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: Walkers' thread (those training for a moonwalk or those just wanting to get a bit fitter... sign in here)
(477 messages)
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Thanks Counting. I am really pleased I did it. Might even consider doing it again next year... I really want to come in under 7 hours. It's like childbirth... you forget the pain very quickly .
Hippi... have seen you about in the last few days, I think. Hope you are well.
Ellbell - WOW - just seen this - congratulations!!!!!
Your post has bought a tear to my eye!!
What an inspirational thing to do. And what a great description of it!! You should get it published in the Moonwalk publicity material. Having read it, I've promised myself I am going to set a goal of doing a charity walk in the long term and to start training properly again in the short term.
Well done you and all your co-walkers!
Hippi - if you are out there - hi and hope your recuperation is going well ....x
Have just found the photo of us crossing the finishing line on ActionPhoto. So... for a limited time only... here it is! It's very small, sorry. I could only cut-and-paste the preview picture and it doesn't enlarge.
BTW, anyone know what has happened to hippipotami? (If you're lurking, sweetie... I thought of you!)
Posey... I am so impressed that you could do it in under 6 hours. That's amazing. I'd love to do it in under 7. I have thought about doing the half-marathon, but for me I'm not sure that's enough of a challenge. I might to the Edinburgh Half Moon next year, though, if my friend (the one who has BC) is well enough to do it. She was talking about maybe entering it when we were there at the weekend.
Keep looking at Action Photo, but nothing there yet.
MsB - Edinburgh is lovely, an amazing place. The Half Mooners missed the sea-front bit, though, as they turned back just before we headed down to the Firth of Forth. The bit through the city centre was great, though.
Boy, am I tired tonight? Think I'll go to bed now!
Aww Ellbell, what a fantastic post! Many many congratulations on your brilliant time, and belated many happy returns I too burst into tears after I'd finished (not this year but last), I think the combination of emotions and knackeredness makes some people weepy. Those pictures on the BBC site look absolutely fab. It really is an amazing experience isn't it?
I wonder how many do it again next year? After my first I swore never again, but come October found myself reapplying for some reason! Then I defo wanted to do it a third time, as I was desperate to get in in under 6 hours. Then I really was going to call it a day, until my sister asked me to do it with her. How could I refuse! However I really have absolutely no intention of doing it next year and think I will volunteer instead.
Well done to everyone walking and running, cycling, whatever, for charity and fitness...
Really makes me want to do Edinburgh (the half - I really don't think i'll ever do the full again, but then i am 4 yrs older than you!), as I have never been.
And with the additional driving there and back you have had one hell of a weekend and should be very very proud of yourself.
And Happy Birthday!
Will be sad if the thread ends now though, so may have to start an 'AIBU to be sad that themoonwalk thread has ended' thread!!!'
Congratulations on your achievement. and that's exactly how I felt when I finished the full moon last year, but having crewed this year I now want to walk again.
I'm planning on doing the edinburgh half next year as well as crewing London because I missed it so much.
Well.... IDIDIT! It was an amazing experience, but boy was it hard! The last five miles felt like childbirth... only through the feet (???!). We weren't quick, but I was reasonably pleased to finish in under 7.5 hours (7 hours 26 minutes, to be precise!). A colleague of dh's did the Full Moon last night too, and he's just had a text from her to say that it took her over 10 hours, so that has made me feel a lot better about my own time (not least because she is at least 10 years younger than me )! And now, apart from being knackered, I am not feeling too bad. I only have one blister (under the toe... but only on one foot, which is good) and I am very very stiff, but as long as I keep moving I am basically OK.
We set off at about 10 yesterday from W. Yorkshire and arrived in Edinburgh at about 4.00, having got lost in the city centre trying to find my friend's house and driven down some of our Moonwalk route! We chilled at my friend's house and ate pasta till about 8, when she drove us to the Meadows, where there was a huge pink tent set up. We got our tattoos and had a massage and then just tried to keep warm (it was cold in Edinburgh last night) and conserve our energy for the start.
We started walking at 11.35 and managed to get quite near to the front of the 'pack' so we didn't get too held up by the throng. We pushed on as quickly as we could for the first few miles so that we got away from the masses (who then overtook us later, but never mind!). We went round the bottom of Holyrood Park and then zig-zagged through the city centre, where there was lots of support both from people who'd specifically come out to cheer us on and from random passers-by. (I memorably high-fived a drunk on the Royal Mile!) That bit was really great. All the public (and some private) buildings were lit up in pink just for us. It was amazing!
