Walk the Walk ... one step at a time

We set off at 23.40 and we finished at 08.55. That's a long time. But we did it.

It was tough. Not really physically, but mentally and psychologically. Even though when I started I was surrounded by loads of other people, the feeling that I alone was the only person who can make me do this was overwhelming. The first three miles are in Hyde Park, it was dark but the miles seemed to be going quite fast. All that we could see in front and behind was the reflective bits of the hats. Thousands of people walking and uniting for one cause. As we got out of Hyde Park and into St James' park and down the Mall (the Queen was at home) the enormity of the task ahead starts to hit. But we were upbeat. Hearing the beeps of cars held at lights so we would cross, seeing the late night revellers was nice, it felt like you were part of a party. I saw Billy, a Policewoman I know from church, on duty and it was such a lift. At the Tower of London (about mile 6?) I needed to Loo, so we stopped. This was earlier than I had hoped but necessary. Good Loos, Men and Women, all in bras. I was still cold. Bra, plastic mac and fleece jacket. I think it was soon after this that I took Alice's jacket too.

We walked along the river, and over Tower Bridge, the Volunteers keeping us going. The pace OK. We started walking back along the other side of the river, and Alice got blisters, badly. There was nowhere with Vaseline so we just kept going. At 3am we stood waiting to be let through an underpass on the Southbank with Big Ben chiming. At this point Alice nearly lost it. It was a challenge to try and keep her upbeat and chatting and putting one foot in front of the other, but we had agreed to walk it together and that it what we did. One foot in front of the other! I pointed out random facts about places on the route. At Mile 10 we waved goodbye to the Half Mooners who made their way back towards Hyde Park. We kept on walking, into Lambeth, round MI6 and past Phoenix House, where I go for meetings regularly. That was Odd! The bit round Vauxhall was tough. It was dark, and there were few people around. The feeling of loneliness and a mounting challenge crept in but we kept going.

The gates to Battersea Park were a welcome sight, with the half way point contained within them. We stopped for the loo at 4am, for food and water. Alice nearly passed out, and I realised that the food I had eaten was giving me tummy pains but I needed it for the energy. A quick breather, a stretch, a swap of jumper for Space Blanket and we were off again as Dawn started to break over London and light chased the shadows away. It was amazing how much difference walking in the light made. It felt like we were nearly there, like the end was nigh. It gave me a hope, and a new burst of energy. It was still freezing. I also gave up on the I-Pod at this stage. I wanted to focus on what I was doing and zone out. As we crossed the river again, on a Bridge warning soldiers not to walk in time (does anyone know which this is?) I got chatting to some women from Portsmouth also in Green Start. Alice was a bit miserable at this stage and it was tough to try and motivate her. I prayed that God would help us through it and that I would find the words and the ways to pick her up. We walked past some House Boats, one with an all night party on. I thought it was a bit odd that there were people still partying but it was only about 4.30am at this time. We wandered round some very posh parts of Chelsea and Kensington. We ogled houses, and shops. We walked down the King's road. I started to crave caffeine. I took my space blanket off - Alice was shocked!

London started to wake up, shops opened, the sun came got warmer, and the end got nearer. Mile 20 was amazing. Only 6.2 to go. At Mile 22 I really needed the Loo but Alice felt that if she stopped she wouldn't start. SO she carried on and we agreed to meet at the Mile 23 marker. Standing in the sun at Mile 22 warmed me up and I took off my fleece for the first time. I walked for a mile on my own which probably did us both good. The crowd had thinned out in places so I powered ahead.

Mile 23, I spoke to James, He and Stephen were in Hyde Park. The thought of seeing him was wonderful. Alice stopped for the Loo in St. James' Park and I sat down for the first time. My back was all seized up but the sniff of the finish got me up and got me going. As we made our way past Buckingham Palace there ahead of us were the boys. Yeay. Company. They walked with us to Hyde Park and then made their way to the finish as we made our way round the last two miles round the Serpentine. I took off my plastic mac determined to finish in just the bra. It was great in the sun but freezing in the shade. Seeing finishers was tough but they were all really encouraging. Mile 25, Mile 26 and the finish line in sight. We powered on, we overtook people! We held hands, at the finish we posed to James and Stephen to take pictures and then we walked through the arch and it was over. We had done it. One foot in front of the other for 26.2 miles. Someone hung a medal round my neck and someone took the corner of my number.

