Drowned rats..........

While most of Felixstowe were watching the bomb exploding out at sea, Tracey & I were walking along the high road in the rain for what turned out to be just 6 miles in the end.
It has been a while since it has rained so much that we have had wet trousers & I had forgotten just how cold it makes you feel. As if that wasn't enough, we turned for the final 3 miles home facing a full on head wind.....what a struggle it was to walk at times.
We didn't really enjoy tonight's walk, just because of the weather, so were glad that it didn't have to be a long one....fingers crossed for good weather on Sunday for the 20 miler.....
We can't believe it's just over two weeks to the big night.....I read all my old blogs at the weekend & the time has gone so quickly: it's been a bit of a rollercoaster of a ride, full of highs & lows, aches & pains, walking over 300 (yes, I reached that milestone tonight!) miles in all types of weather........all for that very special one night. My poor £80 (!) trainers will just get me through that night, not so my special socks though...I have literally worn these out & have to buy a new pair.
I must finish the bra as well as we need to do a walk in them just to make sure they will be ok.....just have to decide when & where!!!
xx

To boldly go where no man (well, this 40 year old woman) has gone before..........

Sunday 27th April.....6.30am.........off we go!
Personal trainer & I set off in temperatures of 12-13 degrees, yes, even at this early hour, it was very mild, perfect to try for the longest walk yet........
I had cooked myself a HUGE tuna hash with rice & potatoes last night in preparation for this morning's walk. I also dusted off my juicer & juiced carrots & apples (all part of my new diet, carrot juice is very good for growth & repair of body tissues & to fight infections, don't want a cold!!), was lush & made extra to have for my pre walk snack this morning.
I think eating properly is now helping me so much because.....
I had the spring in my step once again! Although the first two miles were a bit tough on my legs as usual, I soon got into the swing of the walk. In fact, it was only after 11 miles that Tracey started to pull away from me, so must have felt better.
The weather was surprisingly humid & we even got rid of our raincoats at my house....maybe tempting fate, you know how unlucky we have been with the weather! For the first time, I was now walking with nothing tied around my waist to hide my arrrrse, "does my bum look big in this?", felt a bit self conscious to begin with but then...what the hell...who cares! Would you believe it, just two miles later, it started raining!! It wasn't heavy & in fact was quite refreshing as it was so warm. Luckily, it only lasted a few minutes otherwise we would have had very wet t-shirts.........
Before I knew it, we were starting off along the High Road for those usual 6 miles. I tried not to worry about the twelfth mile (you know that's often the tough one) & Tracey gave me a couple of jelly tots to help me through it! I had also read (or did I dream it??) that Green & Black's dark chocolate is very good to give you a bit of a boost of energy (I thought it was just for endomorphines.....one track mind...!) so I just happened to have bought some on Saturday...I had a few (only three & they ARE tiny) squares during the fifteenth mile & don't really care if they have walking benefits because I enjoyed them anyway!
We completed the 15 in 3 hours 5 minutes & Tracey asked if I wanted to go on to do 18...only another three...why not?! I was feeling ok, very tired legs but what did I expect after walking 15 miles?!
So, 18 it was......it took us 3 hours 46 minutes, the longest time & distance we have ever walked for (previously did 16 in 3 hours 38 minutes!) & although my body ached & I was very tired, I felt fantastic, really positive. It was good to do this distance as I now have some idea of how my body may feel on the big night, it's not easy, but didn't expect it to be!!
We have a couple of speedy walks during the week & then next Sunday is the big 20 miler. How quickly that has come round!
After today's great walk I may even suggest just going two more miles to make it 22.......!!
XX

Those bras...........

