scenic and at times gruelling path from Wheeler’s Hill to Wesburn Park, to raise money for Oxfam, in support of people who live in poverty all around the world.
Unfortunately, the strain of walking 100 km in 48 hours means that many walkers end up on the Physiotherapy table or the Podiatry chair to get some much needed treatment, during and after the walk.
We want you to experience the challenge free of injury! Below are 3 handy tips to ensure you have a truly incredible Oxfam Trailwalker experience:
- Start training early: If you’re reading this and thinking now is a great time to sign up, it’s best to reconsider. Ideally, you should start your training about 3 to 4 months prior to the walk. Start with smaller walks of 8 to 12 km on the weekend, and start building up from there. You want to be completing at least 45 to 60km walks during your preparation.
- Footwear and feet: As with any activity, the proper footwear choice is essential for having a great event. Throughout the walk there are many different surfaces or terrains that you will encounter, including footpaths, gravel tracks and muddy roads. Therefore, you will need a couple of pairs of shoes to tackle the event. It’s best to get 2 different styles of shoes, ideally a running shoe (for the easier parts of the track) and a trail walking or hiking shoe for the more arduous areas. Get these shoes at a minimum of 6 weeks before the event, to give you time to wear them in and make sure they’re comfortable.
- Be proactive, not reactive: Each year, out of the thousands of walkers who embrace the challenge of the Trailwalker, approximately 20% do not cross the finish line! That’s 1 in 5 people who have to pull out. Usually, this is as a result of easily preventable issues such as blistering, soreness in the foot or leg, fatigue or poor preparation. Use your training walks to assess if you get blistering, hot spots or abnormal pain in your muscles. Prevention is the best cure possible, so if in doubt, get checked out by our Pinnacle Health Group team prior to the walk. We have extensive experience in dealing specifically with Oxfam walkers, meaning we are ideally equipped to assess your feet, legs, footwear and walking style. Our physiotherapists and podiatrists will deal with any niggling injuries before the event, to make sure you get through the walk with flying colours.
We Want You To Succeed!
Please come in and see us if you need any further information. Our team can treat existing injuries, provide gait assessments and give specialised advice on walking styles, nutrition, footwear, sock recommendations or blister prevention and management. Book a consultation with our physiotherapists and podiatrists about the Oxfam Trailwalker.