It was only then that the emotion hit me and I cried for the first time. Only briefly, then I got my goodie bag and collected my rucksack. I called my mother, handed the phone to Alice and then put on every item of clothing in my bag.

We went out of Playtex City to meet Stephen (James had to go back to Croydon for church) and we sat down. I was shivering and cold and wanted to sleep. All signs of hypothermia. Alice's blisters were HUGE so she put on flip flops. We rejected the Champagne Stephen had carefully transported in favour of a cup of tea and went about making our way back to Victoria.

Back home I collapsed into bed and drifted off to sleep.

Moonwalk 2008. Done.

Moonwalk 2009 - Hell yes!

H x

One week on .....

Well last Saturday night I gave up a night's sleep and walked 26.2 miles around the capital city of England, the city in which I live and work. I spent so much of Saturday being nervous that I was worried that I would have used up all my energy come Saturday night. A nervous tension hung in the air in my little house all day, and the FA cup final provided good dozing background noise!

We had showers, and packed up our stuff and had jacket potatoes and cheese and spaghetti. And then we left. Stephen came with us to East Croydon and then we were on our own. Except already, at East Croydon we weren't. There were other women, in pink, in hats and trainers. Going up to London with the Saturday evening party crowd. AT Victoria we poured off the train and onto buses. I felt the need to smile at every woman in sportswear or a Moonwalk hat or WtW T-Shirt. They didn't all smile back!

As we got off the bus and entered Hyde Park the enormity of it all hit. We walked half way round Hyde Park just to join the back to the Queue to get in! So we took of our T-Shirts and wrote our numbers on our fronts and our message to Mummy on our back . I stared Vaselining under my bra where it might rub. It was chilly but I couldn't tell if it was excitement or the cold. Finally walking into Playtex City - number firmly pinned to my leg - it hit me. We were doing the Moonwalk. The inside of the Tent was amazing. The number of people, the noise, the smell. WE Vaselined our feet, drank some water. Sorted out the Bum bag and put our big bags in. I forgot to put the pink nail polish in which meant I carried it for 26.2 miles! We went to the loo, we had our food - surprisingly good, we sat and listened and danced. We looked at other people's bras, and read their messages. Then it was 10 o'clock and Nina was on stage. There is a minute's silence when 15000 people hold hands and think about why they are doing this. It was emotional. That and "You'll never walk alone." I hugged my sister, I hugged the girl on my other side - she was about 14 and walking with her mum. WE did the warm up. Alice went to the Loo, again, and I was told to make my way outside. Alice wasn't there, I got panicky. Alice came back. We went outside. It was FREEZING.

We gathered at the start line, watching the clock. We were told we were leaving at 23.40 so at 23.39 and 30 seconds the count down began the 5..4..3....2....1.... we were off.....

We did it!!

I have to say that that was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but yes, it was worth it.

I'm still really tired so don't want to do a step by step account of the walk but I wanted to blog and say that Hannah and I did it in 8 hours 31 minutes. I was suffering with horrible blisters for most of it which slowed us down a lot and I felt bad for pulling Hannah back but in a selfish way, I'm glad I did. I could not have done that without my sister, she was an inspiration and motivation when I most needed it. I know that there were times I snapped and was difficult and times when no matter what she did I couldn't respond, but I love her and want to thank her for being there. Especially as it was my dumb idea in the first place!

I'm not at work today. I'm recovering from losing sleep and aching joints and quietly reliving a fantastic night that I am truely proud of!

eight hours

In just over eight hours time Alice and I will be at the start line of the London Moonwalk in Playtex City in Hyde Park.

How do I feel? Scared, very scared. Nervous and emotional. I'm kind of looking forward to it and kind of not! I'll be fine when I get there, the adrenalin will kick in and 14 998 other people will help life me.

Will I manage yet? Yes of course. Giving up is not an option. I've trained, I've prepared. I'm ready

Will it be tough? The toughest thing I have ever done in my life.

So to leave you here are a few pictures of our bras.

Best Boob forward.....Hannah x

The Long One - Alice's version!

The short version of this story is that it was crap and I didn't do the 20 miles I set out to do.

