Consider myself told off.....

OOOOPS

I have been told off for being just a little toooooo specific in last night's blog!!!!!!

Sorry!! You know who you are.....

Anyway......promise to be good....but remember that blog in mid February last year about wearing the correct knickers......??!!!!!!

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!

Oh....................LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xx

Floodgate warning........

I walked on my own this evening...........

We are meant to be walking 30 miles this week, so, having "survived" the 16 on Sunday, I originally thought I'd do 4 tonight & then 10 with Tracey on Thursday.......but, I was feeling positive, so planned a 6 miler with 2 extra if I felt like carrying on for 8........of course, I chose a safe route but also had my alarm so felt quite safe....

Although I am a bit tired, I really enjoyed tonight's walk.......I had my music on & resisted the urge to sing out loud.....probably for the best! I wasn't worried about how long I took, just as long as I kept my pace going throughout.....so felt quite chilled out...it was great just to walk & forget everything else....AND my legs were fine.

Now then...the funny thing is that during all of this year's training, Tracey & I have not once had to stop for a wee....so different to last year when we always used to stop in the 6th mile on our longer walks.....BUT not so for me tonight.........

I started feeling the urge just before the 5th mile, this isn't unusual, it's just that previously, I have managed to walk through it....NO.....not a-la-Paula-Radcliffe....just mind over matter! But this was different.......it didn't help that I was approaching those loos in the 6th mile.....no matter how hard I tried, I felt myself being drawn to them!! So, sorry Trace, I have succumbed but I will try hard to get through the 20 on Sunday without stopping ok!!

Hence the title of this blog..........good job I did stop!! I think it's because I have juiced so much today (!) & also had numerous cups of green tea......too much information perhaps...sorry!! I'm just trying to be ultra healthy!! I am preparing for those 20 on Sunday already....

Anyway, moving swiftly on.......I reached the 6 miles & felt so good that I decided to carry on & do the 8. This is the longest I have walked on my own...but I felt fine, not lonely at all & managed the 8 in 1hr 50 mins....yay!! Happy girl!!

So, next walk is on Thursday with Trace.....I'm sure she'll have me racing along once she reads how well tonight went...! Be gentle honey.......!!

Then of course, the infamous 20 on Sunday....our final big walk before the 16th.......

Positive, positive, positive ok.......
xx

Tracey & I set off before 7 this morning on our 16 miler....

I have been making a conscious effort to eat better as I have struggled in my walks recently....have to try everything!! So it was the trusty old tuna hash & rice for dinner last night & a triple dose of my training juice...some before I even left the house....I have also started leaving a second bottle in the front garden to pick up as we walk past during our seventh mile....

Good job really as today was HOT. I wish I'd worn my hat but had got my sunglasses with me which helped hide the pain & struggle showing in my eyes......yes, today was HARD.

To try to avoid the usual wooden-legs-walking, I decided to do some exercises & stretches before I left home....this at least was a success! Legs were fine.

The thing to remember is not to start off & worry about the fact that you have got to walk 16 miles....just think about the mile you are walking...I managed to do this....& as usual, was happy reaching the halfway mark....all good so far.....I even managed to walk with my head up, made it easier as well....

At 10 miles, we reached the High Road & set off for the final 6....the good thing being that you walk 3 miles out & have no alternative but to do the 3 coming home.....I have had battles with these 6 miles both this year & last year. It was along here that I hit my "wall" last year & the same thing happened today...

Miles 13, 14 & 15 to be exact.

No, I don't do things by half do I? Don't just have a mile struggling, no, that would be boring, hey, why not have 3?????!!!!

Nightmare.

Tracey was off, walking fantastically well.....as I approached the 3 miles, she was on her way back, I think I surprised her by carrying on to the marker. I guess I could have just turned with her, but I felt that I HAD to touch that lamp post for 3 miles.....it was all in the mind. I just had to do it.

I just ached, my hips were killing me, every muscle seemed to be reminding me that I was struggling.......but, I kept going. By this time, I just wanted to keep my pace going as much as possible although I did feel that I had slowed down a few times but, somehow I managed to push off my feet & get a bit of a spring in my step once more. It was a real battle.

At about 10.5 miles, we pass the church in Walton & on our way out to the High Road, I noticed it was about 9.08 & I made a mental note that I hoped to be walking back past it in good time....

During the 15th mile, the church clock was my target...I thought that if I walked past it at least by 10.20/25, I would be really happy, it would mean that I'd walked about 5 miles in 1hr 12-17. not a bad time considering I was having the walk from hell.......

So, imagine how pleased I was to pass it at about 10.14!! It meant that even though I had struggled, I'd managed to keep my pace going & do 5 miles in a pretty good time.....I was happy!!

I got a bit of a bounce back in my step & reached the 16 in 3hrs 36 minutes, to say I was chuffed is an understatement!!! Tracey had done hers 4 minutes quicker than me, so imagine how fast she would do it if she was on her own.....scary!!

So, the wall has been reached & climbed (kicking & struggling) over.......it was an experience that I feel I needed (NOT BY CHOICE!) to go through before the 20 miles of next Sunday & of course the big night itself......

