Moonwalk 2011?

[laabama]

Ok, I realise that this may sound completely ridiculous but I'm getting myself a bit tied up in knots about it. Towards the end of last year, I agreed to do the Moonwalk with a couple of friends. I got a place and am now due to do the walk on the 14th May. For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, it's the 26.2 mile walk through London throughout the night to raise money for breast cancer research.

Since then, I've become pregnant. Am currently only 6 weeks, so am in full-on 'neurotic-about-absolutely-everything stage' (:)) and am also worrying a bit about the walk. I will only be about 15 weeks at that point, so not too far gone but as this is my first baby, I don't know how I'm likely to feel and whether a 26 mile walk starting at 11pm is going to be a step too far in terms of me being too tired. I assume I will show a little bit by then.

The problem is that some people have already sponsored me through an online page, so their money has already gone through to the charity (am more than happy to pay it back to them if I can't do it) but I'm a bit nervous about asking other people to sponsor me, which isn't helped by the fact that lots of people know I'm doing it (including everyone at work - a colleague is also doing it although not with me) and have asked for link / sponsor form to sponsor me but obviously don't know about the pregnancy yet. I don't want to tell them all yet but equally don't want to let them sponsor me for something I might not be able to do.

I do also realise that it is only a walk and I'm pregnant, not ill!

I guess all I really want to know is how tired I'm likely to feel around then (will the magical 2nd trimester energy have kicked in?!?... how long is a piece of string?) and whether anyone thinks that I'm just worrying about a whole lot of nothing and should just pull myself together, get training and worry about moving house in three weeks' time instead!! :)

Thanks ladies!

[coco2901]

I did it last year in edinburgh (not pregnant) I'm currently 34wks and there is no way I could have managed It during this pregnancy... If it was during the day then maybe but the tiredness and disruption to m slee pattern was the worst bit- are you training for I now? How do you feel on training walks?

[sybilfaulty]

I have done it once (not pregnant) and would actually advise against. Even if you are feeling wonderful by then, you may well not want to walk through the night, esp if you keep needing to wee! It's a jolly long way and I found I lost energy hugely about 16 miles in at 4 in the morning. You will also have lots of hormones relaxing and stretching you so need to take care you don't overdo it anyway.

If you are feeling unwell still, it will be impossible. In your shoes, I'd offer to reimburse those people who had sponsored me once you come out about being pg but would not seek more in the meantime. If I had sponsored you, as it is for a brilliant charity I would of course decline your offer and let the charity keep the £££.

Congratulations too.

[laabama]

Thank you, ladies. I meant to put that I have done it once before (not pregnant, obviously), and just wanting the last 5 miles to be over and done with!

[flamegirl77]

I'm 15 weeks and I'm knackered. You might be feeling brilliant but you might be feeling awful (hope not.) I wouldn't do it. Everyone will understand, including your sponsors. Maybe you can do it next year (? or the year after!) and their donations can count towards that instead? I work for a charity and people have to pull out of events all the time - it's just one of those things.

Until you are telling people your fab news you can say 'I'm sorry, something's come up that I can't get out of and I won't be able to do the walk after all.' It's up to you how much more you say!

Congratulations! And good luck with the move.

[Applemuncher]

Absolutely not! If you were a seasoned marathon walker and did this regularly then I would be tempted to say play it by ear but as it is I would say this isn't a good idea.

The walk puts a LOT of strain on your body physically as it is, even before you're pregnant!

I am absolutely certain that the people who have sponsored you will be more than happy for their money to go to charity so I would just write them all a nice e mail explaining everything - no one would want you to put yourself or your baby's health at risk for the sake of a charity walk, no matter how good the cause!

Good luck!

[OrangeGloss]

I am 15 weeks tomorrow and currently writing this from my bed where I'm about to have a nap! No way could I walk that far and I am normally active. Could you see if people would be willing to sponsor you for a couple of miles? They would understand

Oh, and congratulations on your pregnancy

[theonlyhb2]

sod that, i couldnt have walked round Tesco at 15 wks let along 26 miles. You could always go to show support and walk the last half hour or something if you fancy it, and just explain to people. I am sure they wont care at all!

[mummybto3]

I also signed up to do the London Moonwalk before I became pregnant... I will be 27 weeks by the time it comes around. Reading all the responses has made me think it's probably stupid for me to do it (this is my 4th pregnancy - so I won't even get to rest the next day I don't doubt!) I am doing the training as I want to keep fit and walking is great, but I don't think it's wise - if it was in the day I might try, but even just being awake at 4am is not something I want to do right now (at 18 weeks) let alone walk a marathon! Maybe we should both put it off for next year!