I walked 4 miles on my own last night in 43 minutes....it was really great & I am pleased that I was able to keep my pace going as well. No sign either of those crap old banger legs, so hope that continues!
I then went to Trace's house for the planned bra decorating. Unfortunately, Dons was unwell so it was just us three. We had a giggle & the bras are coming along nicely. The two of them took the p out of me for the amount of sparklies I am sewing on mine..... more material to cover, more sewing on required, that's what I say!! Picture will follow when finished!
I went to the gym this morning for the first time in 2 weeks & it was a struggle getting out of bed, but I am glad I did. I had a really good workout & felt very refreshed after....am feeling ready for that big walk tomorrow at 6.30am.........

I can't believe that the big night is just three weeks away! Everything seems to be falling into place nicely now & my sponsor money is also starting to come in. I have had some really lovely words of encouragement & support from people who have sponsored me & this is such a help to me. Especially Michelle D.....you read my blog all the time & then call me to offer even more support. Of course, we do discuss work at the same time (honest, Ade)!! Thank you x

I'm sure we are all aware of how many people have been affected by breast cancer, either directly or indirectly, and many people who have now sponsored me have done so in memory of someone they have sadly lost, or in celebration of someone who has beaten this cruel illness. This is why it is SO important to do this.................
XX

ps. Costa del Sol!!!!!!
Yes, 6 weeks today, us four will be celebrating Trace's 40th, laying in the sun, sipping sangria & resting our weary bodies & hopefully remembering the wonderful time we had on our moonwalk.....how excited are we!!!

Much better................!!

Trace joined Tracey & I for our walk tonight. After the awful rain this afternoon, the sun had come out & the weather was lovely.
After my nightmare of Monday's walk, I am now prepared (fingers crossed)..........
I have stocked up on rice & pasta dishes that I can cook in the microwave at work (they're mine boys, hands off!) on the days that I walk. So today I cooked savoury rice at 4 & had two mini granary rolls as well....I thought it might be a bit weird eating at this time but it was actually very easy! I then had a banana when I got home from work....this is all after having a good lunch as well....food equals fuel!! I will get used to this new diet as the good book advises that we should eat every 2-3 hours during the week leading up to the big night...good for our stamina etc
I had also tried to feel positive about tonight's walk as I didn't want to dread it for fear of my legs being crap again! Positive mental attitude.......half of the battle!!I have obviously done something right because.......
I had that spring in my step again & my legs felt the best they have done for a very long time! Even the first few miles went smoothly although I can't guarantee that the old banger won't appear again at some point! What a difference! Perhaps it was a combination of a few things.... more time to recover from the 43 miles of last week, the extra food & also, having felt so low, there was only one way to go...up!
Trace left us just before the 7 miles & we then finished the 8 in 1 hour 43. I feel so much better now & hope I can face the 16 on Sunday morning with a smile on my face & that spring in my step....
XX

Tears & fears.....

Tracey & I walked 8 miles tonight, keeping to our normal pace & completing it in 1 hour 41.....
BUT.......
I found it a real struggle. You know how I am, the first 2 to 3 miles are normally tricky for me as I need to warm up & get my legs going, but tonight, the whole of my lower legs were really awful & it felt like I had to force my feet off the ground to walk. Tracey heard how heavily I was walking & also how my feet were literally dragging along, it was almost as if I was continually tripping up. It was horrible.
It did get better as the miles went on & I managed to walk properly in the end but it had been an awful experience.
Having spoken to Tracey & lovely hubby, we have all come to the conclusion that it was a number of reasons that caused my struggle:

• the number of miles walked last week (43) & also having walked for over 9 hours in total, but I do think this was necessary to test our bodies & stamina. I would rather have these problems now than on the night for the first time.
• not eating properly! I think I need to eat more carbohydrates as detailed in the good book & ensure I eat enough to give me that energy to get through the walks.
• having walked over 260 miles in training.....I am tired, both physically & mentally.

So, although I have shed a tear tonight (sorry for being so honest, but you should know by now, my blogs are honest & writing about all the highs AND lows is helping me) I do still feel very positive & I know I can help myself to feel better & carry on. I can overcome the fear of not completing the big one.....it is just not an option....I will do it. Lovely hubby even said he would put his arms around me & literally carry me through to the finish line if necessary .......not allowed I know, but wonderful words.

