Tips for getting quicker out on the walk?

bardeh · Post by **bardeh** » 28 Feb 2019, 21:24

I'm only a week in and still learning, but I'm wondering how the hell my driver is finishing loops so much faster than me. I'm a guy in my early 30's, she's a good 20 years older than me and a smoker, so it can't be walking speed. What is she doing that I'm not? If I had to guess it's not trying neighbours for parcels etc, but even then you have to spend ages faffing about writing all the dockets out. She says I'm doing fine for a newbie, but I just can't see how she makes up all this time on me.

So...anyone got any tips or tricks to get quicker? Things you wish you'd known about when you started? Little efficiencies that made things easier once you learned them?

Jacko29 · Post by **Jacko29** » 01 Mar 2019, 05:38

Your speed will increase. Do not worry

Post by **fb1969** » 01 Mar 2019, 08:10

As jacko29 says, don't worry about it as your speed will pick up with experience.

The fact your partner says you are doing fine is a good thing, there are many cases on here where the partner is nagging and criticising a newbie for being slow. Concentrate on doing things right at this stage.

Lfc1972 · Post by **Lfc1972** » 01 Mar 2019, 08:43

I used to be in the same position as you with my partner now I’m consistently back to the van first by 15 mins in most cases. Speed will come. Your partner knows their loops, they know a certain person won’t be in and writes the docket out straight away or knows where to leave stuff safely and doesn’t have to check at the end of the path for house numbers like a newbie would do, it might sound stupid but just pausing to check a number will slow you down. Sounds like you’re doing fine

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 01 Mar 2019, 12:23

bardeh wrote:I'm only a week in and still learning, but I'm wondering how the hell my driver is finishing loops so much faster than me. I'm a guy in my early 30's, she's a good 20 years older than me and a smoker, so it can't be walking speed. What is she doing that I'm not? If I had to guess it's not trying neighbours for parcels etc, but even then you have to spend ages faffing about writing all the dockets out. She says I'm doing fine for a newbie, but I just can't see how she makes up all this time on me.

So...anyone got any tips or tricks to get quicker? Things you wish you'd known about when you started? Little efficiencies that made things easier once you learned them?

She is experienced - you are not - ergo she is quicker.

Its little things that you will eventually pick up and one day you will be as fast as her and probably not even recognise when it happened.

Its tiny little things we do on auto-pilot, knowing where the gate is latched, whether the gate is left open, where the letterbox is, where the safe places are (authorised), which neighbours are likely to take things in. All of this we do without thinking about it, but for new posties just thinking about the gate and letterbox will only take a second, but if your loop is 100 houses that is over 3 minutes thinking time. 3 minutes could be 3 - 5 deliveries, it all adds up.

So, in essence, to speed up, slow down and try not to rush - it will come.

LittleEmm · Post by **LittleEmm** » 01 Mar 2019, 19:49

So glad you guys have answered this post.Am two days in to training and already out doing my own half of loop and I know I’m not the fittest human but my buddy seems to by flying round and I don’t know how she’s doing it! Managed 8 miles yesterday and went as fast as my stubby little legs would carry me haha. Loving the job but please let me get quicker and please let my legs stop feeling like lead!

bardeh · Post by **bardeh** » 03 Mar 2019, 21:47

I actually beat her back on a few loops later in the week, so I am getting there!

I have another question - how long did you find it took to get used to the physical aspect of the job? Surprisingly my feet are absolutely fine, and aside from a little upper backache I haven't been in any pain or anything. But I am completely exhausted in the afternoons after my walk, and even today on Sunday after a good night's sleep last night I've felt knackered all bloody day. Feels like I'll finally feel refreshed tomorrow morning only to start it all over again!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 04 Mar 2019, 11:15

Fitness - Body getting used to it - usually 6 - 8 weeks depending on the level of fitness at the start.

Interested-seeker · Post by **Interested-seeker** » 04 Mar 2019, 13:01

bardeh wrote:I'm only a week in and still learning, but I'm wondering how the hell my driver is finishing loops so much faster than me. I'm a guy in my early 30's, she's a good 20 years older than me and a smoker, so it can't be walking speed. What is she doing that I'm not? If I had to guess it's not trying neighbours for parcels etc, but even then you have to spend ages faffing about writing all the dockets out. She says I'm doing fine for a newbie, but I just can't see how she makes up all this time on me.

So...anyone got any tips or tricks to get quicker? Things you wish you'd known about when you started? Little efficiencies that made things easier once you learned them?

Things that she may be doing that will give her an advantage (I don't recommend these methods btw):

- Cutting across gardens
- Finding safe places for parcels
- Not trying neighbours
- Running

But it may be that she is just more familiar with the job. You will find that your speed will increase over the next few months as it starts to become a bit more automatic.

Interested-seeker · Post by **Interested-seeker** » 04 Mar 2019, 13:03

bardeh wrote:I actually beat her back on a few loops later in the week, so I am getting there!

I have another question - how long did you find it took to get used to the physical aspect of the job? Surprisingly my feet are absolutely fine, and aside from a little upper backache I haven't been in any pain or anything. But I am completely exhausted in the afternoons after my walk, and even today on Sunday after a good night's sleep last night I've felt knackered all bloody day. Feels like I'll finally feel refreshed tomorrow morning only to start it all over again!

I've been working for RM for two years, and am only 30 years old...yet I still feel knackered everyday...