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!

By the way, meant to say thanks for this thread. Tried in the past to join runners' threads but just not right.

Thanks also for good wishes for my sis. In 6 months she went from "normal" 40 year old, to having bilateral mastectomies, chemo, and now new boobs. So this moonwalk will be pretty emotional.

On a lighter note, the walking is just such a brill thing isn't it. Out in the fresh air, sending feel good endorphins rushing around, and it has worked wonders on my droopy saggy boobs. As I said before, get those arms working

Am off for a walk on Friday (working tomorrow) so hope the weather stays as lovely as it is just now.

I think I'm doing quite well! Have been walking every day this week except one, both at lunchtime on workdays (with a 20lb baby on a hipseat, I bust her out of nursery on my lunchbreak and we both go get some fresh air) and dogwalks in the evenings and on my days off. have built up to going four times round the lake in our local country park yesterday, took about an hour and a half and was about 6000 steps. Me, baby and dog tired and happy, it was a beautiful soft springlike day.

Can't do the arm movements thing as I always have a hipseat or buggy! And i'm wondering wether using the buggy - I have a habit of sort of leaning on it - means that I'm using less energy? It does seem a bit harder when I remember to take my weight of the buggy handles and just push.

Hi all. I'm back. Italy was a dead loss, walking-wise... 9.00 till 5.30 in an airless room, then a taxi to the airport and back home again.

Didn't do much yesterday either as I was knackered after getting back from Stansted at 2.00 a.m., had to go into work in the afternoon, and dh was working in the evening so couldn't leave the kids.

Today has been a good day, though. Did 20 minutes with the dog this morning (the usual, slow and steady) but then went out with my Babybells on their bikes and walked for a good hour on our local greenway. I had to walk as fast as I could without running to try to keep the girls in sight (they are nearly 6 and nearly 8 and surprisingly speedy on those bikes) so I feel I've had a 'proper walk' today. Actually, I'm quite tired, but it was a good way of getting the exercise with the kids while dh is at work, so we'll do that again if the weather is good.

Hope everyone else has had a good walking weekend. Mongoose... I reckon the 20lb baby more than compensates for the lack of arm movements .

Posey have you got your page up yet?

Posey - so glad it seems the 'worst' is over for your sister. Hope it really is onward and upward for her. Feel a bit sentimental that I won't be walking this year, but will be thinking of you. Do please let us know about your 'pledge page', as I'd like to sponsor you. How are you, btw?

Hi everyone! Just checking in.

Well done Ellbell and TalkingMongoose (an hour's bike-chasing and 6000 steps with a babe-on-hip are v. impressive!)

I'm only doing 30-45 min walks every day (except Sunday) but am feeling good and have lost a kilo since Wednesday. Yeeehaaaa!

The spring weather has helped alot ... I never thought I would actually look forward to exercising ....!!

Have a good week everyone.

Hope all OK Hippi ...

Morning all, have just come back from a brisk walk, just over an hour long. It was lovely, fresh air, beautiful scenery along the canal towpath, dog is muddy and tired. I did the exact same route as last Tuesday, but did it 5 minutes quicker, and I am not as knackered. Still pretty tired, but not practically crying with relief when I saw my front door )

Whist I walked at a steady pace, it was nowhere near powerwalk pace. But hey ho, that will come.

Well done Ellbell, an hours rapid walking is brilliant

This weather is so fab, just right for a bracing walk!
Did an hour yesterday which was lovely, first thing in the morning so just a few runners and dog-walkers around. Makes you feel all glowing for the rest of the day.

Marslady - haven't set up a page yet as want to see if sis wants to do it as team sponsorship, but will certainly let you know.

Earlybird - so nice to hear from you
Sorry haven't been in touch, and haven't seen you on here too much. Will email very soon.

Hello again

Have not been out for a walk today, went to a friend's house for coffee, then to Sainsburys and then home for some chores.

But tonight I am meeting the girls for a group walk. They are all very keen to push themselves and do at least 4 miles in an hour. I am dreading it, have a headache adn just want to sleep......

Hello, me again
Anybody here, or are you all out walking??

Well, last night was odd. We did not manage to walk at powerwalking speed, but it was still relatively brisk walking speed. We walked solidly for over an hour and a quarter, but when we got back to our starting point my friend's pedometer said we had only done 1.8miles. But I just don't believe it. We walked for ages, at good speed. Normal walking speed is 3 miles an hour, so we must have done at least 3 miles, mustn't we??

All in all I now feel very very disheartened about the Moonwalk. I was by far the unfittest of the group, really struggeling to breathe by the end. If it takes us an hour to walk 1.8 miles, then it will take us at least 7 hours to complete the Half Moon. That can't be right can it??

have you looked at www.gmap-pedometer.com/ The site comes up with america but if you put in your postcode it should bring up your house...
don't forget to double click on the map to start recording your route distance.
Sounds like the pedemeter wasn't working properly...

