London Moonwalk: A Walk on the Wild Side!

Face Art all courtesy of my outrageous demands and the insanely talented GG (check the costumes below)!!

Moonwalk. Take 2. One of the longest days followed by the shortest day of my life - I went to bed at 9am this morning and woke up at 6pm - nooooooooo such a waste of my Sunday and a gorgeously sunny Sunday at that. I'm writing this still feeling punch drunk with tiredness. So please forgive me if I ramble a little.

My partners in crime for this event: 

Sarah's Mum & Hottest 'Bird of a Feather' of her local Ramblers Club: Janis 

(Janis' stories about teaching hopeless numpties (aka me when I was a pupil) hockey and tennis, despite now approaching the big 60!!! nearly/actually had me wetting myself)

& Every Fireman's Dream (as we discovered first hand traversing Chelsea during the early hours!!): Debbie

These ladies were insanely good company - gossiping about men's dating chat up lines never gets old and evidently they DO NOT improve with the years it appears. Note to self: The Ramblers is where all the action is at! Everytime these ladies spoke - I ended up in heaps of giggles and nearly in a heap on the floor.

Three bits of essential Moonwalking lingo:

'azard (MUST be spoken with an East London accent) = bollard/tied up bike/lamp post etc. Most usefully said prior to impact but just as effectively said once impact had already occur and a doodah was entangled with said 'azard.  

doodah as in 'a breeze up my doodah' as quoted by Debs.  'Doodah' for anyone who was not giggling helplessly at 3am this morning is the plastic poncho supplied to keep Moonwalkers warm/dry. The breeze in question almost caused the doodah to take off with Debbie in it. Typing this I'm still giggling helplessly. You probably had to be there. Trust me. Hi-larious.

morning/ good morning - must be said anytime you greet one of the amazing Moonwalk volunteers even if its only a few seconds after midnight, pitch black and both parties are massively sleep deprived. On average expect to hear/say this 2,000 times during the race.

Releasing 17,000 women and men dressed as women into London, even at midnight = lockjam.  There were a serious number of roads to cross which kept jamming up the crowds even more and the stop/starting was hard going on cold legs. The volunteers responsible for getting people across the roads safely were STARS and couldn't be faulted. But just try power walking down Oxford Street on a Saturday afternoon and doing that for 26.2 miles straight. Not great fun. I was also really worried to see some horrible falls due to poor lighting conditions and crowded pavements and of course, tiredness. Some of the falls were plain nasty i.e concrete and faces - not a good combo. Thankfully our little crew all successfully managed to stay upright the entire route despite some very close encounters. I went flying at one point when someone else dodged a bollard but not me. Fortunately I was prevented from a headon collision as that same someone was standing on my foot at that juncture. ;-)) I also thankfully caught Sarah's mum from falling on her face after tripping up a couple of times. My ONLY useful contribution to the race proceedings! Honest. 

All in all, I am ashamed to say I was completely rubbish company. Mostly because I was beyond tired. Even just turning up at the event at 8pm Saturday evening I was yearning for the exact moment I would crawl into bed 13 hours later. I sadly couldn't muster much energy to speak much and when I did I made basically no sense. Sorry girls. Most of the time I was channeling my energy into ensuring I didn't vom everywhere. Annoyingly I felt seriously dizzy from the get go. Trying not to trip up and the combination of looking in front of me through the swarm then down at the swarm of legs to find a free patch to tread and mixed in with all the flashing lit costumes (all the costumes were truly BRAlliant!!) in the pitch black sadly didn't fare well with me. 

Have no idea what this is meant to be - 

I think this was meant to be a Moonwalk signage in front of O'Neils - a little momento for Sarah 

- clearly this didn't work but it does kinda evoke how I was feeling

Fortunately the ladies made up for my crappy race behaviour. Well Janis' feathered breasts did that all on their own. No part of London was safe.  These escaped EVERYWHERE (ok the feathers not the breasts!!) Still giggling at replaying my mental image of watching Sarah husband's attempting to re-feather his Mother-in-law's bra whilst she was wearing it and all of Janis' own commentary and attempts at keeping her feathered beauties contained for c.7 hours during the race. *major giggles enjoyed by all* 

N.B. Teachers recall EVERY pupil who has ever thrown up in their care EVER and are capable of some seriously hilarious re-enactments. These ladies were on such amazing form. I couldn't have been luckier that I didn't actually end up throwing up. I'd have NEVER lived it down!

Plus it was honestly like having Sarah there with us - Sarah and her Mum have EXACTLY the same laugh, so much so, I kept wanting to check that Sarah wasn't actually walking alongside. Plus so much goss on 'when Sarah was a child' but my knackered noodle has locked these gems downs. Never fear these gems will resurface ;-))

Apparently the Moonwalk this year was themed 'Walk on the Wild side'

I want this as a pet.

