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!

How are you doing Hippi? Hope the pain hasn't been too bad this week.

Sorry for going all quiet. Has been a really busy week at work.

I have just done...

Wait for it...

Tra la la LAAAAAAAAA....

13 miles! Halfway there!

I did it in 3 hours 10 minutes, too, which I'm very pleased with. It felt tiring (and boring!) but not horrendously difficult. At the same time, though, I'm worrying about the 'real thing'. Even though I felt OK after 13 miles today, I definitely did not feel like doing the same thing all over again. I've had a nice bath and I feel OK now... just a strange combination of stiff and wobbly .

I have a question for experienced moonwalkers, too. When I was walking this morning my hands swelled up quite noticeably. When I came in, I tried to write something down (had been mentally planning shopping list while out... how sad is that?) and my fingers were too swollen to hold the pen. They've gone back down now... almost to normal, I'd say, but my wedding ring is still noticeably tight. Any ideas on why that happened? And, more importantly, how can I stop it happening again? Do I need to swing my arms more? I do swing them, but with my arms nearly straight,rather than with my elbows bent at right angles. Any other thoughts?

OK... I can sit down for 15 mins more and then I have to walk again to pick dd2 up from school. Luckily it's only a 5-minute walk (otherwise - much against my principles - I think I'd be taking the car!).

hi Ellbell. And i was feeling pleased with myself for about 10 miles in 2hrs 50. But you have out-walked me!

Had energy bar halfway through which seemed to help - although may have been psychological. Also walked with someone from group who usually walks difft times so i don't know her well and we chat chat chatted and i hardly noticed how far we were walking.

Last night had everyone round for bra decorating which was great drinkingfun!

Re. hands . Was it def caused by the walk? Are you on any new meds?....just googled and there is a link on aboutwalking which seems to mention it as a common occurrence. (sp?) but says swelling should go down quite quickly, so keep an eye on it.

Hippi - how are you?

Hi all!

Just a quickie as tea's nearly ready, but quick response to Ellbell re the arm movements. I'm not sure if the swelling is caused by the walking, but if you bend your arms at the elbow rather than keeping them straight I think you'll find you are more propelled along. If you imagine running, you wouldn't, I don't think, run with straight arms. Move your arms how you would if you were running.
Hope your hands feel better ssoon, but in the meantime well done on your 13 miles.

Thanks MsB and Posey... The swelling has gone down now. I'll definitely try bending the arms more next time. I was overtaken today by a serious powerwalker who was positively charging along with very (not sure what the right word is) forceful leg and arm movements. (Mind you, she was probably about 4 stone lighter than me, by the look of her!)

I had some dried apricots this morning for energy, and they definitely helped. I don't have anyone to walk with, though [lonely emoticon], hence the boredom. Oh well... I don't get much 'quiet time' in my life, so 3 hours of walking/listening to music on my iPod isn't a bad way of spending the morning.

Have a good weekend y'all!

It can get a bit boring can't it? I have always trained on my own and use the time to think or just listen to the radio (and look like a mad woman if I'm laughing away at something funny I hear!). You are doing the walk with someone though aren't you? I always find I end up chatting to complete strangers on the actual night and last year walkled from mile 10 to the end with a woman called Carole from Yorkshire. We even had our finish line picture done together as it felt right despite only knowing each other for about 3.5 hours!!

So MrsB how was the bra decorating?! I've done mine now, on my own but in consultation with the rest of the group but who don't live nearby.

Sorry MsB, I've just noticed you are a Ms not a Mrs and its not the first time I've called you Mrs. Excuse my ignorance

Hi all. Have developed a nasty cough, so haven't been out much since the weekend. I did do 4 miles or so on Sunday, but felt chronic during the walk and afterwards. Will have to try to get out tomorrow.

