Post walk...

And I am now glad to report that we did it!!!  Got the Tshirts and the medals to prove it.  Walked ten miles in the wind and the rain .... and had a thoroughly good time as well as getting rather wet and sore.  It was a great day, spent with thousands of other hardy walkers.  Would like to say a big thank you to John Ansell for his wonderful support.. drove the team to and from Petworth and rushed around the Sussex countryside in the minibus to greet us at each of the watering stops en-route.  And of course a big thank you to all of you who supported us with your generous donations.  So until next year when we have had time to recover and go through it all again, be healthy, happy and successful in everything you do. 

Pre walk...

So the big day approaches and we are ready for the challenge... well some of us are!!  We did organise one team walk through the Kent countryside but managed to get very lost (thanks Karl) and very wet (thanks God) but then the latter should prepare us for Saturday and the inclement weather forecast.    I am sure we will survive and enjoy walking through the Sussex countryside around Petworth.  Will update you all on our experiences... but in the meantime would love you to donate to our very worthwhile charity in support of all those wonderful people we know who are the really brave ones .....

 

Some extracts from previous Moon/Ribbonwalk in 2004... seems like only yesterday.  Can still feel the pain!!

 

I am doing two half-marathon walks in June, both in aid of Breast Cancer Care and other Breast Cancer charities. The first is the Moonwalk which takes place in London overnight on 18th/19th and the second is the Ribbon Walk following weekend on 25th in Oxfordshire.


TRAINING DIARY

On the 1st May I did my first sponsored event, The Bluebell Walk, in aid of the Heart of Kent Hospice. I and a group of co Moon/Ribbon Walkers walked 8.5 miles through the woods, fields and lanes of Kent. The sun shone and the walk lived up to its name - the countryside was awash with bluebells. It was a really great way to spend a Sunday morning and get in get in training for the longer walks in June.

15th May - organised a walk from home for the girls, this time through Tenterden and into the country lanes. A round trip of 7.5 miles so we didn't really push ourselves. But then Trudie had done a 10 mile run in London on Saturday and we felt she deserved an easy day to recover! Despite the awful weather leading up to Sunday, the morning was great - sunny and not too warm and we completed the walk in a couple of hours. All the men and children arrived to join us for lunch - boys played football afterwards and left the ladies to take a final bit of exercise on the trampoline before heading home. I got a second wind at 6.30 (all those endorphins rushing through my body) and decided to go to the gym for an hour. I know they say that exercise makes you feel great (true), but they failed to tell me that it would cause me to would lose all sense of reality about how much my ageing body can cope with (also true)! I know I will be fit for nothing tomorrow - so please take pity on me at work if I don't sound myself on Monday morning. It is probably because every muscle in my body is hurting! But it is all for a good cause so remember - donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Breast Cancer Care will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. Next training venue will be Florida - off to walk the theme parks for a couple of weeks equipped with my pedometer to ensure that I keep up the 20 miles a week I should be fitting into my schedule by now! Hopefully will be able to fit in a bit of lounging by the pool and sipping the odd glass of wine. Will keep you posted.

 

16th June - The past few weeks have flown by and can't believe it is only two days till the Moonwalk. Had a great holiday in Florida - did lots of leisurely strolls through the parks and certainly got my heart rate up by doing some of the rides at Universal and SeaWorld. Admit to becoming a born again adrenaline junkie courtesy of the Hulk - a must be ride for the discerning roller coaster fanatics. Did attempt a training walk one evening but gave up after a couple of miles because I seemed to have the mosquito population of Orlando accompanying me. Spent a fun evening at Julie's last week, decorating our bras provided by Playtex (bit of free product placement) in preparation for the Moonwalk this Saturday. Will update the photo after the weekend when you will be able to view the end products. So got the bra decorated, the travel arrangements agreed, received my entry number and starting time from the organisers and then suddenly got a case of the jitters at the weekend when I felt totally unprepared for the actual event. Having consulted my training schedule found, to my consternation, that I should be doing a walk in excess of 11 miles one week prior to the charity walk! So on Sunday decided to step out with an aim to complete 12 miles. As none of my co walkers were available I set off, equipped with Stuart's MP3 player for company. I spent a wonderful three and a half hours pounding the lanes round Tenterden taking in the wonders of the hedgerow and the delights of a sunny June day to the strains of Linkin Park and Ded Prez which are apparently the cool sounds for a nine year old.

 

18/19 June - The Moonwalk Done it - got the medal and the T-shirt! What a great experience and a real privilege to walk with so many brave people who were personally fighting breast cancer or were doing the walk in support of family and friends who were effected by it. Travelled up to London with Nicky and Julie in the afternoon and booked into our hotel just off Edgware Road. Decided we needed to get our fill of carbohydrates as recommended by the Moonwalk organisers. Took it in the form of a wonderful afternoon tea. You know the one.... lots of cream and scones and sandwiches....! Then up to the room to prepare ourselves. Much laughter and trepidation about walking to Hyde Park in our bras. Worst part was plucking up the courage to walk out of the room so I volunteered. Just got outside of the door when the room door opened opposite and out walked a man!! So that was the worst of it over and it got better very quickly. He was closely followed by a very sheepish looking lady wearing the Moonwalk cap and T-shirt! So we quickly convinced her and her girlfriends to take off their T-shirts and accompany us to the walk. Funniest bit was when the lift doors opened and some very shocked American tourists were met with five ladies sporting baseball caps, a variety of gaudily decorated bras and walking shorts. The rest of the evening was brill. We spent three hours before the start in Hyde Park dancing to Bjorn Again and doing aerobics to warm us up! As the temperature never got below 23 degrees all evening I think this was probably unnecessary but good fun. By the time we crossed the starting line at 11.27 we were pretty tired but also on a high. Walk took us through Knightsbridge, The Mall, Parliament Square, along the Embankment to Chelsea, Kings Road, Fulham Road and back to Knightsbridge. Watched the sun come up as we were walking through Kensington Gardens and then up Park Lane back to the finish. Crossed the line at 4.20. Three tired but proud Ladies. Back to the hotel room to celebrate with some Bucks Fizz and then crashed out on the bed till 7.00 when we decided a swim and jacuzzi before breakfast would help loosen up the tired bodies. If you want to see a documentary of the event tune in to Discovery Health and Beauty this Thursday at 8.00. You never you might just spot us in the crowds. So one walk down and one to go to complete the marathon over two weekends. Will update you on my adventures in Oxford next week. Thanks to everyone who has donated to my chosen charity - I really appreciate your generosity and support.Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

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