Distance covered 6 miles!
Well today was a funny one. We had a five mile route planned as per last time, but somehow ended up doing six!
OMG I am chuffed beyond belief!
Last walk we did five miles in 1 1/2 hours walking at a pace that averaged 18.01 minute miles. We had said that this time we were going to aim to do 5 miles again and get into the 17 minute miles.
Well, here is the shocker! Somehow we went slightly off planned route and did six miles (6.20 if I am being pedantic) and did it in 1.41.40hrs!
This means we actually did an average of 16.24 minute miles!!!!! We dropped 1 min 50 off each mile and added an extra mile! I feel phenomenal!
I am so unbelievably proud of Clare and myself. At the start of this whole process, I would have said dropping nearly two minutes a mile of the pace at this stage was wishful thinking, but it isn't. We did it!! Yay us
All of a sudden, the 14 minute miles that you need to do to complete 26 miles in six hours doesn't sound so unachievable.
Whether or not at the moment we could maintain this pace over a long distance, who knows?
Something has changed in our mindset now though. I can feel that definitely.
Next week is half term, so there will be no walking next week, but I go into this break feeling so positive about the progress we have made.
Hopefully next time, our final walking buddy Hannah will be joining us as well.
Bring on walk number 4. It is a definite six miles one planned to Bournemouth Pier and back.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Official Walk Number 2 In The Bag
Total Distance Covered 5 Miles
(Okay, this did include the School run, but who's counting lol)
So, this morning, walked to school as per normal, dropped Sam off and went on another walk with my buddy Clare.
Started from school, walked past Bournemouth University, down to Westbourne and home.
I have to admit, today did feel a bit tougher. I haven't quite got the layers right for this and at 2 miles in felt so hot. Must plan this a bit better I think for next time. At least remembered again water so kept fluid level up. We also did the whole thing with an average pace of about 18 minute miles again, completing the whole thing in about 1 1/2 hours. We actually picked up the average pace this time. Our first walk was an average of 18.22 minutes for the mile. This time we did an average of 18.01. If we pick it up a little bit again next week, we will be into 17 minute miles!!!
I think we have both agreed at this particular moment in time, it seems impossible to imagine getting the mile speed down. I honestly at this present moment, cant image being able to walk a mile in the 14 minutes recommended and keep it up the whole way! Still nothing like setting a challenge for yourself is there?
We also had this nieve idea last week, that we would not talk and would just put our foot down and go for it.
Have come to the conclusion that it is impossible for two women to be together and not have a good gossip!
I have to say, I am so glad I am doing this with someone else and someone I get on with so well. It would be so much harder training by yourself. I know without having someone else there to do this with, I would find an excuse to not go out for a walk. I'm sure I would be too tired, or it would be too cold! Having someone else there gives you that little push as you don't want to let them down.
I also can't think of anything scarier than walking 26 miles round London at night by myself. I wouldn't even have considered doing this if I was by myself. We have agreed that if we see anyone ladies walking by themselves, we will pick them up and get them to join us. It has to be the safer option.
So anyway, booked another walk in for this time next week. Again 5 miles. Going to pick up the pace and distance in January.
(Okay, this did include the School run, but who's counting lol)
So, this morning, walked to school as per normal, dropped Sam off and went on another walk with my buddy Clare.
Started from school, walked past Bournemouth University, down to Westbourne and home.
I have to admit, today did feel a bit tougher. I haven't quite got the layers right for this and at 2 miles in felt so hot. Must plan this a bit better I think for next time. At least remembered again water so kept fluid level up. We also did the whole thing with an average pace of about 18 minute miles again, completing the whole thing in about 1 1/2 hours. We actually picked up the average pace this time. Our first walk was an average of 18.22 minutes for the mile. This time we did an average of 18.01. If we pick it up a little bit again next week, we will be into 17 minute miles!!!
I think we have both agreed at this particular moment in time, it seems impossible to imagine getting the mile speed down. I honestly at this present moment, cant image being able to walk a mile in the 14 minutes recommended and keep it up the whole way! Still nothing like setting a challenge for yourself is there?
We also had this nieve idea last week, that we would not talk and would just put our foot down and go for it.
Have come to the conclusion that it is impossible for two women to be together and not have a good gossip!
I have to say, I am so glad I am doing this with someone else and someone I get on with so well. It would be so much harder training by yourself. I know without having someone else there to do this with, I would find an excuse to not go out for a walk. I'm sure I would be too tired, or it would be too cold! Having someone else there gives you that little push as you don't want to let them down.
I also can't think of anything scarier than walking 26 miles round London at night by myself. I wouldn't even have considered doing this if I was by myself. We have agreed that if we see anyone ladies walking by themselves, we will pick them up and get them to join us. It has to be the safer option.
So anyway, booked another walk in for this time next week. Again 5 miles. Going to pick up the pace and distance in January.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Amazing News!
OMG had the most amazing news today!
Had an email from my walking buddy Clare that we now have a trainer for this!