I have also been feeling a bit 'down' about the whole thing, after meeting up with the friend I'm walking with. She hasn't really been training at all (though she does run a bit already, which is more than I did before I started this thread!) and was very laid-back about it all. ('Oh, I'll be OK... You'll just have to slow down and wait for me if I'm slow.') Now, don't get me wrong, I'm happy if I finish, and I certainly don't envisage walking it as if it were a race. But it sort of deflated me a bit. Not sure why really... I suppose I'd been taking this quite seriously (too seriously?) and I felt she thought I was being a bit po-faced about it all. DH says that I'll be the one laughing when I finish easily (ha ha!) and she's struggling. But the thing is that I don't want her to struggle - I want it to be enjoyable for both of us. Oh well! She did suggest we get together to walk together at some point (but it's difficult to find times because of my dh's shift-work) so hopefully that will be reassuring.

Reading that back, I realise that I have reacted disproportionately to this. It's not such a big deal... I know I still need to be prepared. But for some reason it did knock me back a bit.

Anyway, I spoke to my friend who has BC tonight, and that reminded me why I am doing this! She has just finished her last dose of chemo (hooray!) and is now moving onto radiotherapy, which she is told isn't quite so bad. Fingers crossed!

Hi Ellbell

I completely relate to you being down about things because of your friend's attitude.
I have also felt fed up as one of our team has been thinking of pulling out. She has very valid reasons, but her lack of motivation and feeling like the walking was 'a waste of time' was having a knock on effect on me.
Have realised, like you, that this is really quite a big deal for me. I've never done anything like it before and to finish will be really really tough for me (did 11 miles on Sun. and was groaning with every last step).
But have been boosted by positive reactions of those I tell about it (once they've got over their sheer amazement).
And you are right - it is a bloomin good cause.
Best wishes to your friend.

Hi guys, keep going, you are doing FANTASTIC!! and it is such a good cause!

My heel is still very sore, and I am getting very fed up with it now. I was honestly expecting to be feeling a bit better by now. I am desperate to be able to walk to school without limping. I want to be able to potter in the garden without it hurting.

My friends went out last night and did 10 miles. The big one (for the half mooners)
I feel as that was the one I was looking forward to achieving.
As it is I never made it past 7 miles

Ellbell, don't let your friend make you feel down. Maybe she is 'downplaying' the challenge so psychologically she is not too daunted by it?

Oh, and I got the swollen hands too. I put it down to the fact that they were by my side (gently swinging) for a long period of time.
Try more vigorous swinging, hopefully it will resolve it

Hi hippi

Want to know where you live that is nice enough weather to want to 'potter in garden'!!! Are you really in England.

Walked an hour in the rain yesterday. In my old plastic hooded anorak thingy whereas others seem to have trendy all weather gear. I know, I will spend £80 on something really nice, and then the rain will immediately stop and the sun come out for the rest of the year.

Sorry to hear your heel is still so sore.

Please keep up your 'on line' support!

Some pottering was done a few weeks ago, but this week no pottering - just swimming

Oh yes please, buy some groovy rain gear and then the sun will come out

I was always the one in our group with the old joggers and tatty jacket, whilst the others had techno type running trousers, microchips in their shoes linked to their iPods to record speed and distance and other such gadgets.

Well done on walking in the rain though - that is dedication!!

Hi all

Dragged myself out again today, despite not feeling great still. The first mile was hard work, but after that I got going and started to enjoy myself. I did just under 4.5 miles, which wasn't bad. Twas a lovely day here today, too (except for a couple of showers).

Am trying to be positive about friend. At least I'll have someone to walk with - and her general level of fitness is better than mine (she's a secondary school teacher - no sitting down!). Have set up our Justgiving page today - just sent it to her for her approval!

Microchips in shoes? [Impressed] I have just ordered some new trainers. Had to order them online in the end, as there's nowhere near me that sells New Balance shoes in half-sizes. I'm hoping it'll be OK, as they are the same as the ones I've been walking in, but just half a size larger. Fingers crossed. Not very happy about ordering online, but can't spare a day to go to Harrogate which seems to be my nearest place to get them. DDs are in a Mayday Parade tomorrow (that always makes me smile - sounds as if they are Young Communists, rather than Rainbows/Brownies) and dh is working all weekend (including Monday) so not doing anything special for the Bank Holiday. I'll try to walk around dh's shifts. Anyone else got anything nice planned?