Wednesday's 8 miles will be better & come Sunday, I will have that spring in my step again to walk 16 miles........

xx

We did it......................

Yes, personal trainer & I have now completed the required 42 miles (well 43 to be exact) in just seven days.............

We started our walk this morning at 10 o'clock...how strange it felt, walking mid morning on a busy Saturday. We had previously walked 33 miles this week & decided to just do 10 so that we would just pass the 42. We also thought that this was the best thing for me as I had struggled on Thursday.
I do think that the main reason for my struggle was the distance we had to walk this week. Now I have finished I feel much better & do have a sense of achievement & also relief that I will not have to walk so much in one week again! I do feel that I have been really tested both physically & mentally & I have had to push myself to do it. I guess this is all very good practise for the actual walk & hope that the lows of this week will help me get through those 26.2 miles......
This week has been a real journey for me; I have been thinking again of all the reasons why I am doing this, of my own cancer, of all the women who are walking while undergoing treatment, and, of all the women who are now being diagnosed as I write this...... I am SO determined to do this & WILL get over that finishing line.
Anyway, back to today...sorry, I did go off on one a bit didn't I?! It was VERY windy today, what a nightmare! In fact, when we were walking along Sea Road (this is the road running along the sea front for those of you who have never been to "sunny" Felixstowe) the spray from the waves was hitting us as we battled against the head wind. It was a real struggle at times but we kept on smiling & pushed on. It was great when we turned the few corners where the wind then pushed us along!
We also had a new experience....powerwalking through the town at a busy time! We both had our t-shirts on & managed to dodge the shoppers. We did get lots of smiles & thumbs up & one lady said some very encouraging words to us. It does give you a boost when you get encouragement & that is one thing I am really looking forward to in London.
We did the 10 miles in 2 hours 11 & I was relieved to be back at Tracey's house. I do have a little worry though.......my right knee is causing me a bit of pain at the moment, nothing serious, but something I must keep an eye on. I am now taking my painkillers for my sciatica regularly & I'm sure they will also help my other little aches & pains. All will be fine & all the training will have been worth it. We will be ready.
Only two weeks to the big 20 and.......this time in four weeks, we will be in London for the big night.................
xx

Partner swapping..............

No, the only things "swinging" were my hips whilst power walking!!!!!

Tracey walked with Trace this morning & I walked with the lovely Dons tonight.
Dons & I walked 10 miles in 2 hours 12 whilst the sun was setting, which was lovely, but, it was very windy & chilly at times as well, not so lovely! Also, the farmers had been spreading the fields with smelly stuff!!
I have to admit that I was very tired tonight, both physically & mentally. I have had a very busy time at work & I think it all got to me a bit during the walk. I didn't hit a wall thankfully, just felt drained & had to dig deep to keep going. I haven't felt like that over so many miles during one walk for a long time & it did shock me a bit. I had to think of all the reasons for doing this & remember how low I have felt during previous walks & how I had come through those times. I guess it was only a matter of time before I had some low points as I have been feeling so upbeat over recent walks.
Don't worry, I AM ok, honest!!!Just a bit tired and emotional.....
It's only now, having chatted to lovely hubby about the walk & other things that I can look back at tonight & think...hey, it's ok! Up until now, the most I have walked in a week has been 31 miles & that was over four walks. I have now walked 33 miles this week & only over three walks with a further biggie to come on Saturday. I think our stamina (both mental & physical) is definitely being tested this week with the total of 42 miles to be walked & I'm sure I will feel better once I have achieved this & it is over!
No gym on Saturday as Tracey & I are walking late that morning......so, I am really looking forward to my lay in on Sunday....!!
xx
ps. A big thank you to personal trainer.....she may not have walked with me tonight, but during the 8th mile, I received a very welcome text from her...."chin up Bella"....it was very gratefully received especially considering how I was feeling this evening.
xx

Over half way to the 42......................

