First Week

Sunny123 · Post by **Sunny123** » 09 Oct 2018, 11:00

I have just completed my first week. I get dropped off with my trolley and 2 pouches and stop at 3 boxes on my walk to collect more post/parcels. Yesterday was the first day that I did my complete walk on my own. It took me 6 hours and my pedometer reported that I had walked 18.1 miles. I am a 49 year old female who has been in a desk job for 30 years. My body has coped well and I am sleeping like a baby as I am exhausted once home. My only problem is blisters on my toes and around nail bed which are very painful. I haven't got my RM shoes/boots yet and have been wearing light walking boots which I have had for some time. Someone has suggested smothering my toes in vaseline. Has anyone tried this? Did it help? I would welcome any suggestions or advice. By the time I've put enough plasters/padding on my toes, this is making my boots tight I guess and possibly making the pain worse. Just wish I could sort this problem as the last couple of hours of my walk are near torture. Thank you to everyone for the information on this site as it has been so helpful in providing information that I otherwise would not have known.

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 09 Oct 2018, 19:51

Wow that sounds like one hell of a long round! I'm starting tomorrow. Sounds like you are coping seriously well considering, you should be super proud of that and that level of distance!

I am however not of much use to you for advice as I don't yet have the blisters!

Do you have perhaps those running trainer socks that have extra padding on the toe and heel? Would that maybe help the toe situation?

Sunny123 · Post by **Sunny123** » 10 Oct 2018, 07:07

Hi Wakewaterblue, thanks for your reply. I hope today goes really well for you. I bought some of those running socks and trying them today. I also have different shoes today. Hopefully it will help. My trainer was off on Monday when I did the very long walk. He sent a text yesterday saying I should never have had to walk for that long and that help should have been in place. He said the Manager has assured us newbies will get the help we need now, so I am hoping rest of this week won't be quite so long walks. All the best and good luck for today. I am really enjoying being out on my walk despite the blisters

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 10 Oct 2018, 13:16

Try Impact Insoles as well, they ease the aches and I have never had blisters when I've worn them. Also, a half size larger in shoes than you wear normally seems to help.

Sunny123 · Post by **Sunny123** » 10 Oct 2018, 20:54

Thanks True Blue, I will try the insoles. Had different shoes on today, which are half a size bigger and my feet were not as sore so that seems to work. Also had 40 mins taken off end of my walk to help till I get more used to everything. Walk still clocked in at 16 miles but I managed it much better. Thanks for the advice

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 10 Oct 2018, 22:11

Wow I can't get over how long your walk is. I did my first day today and I think it was about 4 miles max. It's very dense so a lot of flats, basement flats and running up and down steps and down sideways etc. Took about 3.5 hours. That is my route for the next 6 weeks or so. Lots of blocks of flats and lifts.
I didn't have sore feet with that short distance but it's only day 1!

Sounds like you have got on top of your sore foot issues.

I guess it's important to ask for help as no one will know you are struggling otherwise/or finding the round too long etc?

I found the frame interesting. Sounds like it really varies DO to DO. It was simple yet clever really! It's just fiddly when there are so many houses made into flats with letters, numbers, names all in one house and staring at a bundle trying to make sure it is right for that building!

I also can't quite spot what needs a scan or not as I am going cross eyed looking at 6A or 6D or 6 Top Flat let alone looking for something that needs a scan. I don't really know all the services provided exactly, international things are not always obvious but if I see a barcode I just scan it and soon know whether it's right or not!

It's a little muddled and I keep dropping my bundle as I can't seem to carry that, the PDA AND open the letterbox to then force the mail past the mailbox brushes! Anyone else find this or give me advice!

Dagmara0903 · Post by **Dagmara0903** » 10 Oct 2018, 23:46

Hello guys,
I am starting next week,have 2 questions ,maybe you could help.
1. What was your induction day like?
2.Are you allowed to do extra hours from beggining? Or just contracted hours?
I hope that you are enjoying new job,hopeffuly it will be easier soon...
I cant even imagine a 16 miles walk in first few weeks,thats a huge distance

Be proud of yourself :)

Jacko29 · Post by **Jacko29** » 11 Oct 2018, 15:13

Wakewaterblue wrote:Wow I can't get over how long your walk is. I did my first day today and I think it was about 4 miles max. It's very dense so a lot of flats, basement flats and running up and down steps and down sideways etc. Took about 3.5 hours. That is my route for the next 6 weeks or so. Lots of blocks of flats and lifts.
I didn't have sore feet with that short distance but it's only day 1!