In the zoo that was the Moonwalk holding bay for 17,000 intrepids - I went ahunting and found these wildly exotic but strangely familiar creatures:

Kaye and GG!!!!

This lady did this herself!!!!

The no-carb diet is making this hottie EXTRA grrrrrrrrr worthy

Soooooooooooo jealous

Flanked by two superhot wild things

Shame about my own horrible and bizzarely saggy midrift.

Please avert your eyes.

(Secret: I was sucking the gut in at this point but I still looked awful. Sad times)

Thankfully this was the only point I was this nekkid as it was FREEZING COLD.

Now I must apologise for the lack of race pics - I was too busy giggling, announcing or dodging 'azards, giggling some more and trying to alleviate the nausea and dizziness. Plus when we got to the 13 mile mark at the chelsea embankment c.3.30am in the morning - we spotted two pairs of Moonwalkers going in the opposite direction - in what we later discovered was the 23 mile mark - HOW WAS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? That was enough to make me properly retch.

Marking the end of what Debs kindly described as 'purgatory'.

It was a long walk.

Actually for me the walking was the easy part, 

it was the tiredness of a long week that was killing me

We finished after 7 hours and 39 mins of walking (according to my stopwatch)

(I think the clock was for the first wave of racers who left c.20 mins before us)

NO STOPS except at the hideous traffic stops

 & just a very quick loo break at the Southbank 10.5 miles in.

WE DID GOOD.

The steps - we actually started in the second wave at 11.25pm so there are another c.4000 steps to add to this race total - my 60,000 step estimation was pretty close!!

Sarah - our beautiful breakfast picnic ANGEL and the person I was impersonating

greeted us at the finish line loaded with hot tea, OJ, muffins, brioche, blueberries and MORE

Seriously AMAZING!!!  Thank you xx

In place of an official finishers photo - as I just plain forgot. Sorry.

Having Moonwalked twice now - both occasions were so memorable and it was such a genuine privilege to stand in for Sarah and walk with Teachers Extraordinaire Janis and Debbie but I'm now of the opinion that the organisers do need to sort out the crowd problem or cap the entrants numbers for this race better. It was a Zoo. A very fun Zoo. But still a Zoo. Personally I have decided that I will only EVER do the Moonwalk again if a) the Theme is the Walk of the Living Dead and b) I can dress as a ZOMBIE!!  How much fun would it be to scare all the drunks of London with hundreds of zombies walking around at the dead of night?

Mwahahahahah  - ok as it's now 3am it's back to bed I go. This Zombie has to be up for work in 4 hours - nooooooooooooo xx

p.s. MASSIVE THANK YOUS to all you lovelies who sent me Good Luck messages on the night - it meant so much to know that people read my blog and care that I survive to tell the tale!! xx

London Moonwalk T-6 hours

Just a few hours to go now and I'm getting nervous. It doesn't really feel real - am I actually doing this again? What possessed me?! That's hopefully just the nerves talking. Coming off yesterday's sugar {doughnut} high this morning was a complete bit*h. Talk about a fit of the major grumpty grumps.  Thankfully after some food, I'm now back to my normal self - but honestly I can't wait to get back to Paleo properly. It actually appears to be doing me some good.

Well the bra is on and I have my Moonwalk kit ready.  No heavy backpack this time. Hoo-bloody-ray. This time it's just me and my bumbag.  This baby hasn't been worn since well the last Moonwalk, but I haven't forgotten the drill.

My essential Moonwalk Kit:

Bumbag, Hat, Route Map,Waterproof (poor Lucinda will she ever get her SUPERmodel jacket back?)

Water Bottle, Handcream, Anti-blister stick, ipod shuffle, Fruit-tella Sweets, Bar of Chocolate, Tissues, Bank Card, Oyster Travel Card (for getting home after the event only!), Blister Plasters, Door Keys and Phone and of course my Camera

Just time to update my music selection for the walk - some tunes inspired by tonight's Eurovision I think xx

Coming Home to where my Mission Started

The Pink Moonwalk Tent is being constructed in Hyde Park ahead of Saturday's Marathon Powerwalking Event

I spotted these flags on my way home from training and felt a kick of excitement - YES I am back at training already as my abs (or rather lack of abs) go on display on Saturday night for the London Moonwalk and there is every possibility that I'll see someone I know. (No hiding away in Edinburgh this time ;-))

After Saturday's 60km - you'd think a 40km walk would be ok - but then again I have just walked 60km - will the legs be recovered in time?! Only one way to find out.......