Once we headed out of the city centre it got a lot quieter and there was a long-ish boring bit before we came down to the shore of the Firth of Forth. We arrived there just before 3.00 a.m. and at that point the sun was just starting to come up. We walked along the shore as the sun rose (and I was annoyed to have forgotten my iPod, as I wanted to listen to the bit from TheMessiah which goes 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light'! ). My friend was tiring at that point and we slowed down quite a lot. At that stage (around 14-15 miles) I was still feeling quite strong. I really dipped from about mile 19, when my feet really started to hurt and my energy levels dropped. The last 2 or 3 miles were largely uphill and felt like at least double the real distance. But just as I was thinking that I couldn't possibly take another step, there was a sign that said 500m to go, then 250m to go... and then we could see the Finish Line. I burst into tears as we crossed it... I was really emotional! We finished at 7.01 a.m. on my 41st birthday!
I immediately phoned my friend to come and collect us (I was scared to sit down, as I felt that I might never ever get up again!) and my first words were, 'We've done it... and we're never doing it again!'. We went back to her house and had some breakfast and then I slept for a couple of hours, before getting up, drinking a load of coffee and then driving back to Yorkshire. I finally got home today at about 6.30 p.m.
It has been two long long days, and I am utterly drained and knackered. But already on the way home I was starting to reconsider my categorical 'I'm never doing that again'. I'm not sure if I will do it again, but the way I feel now (as opposed to how I felt at 7.00 this morning!) I possibly might. Considering I was totally unfit and not used to taking any exercise at all before I started on this foolish idea, I think that to survive with only one blister and few aches and in a time below 7.5 hours is not too bad, anyway.
I forgot to take my camera, Posey, but my friend did take some pics. I may put one on my profile for a limited period only when she sends them to me. Watch this space . I hope to get a photo from Action Photos too, at some point. Meanwhile, there are some great pics (though not of me!) on the BBC website. I love the one of the Castle all lit up in pink, and the one of the sun coming up over the Firth of Forth... that was a special moment!
Phew... sorry for such a long post. I think I needed to get that out of my system. I am so glad I did it, and so grateful to all of you for your support. [emotional emoticon]
Good luck Ellbell. Will be thinking of your feet!!!
And hello and good vibes to you Hayhyde. Sorry to hear of your loss - I was very close to my MIL who we lost 2 yrs ago so I know it can be very very hard. I think you will find the 10miles ok. Re. fundraising tips - I had to overcome embarassment and just email everyone I knew, then sent jokey cheeky reminders. if (like me) you#ve never done a sponsored thing before people are fine about it.
Ooh sending HUGE good vibes up to Edinburgh for Ellbell and all the other Scottish moonwalkers. Hope you have an amazing night. Come back soon and let us know how you got on. Your bra sounds amazing! Any chance of a pic?
Hayhyde, good luck with your ribbon walk. Where are you doing it? 10 miles will melt away as you get involved in the whole atmosphere. Hope you have a brilliant time
I have just finished decorating my bra (rather late, I know) and am setting off for Edinburgh in the morning. Feet feel OK now and I am walking in my old shoes and hoping for the best (better the devil you know, and all that!).
I've had a really busy week of examiners' meetings and things, so haven't walked at all this week (aaargh!) and am feeling nervous now. Very nervous! Hence the lateness of my bra-decoration, too. I've gone for pink leopard-skin print felt on the 'cup' area with dangling ribbons and beads and pink fluffy edging (with some dangling down too to hide as much gut as possible). I am worried that the fluff is going to annoy the hell out of me, but it's too late now. I've sewn it on, so it's staying on!
Please send good strong vibes to Edinburgh on Saturday night.
Hayhyde... 10 miles will fly by if you are with other people and have someone to talk to. I found 10 miles and over very boring when I was on my own, but when I was with my friend (whom I'm walking with tomorrow night) they flew by.
OK... I really HAVE to get some sleep now. I'll come back and tell you how it all goes. I am inspired by the example of all those of you who've already done your walks, and by my wonderful friend, who has only got 3 more doses of radiotherapy to go before her treatment is over (apart from reconstructive surgery if she decides to go for that, and Tamoxifen for the next 5 years).
i am doing a ribbon walk for breast cancer this coming staurday and am not looking foward to it as i have not done as much training as i wanted. this is my first walk, it is 10 miles. i did a couple of 4 mile walks and do 2 miles everyday walking my little one to school but am worried ten mile might be more difficult, to top it off i am doing another 13 mile walk for st catherines hospice next saturday. Has anyone got any advice for me and any fundraising tips as i am new to this but lost my mother in law this year and wanted to do my bit in memory of her. thanks, hayley
Ooh Ellbell you do sound to be having a terrible time with your feet I do feel that you have grounds for complaint to the running shop that fitted your last pair, or the manufacturer. They aren't doing the job for which they are designed and you are paying good money for them. I would second the experimentation with socks. I tried allsorts but my favourites are some pretty inexpensive ones I got in Tchibo. Just the right thickness and padding where I need it.