How's the heel, Hippi?

Hi Ellbell, sorry you are still not feeling well
But well done on going out walking!!

I think you and your friend will be just fine, and you will have a fab time

My heel is still very sore. I am religiously doing the exercises the physio recommended, but it is not making any difference.

Am really fed up with it now.

Aw, Hippi. that your heel is still bad - though it shows that pulling out of the moonwalk was the right thing to do.

I know, it was definately the right thing to do.
Still bugs me though! Especially now my friends have done the 10 mile one. That was my personal 'target' if that makes sense.

Oh well.

Hello Ellbell, Hippi and Posey

Posey - I can be MrsB to you (in fact I am a Mrs not a Ms in RL, but don't tell anyone)!

Did 5 and a half miles yest morning with three of the others , but we ended up splitting up - one charging ahead, one having to go to work. It was fine though and the sun shone, I felt at peace with the world.....collected a pretty hen's feather for my DD then started worrying about Bird Fever1 (picked it up, didn't pluck it!)

Had friends round for supper last night, going to farm thing this PM and then tomorrow THE BIG PRACTICE ONE.

6 of us will wakl 20 miles along canal! Starting at 8a.m. all families supposed to be meeting us at pub at end for late lunch. Feel really worried about the walking but also a bit excited.

Will I manage it? Watch this space. Wondering what energy boosters to take?

Ellbell - haven't sent my justgiving link out to people yet. Was wondering if i should have done it earlier, but in a way if you do it too early then i think people plan to come back to it and donate nearer time, but this way i will say 'in less than two weeks, so please give now!!;.

Hope you all have nice weekends. Now all hope the sun will come out for me tomorrow or my new name will be GRUMPYMRSB.

Oh, MsB, the BIG ONE!!

Which canal are you walking along? The B canal? If so, where are you starting?? No, am not mad stalker woman, I used to train along the B canal and it is sooo lovely

Good luck, you will be great!!

Good luck MsB. I have got a bit longer to work up to the 20 mile walk, as the Edinburgh walk isn't till 14th June. I got all my stuff today (t-shirt, bra, etc.) though, and am very excited. Have to email the route to my friend in Edinburgh to find out where the hills are (and hope the answer isn't every-bloody-where)!

we did the 20 mile walk yesterday and although the last couple of miles felt very looooong, I woke up this morning feeling absolutely fine - minorly stiff and I certainly wouldn't have wanted to do it all over again today but generally pretty ok, which is quite cheering

weirdly, I didn't feel at all hungry either during or after the walk - we stopped briefly at about 10 miles to eat a sandwich then I made myself tackle a bowl of pasta when I got home but it was a bit of an effort - which is odd because when I've been on long cycle rides I can barely stop eating!

the only thing that bugged me was a stonking headache which came on during hte last half hour of the walk, got worse in the evening and was still there this morning - it succumbed quickly to paracetamol though - any ideas what might have caused it? I drank about 1.5 litres of water on the way round which I would have thought should have been enough to avoid dehydration, but maybe not?

Well done, mimsum! You are all set to go then! Not sure about the headache, but could have been dehydration. Was it very warm where you are yesterday? It was boiling here. I am (still) not feeling 100%, and dh working all weekend, so sneaked in a quick 4.5 miles yesterday, and will do the same tomorrow, but will do a longer one later next week or at the weekend.

How long did it take you to do the 20 miles?

Hi all

It is 3 a.m. and have had to get up as legs feeling bit crampy and needed stretching, and needed cup of tea!

Did the 20 miles yesterday in just under 6 hrs. Pretty much on my own; we fell into three groups (better than falling in the canal); my friend miles ahead, then four in the middle then yours truly miles behind!