Seeing these flags this evening, I felt so honoured to have been given the chance to participate in the London Moonwalk (although I'm sad Sarah and her STUNNING ABS won't be able to do this herself with her Mum). The Moonwalk signifies the origins of where my Mission and my get fit journey began - it was the best possible combination of a big never-done-anything-like-it-before challenge but a feasible challenge nonetheless. Everyone can walk although a year ago I genuinely didn't know if I could walk 10km let alone 40km i.e. a Marathon distance but it sounded ok because I would be walking not running. Well that's what I told myself.

The added twist of completing the Marathon Power Walk in my bra and the threat of being semi-naked in public got me feeling and thinking sufficiently body conscious to realise I had to get properly serious about my diet and exercise regime if I didn't want to die of mortification. The event itself gave me a timeline and the requisite commitment.  For me the Moonwalk event was the perfect catalyst. 

Me at the Edinburgh Moonwalk last year

Abdomen hidden from view - SNEAKY!!

To now have the opportunity to complete the Moonwalk in my other favourite UK city - PERFECTION. Best of all it has got me straight back onto Paleo after two days of surprisingly minimal Paleo digressions - blame the 60km race and the requisite carb loading!! The threat of having my most hated body part of full display in public still feels me with shame and mortification BUT at the same time it stops me from being tempted by junk.  Case in point:

• 1st May 2011: Day 1 of Paleo = Weight 10st 7lbs;  Waist Measurement 97cm


• 8th May 2011: Day 6 of Paleo = Weight 10st 4lbs; Waist Measurement 95cm 

(I checked these last measurements again tonight incase the weight loss was superficial and due to lingering post 60km race dehydration but it appears the 3lbs loss is genuine!!)

Since this will be my second LOOOOOOONG walk in a week (This will get me to 100km in a WEEK!!!!) and IMPORTANTLY as this walk is for charity and the race doesn't kick off until midnight (way past my Paleo bedtime) AND I WILL BE WAY TOO NAKED FOR MY LIKING, if anyone feels inclined to help these slightly weary feet and still sore butt over it's second finish line for this BRAlliant cause - Breast Cancer is still one of the biggest killers among women - then PLEASE do head over to my fundraising page.

Sarah and I will ADORE you forever. 

Plus if you help me get over £100 - Sarah will post a picture of her fABulous ABS - we all need something to aspire to!! - Sarah you didn't think you were getting out of this completely right - broken metatarsal or no?! xx

Just a little Easter Wish

I know that technically Easter has been and gone but I got the most lovely bit of Easter cheer today that I couldn't not share. Plus I spied with my little eye that a favourite easter calorific something beginning with 'c' 'e' is still gracing the stores, so Easter cannot officially be over until they are gone.

Check what the "Chieftan of Cool" sent me: Total surprise which I adore. THANK YOU. The Chieftan of Cool is my official mystery Fitblr Buddy and she fits the bill supremely - encouraging, supportive and uber sporty and FIT - from what I can gleam - a race CHAMPION ;-)) - such a great inspiration but the mystery is KILLING me.

As you can see she sends me sweet cards and notes FULL of wisdom - check her last paragragh. I adore the Chieftan of Cool - still living up surpassing her title! Always. xx

CoC's words of wisdom: 

"Remember although cream eggs are fabulous, they are also evil, 

but fear not the season is almost over."

Thank goodness.  Due to my atrocious lack of will power, I have nearly adopted the size and shape of a cream egg due to Easter overindulgences. So much for delighting in happy size 10 Nirvana whilst clothes shopping on Saturday. This was me out hill walking at Hengistbury Head on Easter Sunday - my posture has a lot to answer for - SEXY!! xx

Seconds after this pic was taken - the Killer Ruffian (lying in her kill position) decided to take on the Black Bear in the background, whilst attached to her lead, whilst attached to me.

YeOW.

Plus check out my fab tan lines!! or tide marks as my colleagues were referring to them today ;((

The Hill in the distance - practising for the 180 meter incline during the 60km challenge on the 7th May.

This baby was only 37 meters - but I climbed it twice.

Somehow despite walking for 3 hours to Hengistbury Head and back 

- the Fitbug only registered c.9000 steps :-((

I should have just sunbathed on the beach!!

Great Wall of China – Fitbug Walking Finale

Well the latest Fitbug challenge placement details are in and it’s great news. I have completed the official Fitbug China challenge - Saturday’s 62,000 steps might have had a little something to do with it!!

