Thanks for visiting my fundraising page!
UPDATE!
Well on 20th June 2010 I arrived at Machu Picchu after 4 days of trekking/camping.
I have been trying to put it into words but up until now words have failed me – and still do.
Peru is amazing. The Andes are magnificent. The people of so vibrant and kind and largely unspoilt.
The trail as you will see from the pictures was hard. Mostly steps and huge gradients. We were so thankful for the few level paths and Inca steps are not like regular steps!
We had to camp an extra night due to a strike which meant that if we didn’t camp at the start of the trail we would not have been able to get through a blockade on the morning and thus miss our “slot”. Two of the four nights camping was at -8 degrees.
I did suffer with altitude sickness but was OK to continue – fortunately.
Walking through the Sun Gate and getting my first view of the Machu Picchu Inca site was so worth it. It was very emotional after 3 ½ days of hard work and extreme conditions.
It was the experience of a lifetime and whilst it was hard the only thing I could think of was how lucky I was to be there and be there raising money for breast cancer rather than being the one with breast cancer.
I may have been there but I consider it a team effort and my heartfelt thanks go out to all of you who have supported me and sponsored me.
I have added some photos....proof!
My page will be open for a while yet so if you have yet to donate there is plenty of time!
Thanks again.
Tina
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Previous Updates:
For those of you that know me – you know of my physical history and are probably surprised that I am stupid enough to do this!I am doing the Walk the Walk Inca Trail 13-27 June 2010, for Breast Cancer Charities. It is 40km over 4 days, at an altitude of up to 13,800 ft.
I have consulted my healthcare professionals and they are agreed that with a year to go I can do this. I figure if a normal unfit person can train for this in 3-6 months then I have a year and should be fine.
I would like to thank my physio Graham Holman, maybe a couple of days in I won't be thanking you!
I would also like to thank Herbalife for their fantastic nutritional support.
To my husband Jeremy, thank you for making me believe I can do anything I want to, again I will probably be cursing you at 13,800ft! To my special friends and family, I am going to need all your help and support, not just financially but emotionally, but I know you will all be there for me. To be able to complete a challenge like this is something I thought I could only dream of.
I do this for all those people who have suffered, my friends that are battling this awful disease, and in particular my friend’s mother, Jane who lost her battle over 10 years ago.
I think that if I can suffer a little bit of pain then it is worthwhile to help raise money to help prevent more lives being lost.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Walk The Walk Worldwide gets your money faster!
So please sponsor me!
Tina
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UPDATE!
Well it is 5 weeks to go and it seems like a lifetime since I signed up for this and I am sure this last year I have driven you all mad!
The support has been phenomenal - and for that I am truely grateful. I have updated my target donation four times now. I now believe I can make £3500 with your help.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generousity.
My two fellow walkers have had to pull out so I am training pretty much on my own so if anyone would like to join me for a spot of walking (no you don't have to check up on me at this stage) then that would be great.
At the weekend I completed my first 14 mile walk - although the last few miles was slower as I was limping as my boots had obviously reached their limit!
So I will be off to have them re-fitted again.
I have my sleeping bag - down to -7 so I should be toastie - and I am off to the docs on thursday to check up on any missing jabs.
We have a 20 mile training walk on 30th May in London so this will be an opportunity to meet some of the other ladies taking part - there are 11 of us in all. Some unfortunately won't be able to attend as they live too far away.
I made the mistake a few weeks ago of looking the trail up on Google Earth and had a mild panic attack. Now I have completed a 14 miler and survived I am feeling a lot better.
Now the fun really begins - trying to fit everything for 3 weeks into 20kg would be bad enough but the logistics of trying to fit everything for the 4 day trek - including my sleeping bag and thermorest into 8 kg is highly amusing!
Any tips gratefully received!