Good to see the thread isn't collapsing, though not quite as prolific as we were. I haven't done any walking since the moonwalk, just swimming, and now started running again. Will see how we get on
Thxs Ellbell - good to know this thread will continue post Moonwalks - in the meantime "ouch", your feet sound painful ... have you tried micropore? ....Not ideal but very good product for preventing blisters as it's not too thick, there's also loads of specialist plasters on the market now with cushioning etc etc .... good luck with it
Welcome back Counting... I intend to try to continue to walk regularly (though I do not intend to walk 26 miles regularly!) once the moonwalk is over. I have definitely felt the benefits of doing it.
Well I walked for 20 mins (all I could bear) on the treadmill tonight and my feet were complaining. I am not happy. I may well go back to the old faithfuls in the knowledge that they may well rub my toes, but that everywhere else will be OK. The blister on the inside of my heel was huge and painful, whereas the toe ones were only painful for a day or two afterwards and didn't really impede my walking while I was still going. I wish I could find a pair of shoes to fit though [whinge, whine].
I think Humumgous is a great word - after all you are on Mumsnet!
Paris was good but so was the food, and i never did acquire the post-moonwalk-training svelte figure i was promised.....
Don't know what to advise re. your poor feet, Ellbell. I would certainly experiment with socks, though - two x thin pairs, a new pair/style completely?
I know i said this on an earlier post but the £10 ones from the running shop made my toes go numb - they were just two thick.. The two pairs for £5 ones from Mand S with reinforced heels and toes were muchmuch better.
OMG OMG OMG... My feet are a disaster! I have just been for a walk in my posh new fitted-by-the-lady-in-the-running-shop trainers. Got numb toes within half an hour. And I have a small blister on the inside of my left heel (near but not on top on the humumgous blister I got from the last new pair I tried). Aaargh! I now have four pairs of trainers, none of which I have faith in; I have spent a fortune, and it's 10 days to go. Heeeeeeelllllpppp!
What to do? I am going to try a longer walk in the new trainers at the weekend. If they are not comfortable or if the small blister turns into a big blister I am going to go back to the original trainers for the actual walk and wear them with half a ton of vaseline between my toes (doesn't that feel horrible, though?) and posh blister plasters under my toes. Apart from the toes, the rest of my feet were great when I did the long walk, so I think I can survive that.
Meanwhile, anyone want some hardly-worn size 7.5-8 trainers? Lots of pairs available!
Have been in Paris this week, striding from sight to sight. where my blisters were is now particularly unattractive kind of folds of hard yellow skin! Am going to book the chiropodist this week and get them sorted.
Ellbell, don't know what you've tried already (and don't have time to read whole thread), but assume you have done the posh squidgy blister plaster things? Also the vaseline everywhere which I wish i had done on the night.
Well done on the big walk. it took me nearly 6 hours to do my 20 miler and i don't average as fast as you so i reckon you must have done the distance.
Right... Have got new trainers (some nice Puma ones, fitted by a woman in a proper running shop). They feel good, although I just walked in them for an hour or so (chasing the dds on their bikes down the greenway!) and my little toe on my right foot has gone a bit numb. However, I am still walking a bit funny due to the (now quite painful) blisters under both big toes, so that might be the reason. I am going to wear the shoes as much as possible between now and 14th June and try to do one more longer walk (not another 20 miles, but more than 10, perhaps) before then, just to be sure. These do feel better, though, so keep your fingers and blisterless toes crossed.
Well done on the walk Ellbell No advice on the blisters at all I'm afraid as I've been exceptionally fortunate in that in 4 years of power walking, I've never had any. However I did get new trainers 3 weeks before my 2nd Moonwalk. Basically I'd been getting knee pain which I never had and wondered if my trainers were worn out. I went to a great shop where they said my trainers were shot to pieces and giving no shock absorbtion. So I said I wanted as near the same as they could manage as they had been brill (just overused!) So maybe if your shoes are basically okay in every other way, take them with you to a specialist running shop, tell them you're power walking, and get them to look at the way you walk etc. If they're doing their job properly, they should be able to fit you up with the right shoes.