The slightly longer version of it is that actually, I don't really mind! I did quite well and I know that I won't have a problem on the night.

Basically, due to other commitments/injuries/blisters etc the furthest I had walked before last Sunday was 11 miles. So I think my first problem was attempting to go from 11 to 20 miles in one big leap. I'd done shorter walks and been to the gym so my fitness levels are fine but looking back, this was not a good idea.

I worked out a route around Worcester, up to some local villages and back again. I reckoned it would take me six hours at the longest. And that's where the psychology of walking took over. Six hours?!? Of just walking?!? On my own?!? I honestly couldn't think of anything more boring!

But I tried to put this out of my mind and set off.

All was going quite well for the first few miles. I was doing a good pace, my feet and blisters didn't hurt and I was actually enjoying it. Then it started to rain. And continued to rain (heavily!) for over an hour. I was soaked.

Desperate not to be detered I carried on, through the first village, round the corner. As I came round this corner I noticed a small brown and white dog lying dead at the side of the road. It really upset me but there was nothing really that I could do. I carried on and tried to put it out of my mind.

Stopped off at the local shop for some more water and a Mars bar then back on my merry way, on to some windey country lanes. The scenery was beautiful and the sounds and the smells were great. I felt good but started to get a bit bored and tired.

As I walked, several cars passed me and dutifully slowed down. And then one car actually pulled up next to me and stopped. The female driver wound down the window and said 'Excuse me, you haven't seen a small brown and white dog around have you?'. Ah.

This was the point it really turned. I was miserable, wet, uncomfortable and more than anything BORED! I really wanted someone to talk to. I really wanted someone just to help me, to spur me on.

I carried on and found a bus stop. I had a bit of a sit down and decided to change my route slightly. I walked another half a mile and found another bus stop.

And cracked. I sat down and burst into tears. I couldn't do it but at the same time, I didn't want to fail. My feet hurt but not horrifically so. It was all in my head. As it says on the wall of my gym 'The extra mile is between your ears'. But try as I might, I could not get over this psychological hurdle. I was ready to give up and call my parents to get them to come and pick me up.

I called my sister instead. She'd just completed her 20 mile walk and I hoped she might inspire me. She did. She helped me get up and carry on walking.

I didn't complete the 20 miles, I did about 14. I walked straight home and collapsed in a warm bath.

I'm not worried though. I'm physically fit enough, I'm trying to combat my blister problems and I'm bloody minded enough to know that on the night, I will crawl the 26 miles to the finish line if necessary.

When it comes to it, I don't give up. When it's down to the line, when it's the actual event, when it counts - I'll be there. Stepping up and saying here I am.

Because yes, it will be hard and it'll hurt. But giving up hurts more.

Twenty Miles (the long one)

Distance Walked: 20 Miles

Time Taken: 4 Hours 55 Minutes!
Location: New Forest
Aches and Pains: Hip again, 3 blisters and sun burnt shoulders.

James and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary yesterday and so we decided to get away for the weekend, to a friend's house near Southampton. A trip to my chiropractor on Friday to get my pelvis de-tilted- which as a result made my shoulders straight again - meant Saturday was out for walking- needing 24 hours of rest.

Having purchased a leisure map of the New Forest James sat down with a piece of string and a pencil to plan us a twenty mile walk. The New Forest has loads of traffic free cycle paths - which we decided would probably be suitable power walking terrain without the added dodge the car element.

Our 8am set off time became 8.45am and we made our way south to the forest. On the way, somewhere in deepest Hampshire, we came across a group of about eight women. I saw them in the distance and thougth could it be...? And as I got closer and spotted the hats, and then the T-Shirts. A group of Moonwalkers, already part way through their long walk. A mixture of euphoria and jealousy hit me as I beeped the horn and waved. Bloody weirdo I bet they all thought.

Neither James or I were particularly enthusiastic about our walk, grumbling and groaning. It was a warm muggy day, and we'd probably had too much red wine the night before. It was great to be in a different place. As we put one foot in front of the other again and again and again, I started to think about why I am doing this, who it's for. I started using the visualisation techniques in the booklet. Visualising my day in two weeks, my preparations. I thought about how I am going to decorate my bra. Yes I still haven't done that. And I found myself in my own little world. We walked though a campsite - well two actually - and talked about going camping, and the next tent we're going to buy. We saw horses, and foals, and birds. And eventually we stopped at about mile 7 for a quick refuel. Jelly Babies and Bananas on board we set off again with the mid point in mind.

