In late November 2012 I was very focussed on the Moonwalk training. Determined to finish in a better time this time round I was sticking to the training plan I’d downloaded. Unfortunately, there had been a lot of rain. Rain means floods when it comes to the river. The river is my go to walk for training. This meant I had to have a plan B in case things went wrong… Continue reading a diversion ridden, wet, hilly Moonwalk training – first published 25 November 2012
After my trip to london there was no time for a lazy, restful morning because Commando had a race to run. It wasn’t just any race either, it was the Gosport Half Marathon, the longest race he’d ever run. He’d been training hard and I had no doubt he’d finish but, even so, there wasa little kernel of worry in the back of my mind. What if something went wrong? What if he did t make it in the time he wanted? What if I got lost on the walk I’d planned while he was running? ok, so we all know which of those was the more likely to happen… Continue reading the Gosport half marathon – first published 18 November 2012
17 November 2012
Yesterday I was housebound, waiting for the oven delivery. It was grey and foggy outside, as shown by a photo Commando Junior took from the Big Bridge, so being stuck inside was no great hardship. The oven finally arrived at half past eleven. The delivery men probably thought I was a nutcase, I was so happy to see them. So I have a new oven. Granted it’s sitting in my gym right now but at least it’s in the house. The rest of the day was a mammoth cooking fest, leaving me free to have some fun in London today with the WLR girls. Continue reading meet me at Borough Market – first published 17 November 2012
The Moonwalk training plan I downloaded to help me prepare for walking the twenty six point two miles I’d somehow talked myself into included rest days. Strangely, I was finding these more of a problem than the walking days. With such a busy life fitting in two rest days a week seemed impossible. In mid November 2012 I was wrestling with this tricky problem and looking forward to my trip to London with the WLR girls. Continue reading Rest days and more cake – first published 14 November 2012
Something that needed urgent attention if I was going to finish the 2013 Moonwalk was my feet. Twenty six point two mile walks take their toll not to mention the countless miles of training walks that come before. Feet are much neglected things. We stuff them in socks and shoes when we get dressed in the morning and then forget about them unless they cause us pain. Then again that could be just me. Anyhow, part of the Moonwalk master plan included a bit of foot pampering.
Continue reading feet, shoulders and cake – first published 13 November 2012
After impulsively signing up for the 2013 Moonwalk and optimisticly putting myself down for a six hour finish it was obvious I was going to have to follow a proper training plan this time. With such an odd job, working random days, following my chosen plan wasn’t quite as simple as I’d first thought though. Throw rest days, cross training and slow walking into the mix and it all started to seem tougher than I’d expected. Then there was a trip to London to fit into my busy schedule.
Continue reading Moonwalk training plans – first published 12 November 2012
After my first Moonwalk was over I told anyone who would listen, “never again.” The training took all my spare time. I had horrible blisters, all sorts of aches and pains and some of those long walks in bad weather were the stuff of nightmares. Waking twenty six point two miles around London all through the night was gruelling to say the least, especially for someone who likes to be in bed by eleven. There was a terrific buzz crossing the finish line but it didn’t quite feel worth all that pain. When I said it I really meant it… Continue reading Moonwalk Deja Vu – first published 9 November 2012
As someone who has always struggled with my weight winter is a testing time. The cold weather brings on cravings for stodgy comfort food while, at the same time, there is less opportunity for exercise. Let’s face it, we’d all like to snuggle up in front of the fire with a big box of chocolates or a bowl of sticky hot pudding and custard. Doing that for three months of the year would really pile on the pounds though so it’s something most of us fight. This post from the archives is all about why it happens and how I try to beat the cravings. Continue reading Cold weather eating urges – first published 7 november 2012
Although no one has actually laughed at me in the street to the best of my knowledge, I’ve been told my walking style is a little odd. Personally being thought a little odd doesn’t particularly worry me. It does worry Commando slightly to be seen with me when I’m walking fast but I figure that’s his problem not mine. Fast walking, or power walking, is not as simple as it might seem, as the following post from my archives explains. Continue reading What exactly is power walking? – first published 6 November 2012
In early November 2012 Commando was training for his first ever half marathon. His longest race at the time was 10k, just over six miles, so a thirteen point one mile half marathon was a huge step. Sensibly, he had a proper training plan and was sticking to it religiously despite some rather wet weather. On the first Sunday in November he decided to go out to the New Forest for his longest run ever, fourteen miles. He didn’t have to ask me twice if I wanted to come along. It turned out to be quite an experience. Continue reading water water everywhere – first published 4 November 2012