Bumping for blister advice. What do I do? Walk on the night, knowing shoes are basically OK, but will give me toe-blisters? Or try to get some new shoes at this late stage? Friend I walked with last night had new shoes on that she'd bought yesterday morning (from a posh running shop, though) and her feet were fine. But I'd be a bit scared of setting out on a 20-mile walk in new shoes.
Anyway, I am stiff today (exacerbated by the fact that I've been chained to the desk doing marking) but not in any kind of pain. Even the blisters aren't painful because they are all hidden away under my toes.
Well, I've just been out with the friend I'm going to walk with on the night and we've walked for about 5.5 hours, which must mean we've done somewhere around 20 miles. The Big Walk was meant to be this weekend, but this was the only day we could get together. We walked rather more slowly than I've been doing of late, but it was lovely to have company. She had worked out a route for us that involved mostly cycle paths and greenways, so I haven't been able to check it on the Gmap site, sadly. (I did try to remember the route and guess where the paths went, but it came out at about 16 miles, which can't be right, surely? I must have either missed a bit ormessed up my guesswork on the paths!) I normally average just over 4 mph, and this was a bit slower, but not significantly so, except when she got a bit lost and took us up a footpath alongside the river instead of the (properly surfaced) cycle path... and after a bit it got really overgrown (with sodding bloody nettles) and narrow and wet and slippy. That slowed us down a bit!
The ongoing saga of my feet continues. I got blisters under both my big toes. This was wearing my original, smaller, trainers. They weren't painful enough to be a real problem while walking, but I'm annoyed, as I so wanted to do it with non-painful feet. But I think it's too late now to try to get new shoes, so I will persevere with these. Getting soaking wet feet on the footpath by the river can't have helped. At least in Edinburgh we'll be walking on pavements, not 'off-roading it'!
All in all, I am happy with today's walk, despite the blisters and the fact that I can't find out exactly how far we went. But I reckon we'll be OK for the 'real thing'. At least now I feel confident of finishing... even if I do do it with painful toes.
Right... off to bed now. Will post again soon... meanwhile any good remedies for blisters/nettle rash?
So how is everyone? I recovered physically very quickly, but felt sleep deprived for longer. Also have had an absolute stinker of a cold...
<<note to self - don't go out in London on a Saturday night in just a bra. Mother always said to take a cardi, I should've listened when I was younger..>>
Am now contemplating my next challenge as I know if I haven't got something to work toewards all the good work will go to pot.
Ellbell - how're you? Is it your big walk this weekend or next?
My friends and I have decided that next year we're going to do the edinburgh half moon and still crew at the London one as well.
I don't think I could find the time to train for the full any time soon because of having a toddler. I did walk to and from school yesterday though to collect DD1 which is a 5 mile round trip and it felt good to stretch my legs.
I did do a walk yesterday, my first evening one. Very noticeable how much less pizazz i had for it compared to the weekend mornings. Still, it was done and it was good.
LOL @ you two, comparing prisons! I have a good friend in NW1. I stay there when I'm in London (sadly not that often).
Welcome merryberry. I didn't manage to walk today and won't tomorrow either, as dh on late shift and won't get home till 9.30. We try to eat together even when he gets in late, as otherwise we don't actually speak to one another much in a typical day, but that means no walking unless I go out at midnight... and I'm saving that for the Big Night! Will get out again on Thursday, I hope.
hello everyone, and thanks posey and mimsum. I've been reading some of your thread. Kudos to the major walkers! I am minor league in comparison, can I join you for the motivation to keep going?
I found a book called Walking Fit in the library last weekend and have chosen this as my only realistic path - see what I did there [cheesy emoticon] - to getting fit with a toddler, a BF baby and wanting to maximise my chances of doing something fit-related long term.
This week (Sat to Sat for me) I have to do 4x25 minute walks at a decent rate. Done 2 so far, another tonight. Didn't warm up for the weekend ones, paid in aches on Monday. Will warm up tonight! It's a 6 week plan, walks getting longer with a few exercises in between as the weeks go by.
I am 40, about 3-4 stone overweight and live in north-central London, so its an interesting variety of walking around here. Hoping to tone up and lose some weight, though appetite large, due I suppose to BF. WHich is needed now by sound of it. Speak to you soon I hope.