A lady that she knows did the Moonwalk last year and has done the marathon. She is also doing the Moonwalk next year.
It is going to make so much difference to this having someone experienced helping us! I am feeling so much more positive now! I can't wait to get going!!
Had an email from my walking buddy Clare that we now have a trainer for this!
A lady that she knows did the Moonwalk last year and has done the marathon. She is also doing the Moonwalk next year.
It is going to make so much difference to this having someone experienced helping us! I am feeling so much more positive now! I can't wait to get going!!
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Ist Official Training Walk in The Bag.
Distance covered 4 miles.
First confession is that I am rubbish at gauging miles. I thought I had worked it out that this was a five mile route, but it would seem my sense of distance is as rubbish as my sense of direction!
Anyway, walk number two was done with my buddy Clare who will also be doing the Moonwalk with me. I hold her slightly responsible for giving me the push I needed to agree to do this.
One think I am realising fairly quickly is how far I probably walk in one go on a day to day basis. When you start working out mileage, the smaller distances aren't as bad as they sound. When will that change? 10 miles? 15 miles?
Maybe 26 miles isn't as scary as I think, or is that just me being over optimistic?
According to all the advice we can find, we should be aiming to do a mile in 16 minutes if not ideally 14 minutes. We did a mile in 18 minutes this morning, so not far off the target (yay). Not sure whether it is better to get the distance up, then worry about speed? Or go for speed then build distance lol.
The thing that I have just worked out though is that doing 1 mile in 18 mins would mean it would take nearly 8 hours! I would love to do it in 6 hours really which means we do need to get down to the 14 minute mile!
Walking with someone though is definitely more pleasurable that walking by yourself. It's a great time to have a girlie gossip and put the world to right!
Talked about possible routes getting longer each time. Some of them sound really unattainable at the moment. Still we have 7 months before the main event. I know for running a marathon, they reckon you should be able to do 18 miles before the day. I think that or 20 would be a good final target to reach before the day.
I wonder whether further into this journey, there will become a day when 26 miles actually will sound achievable?
The really good thing to know is that everything I am scared of with this, Clare is too. That does make feel better.
First confession is that I am rubbish at gauging miles. I thought I had worked it out that this was a five mile route, but it would seem my sense of distance is as rubbish as my sense of direction!
Anyway, walk number two was done with my buddy Clare who will also be doing the Moonwalk with me. I hold her slightly responsible for giving me the push I needed to agree to do this.
One think I am realising fairly quickly is how far I probably walk in one go on a day to day basis. When you start working out mileage, the smaller distances aren't as bad as they sound. When will that change? 10 miles? 15 miles?
Maybe 26 miles isn't as scary as I think, or is that just me being over optimistic?
According to all the advice we can find, we should be aiming to do a mile in 16 minutes if not ideally 14 minutes. We did a mile in 18 minutes this morning, so not far off the target (yay). Not sure whether it is better to get the distance up, then worry about speed? Or go for speed then build distance lol.
The thing that I have just worked out though is that doing 1 mile in 18 mins would mean it would take nearly 8 hours! I would love to do it in 6 hours really which means we do need to get down to the 14 minute mile!
Walking with someone though is definitely more pleasurable that walking by yourself. It's a great time to have a girlie gossip and put the world to right!
Talked about possible routes getting longer each time. Some of them sound really unattainable at the moment. Still we have 7 months before the main event. I know for running a marathon, they reckon you should be able to do 18 miles before the day. I think that or 20 would be a good final target to reach before the day.
I wonder whether further into this journey, there will become a day when 26 miles actually will sound achievable?
The really good thing to know is that everything I am scared of with this, Clare is too. That does make feel better.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Whitney-turning the town pink
Okay, so this isn't about the Moonwalk, but just being reading a blog post from
http://makingitasmum.blogspot.com/
It talks about the people of her home town in Witney turning the town pink to raise awareness and funds to help people with breast cancer. It has got me think about whether this would work here where I live? Honestly I think it would be a no. I'm not sure whether you could get this to spread enough through a big suburban area like where I live. Oh it would be fantastic though, the whole area pink!
People often comment that there is no such thing as community spirit anymore. Every now and again though, something like this pops up and restores my faith in human kindness and community spirit. It makes me smile.
Anyway, I guess this is my little way of contributing by turning my blog pink.
So spread the word and turn your blog pink too!
http://makingitasmum.blogspot.com/
It talks about the people of her home town in Witney turning the town pink to raise awareness and funds to help people with breast cancer. It has got me think about whether this would work here where I live? Honestly I think it would be a no. I'm not sure whether you could get this to spread enough through a big suburban area like where I live. Oh it would be fantastic though, the whole area pink!
People often comment that there is no such thing as community spirit anymore. Every now and again though, something like this pops up and restores my faith in human kindness and community spirit. It makes me smile.
Anyway, I guess this is my little way of contributing by turning my blog pink.
So spread the word and turn your blog pink too!
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Hills...Who decided they were a good idea?