Tracey & I did our usual speedy 8 miles tonight........so we have walked 23 of the 42 required.
I decided to wear THE bra under my t-shirt, well, I do have to make sure it is comfy..!! My son is amazed at it's brightness & is convinced that it is also "glow in the dark"! Not quite, but I do hope it will sparkle by the time I have finished decorating it. Tracey's girls commented on it's "pinkness" & her hubby.....well, he smiled....................!!
What a difference it was walking tonight compared to the warm sun on Sunday...there was definitely a nip in the air & we couldn't believe how the wind increased as we walked on. At times there was a real head wind but we managed the 8 miles in 1 hour 40 & dare I say it.....walked the final mile in 10 minutes. I had found that spring in my step again but 10 minute miles are a rarity, this one just flowed really well.
With just over 4 weeks (!) to go, I feel we are on a roll now & are almost ready for the big night.... I hope these are not my famous last words! I am really starting to get used to the different stages & problems that my body is going through during our walks & am even beginning to look forward to that 20 miler at the beginning of May. I can see why it is so important to complete it: it's a real test of our stamina & is a walk into the unknown. I am sure I will have some mental battles along the way but if I can do it, I will hopefully feel really positive about the real thing.
Lovely hubby said we need to have PMA.....positive mental attitude.....(not PMS....enough of that already) & how right he is...............
xx

Mediterranean Shipping Company

Lovely hubby works for Medite & most Fridays they have a "dress down" day when they all wear casual clothes & make a donation to someone's chosen charity.....

On April 4th, they very kindly donated for my moonwalk & raised a magnificent total of £278.05!!

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who generously donated, you are all wonderful!!

xx

Head up Bella.......

As you know, this week is the biggie......42 miles are required..............will wearing the much awaited t-shirts help us through?

As personal trainer's hubby was due to leave home for the football at 10am this morning, the pressure was on us to leave for our walk in good time, especially if we wanted to do a good distance.

SO, after a lovely evening with friends last night, I got to bed at 1.45 (yes it's true) & before I knew it, the alarm was going off just before 6.........how mad am I? We normally start our Sunday walks about 7.30, so, hey, what's an hour earlier really??!!! Ha ha ha, yes we started at 6.30.....

For once, the sun was rising as we set off but knowing how unlucky we have been with our previous walks, we decided to keep our rain coats on. As usual, the old banger took a little while to warm up but before I knew it, I was taking my coat off as it was so warm....what a change for us!

In fact, the weather just got better & even warmer so we left our coats by my front door as we passed my house. We both ended up tying our jackets round our waist & walking with our t-shirts on full view for all to see. We certainly got lots of smiles & waves today so hopefully the t-shirt is now self explanatory.....I'm sure that people must have previously thought we were a pair of nutters, especially when we were walking in the snow!! I felt very proud wearing the t-shirt......

There are so many titles I could have given this blog but this one stuck in my mind........

We were almost at the 11 mile marker & I have to admit that I was starting to struggle a little, nowhere near "the wall", just a time when I had to dig that bit deeper. Tracey happened to turn round & saw that my head was down (literally!) & shouted "head up Bella!" She is such a star, she often says just the right thing to push me on & she was right once again. Power walking with your head up, looking straight ahead DOES help & also, I was able to see the smiles & waves & this gave me the encouragement I needed. Imagine, this is just round Felixstowe, how fantastic will it be in London with so many people supporting us??!!

We realised that we would be able to walk 15 miles as we were walking very well & keeping to a very good pace (as it turns out, we could have done the 16 & still have been home in time) & had completed our half marathon in 2 hours 42...don't just double this time & think we can do the full moon in 5 hours 24....if only it were that easy! The farthest we have walked is 16 & we just don't know how we are going to feel walking the full distance & whether we will be able to keep the same pace up.....it's a journey into the unknown...