Thank you Posey. I appreciate that. I am going walking next Tuesday with the friend who's walking with me and the aim is to do somewhere between 15 and 20 miles. It depends how that goes, really, how much I do on my own thereafter. I'm hoping that it'll all be OK. She's basically fitter than me (though walking is kind of my 'thing'... can't run, can't do any sort of team sport, but I can walk!) and did the Great North Run in September, so I'm hoping we'll be at a similar standard. I just need to sort the shoe situation out. Aaargh!
I'll keep posting, don't worry. DH is fed up of hearing me counting miles!
Ellbell - thanks for the other thread which I just searched and found!
And be warned, just because we've done ours, doesn't mean we won't be here chivvying you along Get those feet and shoes sorted and then we'll start cracking the whip again. Seriously, we aren't going to dessert you now. You've got a couple of weeks til your big training walk haven't you? Keep posting and let us know how you're doing.
very well done to the walkers- amazing you were.....
I left at about 8am, as my dad had to return my kids at 11- that was hard work looking after them yesterday when i just wanted to sleep.... I slept well last night, and will prob be in bed in a min......as i am still shattered....
Well done all in was worth the painful hands from the clapping if it helped you .... next time i will take a flask as we didnt get a hot drink- like it suggested we might in the booklet...?
I've been away for the weekend and have just got back. I did start a 'good luck' thread before I left, but I wasn't here to bump it, so not many people saw it. Never mind, though. You didn't need me. You all did brilliantly.
I'm a bit worried by the bottlenecks. I wonder if there are fewer people in Edinburgh? I have also put down the slowest time, but my training is/was going OK, and I now feel that I could have put 6-7 hours as my goal. Oh well. My friend, afaik, is still not really training, so we may collectively be slow anyway. And if I don't get my feet sorted out... (No training since I got the blister, but did a lot of general walking about this weekend, and my feet were quite achey. Am considering going back to size 7s and risking squashed toes...) Oh well. It'll be OK.
Posey your sister is an inspiration.
Hippi - I was thinking of you. Next year, eh?
I will keep on keeping on till 14/15 June and Edinburgh. I've got my fundraising site up and running and have raised over £200 already, so am very happy.
Congratulations again to all of you (helpers and walkers).
I was cold at about 4 or 5 this morning but I do know how much the encouragement spurs you on so I was glad to provide it for the walkers.
I've slept for most of the day 12 till 7 and I'm ready to go back to bed now - and to think I used to stay up all night almost every weekend when I was much younger. ;)
Yes, well said, Posey,; the volunteers were fantastic so special thanks to mrspnut and chocolatespiders and all others. Tried to always muster a smile for them! And yes, it really did help.
Can't see an awed/impressed smiley for your sister, but if there was one I'd insert it, as that is truly an achievement! Have a smile instead .
Well done MsB and Mimsmum Those bottlenecks were pretty frustrating weren't they?
And a huge well done to the volunteers. It must've been bloody freezing for you! You don't know (or maybe you do) what a difference it makes, esp near the end, to have the shouts of encouragement. And when you cross the line to them all cheering, what an amazing feeling.
My sister enjoyed it so much she said she'd like to do the fullmoon next year. I am in awe of her doing the half after the year she's had - major surgery twice, chemo, drugs which bring on the menopause...all while living on a building site (they'd just bought a renovation project!), working part time and caring for a 4 year old. Amazing.
phew that's over! it was ok but not sure if I want to repeat the experience in a hurry ...
we made a tactical error in putting in a slow time on the entry form (under pressure from a couple of team members) which meant that we were in the last group to start so we had about 16,000 people trying to get through the first few busy crossings in front of us
we didn't get going till about twenty past 12 - and to our horror at twenty to 3 we'd only gone 3 miles - there were so many people that for the first couple of hours a lot of the time we were just marching on the spot. I felt very cold and very very tired and began to wonder if I was actually going to make it after all - not because of the distance but because of the sleep deprivation
however once we got past Tower Bridge people started to spread out a lot, we got out our ipods and Blondie (fab walking music ) helped me get into my stride. Unfortunately, my team mates didn't go quite as fast so I had to keep on stopping and waiting for them to catch up
we finally crossed the finish line at twenty past 9 - and the last couple of miles were very hard - we were just exhausted after having been on our feet for so long - Hyde Park looked like Napoleon's retreat from Moscow (if Napoleon's troops had been wearing bras, that is ;-) )
I had a couple of hours sleep when I got back, a lovely long shower, and am feeling ok now although a bit stiff - and no blisters
I did it, but feel really terrible today if I'm honest. You are obviously a lot fitter than me (and probably younger!).