To recap, the virtual Fitbug challenge was to cover 700,000 steps or 237 miles and burn 30,000 kcals in 8 weeks; the equivalent of actually walking the Great Wall of China. Can I just say now that the sights and vistas of the past eight weeks have been such, that it’s like I’ve never left London. Who knew rural China and London were one and the same?! ;-)

My own personal goal for this challenge was to get a sub 50th position, i.e. beat the minimum requirements for this challenge and then some. Admittedly it was looking decidedly unlikely I would come anywhere near this goal, especially considering my week 7 position where I was ranked 157th ;-((

Week 7

As ever, and as queen of the very last minute comebacks, latest stats show that I’ve climbed 100 places in the ranks – thanks Han for making us go the full distance on Saturday. I haven't quite made it into the sub 50th category and with a day and a half left until the challenge completion deadline, considering that I’m in the office or asleep for approximately 80% of the time remaining and that I still have a stiff back and I’m need to take it easy, I’ve got my work cut out even to maintain this position let alone complete the additional 30,000 steps plus required to climb just that little bit higher up the ranks.

Week 8

What a difference a week makes - 100 places infact! Woop, woop.

Wonder if it's within the rules to hire a professional walker to sub for me for the last few hours of this challenge - Han you keen?! xx

Home Truths: Challenge Hannah ROCKS.

This is a really difficult, if not THE most difficult post to write as I’m hoping it will help mend some fences, allow me to apologise profusely for my thoughtlessness and engender even an iota of self-belief in a lovely individual  MARATHONER: As you already know my prose isn’t up to much so this is a VERY BIG ask today! Here’s hoping I don’t mess it up too badly............

Watching the London Marathon this morning courtesy of BBC iplayer and my bed – yup I’m officially lazy – I was vividly reliving Challenge Han’s and my route around the course – whoa that’s the section of the increasing frantic ETA loo countdown (opposite the Morgan Stanley building just as you enter Canary Wharf), that’s the bit where Big Ben needed to come into view about 40 mins earlier and the walk was getting a tad stressful. Home stretch baby, never been SOOOO relieved to see a finish line....... as I was urging on Keitany during the last mile from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace.

How incredible is Mary Keitany – winning the London Marathon in the Female elite category in 2 hours 19 min and 17 seconds and becoming the 4^th fastest Marathon Runner in THE WORLD? 

Not bad for a Sunday morning ;-)

However truthfully, Miss Challenge Hannah also deserves her recognition as WORLD CLASS. I casually rocked up yesterday at Greenwich Station for a long distance training walk – in preparation for the 60km walk on the 5^th May - after Han had had the brilliant idea of walking the London Marathon route the day before the actual Marathon. Hannah even organised amazing pack lunches for us both and ensured I got out of bed sufficiently early so that we would finish before sunset! THANK YOUUUUU 

What hadn’t fully sunk in for me was that this was a legitimately BIG DEAL for Hannah.  This training walk was in fact an EPIC MILESTONE for Han  – of course – so blatently obvious to anyone who knows Han and isn’t as dim witted as me. 

As Hannah is WAY toooooo modest about her own accomplishments, I insist I fill you in........

A year ago Hannah was a size c.22 or thereabouts and unable to cover a kilometre comfortably. Two months ago, after meeting this lady with the BIGGEST and MOST FUN PERSONALITY POSSIBLE through group training, I talked a reluctant Han into undertaking a 60km walking challenge with me in May. At this point Han hadn’t even considered walking the 7km to work everyday as a possibility, and yesterday, now a foxy size 16 (the culmination of 12 months hard work – WOOP, WOOP), Hannah completed a full London Marathon course and the additional 5 miles entailed in not being able to follow the course route exactly (something about human beings minus cars not being allowed through the Limehouse Link Tunnel etc when it's not race day).

Moreover Hannah covered the 31 miles despite aching hips, recovering from a recent knee injury AND carrying a heavy backpack AND all in around 8 hours; mucho FASTER than the Hare and I who, last summer, free from any baggage (we were in our bras afterall!) completed just the Marathon distance in 7.5 hours. Hannah did it all too without the anticipation of a medal, pat on the back or getting any of the recognition that she REALLY REALLY deserves. I wouldn’t have been motivated to do anything similar. I am ALLLLL about the medal and recognition - as my family will testify - much to their chagrin I didn't take my Marathon medal off for ages.

Hannah at the kick off of her SERIOUSLY INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT.

Love this photo as despite my rubbish camera skills - it encapsulates Han's larger than life personality brilliantly. 
Fittingly by comparison I'm not even half as fun/funny ;-)

As I've discovered over time any race is equally, if not MORE, a test of mental rather than physical prowess – I have only walked a marathon distance with two people – yesterday was a different and tougher experience for me mentally towards the end, though on reflection I think I pissed off my marathon compadres then and now equally.  CRAPIOLA :-(

FYI - It takes nine people to put these miles markers up - four to do the work and five to stand around ;-)

Yesterday at the 21 mile mark, Hannah was starting to really feel the distance (her longest walk previously was 30km) and neither of us really appreciated the extra distance our detours were adding to the official Marathon distance, else I would have initiated an immediate sit down protest ;-) Yesterday’s training was nearly doubling Hannah’s previous PB distance. That’s like turning up to run a 10km and being told half way round you are actually running a half marathon. Not recommended by a long shot. You just don’t do it. SORRY Numero 1.

