Walkers' thread (those training for a moonwalk or those just wanting to get a bit fitter... sign in here)

[EllbellTheBluestocking]

OK... following on from another thread, I thought I'd start this for those of us who are not really that into exercise but who are struggling to get a bit fitter.

I am working towards doing the Edinburgh moonwalk in June (and would prefer it if no-one mentioned just exactly how blardy far it's going to be just yet [panic emoticon]), and am struggling to find the time and the inclination to train.

Anyone else in a similar position? Hippipotami? Quint? Don't leave me walking all on my own...

Will come back and post again when I've got off my bum and done some exercise!

I am going with a friend (who's walking with me) and we're staying at my friend's house, so we'll have parking and her dh will drive us to the start and drop us off. But I think I'm going to have to drive home afterwards. I intend to go back to friend's house, have a slap-up breakfast and then sleep for a bit before leaving though! It's not ideal, but timing is difficult (I'm in examiners' meetings on the Thursday and Friday so can't leave to go up there till the Saturday morning) so I think it's the only way.

Welcome MrsBombastic. Sounds as if you're doing well. So far I've only done 7 miles max (though I've got a month longer than you, as I'm doing the Edinburgh MW), but I feel fitter than when I started. I'm sure adrenalin will carry me along on the night [hopeful emoticon].

Welcome MsBombastic, you are very very welcome Are you doing the full or the half moon?

The longest I have done was 7.6miles, and it was utter agony. I am also rubbish at hte breathing thing, and I run out of breath very easily, especially when walking with others and chatting.

I am very very worried about not being fit enough, I am the most overweight and unfittest one in our group. What am I talking about, I am the only overweight and unfit one, and I am very very worried...

Oh that is a good plan Ellbell, I was worried about you getting to the finish line, collecting your medal, and then getting straight into the car

No. I will need to sleep first, and I will have my friend in the car with me to talk to me and keep me going. (Wasn't very clear in first post - two friends, one is walking with me and going up to Edinburgh with me from Yorkshire, t'other one lives in Edinburgh and is the reason we're doing this foolish thing in the first place!).

I haven't told friend in Edinburgh about the slap-up breakfast yet. But I'll be sure to get my order in in good time!!

Thank you Ellbell and hippipotami. I am doing the full 26 long long miles moonwalk! Am definitely the least fit of our group too - one friend I walk with 'pops' ahead and then doubles back to me if we are going up a hill!
I have worried about it so much today that I have a) not walked at all just faffed about at home pretending to do housework (in my walking gear!), and b) just eaten huge portion fish and chips - even the last 15 chips which you never really want.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day....

Don't panic MsBombastic, read back to this thread. I have had some fab advice whenever I was having a crisis about my ability.

The training schedule says to walk 3 times a week? So I'm sure it does not matter if you have not walked today

I keep going lightheaded during my walks,so have decided I am not eating enough - so don't feel guilty about the chips, you need the energy!!

What did you put down as your estimated completion time? Did you allow plenty?
We put down 3-4hrs, but I have already resigned myself to the fact that it will take me nearer 5. I know some members of our team will race ahead and will just have to wait for us at the finish line. (they walked 13 miles in 2hrs the other day, as you can tell they are not training with me [blush)

through, not to

We have put down 6-7 hours, which I think was the middle choice.
Thanks for advice - when i get a chance will read from start of thread.
See if the She-wee is mentioned anywhere!

God I wish I hadn't eaten all those chips now. Maybe some wine will help them digest.......

No sheewee's on this thread, but we have discussed it on one of our first walks. We quickly discarded the idea.
There are toilets en-route aren't there???

my bra etc came today and am starting to feel slightly apprehensive

due to sick children, clashing easter holidays and dh working away 3 weeks each month I've barely done any walking at all for the last 3-4 weeks

I'm pretty fit so I'm fairly sure (I think ) that I'll be able to do the full distance, but would much rather do it while feeling ok rather than completing it with gritted teeth and much pain ....

my littlest isn't back at school until 21st and I'm desperately trying to work out if there's any way I can basically do all my training in 2 and a half weeks

there isn't really is there?

I'm stuffed

Mims, I am in the same boat. I did a 7.6mile walk last week and it was utter agony. I ran out of energy, out of breath, I was aching, felt sick, my heel was hurting so much I thought I would faint, all in all a disaster.

My dc are on holiday now until the 21st, and after that I am starting a little job, so I am really going to struggle to find time to do some very much needed walking.

I know for a fact I am going to struggle. I am hopelessly underprepared, undertrained, too unfit,too fat and too sluggish.

I am clinging on to the slim chance that sheer adrenaline will carry me through.

HELP...

And they rang me up to say they don't have my bra size, so I am going to have to sacrifice one of my own.... bugger....

I decorated a sports bra for my walk last year. There was no way I could have walked in one of their flimsy things even if they had stocked my size.

I just removed all the beads and material afterwards and chucked the bra in the back of the wardrobe.

Hope your walks this week are as pain free as possible.

Hipp - last year, doing my first 17 mile walk caused me to cry for the last 4 miles, which wasn't a good look at 1pm in genteel Harrogate.