At half way - marked on the map with a big splodge we collapsed for a few minutes, stretched and munched - treating ourselves to Oaty Bars. A quick check of the watch showed we had been walking for two and half hours. On target for those mystical 15 minute miles.

Somehow starting the second ten miles brought a spring to my step. Pack lighter, head clearer I marched on and on. We passed a bemused couple who we'd seen earlier in the day, the guy staring at me as if to say what on earth are you doing. I started to flag about mile 17, we stopped, had some more food and James showed me on the map how close we were. An on we went -noting the location of the ice cream van for later. The last mile lay out in front of us - a re trace of an earlier bit of road, and my feet were on auto pilot, eyes fixed.

The car was a welcome sight, I grabbed my phone to look at our time. 14.55. 4 hours and 55 minutes since we'd set off. Job Done.

I couldn't have done it without James. There is no doubt that training is so much easier with two. Alice struggled, not due to fitness or pain, but due to boredom. I am sure that in two weeks time that won't be an issue, and adrenalin will carry us round that last 6.2 miles.

Walking somewhere unfamiliar helped too - knowing that there was no short cut to home, or the house is just over there, or I should be doing this that or the other meant that I was totally focused on the walk, and finishing it.

I'm feeling alright - fit and healthy, astounded by my own body's abilities and ready to Moonwalk. A lighter couple of weeks of training follows now, plus that all important Bra Decoration! I'll post pictures.

Hannah x

Breaking the Barrier

Miles Walked: 15

Time Taken: 3 Hours 49 Minutes

Aches and Pains: Back, Hip, Knee and Ankle

Yesterday morning I donned my kit, including my newly acquired walking bum bag, with water, banana, flapjacks and route map, grabbed my husband/ moral support/ training partner/ general rock, and stepped out of the front door with 15 miles of South Croydon countryside ahead of me.

I really didn't want to walk yesterday morning. I was generally grumpy and could think of a hundred and one other things I could be doing at home, rather than walking. But the realisation that in 4 weeks time I will have completed the biggest physical and mental challenge of my life to date, spurred me on. The furthest I have walked thus far was the 10 miles last weekend so to increase that by 50% to 15 miles was a big thing for me. 15 miles also breaks the half way barrier of our 26.2 mile marathon. Psychologically completing this one is a huge huge boost.

It was tough.

I got bored around mile 8 but it was nice to chat to James as we wandered. We spent some of the time praying. Walking and praying go well - as long as you keep your eyes open! We had a disagreement over the map reading - which I won ha ha ha!

Around about mile 9.5 as I climbed another hill I saw coming down hill on the other pavement two women, water bottles in hand power walking. As they got nearer I saw them smile at me. They spotted my Moonwalk hat and waved! It was such a lift to know that I am not alone, that on May17th 15000 men and women will be walking the walk. The energy lift from seeing two other people, out training on a Sunday when the rest of South Croydon seemed to be sitting down to lunch and a glass of wine, was great. The lift from 14 998 other people uniting to Beat Breast Cancer in four weeks time is going to be awesome.

By the time I went out to church in the evening my leg had seized up but sponsor form in hand, T-Shirt on and tub of homemade fudge as thank you gifts I collect over a hundred pounds worth of promised money.

Looks like there's no going back! Hannah x

Here I Am

YES to putting in the miles while the rest of the world is asleep,
To doing what I want, when I want to do it
To pushing through the pain because giving up hurts more
YES to not being afraid to fail
To doing it for the love, not the money
To doing it for myself, my girls, my team.
YES to speeding up as I pass you at the bus stop
YES to self belief, knowing that I’m good but I can always be better
Yes to claiming my place, to challenging the rules, to playing my own game.
NO there isn’t anything I cannot do
YES to making myself heard
YES to stepping up and saying HERE I AM

Work it, make it, do it, Makes us harder, better, faster, Stronger.

Distance Walked: 10 miles

Time Taken: 2 hours, 17 Minutes

James was away this weekend.