Over these sorts of distances you get an insight into different aspects of people’s characters – when I’m tired everything becomes hilarious (even things that are blatantly not) but my coping mechanism is laughing inanely at anything and everything. Not at all annoying!!  SORRY Numero 2.

When Hannah's blood sugar drops she becomes frustrated by what she perceives to be her failings. Comparing yourself to anyone is a femme fatale curse though knowing that never stops us ladies from succumbing.  I hadn't appreciated that by not verbalising my sore feet etc I was giving off the impression that this was a walk in the park for me. SORRY Numero 3.

Just under half way c. 13 miles.

I should have been picking up the signals that all was not well.

I am THAT dense.

SORRY Numero 4. 

So it's time for some home truths.

Hannah is the life and soul of any group - she is HILARIOUS but she is also equally courageous and one of the most determined people I've met. It takes a lot to exercise in public when you're a size 16 plus. With Hannah, the last thing you notice is her size (particularly now that she is miniaturised!!), her personality is such a show stopper.  Yesterday she was truly and legitimately fed up with the relentless walking by the 21 mile point (and at my failure to distract her sufficiently - SORRY Numero 5) and with still 5 miles and an hour and a bit left to go - she didn't pause or slow down (or keel over as I would have done in her place!) Neither did she accept any suggestion that we cut the distance down or stop for a breather - she just knuckled down and power walked express speed to the finish line. I REALLY had my work cut out keeping up with Hannah by the end, believe me.  It wasn't the most relaxing finish but it was certainly the most determined. There were tears. (SORRY Numero 6)

In a very short amount of time Hannah will wipe the floor with me. To be honest, seeing her determination yesterday Hannah already has. What Hannah has achieved in a year is I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E. What Hannah achieved yesterday is I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E and she hasn't peaked by a long distance. I thought I could helpfully encourage people out of their comfort zone as I want them to see for themselves what they are capable of. Yesterday I learnt that I was bordering on meddling with things and people's feelings that I am not qualified to meddle with. Hannah - I'm really, truly SORRY (Numero 7) for pushing you too much, too far, too soon. I still know heart of hearts that you could/will run circles around me completing this 60km challenge or any of the challenges in the bet - but it is still a MASSIVE ask and I feel horribly like I've signed up a non-runner for an Iron Man as their first race. Totally, TOTALLY unfair. I'm so so SORRY (Numero 8 - a GAZILLION) and mortified by my thoughtlessness. 

Also I would really rather not be at risk of aggravating anyone so much I end up getting punched - unwittingly it was a really close run thing yesterday so I'm SORRY (Numero Gazillion and 1) 

Hannah you really should believe how incredible you actually are. You are a well deserved Marathoner and you have the guts to achieve ANYTHING you put your mind to - that much is abundantly clear. 

As for me, in future I will try to keep my mouth firmly shut, not make any sudden movements and try to be wayyyyyyy less irritating ;-)

WELL DONE DUUUUUDE. So, so proud. xx

Knackerification

This is my rock'n'roll evening in a picture. Jealous much??

My feet and calves H.U.R.T. in a just spent 8+hours walking the London Marathon route way. Which FYI is not 40km as anticipated but 51km or at least the route Han and I took was.

After 62,000 steps I have lost the ability to move or stand up any longer. Fortunately I have not lost the ability to eat - mini cream eggs - you are mine. All mine. A close up of my feet and the many, many blisters would have the cream eggs making a reappearance. So you are saved. That thing about not wearing different shoes for the first time on a long walk - SO TRUE.

For the full lowdown on Hannah's Marathon HEROICS - check back tomorrow (too knackered right now to do it justice). Quick hint: Hannah wasn't just amazing but OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD AWESOME. Today's exploits were farrrrrrrrr from a walk in the park. SORRY x a gazillion million Han for getting you into this.

Right now I have to get back to refuelling my muscles, groaning about my feet and thanking ALL the Gods I have the good sense NOT to be running the London Marathon tomorrow.