Hi all, hope everyone is okay. As the big day/night draws closer I think everyone starts getting a bit more nervous about the task in hand. I just spent a couple of days with my sister and I know she and her friends aren't walking as fast as me which is taking the pressure off a bit. Good job really as I have now hurt my back. We got a new mattress a few weeks back which we have to turn every fortnight until it "settles". I stupidly did it on my own and the bloomin thing weighs a tonne. So spent the rest of yesterday not sitting, just standing or lying, and it is a bit better today. But keep having twinges in my buttocks

Anyway prior to that I managed an 8 mile walk in Regent's Park in 1hr 44.
Now we're off away for a few days, have packed the trainers and will see what I can do.
Will probably be computer free as well so won't be able to check in for a bit, so hope all the walking goes well, and don't do any silly lifting

Hi

Have just come in from a 6.2mile walk. It took us just over two hours, but parts of it were on a very muddy towpath so we had to climb around a bit.
I feel fab

After my dreadful walk on Friday, where I lost all confidence, I now feel much much happier.
I managed to keep up with the others (6 of us went walking today) and I managed to chat all the way, meaning I am getting fitter and not running out of breath so quickly.

So am a happy bunny with sore feet tonight

Hi all, and a HUGE 'Well Done' to Hippi for tonight's walk. I did just over 5 miles this morning (felt like further for some reason!) and am going to try to walk again tomorrow if I can.

MrsP - didn't know you were so near to me (I'm near Wakefield)!

Posey... have a lovely break.

Congratulations on your walk Hippi, that's almost half way so you're looking good for the night.

Ellbell - I'm not there any longer, we've moved to Lincoln now.

I've been at my mum's for a few days but I have been out walking quite a bit. I've done about 3 or 4 miles a day as one walk and been making a concious effort to walk more instead of getting in the car. I do feel better for it though.

Hello all

Well done Hippi, you are right to feel pleased with yourself.

Just come in from an 8-9 miler which took 2 and a half hours and for the last half hour the other two went on ahead (after discussing it with me!) as I just couldn't keep up.

Really aching now but hey, for the day I only have to do 3 x what I did today.

Don't want to go on about shewee but we are definitely investigating it. A friend who did the walk last year said that the queues for the loos were long, and they got to 22 miles then had to stop and wait 20 mins for the loo, then starting again having stopped and sat down was really really hard....

I managed to use the loo twice last year without queueing too much.

I went at about 10 miles and again at about 22 miles I think, and I didn't have to wait long either time.

That is encouraging mrspnut, maybe my friend was just unlucky.

I just have visions of weeing all over my hands and knickers if I used a sheewee.....
Mind you, I am not the most coordinated person at the best of times

Met up with two of my friends with whom I walked last night. We were all reporting stiff legs and sore feet today. We took the children to Alice Holt in Hampshire, a big forest playground and a trail with obstacles for the children to climb over. We did not walk far, but were on our feet and walking/moving for about 3 hours (not counting the picnic), so better than nothing.

Next Tuesday we are going to tackle 8 miles.
(shudder at the thought)

It sounds like you are all doing incredibly well, brilliant

Hello, where are you all??

I have just come back from a brisk 4 mile walk with the dc. The dc took their bikes, so I really had to speed up to keep up with them.
We had a fab walk, taking us past fields with horses, through a push button operated 5 bar gate (ds loved that one), across the woods, over a cattle grid (dd a bit worried about getting stuck), along the canal towpath for a mile where we watched some locks in operation (always fascinating that!) and then back onto the road for the last mile back home. All along the walk we were being chases by ever darker clouds, and half a mile from home the sky went black, amazing lightning streaked across the sky and then mahoosive thunder and huge hailstones. I practically ran the last bit home, and now feel happy and exhilirated.

And the best bit is that even though it was a brisk 4 miles, I feel great My feet ache a bit, but I feel I could have easily gone a couple of miles further. Am definately feeling fitter adn feel great!

Yay! Way to go, Hippi!

I've had a fairly rubbish week, walking wise. Had a horrible period (sorry, TMI) and felt crap (aching all over, etc.) so stayed in and ate chocolate. Also (think it's a PMT symptom) got all confused about what I was doing, mixed up meetings and ended up in work every day when I wanted to work from home most of the week. Grrrr...!

I was going to walk this morning (as I am working at home today) but it was peeing it down, so I'm still sitting here with my translations. Maybe later (dh is off today, so can keep an eye on the dds) as it is now sunny (but I've just eaten a doughnut, so had better let that go down first!).

Interesting about the she-wee. I'm not good with 'non-toilet peeing' (always goes in my shoe) so I'm hoping that I won't need too many loo stops. But my bladder hasn't been the same since I had dd2, so stops will doubtless be necessary!

Well, that's better! Just come back from a walk (forced myself out, even though the weather's pretty foul here today) and I did 7 miles in 1 hour 40 mins. I'm feeling quite happy with that, especially as I didn't feel I needed to stop at that point - I was just bored. I think I need to download some new music for my iPod to keep me going!

BTW, I had to laugh the other day. I was listening to Handel's 'Messiah' while walking and I came to the bit that goes:

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.

Might have to put that on on the night as the sun comes up! (If I'm still standing at that point!)