Sounds like you have got on top of your sore foot issues.

I guess it's important to ask for help as no one will know you are struggling otherwise/or finding the round too long etc?

I found the frame interesting. Sounds like it really varies DO to DO. It was simple yet clever really! It's just fiddly when there are so many houses made into flats with letters, numbers, names all in one house and staring at a bundle trying to make sure it is right for that building!

I also can't quite spot what needs a scan or not as I am going cross eyed looking at 6A or 6D or 6 Top Flat let alone looking for something that needs a scan. I don't really know all the services provided exactly, international things are not always obvious but if I see a barcode I just scan it and soon know whether it's right or not!

It's a little muddled and I keep dropping my bundle as I can't seem to carry that, the PDA AND open the letterbox to then force the mail past the mailbox brushes! Anyone else find this or give me advice!

I always fold the mail in half to give it more impact when hitting them ‘brushes’ as long as it doesn’t say don’t bend! Or feel like you will damage it eg a birthday card etc

Jacko29 · Post by **Jacko29** » 11 Oct 2018, 15:14

Dagmara0903 wrote:Hello guys,
I am starting next week,have 2 questions ,maybe you could help.
1. What was your induction day like?
2.Are you allowed to do extra hours from beggining? Or just contracted hours?
I hope that you are enjoying new job,hopeffuly it will be easier soon...
I cant even imagine a 16 miles walk in first few weeks,thats a huge distance
Be proud of yourself :)

Induction day boring as hell. Don’t really tell you anything u need to know. I waited 2 weeks before taking extra hours on as I was so knackered when I got home! I would say 6 weeks in and now I do 50 hours a week.

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 11 Oct 2018, 15:54

Yeah induction day was nothing really interesting. It felt like it was of a ticking box exercise and we ended up doing silly games to make it fun but it didn't really hit the point as I didn't pick up any of the relevant facts. We finished early and that was that.

Day 1 of the job I found okay. You should have a coach to take it nice and steady to ease you in. My route is short in terms of mileage but heavy in terms of density. I have blocks of flats, houses converted into flats, basement flats, all letters and numbers and fiddly. Lots of parcels and no one is ever in!

Just completed day 1 and did 90% of round myself and got back early. Everyone is different and thinks differently and works it out differently. The hardest part for me is the frame and making sure I have bundled things together in the best way for efficiency and in the trolley in the best way.

Ask away if you have queries as you are just behind me in the start date!

FirstPost · Post by **FirstPost** » 11 Oct 2018, 19:44

Jacko29 wrote:
Dagmara0903 wrote:Hello guys,
I am starting next week,have 2 questions ,maybe you could help.
1. What was your induction day like?
2.Are you allowed to do extra hours from beggining? Or just contracted hours?
I hope that you are enjoying new job,hopeffuly it will be easier soon...
I cant even imagine a 16 miles walk in first few weeks,thats a huge distance
Be proud of yourself :)
Induction day boring as hell. Don’t really tell you anything u need to know. I waited 2 weeks before taking extra hours on as I was so knackered when I got home! I would say 6 weeks in and now I do 50 hours a week.

how many hours overtime a week do you do!!?

Jacko29 · Post by **Jacko29** » 11 Oct 2018, 20:08

FirstPost wrote:
Jacko29 wrote:
Dagmara0903 wrote:Hello guys,
I am starting next week,have 2 questions ,maybe you could help.
1. What was your induction day like?
2.Are you allowed to do extra hours from beggining? Or just contracted hours?
I hope that you are enjoying new job,hopeffuly it will be easier soon...
I cant even imagine a 16 miles walk in first few weeks,thats a huge distance
Be proud of yourself :)
Induction day boring as hell. Don’t really tell you anything u need to know. I waited 2 weeks before taking extra hours on as I was so knackered when I got home! I would say 6 weeks in and now I do 50 hours a week.
how many hours overtime a week do you do!!?

Around 20 hours a week

Sunny123 · Post by **Sunny123** » 13 Oct 2018, 21:07

Thanks Dagmara, I am really proud of myself. I didnt realise I had quite this much determination. My walk should take 4 hours but I am doing it in 5 hours. Thankfully I am getting quicker/fitter and my feet are a lot better than they were. Things are definetly becoming clearer. Today was a challenge as it rained heavily all day, keeping the post dry in my trolley was not easy, but I managed. Like Wakewaterblue, I found the induction day a bit of a box ticking exercise and quite a long day. I got my uniform today and it all fits great except the polo shirts which I will hopefully be able to change as they are quite big.