But, today was great. I'm sure walking in the warm sun helped us & it did feel great to do a "good" distance. I felt tired during the 14th but when Tracey told me we'd done it in just under 3 hours (2hrs 58) my face broke into a huge grin & I felt revived for the final mile which we did in 12 minutes. So the 15 miles took us 3 hours 10. Keeping track of our distances & times is really helping me as I can see how we are improving & that in itself is helping my mental battles. On March 16th, we did our first 14 miler in 3 hours 12, so we managed to do the 15 today in two minutes less than this.....

The training is working then & this really does make all the hard times, pain, aches, tiredness & lack of lay-ins etc seem worthwhile.

Just look at the smiles............what a fantastic feeling finishing today........

XX

Kick off is 11.20pm, 17th May.............

Trace & Dons received their final packs today, hope Tracey & I don't have to wait long for ours! Our starting time is 11.20pm (will all be the same as we have entered as a team) & we are in the second group setting off. So, if you are in the pub that night, spare a thought for us & maybe send an encouraging text!
Trace & Dons walked in the sunshine this afternoon, while Tracey & I left for ours at 7 o'clock. It was a lovely evening again although the wind was in our faces walking back. We did the same 8 miles as Tuesday in 1hr 41 & again, I felt really good & had that spring in my step. Maybe ask me if that's still there this time next week when we will have almost walked the 42 required!
Lovely hubby went out for me on Sunday afternoon & bought me a bowl & some essential oils for me to soak & massage my feet as suggested in the good book. I have been soaking them & while it obviously good for them, it is also very relaxing for me. I am sure they will need lots of TLC over the next 5 weeks.....in fact......I think I will need lots of TLC as well....maybe even now!!
I wrote my first blog on February 14th when it was just over 13 weeks to the big day. Now it's just over 5 weeks to go...........! I think we have all come such a long way since then & it has been a real journey with many highs & lows. Personally, I now feel ready to do this.........I just hope I am able to continue to feel this positive over the weeks to come......especially next week with the 42 miles & then the big 20..........I may well need lots of words of support & encouragement, hint hint!!
XX

Bra is on it's way.............

A speedy 8 miler for Tracey & me tonight.......
We walked the High Road & more, in 10 degrees with the sun setting over the fields & just a slight chill in the breeze...........but most of all.......no snow!!
It was lovely & gave me a real bounce in my step hence we walked it in 1 hour 42, an average of 12.75 mins per mile. It didn't really feel that fast either, but we were chatting a lot! Some miles just seem to "flow" better than others I think, whereas others seem to take longer. Maybe it's also that all the training is now starting to pay off? I have now walked 206 miles, can't quite believe that.
We are all now starting to think about the all important bra decorating & today, I ordered my neon pink bra.....I will make no excuses, it is loud & I will be proud!! We are also waiting for our final packs to arrive which will include our t shirts, starting time & route, how very real it will then seem.......
I think these last few weeks are going to fly by & before we know it we'll be on that train heading off for the big one.....
XX

I don't BELIEVE IT.........

