There I was in a hall of 300 women, most of them wearing pink flashing bunny ears, some with blue flashing devil horns and the remainder with bouncy mirrored ball bands on their heads. Here we are our mission being the midnight walk through Andover to raise money and awareness for the local hospice. It was fascinating to see so many ladies of every shape and size imaginable with their hospice tee-shirts on raring to go. There were some like me, first timers, unsure what to expect apprehensive but excited. Others experienced walkers who had the process off to a t. congregating in groups branded by their particular style. One group had styled themselves with grass skirts whilst another had all decorated their tee-shirts with the names and pictures of their departed loved ones.
After meeting and greeting, we were aware of a lady on the stage beckoning us to join in the warm up. This consisted of copying the movements she made, as the routine began. The excitement grew as she shouted Louder over to the girl on the speakers who upped the volume. We all tried conscientiously to get the routine right but absolutely failed but no one noticed and no one cared. Anticipation was high as we made our way to the exit heading for the start line. Being new, I was near the back of the queue. I looked up that street there was a sea on flashing bunnies before me. Suddenly the wave of ears began to move. We were off! As we made our way down the high street people from pubs and restaurants came onto the street and cheered us on. I sensed a change of atmosphere as we marched on; fellow bunnies were now looking proud with added vigour. However soon as we headed out of town and left the cheers behind we knew the challenge was on. As we headed up the hill towards the East side of town the street light became dimmer with most of the light now coming from the half moon in the night sky and the light coming from the flashing bunny ears. As we edged the top of the hill the downhill descent began. This part of the route I had trod many times before it stirred up memories from my childhood. I’d gone to the secondary school at the top of the hill between the ages of 11 to 15. In those days walking was common. I thought nothing of walking the 1 ½ miles each way to and from school. Funny enough there was very little obesity in those days. This was probably due to the active lives we led and the fact that food was not plentiful we had enough but no more. I digress back to the walk! As we continued we passed many marshals who presumed positions of great importance. Firstly they provided directions to make sure we did not get lost, secondly they made us aware of potential hazards and finally they offered words of encouragement which became more and more valuable as the evening went on. Prior to signing up for the walk I had checked out the route on the map. This led to the misconception that the route was not very far. The fact I knew the area so well may have contaminated my logic. We marched on through the darkness for a number of miles. At times I took great pleasure from increasing my speed to pass walkers whilst experiencing a sense of victory as I passed. However with just over a half of the walk done reality had set in. I was faltering! It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the pack added to this people who I had passed earlier in the evening were now beginning to pass me. We then hit a pathway which feed along the edge of a housing estate on one side and a wood on the other. To say this path was long is an understatement. I kept looking ahead for signs of the road whilst passing time by listening to other walker’s stories which ranged from what their boyfriends were like to which school their children went to. At this point I began to waiver and wondered how competitive I was to compete with the wave of people passing me by. Was this a matter of honour? I maneuvered my body into a higher gear and raised the pace. This did not last long as my will to win and my survival to the end of the walk were weighed up. As I began to waiver and dropped back, to my annoyance, some more people passed me muttering something about how difficult they would find the second half of the walk. A self satisfied smile spread over my face as I realised I had only registered for half the 13 miles course. The feeling of smugness was soon overcome by the tiredness of my legs which were beginning to cease up. I began talking to myself. All you have to do is make it back to the sports centre, jump in your car and I could be in bed in minutes. This statement spurred me on. Suddenly I was aware that I had lost the people in front or behind me as I walked through the last leg of the walk which was extremely dark. I felt a sense of lost without any flashing bunny lights around me. I walked on I could see light at the end of the college wall, and then I could see the sports hall. As a rush of adrenaline hit me my pace picked up and before I knew it I was in the sports centre with a kind volunteer ticking off her list as she placed a medal around my neck. I had done it. Free hot food and drinks were offered and gratefully taken before I jumped (okay stumbled) into my car and made my way home. With no time at all I was cosy in my bed. Far from falling into a deep sleep pricked by my conscience and the zinging of my legs I lay awake for sometime thinking of my comrades still out there. My mind wandered back to the sports hall remembering that as I took my refreshments the other bunnies were picking up a banana and a bottle of water for the second leg. Part of me wanted to get out of bed to join them but a deeper urge took over as I feel into a deep, deep sleep.
Marie Dyke |