So, did my first little walk today. Nothing major. 4 miles. It is fairly easy for me, well within my comfort zone.
I have one question though? Who invented hills?? Why did someone decide they were a good idea and why do they have to be on my route lol! Seriously four miles flat, piece of cake, four miles up a hill the majority of the way..not good on the old thigh muscles!
Doesn't help that it feels like the hottest day of the year so far today! I now have a massive urge to jump on a bulldozer a flatten a 26 mile route around my house for a practice route. Either that, or I think I need to seriously hit a treadmill to get some incline practice in. Although I live in blissful ignorance that the route will be entirely flat.
This then brings me to my next issue...treadmills = gyms = lots of extremly fit people in designer gymwear not even breaking a sweat after an hour. There I will be, in my trackkies looking all sweaty and red after 10 mins..Eek!
I have one question though? Who invented hills?? Why did someone decide they were a good idea and why do they have to be on my route lol! Seriously four miles flat, piece of cake, four miles up a hill the majority of the way..not good on the old thigh muscles!
Doesn't help that it feels like the hottest day of the year so far today! I now have a massive urge to jump on a bulldozer a flatten a 26 mile route around my house for a practice route. Either that, or I think I need to seriously hit a treadmill to get some incline practice in. Although I live in blissful ignorance that the route will be entirely flat.
This then brings me to my next issue...treadmills = gyms = lots of extremly fit people in designer gymwear not even breaking a sweat after an hour. There I will be, in my trackkies looking all sweaty and red after 10 mins..Eek!
Oh my..what have I done lol-London Moonwalk 2012
Friday 30th September. That date is going to stick in my mind for a long time. It is the day I made a really big decision and one I think I will soon come to regret. It is the day I decided to sign up for the London Moonwalk 2012.
For those of you that don't know what the Moonwalk is, it is a 26 mile walk starting in Hyde Park in London. It is organised by Walk the Walk http://www.walkthewalk.org/AboutUs and the money raised goes towards helping vital breast cancer causes, but is also about encouraging men and women to become healthier, fitter and to take charge of their own well being. So all in all a great cause.
But....26 miles!!! I'm still not sure how this happened. All I remember is reading a link on Facebook from a friend saying she was doing it. I remember adding a comment saying how I would " Love to do that", am still not sure whether I was serious or not, and next minute I am filling in my application form.
I have to admit that, when filling out the application form, I was secretly hoping that it would come back saying "Sorry we are fully booked, please try next year" Guess that was slightly optimistic as it had only been open to entrants for a day!
Anyway, here I am. Fully commited to doing this walk. This is my challenge, probably of my life so far, apart from having kids. I will fully admit that I am never going to be fit enough to run a marathon. I take my hat off to all the men and women that every year take part in the London Marathon. I will never be fit enough to cycle it either..so I guess for me this is it. This is MY marathon, my very first one.
So right this minute, I am full of fear and apprehension of what the next few months will bring. Walking for me is something I enjoy doing. Six, seven miles I can do fairly comfortably. 26 is a whole other issue!.
I am looking forward to seeing how this goes, of getting the training pack through the post, decorating my bra (lol) and whatever will come with this journey.
So anyway..Saturday 12th May 2012..D Day Help!!!!
I think thats its for now. Apart from doing a few little walks, guess there isn't much that can be done till the first training pack comes! Wish me luck...think I am going to need it!
For those of you that don't know what the Moonwalk is, it is a 26 mile walk starting in Hyde Park in London. It is organised by Walk the Walk http://www.walkthewalk.org/AboutUs and the money raised goes towards helping vital breast cancer causes, but is also about encouraging men and women to become healthier, fitter and to take charge of their own well being. So all in all a great cause.
But....26 miles!!! I'm still not sure how this happened. All I remember is reading a link on Facebook from a friend saying she was doing it. I remember adding a comment saying how I would " Love to do that", am still not sure whether I was serious or not, and next minute I am filling in my application form.
I have to admit that, when filling out the application form, I was secretly hoping that it would come back saying "Sorry we are fully booked, please try next year" Guess that was slightly optimistic as it had only been open to entrants for a day!
Anyway, here I am. Fully commited to doing this walk. This is my challenge, probably of my life so far, apart from having kids. I will fully admit that I am never going to be fit enough to run a marathon. I take my hat off to all the men and women that every year take part in the London Marathon. I will never be fit enough to cycle it either..so I guess for me this is it. This is MY marathon, my very first one.
So right this minute, I am full of fear and apprehension of what the next few months will bring. Walking for me is something I enjoy doing. Six, seven miles I can do fairly comfortably. 26 is a whole other issue!.
I am looking forward to seeing how this goes, of getting the training pack through the post, decorating my bra (lol) and whatever will come with this journey.
So anyway..Saturday 12th May 2012..D Day Help!!!!
I think thats its for now. Apart from doing a few little walks, guess there isn't much that can be done till the first training pack comes! Wish me luck...think I am going to need it!
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