Lots of blisters (which I don't understand as never had 'em during all the training, even teh 20 miler) and lots of aching.
But am feeling better minute by minute.
It was an amazing thing to be part of. And in those times where I was really struggling and had to 'zone out' and focus to make myself carry on I realised how far I was taking myself out of my everyday experience / existence. Always a good thing.
Sometimes it was obvious that people were walking with sisters/mums/aunts (or even dads,brothers uncles) and I found that so touching and can imagine how rewarding it must have been for you and your sister, Posey.
Thanks to all who have joined the thread and offered me support and help.
I think next year I will volunteer as part of crew so will continue to support the cause.
Well here we are, all done! Am feeling fine, just sleep deprived, but not achey. Hardest bit was the stop/starting at times when huge crowds of us were trying to cross major roads and bottle necks developed... Best bit was crossing the finish line with my sister, exactly 1 year to the day from her breast cancer diagnosis to cheers from the crew and collecting our medals....
I would recommend it to anyone, it is fab
Earlybird - thank you so much for you donation to my fundraising. It all makes such a difference. My sister is doing so well, physically and mentally, thnk you for asking.
i have just been to bed and got back up think i was nearly asleep but my man fancy friend txted me and i had been waiting all day for him to txt and it sort of jolted me to get back up...... i may give it an hour and try to get half hour sleep... i dont want to start feeling tired in the early hours.....
I've been looking on webcams in Covent Garden, and see some people with umbrellas. I hope the rain stops too, as decent weather will make a huge difference.
Posey - I really wish I was there doing it with you too. Don't know how many siblings you have, but is this the sister we spoke of last year? Hope she is feeling fine now.
Once again - best of luck to all. You'll be in my thoughts.
Just popping by to wish you all good luck. I did the walk last year (and met Posey - a hightlight!), and it was an amazing experience. Stay warm, and have fun!
When we were there last year there were people parking in the side streets on the Park lane side of hyde park. We stayed in the Holiday Inn at mayfair and there are places to park all along those streets.
Grosvenor square, Berkeley square, Curzon street - anywhere round there is within walking distance - although it took me nearly 30 minutes to walk back to the hotel last year, when it had only taken me 10 minutes to walk from the hotel to the tent
Any tips anyone on where DH and kids should park in the morn when they come up to meet me? I know they won't get near hyde Park but not sure where to suggest. Read some advice somewhere but can't remember where or what it was!
Have argued with DH and DS and close run thing with one of my walking partners. Must be more stressed about it than i thought.
Am getting very excited I must say, but be warned, it is COLD here in London today
I will wear my bra, as normal, and have a zip-fronted top over it with my bra showing. If I warm up sufficiently I will bare all
Have told everyone I know that if they are out in London tonight to watch out for us and cheer us along. I think the general public's reaction to us, the shouting/clapping/cheering is one of the highlights.
Hippi so pleased you popped by the thread, and thanks for you good wishes. I have been thinking of you...how about next year?
thanks for the great tips... will pack those things if i can find a rucksack if not i have a canvas bag to fill.......
wish i had an IPOD..... i have got a bag of cadbury's choc eclairs will that compensate.......
my children have just been collected for the day and night......so i can now prepare and rest etc... but to be honest i am getting excited now.... must go and have breakfast.....
They'll probably be huge, they have to cater for everyone. I'm quite large and with my long sleeved top, jumper and fleece on I will be even bigger.
I am going to wear thin warm layers - I have a cashmere jumper that I'll wear and also probably a vest under my t shirt. I also have a cashmere pashmina which I'll bring because it's really warm.
There is nothing worse than being cold so my bag will have food, drink, my ipod, a book and clothes in it. I think I might bring some gloves as well just in case.
can you just tell me how big the tshirts are? this has been a worry for my and i was going to take sissors to cut it up the back so it fits me... but then i got an email saying the tshirt you wear over your clothes
can you just tell me how big the tshirts are? this has been a worry for my and i was going to take sissors to cut it up the back so it fits me... but then i got an email saying the tshirt you wear over your clothes
I'm coming from Lincoln, and I'm marshalling at 16 but I'm hoping to meet up with some other friends when I get there before I have to sign in at 10.
It's a real party atmosphere in the tent and there is loads going on. Don't worry - everyone is really friendly and you'll have a great time.
My friend wrote this on my fb wall and she crewed last year when I walked.