For anyone reading this who is - you'll be grrrrrrrrrrrreat!! xx

Nothing better than a murder mystery (fictional of course)

Confession time – my desire for walking/ exercising has been temporarily overridden by Marathon sessions of The Mentalist Season 1 and 2. For weeks I have been slightly perplexed by the continuing Red John storyline and the comments left by fans on Five OD. On Saturday I finally decided that in order that I can join in, drastic action was required and I should go back and watch the story unfold from the beginning – priorities, priorities!! After the eons to date, shifting my lard arse can wait a few more days, finding out the mystery connection between Patrick Jane and Red John cannot!!

I am a sucker for murder mysteries except I freak myself out watching them in the dark - irrespective of whether it's Miss Marple or Danni Devito's CSI episodes and no matter if I've seen them before - I’m unable to leave the safety of my duvet to switch my laptop off if I'm alone in the dark. Ergo I just have to keep watching until daylight/ the series is finished – whichever is sooner.

Understandably the downside of turning nocturnal is that my appetite for getting up and going outside during daylight hours is non-existent and since I can walk to and from my bedroom to the fridge in less than 20 steps – my daily steps has dropped somewhat!

But April is my official WALKATHON month – the days are lighter and warmer so being outside is no longer akin to dying a horribly slow and painful death. So from this moment until 30th April 23:59:59pm, I am walking everywhere (unless I am travelling in work hours or travelling to a destination outside London). After all it’s less than 5 weeks now til my 60km race - if it still count as a race when you’re walking? Plus I still have to complete my Great Wall of China Walk in the two weeks remaining - I hate to think what my current ranking is - last week I was back down to c.150th - although I can attribute some of that to a recent chest infection. For this week's ranking - I only have my own complete lack of exercise commitment to blame.

{In case you think I’ve been a complete lazybones of late (which honestly I have been) – I should add that on Saturday I walked to and from HMV in Marble Arch to pick up a copy of the Mentalist Season 1 and 2 – a 6 mile trip minimum}

The most crucial part of the April Walkathon plan is going to bed no later than 11pm – ideally no later than 10pm. This means rationing the number of murder mysteries watched to 2 deaths a night!

According to this week’s FitBug progress report – FitBug HQ are in fact wondering if I am in fact dead since I don’t seem to have moved since Wednesday – oops must remember to download my FitBug stats tonight – in between Murder 1 and Murder 2. xx

p.s. Since clearly you are all dying to know – well I was a clear WINNER in the office desk palooza during Friday’s office shuffle: Not only am I now stationed immediately between two Senior Managers/ new bosses – bye, bye mid afternoon daydreaming/ staring out of the window sessions ;-), I cannot even see the cake table from my new location. Sad times!! But best of all, the ceiling directly above my new desk seat is missing – I can only presume that the former occupant was coshed when they couldn’t take the hint to leave. After all the desk was still full of their stuff when I moved in – oh the mystery!!

A March in support of THE March

Today was the much anticipated Soldier Challenge.  Guttingly I was in no state to join in - just climbing 2 flights of stairs gets me out of breath at the moment - so I was forced to bench myself and left the (immensely speedy) girlies to it. :'(( I can't wait to share their adventures and snaps of the day with you though - the titbits I've heard and seen sound and look IMMENSE. PT, Lucinda and Jade will be talking of nothing else for weeeeeeeeeks guaranteed!! I'm just hoping the organisers run the Soldier Challenge next year - my name shall be the first down!

Today London was also the venue of one of the biggest marches that I've ever witnessed; 500,000 people marching in protest of the public sector cuts to education, local government services and the NHS - the trade unions and their members were out in force.

So as a show of support to the girls in their soldier challenge endeavours, the many, many people marching for their beliefs, rights and jobs and to make up for the lost steps this week, I undertook a fairly epic walk of my own today - walking, maddeningly, is all I'm good for at the moment, even then I am completely knackered for it.

But I did walk for 6 hours solid and cover 27km, just under 40,000 steps:

My Rhino Route!!

Passing the Olympic Clock at the 7km point

Checking out the March

I was walking in the opposite direction to these guys - that was an experience in itself!

Getting back to the Tourist Trail - CHECK OUT today's FAB Spring weather!

Reminder: Missing out on Soldier Challenge - SOB, SOB.

Today's walk in summary - courtesy of FitBug

My feet and legs were killing from the 14km point onwards but I'm proud to say I kept on going despite getting uber lost and so walking the complete length of the Wandsworth Road - my detour must have added another 3km to my rhino route - the rhino got a tail.

But most of all I'm proud of everyone who was marching peacefully/ soldier challenging in London today, especially those disabled kids joining the march even despite their wheelchairs - heart melting xx

Walking the Walk

I'm much better at "talking the talk" or rather blogging b%**%$@$, than I am at actually "walking the walk" - Case in point: see my last two posts.