No, I really don't......
I watched the weather on the BBC at 6.30 this morning...."snow over London".....but it looked like we would miss it. To be sure, I went online & looked at the BBC website for the 24 hour forecast for Felixstowe....dry, bit cloudy, big sun at 10am. Great, ideal for a big walk.
I even told Tracey's daughter Gabriella that no, we would not have snow as per the forecast, even she looked at me as if to say, yeah right. Do NOT trust anything I say about the weather...
During our sixth mile, we went for our usual p-stop in readiness for doing a long walk. We had seen a few tiny flakes of snow on & off for a few minutes BUT.................
Literally two minutes later on leaving the loo, IT WAS SNOWING REALLY HEAVILY.
We were not happy. The awful thing with snow (apart from making you very cold & wet) is that no matter which direction you walk in, the snow always aims for your face. Nice. Unfortunately, this meant that we would not be walking along the High Road to do 12, 14 or 16 miles as the snow was not showing any signs of stopping & we both remembered just how wet we got the other Sunday. It was just not worth it. So we just did the 10 miles & surprised Tracey's family by arriving back at her house 2 hours 14 minutes after leaving! Our thighs did not warm up at all again: it's really weird as the top half of our bodies were really warm, too warm for me really but our legs felt like they were in another place!
The good book suggests walking only 12 miles this week, so we were not too concerned about having to cut our walk short today. The main reason for the short distance this week is that next week we are meant to be walking the 42 miles. I guess it's a bit like the calm before the storm!! We will still walk on Tuesday & Thursday this week though as we are regularly walking longer distances & I am finding that these walks are helping to improve my stamina & to believe in myself that I CAN actually do this.
A pattern is starting to form during my walks now for me: I find that the first 2 or 3 miles are a bit of a struggle at times as the front of my lower legs always ache & seem a bit tight. But, once I get warmed up & walk on further, the aches subside & I get into the flow of it. I suppose it's a bit like an old car (!), it starts off spluttering on a cold morning but is better once it's warmed up!! Maybe I am really just an "old banger"!!!! Ha ha ha!!
Just think, this time in 6 weeks, it will all be over & we will be back in the comfort of our own homes recovering..................
XX
ps. Something REALLY funny happened on the walk today........a "first".....something that just doesn't normally happen........
I actually walked AHEAD of personal trainer for a short distance today............



Well, she did have to stop to do her laces up............!!
XX

Just a quickie....

It has been such a lovely day today that I decided to go for a short walk on my own after work, once I had fed the children of course! I think the light evenings are inspiring me to walk a bit more as I didn't really need to walk tonight as Tracey and I are doing a short one tomorrow.
So off I set with Take That on the ipod, kindly lent to me by Jessie. I walked just over 3 miles & managed to keep up a good pace & thoroughly enjoyed it. I had to resist the temptation to sing-along as I was walking though!!
However, Trace & Dons walked from Walton to the outskirts of Ipswich this afternoon! Well done to them as I am sure those 9 miles felt like much more with the straight main roads to walk along. A completely new experience. I hope they are both ok tonight, especially Trace, who is really battling through the training at the moment.
I can't believe that another week is almost over. The time is starting to go at an alarming speed & the big day is only six weeks away. I am still feeling positive & I hope this continues and, although I do still have my mental battles, I am feeling more confident in overcoming them.
Fingers crossed that there will be NO snow for our usual biggie on Sunday morning.......
xx

No swim tonight..........

We didn't do our usual walk then swim tonight as Tracey is unable to walk on Thursday. So we decided to do a speedy 8 miler instead........who would have thought that "speedy" & "8 miles" would go together in the same sentence!
How nice it was, walking in the light evening as the sun set! It was also quite mild as well, no rain, no blustery wind & NO SNOW!!! What a change.
We walked the 8 in 1 hour 43 & I really enjoyed it, even feeling that I wanted to walk even faster! I had a real spring in my step. Don't know what had come over me! Perhaps it was a mixture of the better weather & also the fact that we were walking half the distance compared to Sunday? Who knows. Maybe I am just in the right frame of mind at the moment. We all know how that can really help.
We have been looking ahead at the last few remaining weeks before THE day (it's 6 weeks on Saturday..!!). The training plan for the week beginning April 13th recommends walking 42....YES 42...miles during that week. Imagine that! However, when you break it down, it can be two 12s, a 10 & an 8.....oh is that all you may say....but when you remember that we have been walking these distances for a while it really doesn't seem that bad...HONESTLY!! Last week, Tracey & I walked 28 miles, so almost there...!!
The big 20 is due on the weekend of May 3rd/4th, very luckily a week before Tracy's 40th birthday! We then have two weeks to "recover" & only do shorter walks. I think I will swim a lot those 2 weeks as well to keep my muscles from seizing up & rebelling against me forever!
Butterflies are starting already............
xx