Positive Mental Attitude rules!!
xx

Tired...tired...tired

Oh, am so very tired!!

I think possibly it's the 42 miles of last week that have caught up with me......or, maybe it's just the training itself, after all, we are pushing ourselves mentally & physically so much more now.....

Tracey & I walked 8 miles on Monday & Wednesday evening......

Tuesday's walk was great...really quick & I felt pretty good, just tired but happy. However...the old wooden-legs were back last night....I also felt very tired...but I did the 8....just don't ever give up...keep plodding on, even if you feel your feet won't go one in front of the other anymore.....trust me, I know what that feels like. Of course, I am so lucky to have Trace beside me (though sometimes way ahead of me...but it gives me that ooomph to keep going!!) she really is my star & I know that I couldn't do this without her....XXXXXXXX

It's funny, well, not really, but you know what I mean, I start the walk & often the first 2-3 miles seem to drag (or is that just my feet??!! DON'T laugh Trace) my calf muscles ache, then my knees, then my hips, then just ME!! But, luckily, the longer we walk, everything just flows & I forget about how many miles we still have to go, just focus on the one we are walking.....

The good old PMA is really helping me along......I HAVE to believe that I can & will do this again....and I WILL.

I just cannot believe that it's only just over 3 weeks away...OMG!! I am soooooo very excited! We were talking about this during a walk recently & we think that we will enjoy (mad word, but hey, it IS an amazing night!!) it more this year...we know what to expect...been there, done that, bought the t shirt...literally!!! I CANNOT WAIT!!!

Anyway, to help with my tiredness (maybe it's just life as well, so hectic!) I have started to eat more carbs, juice more & just generally take good care of myself........my body is a temple....not quite I know, but it sounds good!!

16 miles on Sunday..then the enormous 20 the following Sunday.....well, bring it on...let's go girls....

xx

One week, 42 miles, 9 hours 18 minutes.......

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

We started just after 6.30 this morning...yes, I know, mad or what?!! But as you know, I have more energy at this time of day & you should also know JUST how much I need it!!

This was one of my favourite walks ever.....I didn't have time to think about wooden-legs-walking as we were just chatting from the start & before I knew it, we were half way round..the sun was shining, there was just a gentle breeze...perfect, especially after the rain on Thursday!

At four miles, we turned onto the seafront & the sun was shining on the sea...bliss.....

My legs were fine, I only noticed once or twice that they ached a little & even then, it was only for a very brief moment....AND, amazingly, I kept up with Tracey all the way round...!! BUT, she was walking a bit slower as she knew that I was very tired!! We still walked it in 2hrs 15, which really surprised me as I thought we were slower than that. Maybe it shows how well the walk went, everything fell into place, so the training is going well & my stamina IS improving even though I have times when I feel totally knackered!

It is such a fantastic feeling knowing that we have got through this week.......what an achievement....I feel amazing. Tracey continues to be my amazing "personal trainer", getting me through, pushing me, (cow!), giving me those words of encouragement....thanks honey, you are my star......xxxxxxxx

AND, I have also "survived" without juices since Thursday when, unfortunately, my juicer died on me...but lovely Dons to the rescue....I have her old one now, so will soon be juicing like crazy again.

I can't believe that we will be on the train in four weeks time! Only two weeks to the 20 miles as well.........I'm sooooo excited!!

xx

32 down, only 10 to go.....................

After our mammoth 16 miles on Sunday, Tracey & I completed two 8 milers on Tuesday & Thursday evening...

I have to say that I felt ok on Tuesday's walk....got into my rhythm quite quickly & although felt a little tired, enjoyed only having to do half of what we had walked on Sunday! We walked it in 1hr 44, very good!

Now, to last night's walk...............

RAIN RAIN & MORE RAIN!!!!!!

What to do?

Well, the more we walked last night, the less we would have to do on Saturday so.....we decided to go for it & see how far we could go without getting too drenched....although we have had the odd shower during this year's training, we hadn't experienced the joy of a real pissing-down-walk!!! It's all good experience in case it rains on the big night itself.......

It was an "interesting" walk!! Dodging puddles is an understatement. I was really really tired, my legs started aching in the second mile...not good!....starting with my calf muscles, then working it's way up all the way to my hips.....I was wooden-walking! But, the rain got lighter, my legs got looser, got my rhythm going & we decided to go for the whole 8 miles, leaving just 10 to do on Saturday......I am sooooo glad we did. We had a couple of 11 minute miles & finished in 1hr 43, not quite the 1hr 42 Tracey said we had to aim for, but still really good considering the awful conditions & my legs!

We were soaking but happy.

So, tomorrow sees the final walk for this week...42 miles in one week...wow. I will be so happy tomorrow lunchtime...............

I can feel the odd celebratory Guinness calling to me already......

xx

16 miles.....

We did it!!