But this week I set myself the challenge of walking 100,000 steps and making all three Training Sessions  and I know I'm going to hit my target even with two days of the week remaining. Oh yeah! That makes waking up at 4.30am this morning, to ensure I walked the 5.5 miles to work this morning in time for an horribly early meeting. just. slightly. more. worth. it.

Plus I'm starting to creep up Fitbug's Virtual Walking the Great Wall of China rankings - last week I was 156th of 419 participants, as of Tuesday I was:

Plus I have now booked my place on the 60km walking race on the 7th May. WOOP WOOP. Fortunately so too has Challenge Hannah so it should be LOTS of FUN as well as LOTS of PAIN - 13 hours of drama to be exact!! I am a little worried that Thursday's night training session exhausted Challenge Hannah's 3 joke repertoire so "vicious circle" might take on a whole different meaning come the 7th May - kidding Han ;-))

Plus since the 60km walk is only eight weeks away, I thought it was time to draw up...... :

An UBER Extreme (yet pocket sized!!) WALKING Training Schedule - What else?!

Yes I live a rock and roll lifestyle.  Right now I am sitting, blogging in my PJs, home alone on a Friday night waiting for my laundry to complete its cycle before I head to 'Bedfordshire' as Bridget Jones would say. Could I be any cooler - IMPOSSIBLE?! xx

p.s. I managed to lay off cake and chocolate today and instead indulged in porridge, a Pret croissant (I have been up since 4.30am!), salad with chicken, apple, salad (just salad leaves and a little pesto dressing) and chicken and chorizo pitta.  Impeccable behaviour until I ate 4 pieces of Vogel's Soya toast - but on a good note the loaf is no more - thankfully. Oops, also just remembered the mini jaffa cakes I ate on my way home. I have a totally selective food memory, unfortunately the scales are not so forgiving! So still a work-in-progress.

Just treading water stops here

Hampstead Heath just doesn't have quite the same romance as this.

Well today I walked and walked and walked............ up a really horrendous hill. I didn't know there was a mountain in London! The incline was in three stages and literally went on for 2 miles. I've never been more relieved to see a bench in my life - except I didn't feel like I could actually collapse on said bench, since I'm meant to be getting fit. That and a sprightly girl RAN past me up the hill. Argh.

All in all I completed a 10km/ 6 miles lap as I got lost on the Heath and ended up cutting a corner. All in all, I'm not sure I'm a fan of Hampstead Heath - it really isn't up to much.  Hyde, Battersea and Regent's Park are so much prettier. Richmond Park has the Capability Brown feel and of course, Deer. Hampstead Heath just evokes stories of sordid celebs caught cottaging...understandably, I'm just not feeling the Heath .........yet.

That hill and I have unfinished business.  I will need to find a better route though - passing all those restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets to and from the Hampstead Heath made me realise that I have become a total junk food junkie: I have been eating unlimitless Vogel's buttered toast, sushi and chocolate rather than working on reaching my goals.

My blog crushes are discovering ab creases and running further and faster - whilst I've been getting sloppy, lazy and avoiding the scales like the plague.  Time to stop treading water and get back with the programme for real.

• Toast, sushi and chocolate are out this week. Not a smidgeon of these banned substances are passing my lips - since moderation is beyond me.


• 20,000 steps everyday WITHOUT FAIL.


• Training Monday, Wednesday and Thursday - full press ups, full planks - none of this on my knees stuff.


• Start back running...... 5kms. My knees are no longer a legitimate excuse, they've had plenty of rest.

xx

620, 987 steps to go...

.....to complete the Great Wall of China Challenge.

If Muhammad won't go to the mountain, the mountain will come to Muhammad

Well minus the 20,009 steps I completed yesterday – yup I walked home and then some last night. Coincidentally Challenge Hannah has also set off like a rocket and completed her first training walk – 6km!! I’m more than a little jealous, as when I started training for the Moonwalk many moons ago!! – I think I managed 2-3km in my first week!! Clearly Challenge Hannah is a NATURAL Athlete.

I should emphasise that Walking the Great Wall of China is a virtual FitBug Challenge. I got a few confused looks and queries as to when I was flying out to China, talking to colleagues yesterday.

I got my first weekly FitBug challenge stats yesterday, including my current ranking. Evidently this has raised my competitive hackles – cue yesterday’s 2 hour walk!!

Excuse the tres boring name - bug is work property and preregistered.

More importantly - investigation who is TeddyBug is a go!!

This week, the virtual FitBug challengers are tackling the section from Shandan to Youngchang and crossing the silk road enroute. Try as I might I still haven’t located this on a map yet but I have discovered that the Great Wall of China is actually a series of walls and that they don’t all interconnect, and that there are an unbelievable number of toilets along the route for tourists!!