Sunday for me was jam full of volunteering for Leukaemia CARE at the London Marathon so after three weeks of no long walks I planned a route, made a play list and set my alarm for 8am on Saturday morning.

I ate my favourite brekkie of Muesli, Natural yogurt and Honey, fed the cat, had a cup of tea and put on my walking kit. Checked the time 8.40 am

And set off.

The weather was reasonable. Sunny in parts, bit breezy but no rain.

It was quite nice walking. I felt good, my lungs were working but overworking. My muscles felt good, and my sore calves were loosening. Walking with music helped. As I felt heavy and tired Kanye West's Stronger started to play on my MP3. The good beat and good lyrics lifted me and pushed me forward.

I got a bit bored around mile 7 but kept on going. At Elmfield way the Saturday Morning paper shoppers confused me in their cars, milling around. Around mile 8 the muscles around my hips and butt started to ache. But once I was on Croham Manor Road there was no stopping me. Head Down feet pounding.

I started the stopwatch on my phone as I left the front door and didn't look at it or the time on the way round. Knowing how long I had been out had the potential to depress me. So as I headed up my road on the home straight I was pleasantly surprised to see it was not yet 11am. The stopwatch read 02:17:20.4 as I hit stop on my front doorstep. Job Done.

Now for next week - hopefully my butt will ache less by then! H x

On the road again

After a two week break from training due to moving house chaos I feel extremely lardy, slightly demotivated and very very worried that May 17th is FAST approaching.

On Tuesday I abandoned the boxes, grabbed my kit and went to my new gym. I walked on the treadmill of half an hour, twinged a muscle in my hip and by Wednesday morning my calf muscles were a good half an inch shorter! Whoops!

Yesterday evening I had decided to get outside a walk again. The clocks have changed since my last evening foray making an evening training walk a much more pleasant experience. As I sat on my sofa opening the post I thought about abandoning my walk. And then I saw the white package with the familiar pink branding on it. My MOONWALK PACK has arrived!

Talk about striking fear into my heart. It is suddenly SO real with the bra, hat and T-Shirt sitting in front of me. My distinct lack of regular training started to hit home and when James called to say he was on his way home I asked him if he'd come out walking with me.

So we put kit on and go out there. We only did three miles but in less than 40 minutes which was pleasing. I am going to put in 10 miles this Saturday and go to the gym this evening.

I am most definitely 'On the road again'. H x

Walking in the Weather

Distance: 11 miles
Time: 3 1/2 hours
Weather: Varied!!!

I had yesterday planned. I'd get up at 7:00, have breakfast, walk over to my parents house, spend 2 hours frantically trying to get Glastonbury tickets, have some lunch and then so a nice 11 mile walk that ended back at my flat.

What I did not plan for was waking up to the scene pictured here!

My alarm went off, I stumbled out of my room, glanced through the spare room door out the window at the white blanket of snow in the garden, carried on towards the kitchen, stopped, thought 'hang on', went back to look out the window and then thought 'ah crap'.

I thought about not going for my walk. I thought about driving to my parents house and driving home again. But I didn't do the long walk I was supposed to last weekend and I'm not going to get a chance next weekend because of the marathon so I had to do it. Plus it had stopped snowing, it was just a bit cold.

So I walked to my parents, spent 2 hours frantically trying to get Glastonbury tickets, had some lunch and set off.

My main problem when I'm walking is not my feet or legs hurting but my lower back and stomach muscles. I've been working on these in the gym recently and before setting off I took some ibuprofen and rubbed deep heat into my back. What a difference it made!

I set off with a bit of a grumble in my head about the fact it was cold and it was boring and I didn't want to walk 11 miles but I soon got into it.

As I reached mile 4 I stopped for a drink and also to take my jumper off. I was warm, wearing sunglasses, the sun was beating down.

At mile 7 I stopped again to take off my sunglasses, put my jumper back on and got my wooly hat out of my bag as it had started to snow yet again.

At mile 9 I had a bit of a sit down on a bench in the park. It was glorious sunshine and I watched a young girl feed the ducks and felt the warmth on my back and I even took a picture of the beautiful daffodils.

At mile 10 I just wanted to be back in my flat as the snow flake stuck to my eyelashes and I could no longer feel my hands with the cold.