Tracey & I started our walk at 6.35 this morning.......I was worried about whether I would have to do it on my own as she had succumbed to the sickness bug that had been sweeping her house on Friday......I had even built myself up to the fact that I may have had to walk the 16 miles on my own...lots of PMA & I was determined that I would do it no matter what......

But, she was feeling better so we set off, prepared for the fact that she may have had to stop if need be...but we all know Tracey...she is a star & although she will admit that she did slow down (I KNOW......a first!!) at one point, she walked me hard throughout & we arrived home in 3 hours 36 minutes...the longest we have walked this year......I felt pretty amazing after, what an achievement, such a good feeling......though very sweaty & achey!!

I didn't hit my wall, but at 13 miles, my legs were really starting to ache...but I remained positive & walked on...I even felt that I wanted to walk a further mile or two at the end, just to loosen up my muscles...am I mad or what?!

Also, NO wooden legs today!! Yay!! I think my walk on Friday helped...

So, 16 miles down...only 26 to go this week!!

PMA......keep it going!!

xx

Wooden-legs-walking.....

That's what I was on Wednesday evening.....!

I just felt that my legs wouldn't get going, couldn't get my rhythm at all to begin with & guess I must have looked as if I had wooden puppet legs!! My legs just felt tight at the front below my knees...a little bit like the "old banger legs" I had last year...used to take 2-3 miles to loosen up & get working properly....!!

I didn't enjoy the first few miles....it wasn't helped by the fact that I seemed to walk on every uneven part of the the paths possible...grrrrrr!! So, those first 5 miles took 1hr 12mins which was pretty slow for us....but as is often the case, the longer & further we walked, the quicker we became....I do think it's all about getting the rhythm going, loosening up & just getting on with it...don't give up...work through all the aches & pains as you go.......

Sooooooooooooo the last 3 miles took us.....35 minutes......I couldn't believe it!!! How amazing is that....I just got into my stride, led on by Tracey of course & literally flowed, it was great. We know it's not about how quickly you walk, more that you walk at a pace that is best for you....I do love it though when we really get going, it's as if everything comes together, both physically & mentally.....and, of course, we all know how important it is to have that Positive Mental Attitude....

I decided yesterday that I wanted to do a short walk....mainly because we are aiming for the 16 miles on Sunday & I felt not walking since Wednesday was too much of a gap for me....Tracey was all set to join me but then had two very sick children & was also not feeling too great herself.....get better honey, need you on Sunday!

So, I decided that I would do a quick 3 miles on my own.....I seem to be enjoying the walking a bit more this year...there's something about getting out in that fresh air, walking away any cares & worries, just being in your own little world. Yes, my legs ached again to begin with, but only for about the first mile & a half, so a bit of an improvement on Wednesday's walk. I managed the 3 miles in 40 minutes, slower without my "pacemaker" Tracey, but still an improvement on my previous solo 3 miles. It's good to know I can keep the pace going on my own.

So, here we are.....the 42 mile week starts tomorrow....be positive....take each of the four walks as they come....work through the aches, pains, maybe even that dreaded "wall"....think about how fantastic we will feel next Saturday...what an achievement it will be....AND it will also only then be four weeks to the big night itself.....

xx

Get organised...........

That's what I need to do!

I'm sorry I haven't written for so long again.....no excuse really...just busy with life!!

I did walk on my own last Tuesday (31st)...I did a slightly different 4.5 miles & it was great, especially as it was so much lighter. I had a laugh...kept seeing a fire engine & thought I was being stalked (in my dreams) but no...there had been a fire & YES there is more than one fire engine in Felixstowe, silly me......!! Was very funny & led to amusing comments on Facebook!

Tracey & I then walked on the Thursday...I felt a bit strange, can't put my finger on it, but just struggled in a strange way.....!! Strange!!

Anyway, we got up bright & early again on Sunday for our usual biggie....but I wasn't feeling 100%.....so we (personal trainer!) decided that we should only do 9...she did wonder if it was because we had walked on Thursday, but I don't see why that would have made a difference really....she was also feeling a bit rundown, so I think she made the right decision.....

I think it was just ME....I just didn't feel too good....the trials & tribulations (& joy) of being a woman...!! Anyway, it was still a good walk & I am glad I managed it.

Dons & I finally managed to walk together last night! We just did a short 4 miles as this week is a gentle week in preparation for the 42...yes..42 miles that we have to walk next week!! OMG, I can remember how hard it was last year...but we did it, so we CAN do it again!

I am walking with Tracey tonight as well... I am taking care, but I do feel that I need to keep building up my stamina & walk more frequently....I still haven't hit my wall yet & although it is way back in the depth of my mind, I am trying to remain positive........maybe I won't hit it this year?! Hmmmmmmm, wouldn't bet on it!! But, been there before, hit it hard, climbed (struggled!) over it & came out smiling..........

Keep up with that good old PMA..........

The final packs are being sent out this week, so really looking forward to getting that t shirt on & strutting my stuff......time is marching on so quickly now....I'm still juicing like crazy & have also started concentrating more on my diet, especially with the big week coming up....lots of carbs!!

Maybe the odd pint of Guinness for added strength...??!!!
xx