Yep, when you arrive, go round to the volunteers entrance and you sign in and get your pass. You can leave luggage there (but not if you're going straight from post to the station - and your goody bag if that's what you are doing) You collect your hat and t-shirt (they are massive to wear over coats ) - as you're on route, you might get a flourescent jacket too, and I think rain macs will be given out too this year :-( Have a fantastic evening xxx
I won't be wearing 'the' bra next to my skin as the lacy bits, petals(!) etc. will irritate (can only wear the plainest of bras due to my delicate skin and high-breeding .)
So I will wear my comfortableist (?) everyday bra with the Moonwalk tee shirt on top and 'the' bra very loosely over that. Will try it in a bit and if uncomfortable may just safety pin it on somehow rather than do it up.
If it is cold will wear my zip up top and kinda hang their bra out of it.
What do you thinkk - will I make HELLO!? or just look like some kind of bra/bag lady?
You're likely to get sore patches if you wear something under your bra - I had my zip up top on last year but unzipped so you could see my bra but that was partly because I felt a bit self concious to begin with - but by mile 3 I couldn't have cared less.
The rain cape that is given out is good for keeping heat in and also when you're walking you won't feel the cold as much.
what are we all doing on the bra and bare flesh front? dh has come over all stern and protective and is saying 'you are NOT going out dressed like that!' purely cos of the temperature not cos he's suddenly come over all prudish
he's suggesting wearing a long-sleeved base layer under my bra - will that work - what do most people do if it's cold?
Morning to all the fabulous walkers Take it easy today and try to have a nap this afternoon if you can to make sure you're bright eyed and bushy tailed.
I am coming down on the train this evening and will get to Playtex city at about half 9 tonight to get my crew stuff.
Hope you all have a great time, and enjoy it - you deserve every clap and every cheer that you'll get. This is your victory parade for all the hours you've put in so far.
Thx for advice. Have never used an ipod in training so won't start tomorrow as will get in a dither with it.
Am impressed you've done it so many times - feels like this will be a one off for me, but who knows. Thanx for warning re. pasta, although i have pretty low standards! Should really be going to bed but know i won't sleep, so will try and lie in in the morning.
Can I just say good luck to all of you doing the moonwalk tomorrow night, this year is the first in 5 that I have not done it. Have done the half and the full so if you have any questions feel free !! Only sat cuddling a bottle of wine !!
Yes miles are marked, dextrose tabs come in many flavours, wear glasses.
Take blister plasters, ipod regardles of how big your group is you will want to zone out at some point.
Pee in the bushes thru the parks, dont q, you will grind to a halt.
Stick two fingers up to those that peel off on the half moon, you still got 13 miles to go.
MsB - yes, there are mile markers. Yes dextrose tablets are flavoured, orange, lemon and blackcurrant. Wear your comfiest knickers Water is handed out all along the route. Get yourself a bottle before you set off (they dole them out in Playtex City), then take a fresh one at every water stop (they're marked in your booklet I think)
Sorry to be ignorant - are distances marked around route? Think it will be very impt to me to see those miles disappearing!
Are dextrose tablets flavoured.
Suddenly lots of questions / panics fill my mind. Which knickers to wear for example!!!! How will I fit everything in my bum bag thingy. Should i wear glasses or contacts. how much water should i carry. Aaaaagh, what have i got myself into?
Hi mimsmum! Top tip is to drink water all day, get really well hydrated so you don't need to drink loads enroute, then you may not have to stop for the loo. Take it easy tomorrow. Have something to eat at teatime, then your pasta dish in Hyde Park around 9pm. Dextrose tablets are nice and refreshing, give you a bit of a boost and are nice and small to carry with you.
Apart from that, enjoy it. It is fab. Don't give up around 20 miles. Its pretty awful then, but the end is in site. When you get to 14 miles, just remember you have less to do than already completed, so its all downhill from there.
everyone ready for tomorrow night??? at about quarter to midnight last Saturday I was keeling over into bed feeling really knackered and the thought suddenly struck me - in a week's time I'll just be about to start walking for 26 miles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
any tips for what we should do during the day tomorrow (apart from sleep .... if my kids let me ....)
Hi guys! Sorry I have severely neglected this thread Since my big training walk on the bank holiday weekend I've kind of gone off the boil a bit and have been so busy with other things...
Anyway, all prepared for Saturday night, I think. Am really looking forward to it, though got to say I wish it had been last weekend when it was so much warmer and drier. Am thinking there won't be as many bras on show as it is really quite chilly overnight.