The last mile was hard. I think its partly psychological that I knew I was almost home. I hadn't taken any short cuts although the idea had popped into my head. I was determind to go on however there was a moment of despair when I really wanted to take a short cut home but realised the quickest way was the route I was supposed to be doing anyway.

I grit my teeth, psychologically split the last half mile into sections and made it home.

Then I went to the pub!

Getting longer (but a bit quicker)

Distance Walked: 6 miles

Time Taken: 1 hour 45 mins

On Tuesday I did a six mile walk. I've been a bit slack at getting out there recently so it was a bit harder but I did it.

I got a pain in my back as I walked. I really need to lose some weight before May but I'm working on that.

It was the usual cold and dark story but it wasn't raining and it wasn't windy. It was long but not too bad.

Last night I went to the gym and met my new personal trainer. He gave us quite a hard workout to do which really works the legs so hopefully this will help when I'm walking.

I'm looking forward to actually walking with my sister on Sunday. It'll be good to know each others style and pace etc. It'll be good to have a gossip too!!

Gale force 8

It was really really hard to walk 3.7 miles last night in the wind and the dark. Someone suggested I do my evening walks in the gym on the treadmill until it gets light. Good point. I will.

Half way there!

Well, with fundraising anyway!!

We're now 53% to our fundraising target. That's fantastic.

Thank you to everyone who has donated. It really is a motivator when the walks are not quite so much fun to know that other people believe in you.

If only we were half way on the training front too!!

Come rain or shine

Distance: 4.2 miles

Time: 1hr 15mins

Weather: Crap

Despite the fact that I was freezing cold all of yesterday and that at one point it was actually trying to snow, I decided that I would stick to my guns and go for a walk last night.

As before, I went home, watched the news, had a cup of tea then pulled on my trainers and off I went.

By the time I got about a mile down the road, I was freezing. I was walking quite fast but with it being dark and not having anyone to spur me on, I found myself walking increasingly slowly which is why I think my walk lasted a lot longer than Hannah's!

By the time I got half way round my walk it had started to rain. Quite heavily. I was 2 miles from my flat in any direction and feeling really quite miserable.

About a mile from my flat I was incredibly annoyed by the swarms of running club members who tried to barge passed me on a foot wide pavement. I really wanted to turn around and scream that I was training too. That I was trying to do my bit and make a difference. That I wasn't a runner but that didn't mean I wasn't trying to get fit or raise money for a good cause.

I didn't. I pushed myself into the bush and let them go by.

I didn't enjoy my walk last night. It was hard and there was a little doubting voice in my head that actually I'm not going to be able to do this.

I shall not listen to it though. I shall pull my trainers on again on Thursday and set off for round 2.

further

Distance Walked: 4 miles

Time Taken: 53 minutes

Desire to shout at Husband: high by the end

We went a whole mile further yesterday. James had the watch and once we had gone about half way he started settign time targets for stages. Like we have 2 minutes to get to the end of this road. It was fun to start with but towards the end of the walk he got quite annoying.

But we made it round in 53 minutes. So I guess it worked.

Hannah

Harder

Distance Walk: 2.97 miles
Time Taken: 38 minutes
Walking at the end of the day is quite tough. I felt like I was walking slower but my time was still good.
Walking in the dark on my own was quite intimidating, and James told me off for going down an alleyway.
It was cold too, althought my insides were warm my hands and skin were cold.
My shins hurt, physically I felt like I could push myself harder but I need to work out how to stretch the front of my shin.
Any ideas?
Up to 4 miles on Sunday....H x

Evening walk

Distance: 3.2 miles (uphill!)
Time: 1 hour

Last night I went for my first evening, mid-week walk.

I don't find it too hard to get up on a Saturday or Sunday morning when it's bright and sunny, don my trainers and go for a walk. However after a days work when it's dark and quite cold, my enthusiasm wains slightly!

Last night I got home from work at about 6:00pm, had a cup of tea then put on my tracksuit bottoms, sweatshirt and trainers, plugged my iPod in and set off along the streets of Worcester.

I found it much harder than the 5 miles I had done last weekend. I didn't really like walking on my own and I hadn't really picked a particularly nice area of Worcester to walk through so that is something I will look into changing for next time. It was also mainly on an incline which made it a bit harder although I didn't mind it too much.

