Three days, three dogs, marathon distances and a teenager – together we discovered what resilience looks like
This story is the next in our Trails series. We invited people to apply to assemble a group of friends (or in this case family) and walk a multi-day trail of Slow Ways. They could submit the story of their adventure in whatever form they liked.
By Gerry Moss
Embarking on a journey like the South Coast Curve is no small feat to complete in three days. It’s a test of endurance, mental strength, and a hearty dose of humour. For our group, which consisted of myself, my husband Simon, our 18-year-old daughter Ella, and our three dogs, it was an adventure filled with challenges, laughter, and moments of sheer determination.
Our pack of dogs included Ole, our oldest German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP), who is more of a sofa dog these days, Tank, our energetic two-year-old GSP, and Leah, our feisty Shih Tzu cross. With such a diverse crew, both human and canine, we knew this journey would be anything but dull.
Day one was a gruelling start. The distance was ambitious to begin with, but re-routing made the distance even longer. By the end of the first day, we were just shy of completing a marathon. This was the longest walk Ella had ever done, and her body was feeling the effects. She experienced what we jokingly called ‘the marathon shakes’. Her feet were hurting, her legs were tight, and her whole body was in a bit of shock.
That night, as we regrouped, we faced another challenge: Tank had injured his front pads. I hadn’t packed his boots, and seeing him limping was disheartening. We were prepared to adapt – either having someone pick him up or one of us staying behind. Thankfully, by the next morning, with some bandaging and gaffa tape, he was good to go, and we breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Feeling the exhaustion but getting though it
The second day began with a bit of trepidation. Ella and Simon were both sore and tired from the previous day’s exertions, and I wasn’t sure if they’d make it through the first 5K let alone the rest of the day. However, as the day unfolded, something remarkable happened. They got into a rhythm, and their spirits lifted. By the end of the day, despite being physically exhausted, they both felt better than they did after day one. It was a testament to the power of mental strength and resilience.
Throughout this journey, we learned that resilience is often a matter of perception. It’s about how you think and adapt to situations. There were times when we had to think on our feet, literally and figuratively. Whether it was dealing with sore muscles, managing the dogs in the heat, injured paws, or just the sheer exhaustion of it all, we kept going. The camaraderie and support within our group made all the difference. I’ll be honest though there was the odd cross word too.
We also had our fair share of laughs. Leah, our Shih Tzu cross, trotted along as if the whole adventure was a casual stroll in the park. Her indomitable spirit was infectious. Ole, on the other hand, made it clear that this would be his last grand adventure. Yet, his presence was a reminder of the joy and companionship our dogs bring, even when they’re not quite as spry as they used to be.
Finding ourselves wading in the water!
On day three, we faced a particularly memorable challenge. We had mis-timed the tide on a tidal path, which left us with few options: rerouting, picking up a different leg, or having a wade – dogs and all (apart from Princess Leah, who obviously needed carrying). This was a great example of coming together to overcome problems, thinking things through, looking at the options available, and making a decision as a group. And yep, the decision was to get wet!
At the end of the journey, as we sat together reflecting on the experience, I asked Simon and Ella how they felt. They said that despite finishing day one completely exhausted, they felt better by the end of day two physically. Even though the aches and pains were still there, they felt stronger and more able to carry on. It was amazing to see how their bodies and minds had adapted over the course of the adventure.
We have strength beyond what we thought was possible
In the end, the South Coast Curve was more than just a hike. It was a lesson in resilience, adaptability, and the strength of family bonds. We challenged ourselves, supported each other, and came out stronger for it. And as we plan our next adventure, we do so with the confidence that, no matter what challenges lie ahead, we can tackle them with a smile and a good laugh. Not just on a walk, but in life, we have strength beyond what we believe is possible, along with the resilience and adaptability to overcome any challenge!
The family
Gerry Moss: I’m a dog trainer, teaching dogs to find missing people. I volunteer with our local Search and Rescue team and am a Lowland Leader. I love being outdoors and am pretty fit and active. In 2021 I completed 12 marathons for charity and in 2022 completed the South Downs way in four days. I’m the one on logistics.
Simon Moss: Si is my husband and he works in IT as a project manager. He got into walking a bit more when he joined me for some of the marathons that we walked in 2021 (he didn’t join any of the running ones!). In 2021 the family all walked Hadrian’s Wall over the course of a week. He’s chief dog support and second in command.
Ella Moss: Ella is our eldest daughter (18), and she’s heading off to uni this year. Until this she’d not done much walking since Hadrian’s Wall. She’s super sensible and is great at helping keep the team together.
Ole (eight-year-old German shorthaired pointer), Leah (seven-year-old Shih Tzu cross) and Tank (two-year-old German shorthaired pointer) are support buddies.