The full distance of the Wall(s) from Shanhiguan to Lop Nur is 5500 miles/ 8851.8km but if you discount ditches and other geographical interruptions the actual wall is only 3889.5miles/ 6259.6km. Based on Lucinda’s Februlous performance, it would only take Lucinda 2 years, 7 months and 1 week to run the actual Great Walls of China – just a little challenge for you Luc – you could survey it whilst you’re there just to double check my accuracy ;-))

Don’t worry, my AWESOME! maths doesn’t stop here:

I worked out that based on my FitBug performance to date – I walk about 6000 steps an hour when I’m out and about (yup I’m fairly nippy when I want to be/ desperate for the loo). That means I have 104 hours of walking to complete this walking challenge in the next six weeks – meaning that I need to average about 2 hours walking a day/ 3-4 if I want to improve my ranking (who am I kidding – sub 50th here I come!!)

This couldn’t be more perfectly timed as I need to shed the Winter Walking Laziness and start seriously prepping for the 60km walk across the South Downs that, old and new Walking Challengers (including Challenge Hannah – see Sky’s the Limit Task 1 of 4), are undertaking on the 7th May 2011 – JUST NINE WEEKS AWAY. Eeeek.

Bashing out one final calculation – I estimated that based on my 74 cm stride (yup I’m short but perfectly formed ;-)) and that 60km = 6,000,000cm – I will need to take 81,081 steps to complete the distance.

Sidenote: Can you get RSI from walking?

Based on my current 6000 steps an hour rate - this walk will take me 13.5 hours. If only the course was the smooth and flat pavements of London. So adding in 2-4 hours for rough terrain, steep hills, rest breaks, eating breaks, loo breaks, getting lost, climbing even steeper hills, emergency blister stops, major strop ‘cannot take another step unless BRIBED with chocolate or a very hot man’ stops – we will likely be on the go for 16-18 hours.

Er – Han – I might have been a touch naïve when I said it would only take us 10 hours.
But at least I now understand why the expected finish race time is around 1am! xx

p.s. If Challenge Han/ the Hare haven’t read this - you are so ordered not to say ANYTHING!! til after they’re all signed up – mwahaha. After all my maths is notoriously rubbish ;-)

BRAlliant Costume Craziness

It’s getting exciting - only two weeks left til D-Day so it’s time to design a BRAlliant masterpiece and festoon it with all manner of sparkly gorgeousness worthy of a Girl on a Mission.

I've tried to persuade myself that less is more, but it’s no use - so in true Moonwalk style, I'm attempting to create a costume that would knock even Micky J's diamante encrusted socks off were he still healing the world. Though no doubt I will most definitely be wondering what on earth possessed me to create something quite this OTT on the night - and the Hare is not going to want to stand within 20 feet of me - secretly I LOVE IT!!

{The Micky J glitter homage is really my emergency backup plan for distracting all eyes from unBritneyesque abs if required. That reminds me - I need a lesson in the art of Moonwalking as I really want to Moonwalk over the finish line - totally cheesy but has to be done cos I'm never EVER planning to powerwalk a Moonwalk marathon again!!}

I have to admit that it has taken me pretty much all day to get the basic shape of my costume sorted {OK I got a little distracted by Volcano this afternoon but I "heart" disaster movies}. I started at 6.30am (no joke I was awake this early on a Saturday!!) and I still haven't managed to get out of my pyjamas as I write this at 10.30pm this evening - a little tragic but on a plus it means that I haven't bought and consumed a highly calorific ICECREAM today in an attempt to combat the heat in this greenhouse, which the amazing, amazing ladies of Flat 10 call "Home".

Also feeling slightly pole axed as I’ve just watched the first episode of season two of The City - and had an epiphany - "Miss Whitney Port is amazing" - Whitney is capable of pulling together an entire 24 look catwalk show of her own designs for New York Fashion Week in less than a week without so much as mussing up her hair. I, on the other hand, cannot even get one costume completed in a day AND manage to dress myself. No fair.

So I don't want to give my costume away just yet (aside from the fact that its not yet finished) - but here are a few snapshots to tease you (also to help the Hare coordinate her Moonwalk outfit) and to convince you to sponsor me on this crazy endeavour (if you haven't already demonstrated your awesomeness in this respect).

I'm now so, so close to raising £300 for Breast Cancer and now just need FOUR more amazing people to donate just £5 each to get me there - PRETTY PLEASE!!!

Exhibit A: starting materials from the heavenly josyrose.com

Exhibit BRA: What started life as a gorgeously comfortable Calvin Klein tee-shirt Bra

Exhibit C: This is no ordinary Moonwalk costume-to-be!!!

So to those four people who are gonna get me to £300 - LOVE YOU x