Hope everyone else is okay and Ellbell that you manage to get your shoes/feet sorted out.
Hello Ellbell - sorry to hear about all your foot troubles; what a pain (scuse pun). Those gel blister plaster things are gr8 but obviously not a long term solution.
Welcome stiltonmum. I am feeling strange about sat. night and nervous about hurting myself/being ill on or before the night - seems like kids keep treading on my toes! I have a real craving for a chinese take away tomorrow night which I know would be a really bad idea.
Thank you for your wishes chocolatespiders (great name). Look out for me and my team mates with giant daisies on our bras!!
Have bought Radox muscle soak bath salts thingy in preparation.
Bother, bother, bother...! Have looked at foot again and sodding bloody trainers have given me a blister. I may have to go back to the ones that cramp my toes a bit... At least they don't give me blisters (and they're fine up to 10 miles; it's only when my feet start to swell that I feel cramped). Damn! I am getting really frustrated with this shoe fiasco.
Bother, bother, bother...! Have looked at foot again and sodding bloody trainers have given me a blister. I may have to go back to the ones that cramp my toes a bit... At least they don't give me blisters (and they're fine up to 10 miles; it's only when my feet start to swell that I feel cramped). Damn! I am getting really frustrated with this shoe fiasco.
I've just been surfing, trying to stop the nerves before Saturday's Moonwalk (I'm having a go at the full moon). I've read lots of the thread and totally sympathise with Hippipotami - I've not been able to do much for the last 3 week because of my heel. Have you tried a sports massage on your foot - the first one I had 2 weeks ago was excrutiating but the next 2 have been much easier and I am now almost pain free. Like me, it could be your plantar fasciia (a tendon from your ankle to toes) - when the calves get tight it then pulls on this tendon giving you heel pain. See the rest of you 'Mooners' on Saturday - I wish my butterflies would calm down.
I think I may have solved the problem. I have ripped the insoles out of my old trainers (size 7) and put them inside the new size 8 ones and that seems to cushion my heel better. I have just walked 8.5 miles, and although my heel did start to hurt on the last couple of miles it was much better, so I'm going to persevere and hope that it continues to improve.
Really excited thinking about you all on Saturday night. I don't feel ready, but I am almost wishing I'd registered for London and it was me walking this weekend. (Though actually I shall be at a Christening in Berlin, so will be having a lovely weekend too.)
I will be there between mile 16 and 17 clapping and cheering on every walker - if I've got any voice left when I get home I shall be very surprised.
My tips would be - get there early, there was a huge queue last year for getting into the compound and it didn't leave much time for having a massage and so on.
Take the time to go to the loo before you go to the start line because it will keep you going longer on the walk.
Above all, enjoy yourself. The atmosphere is amazing and the buzz you get from walking through the streets in your decorated bra with cars beeping their horns and people cheering is like nothing else.
Hello MsB! I am still here. You must be so excited. Have you got your bra ready? You'll be great. I'll be sending positive vibes your way.
I have decided that the New Balance Moonwalk shoes I bought are no good - they just felt soooooooo small. So now I've bought a pair similar to the ones I've been wearing previously only in a size 8. They seem comfortable enough, but now I've got a sore heel on my left foot. It feels sort of bruised, but it's not really bruised, as I can only feel it in these particular shoes and after walking for half an hour or so. Was hoping to go out and do a longer walk of 10 miles or so tomorrow, but am a bit worried about giving myself a really painful foot. Aaargh! I was doing so well and now this shoe problem has really thrown me (plus I've spent a small fortune on footwear which I'm not happy with... aaargh!). Really must get my act together now!
If anyone wants a pair of barely worn size 7.5 New Balance moonwalk shoes (style 849, I think... will check if anyone's interested), just let me know. Too late for this year for all you London walkers, but maybe for next year?????
I normally wear a size 6 - I ended up in a size 8 in the new balance trainers the shop assistant wouldn't show me the box until I'd agreed they were comfortable
When I got my running shoes fitted they also sold me some posh walking socks (£10 !). But I found my toes were tingling and going numb. Basically the socks were too thick.
Changed to m&s sports socks (with slightly thicker heel/toe bits) which were less than half the price and my feet have been fine since.
But you are right - you need to sort it out quickly.
.
- there were so many people that for the first couple of hours a lot of the time we were just marching on the spot. I felt very cold and very very tired and began to wonder if I was actually going to make it after all - not because of the distance but because of the sleep deprivation