Did find it very hard, specially the last five miles when i kept thinking i would get to pub where we were finishing and hopefully turned each new bend only to find.....cows barges etc but no pub. But just kept plodding on. Had definite highs and lows during the walk and found a couple of good luck texts gave me a boost, but also slowed me down while i looked at them.

Didn't stop at all but ate a banana, and an energy bar on the way. Drank more than usual but far less than mimsum - i would say maybe .75 of litre, but i guess we are all different in what we need.

Was Grand Union canal north from Hemel. Saw so many fascinating things so really enjoyed that part of it; houseboats and barges in varying states of grandeur (some with wonderful breakfast smells) , beautiful canal front properties/lawns, two storks (or were they herons?), some canoeists, mother duck with ducklings, racehorses, old ironworks, derelict boat hire places, lovely looking pubs and tea houses, lots of fisherman (feel i know a lot more about fishing equipment than i hav ever wanted to), dogs of every shape and size, cyclists and joggers of every shape and size , changes in landscape from surburban to very rural......and that was all in the first 10 miles!

The day was not without its irritations - we were all a bit ratty with each over difft things. Sounds a bit melodramatic but i learnt a few things about myself, and i think the others did too......

Main physical things were really aching legs and feet, aching shoulders at end too. Others found there walking shoes were no good on such a long one (despite having specialist fitting) and someone had blister on lower underarm from chafing.

I managed it without stopping for loo, did you mimsum?

Sorry to waffle on. Think i'll have another cuppa.

Hi all

It is 3 a.m. and have had to get up as legs feeling bit crampy and needed stretching, and needed cup of tea!

Did the 20 miles yesterday in just under 6 hrs. Pretty much on my own; we fell into three groups (better than falling in the canal); my friend miles ahead, then four in the middle then yours truly miles behind!

Did find it very hard, specially the last five miles when i kept thinking i would get to pub where we were finishing and hopefully turned each new bend only to find.....cows barges etc but no pub. But just kept plodding on. Had definite highs and lows during the walk and found a couple of good luck texts gave me a boost, but also slowed me down while i looked at them.

Didn't stop at all but ate a banana, and an energy bar on the way. Drank more than usual but far less than mimsum - i would say maybe .75 of litre, but i guess we are all different in what we need.

Was Grand Union canal north from Hemel. Saw so many fascinating things so really enjoyed that part of it; houseboats and barges in varying states of grandeur (some with wonderful breakfast smells) , beautiful canal front properties/lawns, two storks (or were they herons?), some canoeists, mother duck with ducklings, racehorses, old ironworks, derelict boat hire places, lovely looking pubs and tea houses, lots of fisherman (feel i know a lot more about fishing equipment than i hav ever wanted to), dogs of every shape and size, cyclists and joggers of every shape and size , changes in landscape from surburban to very rural......and that was all in the first 10 miles!

The day was not without its irritations - we were all a bit ratty with each over difft things. Sounds a bit melodramatic but i learnt a few things about myself, and i think the others did too......

Main physical things were really aching legs and feet, aching shoulders at end too. Others found thier walking shoes were no good on such a long one (despite having specialist fitting) and someone had blister on lower underarm from chafing.

I managed it without stopping for loo, did you mimsum?

Sorry to waffle on. Think i'll have another cuppa.

sorry for posting twice, i obviously haven't got the hang of preview thing.

Well done Mrs B!!!! And you too mimsmum!!

I am in awe of you both doing 20 miles

I can only thing the headache would have been caused by dehydration...

We had a lovely day out at the Brooklands Museum Emergency Vehicles day. Hobbled about for 4 hours and by the end my heel was very sore.
I think this is going to take a while, but at least I know the decision to drop out of the Half Moon was the right one.

Right, better go check on dinner.

Have a nice evening

Congratulations to those of you that have got your last big training walks out of the way. Now you can start to wind down and enjoy it before the big victory parade on the 19th The actual night is like none of the practice walks at all, please make sure you have tissues for the end because you will most likely cry.

I've found out I'm a route marshall at about mile 16 so I will only see the full mooners as they go past the Brompton road.