I think the hardest part of the walk was walking past the chippy that's about 500metres from my flat without stopping to go in!

It took me roughly an hour so a slower pace than I'm used to but this should increase as I get a bit fitter. I got home, cooked dinner and collapsed on the sofa.

About an hour later I had learned the hard way the importance of stretching after a walk as I was a little bit stiff and sore. Not too bad and I feel fine this morning.

It wasn't a fantastic walk but I am very pleased with the fact that I actually managed to get off my butt and do it!!

12 weeks to go

Distance Walked: 3.05 miles
Time Taken: 42 minutes
Yesterday marked the start of the twelve week training plan in Nina Barough's book: Walking for Fitness.
This week I have to walk three miles three times, so yesterday I went with James in the car to his parents and walked home the slightly convoluted route. Not as pretty and sunny as last week but still positive.
I will certainly fit another three miles in this week but maybe not two.
My muscles are screaming at me this morning though. On Saturday I took part in the Goudge Groundforce Extravaganza. I dug and pick axed for several hours. There are muscles aching that I had forgotten about.
Whilst we were skiing we talked about helpful and unhelful pain. The pain I have is very very unhelpful.

Rugby supporters

As featured in the Worcester Warriors Match Day Programme:

"A pair of Warriors supporting sisters will be swapping rugby boots for walking shoes this May as they prepare to walk 26 miles around London…at night…wearing only decorated bras as they take part in the Playtex Moonwalk 2008 to raise money for Breast Cancer research!

Alice Watts, 25, who captained the Worcester Wobblerettes at last year’s Fat Bloke Sevens tournament and Hannah Gordon, 28, who started her rugby career with Worcester Ladies at the ages of 15, have been coming to Sixways for nearly 12 years. They decided to take up the challenge having completed a 5km run last year.

“We wanted a bigger challenge but at a slower pace!” said Hannah, who now lives in South London. “I wasn’t keen to begin with but through sibling persuasion, Alice managed to convince me!”

“Virtually every family in the country has been affected by breast cancer, including ours” added Alice. “It’s now the most common cancer in the UK, with over 100 women being diagnosed every single day. Whilst 8 out of 10 women who are diagnosed survive breast cancer, we wanted to do our bit to try to make that 10 out of 10. We hope to raise at least £500 but if we can do even more then that’s fantastic. It’s going to be a tough challenge but we will be able to motivate each other enough to get through it. I’m sure we’ve got through worse together!”

The girls have started their training and will be pounding the streets in the coming months. You can track their progress at http://moonwalkingsisters.blogspot.com/ or if you want to donate and help them reach their target you can go to http://www.justgiving.com/sisterswalkingthewalk"

And they're off...

On Saturday I spent nearly 2 hours in Ron Flowers Sports Shop in Wolverhampton trying to find some proper walking trainers. Eight pairs and 3km on a treadmill later I walked out with some New Balance trainers with proper support and everything I needed to start my training.

On Sunday morning (well, alright it was afternoon!), I set out on my first walk. I had worked out what I thought was a 4 mile walk from my flat to my parents house where they could provide me with some lovely Sunday lunch and a lift home!

I set out with my ipod and was going well. I enjoyed walking in the sunshine (although wish I'd taken some sun glasses!) and despite a bit of ache in my feet, I was happy with how it went. It made me realise that whilst I really will need to put the miles in so that I can complete the Moonwalk, I'm in better shape than I expected.

It took me about an hour and a half to complete my walk. However on getting to my parents house, I checked the distance using the realbuzz.com route planner and discovered that my four mile walk was actually 5.2 miles!! That'd explain why it took me so long!!