Thank you mumrum
My friend was doubtful about the pedometer reading aswell, so she re-traced our steps in the car and came up with 3.3miles. Which is better. Still not great considering we need to be able to walk 13.1miles in 3 months time, but better than 1.8!!

your welcome hippipotami...
according to the gmaps pedometer website I've just walked 4.2 miles with the dog in and hour and a half.. Its such a lovely day here in Berkshire ..

Oh it is so frustrating when the pedometer doesn't work properly isn't it?
I found it really annoying because you want to track your progress, how far and how fast.
When I realised I wanted to continue with the power walking after the first mmonwalk, dh bought me a Garmin satellite thingy (I can't remember its proper name!) which you wear like a watch and is incredibly accurate. Not cheap but for me it was a brill birthday present and worth every penny.

Hi All I am not doing the moonwalk but need to get off my behind and lose some weight. I have gained quite a lot in the last year due to depression but am addimant to loose it ASAP. Am on a detox diet at the mo and hoping that this would be the start of the weith loss but need to start walking to help as well. I struggle with the motivation so would really like some help.

You are in the right place SaM, I need motivation too,so we can give eachother a push as and when needed

I need to have another look at that pedometermap thing, I could not get it to work properly [dunce emoticton]

Motivation can be hard sometimes can't it, especially if its grey and cold. But the feeling you get when you've been out there...
you genuinely feel good because the endorphins are racing through your system, you feel smug because you could've sat there watching daytime telly, and you glow, and you're on your way to getting fitter and loosing some weight, and toning up...
I love getting out in the fresh air for walking, and its done me so much good, not least I am convinced helped me pack in smoking.
Power walking, or just brisk walking, are so good for you. Forget running or the smelly gym, just find a local park.

Blimey do I sound evangelical?

No Posey, you sound fab

In fact, you are so very very right. Today a friend asked me over for coffee. She is one of the girls I walked with last night. Just before I left she phoned me and said bring wellies. I did, but felt a little miffed she was planning a walk when I had my heart set on a coffee and cake! We walked for only 30 minutes in the woods behind her house. Then we went back to her house for a coffee and biscuit. And it felt great, the fresh air, the sun on our face, we climbed a steep hill so we were knackered and pleased we had gone out there!!

I am a lazy mare by nature, you know.. would rather take the car to the local shops...
but since we have a dog I do all the walking with her and know exactly where your coming from posey, even when its really cold and dark out at 6:30 in the morning I take the dog out.. see the sun rising... sometimes a herd of deer or an owl and everything is ok with the world...
I get home with tingling cheeks just as the kids are getting up.....

I helped out at the moonwalk a couple of years ago.... good luck with the training...

hippipotami - I at your initial disappointment over coffee and cake.
On Sunday I usually have a lie in (as ds works late night shifts so I get up every other day). But also on Sunday I had to fit in a trip to buy some bday presents then take ds to a party (and stay), so where would a walk fit in? I gave up my lie in and had a lovely walk instead which set me up for the day! But it wasn't 6.30am MumRum! Well done on that.

May I join you even if I'm not aiming to moonwalk?

Of course you can Lewisfan, welcome

Right now I am gearing myself up for the schoolrun - I looked on that brilliant gmap-pedometer site and have worked out that my usual route to school, and then to the canal, along the towpath, over the footbridge, through the estate, up the hill and home is nealy 3.8miles. So will do that again this morning. Then for tomorrow I have planned a slightly longer route which is 4.2 miles....

But it is cold out there, and I would much rather mooch around at home....

I have not yet fallen in love with the whole walking thing, still see it as a bit of a chore... sigh....

Well done Hippipotami and everyone for getting out there!

I've had a slight setback. My ankle has swollen up where I broke it a few years ago. It's not because of the power walking, it's because I've just finished a two-day spring clean which involved carrying boxes up and down lots and lots of stairs!! Resting today therefore and I'll see how it is tomorrow. Aagggh! Frustrating but making sure I stick to diet.

Keep on trucking everyone!

hippipotami have you got an mp3/ipod...
I usually have just one earphone plugged...

Hello

Right, I did my usual long walk after the school run, the canal one, and according to that fab gmap pedometer website I walked just over 3.5miles, and it took me 1hr15mins.

I am pleased

Yes, I have an MP3 and will start taking it with me
When I was a teen adn given the task of walking the family dog I always had my walkman and remember walking for hours in a dream...
Must do that again

Counting - sorry about your ankle...
But well done on the spring clean, my house is due a de-clutter...

I too live in fear of injury - I had surgery on my knee when I was 17, and now every time I excercise it gets very sore. In fact today going up kerbs with my right leg really jolted my knee and sent shooting pains through it. Maybe I need a knee support bandage...