Does it really get easier?

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 06 Oct 2018, 18:38

Just completed week eight and tbh I am still pretty much useless after a shift. I walk on average 15km with a filled HCT and pouch.
I have shin pain when I wear the RM boots and throbbing foot pain when I wear the RM waterproof trainers. I end up having a nap in the afternoon when I get back and before I know it it's the evening and basically the day is pretty much over. Then I get to do it all over again the next day.
Is this the norm for posties everywhere? Does this job consumer other people's lives like this or am I just weak?!

maisymoo04 · Post by **maisymoo04** » 06 Oct 2018, 18:41

no its everyone cookie welcome to royal mail

arnold cheshire · Post by **arnold cheshire** » 06 Oct 2018, 18:42

That is normal we all are back every day to do our half marathons

arnold cheshire · Post by **arnold cheshire** » 06 Oct 2018, 18:56

September was horrible and this week has been to bear with it

glenfiddich · Post by **glenfiddich** » 06 Oct 2018, 20:26

No sooner do you start to get the hang of this job then old age starts kicking in and it gets harder and harder again

jon_gardner85 · Post by **jon_gardner85** » 06 Oct 2018, 20:42

I had blisters all over my feet for the first two weeks of the job. Lost two stone after first two months of job. Work 6 days a week, still knackered after every day but just learnt to grin and bear it better!

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 06 Oct 2018, 20:48

Not had blisters yet - but am sure they're in the post

I've lost 5kg in weight so far which is great but now I weigh less than the HCT!!
I only work 5 days a week but my feet throb daily and my shins have been worryingly painful too. Using ibuprofen gel and massaging the feet in the evenings.
I'm a long distance walker who would happily walk 15km+ a day and consider myself fairly fit; but this does not prepare you for the onslaught that is concrete pounding, pushing a full HCT in heavy wind, those pesky ground level letter boxes, the hills and the stairs.

GT85 · Post by **GT85** » 06 Oct 2018, 21:15

Try a soak in an Epsom Salts bath when you get home, it will help heal the pain.

redneck · Post by **redneck** » 06 Oct 2018, 21:57

Try putting an extra layer of supportive insoles in the footwear.

Post by **grandypants** » 06 Oct 2018, 21:58

Nearly 20 years in and its only getting harder, considering we get told at least once a week that we are delivering less than we ever have done I have NEVER been so tired in my life, I would love the clowns who thought of park and loop to come and do it for a month and see how they get on, I'll bet they are some pen pushing prats who have never done delivery in there life

postmanzach · Post by **postmanzach** » 06 Oct 2018, 22:48

I think so.

Jpro747 · Post by **Jpro747** » 06 Oct 2018, 22:49

Assuming you work 5 days a week and have 4 weeks annual leave. That’s
15km/day
75km/week
300km/month
3300km/year

For just 12 years service you would have walked nearly the same distance as around the world

So yeah it’s pretty normal to feel knackered in this job.

Post by **Brandy** » 06 Oct 2018, 23:36

grandypants wrote:Nearly 20 years in and its only getting harder, considering we get told at least once a week that we are delivering less than we ever have done I have NEVER been so tired in my life, I would love the clowns who thought of park and loop to come and do it for a month and see how they get on, I'll bet they are some pen pushing prats who have never done delivery in there life

They wouldnt last five minutes being a postie,yet they think they can tell you what to do.Until you have walked in my shoes comes to mind!

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 06 Oct 2018, 23:44

grandypants wrote:park and loop

Is this the formal term for parking your HCT, filling a pouch with parcels, packets and letters then delivering, then returning to refill? Or does it apply to van runs too?
I'd love to know what it's like doing a round with a van. Is it easier than on foot? Or is it harder because you have to take everything - including oversize - which could then be quite hard going.
Would anyone use an HCT without a pouch and do the whole delivery from the trolley? Would it take forever or is it more efficient?

I'm still not even sure of the definition of a loop - but I am sad enough to love learning the new terms.

cookiewise · Post by **cookiewise** » 06 Oct 2018, 23:46

Oh and I've just ordered some epsom salts and a few extra pairs of insoles.
Thank you for all the advice!!