The Great Outdoors

Distance Walked: 3 miles
Time: 40 minutes

Yesterday morning was cold, and frosty. I was feeling fuggy so my husband took charge of the day!
We were due at my in laws for lunch at 1pm but also needed to do a supermarket shop for the week.
So under instruction from James I packed clothes for lunch into a bag and we dropped it at his parents on the way to the supermarket.
After shopping we got changed into walking stuff and got going!
After an initial self conscious first few minutes we got into our stride and I loved taking big gulps of cold morning air. The sunshine was gorgeous and we walked down paths that I didn't know existed. It was good to be outdoors and thinking about my technique, and arms. I realised that my left arm is much weaker than my right and this stems from my shoulder, which still appears to be carrying an old rugby injury. It was lovely to feel my muscles working. James was quite a good coach - although I've told him he needs to read my book before he goves me any more tips. It was great of him to join me - he's more of a runner so to take time out to help me was lovely. I was pleased with the time too, which for a first outing, wasn't too bad! We arrived to the smell of Sunday lunch and a warm shower. If only all my walks could end like this. H x

Starting

Early Saturday morning, in the glorious winter sunshine, James I went to Runathon in Surrey Street in Croydon. They are official stockists of the New Balance Moonwalk trainers. Fifteen minutes later I was the proud, if somewhat nervous, owner of a pair of New Balance 859 Moonwalk trainers. Thanks to Newitts for their picture! They are swanky, with Pink laces. I also purchased expensive technical socks!
So last night I went to the gym, wearing them!
I have been doing a bit of walking on the treadmill but nothing too focussed. After a 15 minute cycle and some weights I plugged myself into Kanye West's Graduation and walked for twenty minutes, on a 1 % gradient. I tried to focus on technique and the more I walked the more I realised I need to get outside and walk properly. The treadmill automatically limits your speed. Anyhow I had managed 2.35 km in twenty minutes. If I keep this up I am walking at 7km or just over 4 miles an hour. I am happy with this start and ready to try outdoors at the weekend.
The shoes were lovely! H x

Not the best start...

Yesterday I had intended to start my training properly for the Moonwalk. I had worked out a nice six mile walk which would take my from my flat to my parents house in time to watch the rugby in the afternoon! I had worked out when I needed to leave and what I was going to wear and was really quite looking forward to it.

On Saturday night, my boyfriend and I decided we were going to go the cinema but go out for dinner first. We went to a chinese buffet restaurant in Birmingham but as I was walking back from the buffet to our table, I slipped and fell. Quite spectacularly actually. I slipped, my ankle gave way, my plate went up in the air (almost in slow motion) then I crashed down onto the floor with my left knee and hand leading the way. Shaken and upset, I got to my feet but left the restaurant (after a confrontation with less than helpful staff!) as I felt my knee, ankle and already injured shoulder start to sieze up.

Whilst it's not serious, it certain took me back a step and meant my six mile walk was out the window.

Better luck next week, eh?

Alice xxx

So why on earth am I doing this?

Good question, and maybe one that has no real answer just yet. I am not sporty or super fit, I am not an adrenalin junkie, or looking for a huge challenge. So why have I signed up to Powerwalk 26.2 miles round the city I live in, at night, in a bra?

Well the immediate and obvious answer is that Alice convinced me. After we had run the Hydro Active 5K last year Alice wanted a new challenge. She had obviously looked into the Moonwalk before and decided she was walking it. So she started badgering me about it, and in a moment of bravado I said yes.

But Bravado isn't going to get me round 26.2 miles.

I have had a think and I reckon I am doing this for women. Every woman in fact. Now I am not denying that men get breast cancer too. But it's rare. Speak to any woman you know and they will know someone whose life has been touched by breast cancer. It is a horrible disease. Now I love my breasts! I don't mean that in a dodgy way but they are part of me as a woman, and when I'm older they will be part of me as a mother. All women have an opinion on their breasts - ask them after a few drinks perhaps! Anyway one of the reasons I'm walking is in celebration of women and breasts.

I'm also doing this for my mummy. She's ace. When I was in my first year at Uni my mummy was diagnosed with a breast lump. She had to have it removed. It was benign. Good news. What came after was horrendous. She was very very poorly. For a very long time. Then she got better. Then it happened again. And she had to have radiotherapy, and drugs. This wasn't very nice. But she's better and improving. Anyway I love her and I'm walking for her.

I'm also walking for families, husbands, daughters, sons, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers. Cancer doesn't touch just one life. It touches lots. So I'm walking for those grieving, and hurting, battling, and fighting and thanking.

I guess finally I am walking for myself. I am walking to get fit, to get toned. To focus on something positive. To get strong, to clear my head, to learn more about me and my abilities. I am doing this to acheive. I can almost smell the euphoria of crossing the line.

But now for the how - time to get training! Hannah