Sorry!

Sorry it's been so long since I updated this blog.  I guess I'm starting to realise how much of my time this Moonwalk is going to take!  Last week was difficult as I walked a few times and then I also had a Committee Meeting at Kids Kabin (the pre-school that Ellie went to and that hopefully Charlie will attend) on Wednesday so I felt that I didn't see much of the kids.  Made to feel even more guilty when, as I was packing my walking gear last Thursday morning, Ellie remarked "Mummy, are you going out walking again!"  How bad did I feel especially as Andy told her it'll get worse before it gets better!  Can't complain though as everyone is being so supportive!

Back to the walking details.  We've been out 3 times every week walking up to 5.5 miles each time and yes, Mags, I know that you've done one more walk than me - not that she likes to rub it in!  First calamity of the training regime, Mags fell while out walking on Saturday morning, was sucked in by the sunshine and forgot about the frost! Fortunately she was in the country so no-one witnessed the event!  We're looking forward to the clearer evenings as it means that we will be able to vary the routes - so far it's been mainly laps of Ballynahinch.  We had a lovely walk on Friday morning as we parked one car at Lock-keeper's Cottage and one at the car-park bedside Bob Stewart's pub.  We then walked along the towpath and had lunch at the end!  We had some company with Charlie in the buggy so some extra training having to push him and hoping that there would be some ducks to look at round each corner!

We have had other walkers with us.  Mandy May has been out a few times and then surprise, surprise, my sis-in-law Kerrie-Anne joined us last Tuesday.  She's promising that this will be a weekly occurence - good on 'er!  For those of you who don't know her, KA isn't known for her sporting prowess except for skiing - she's the Snow Queen!  It's good to have the extra company.  One of the P1 mummies, Joanne, also said she'd like to join us so come on Joanne, dust off those trainers!  If anyone out there wants to come along, leave a comment here and I'll get in touch!

Need to really start planning the Coffee Morning!  Have to think about what buns to make and also to organise scones etc - hoping to get a good deal at The Cake Shop, Dromore Street, need to get used to this begging malarkey!  So if anyone has any good (EASY) recipes, please pass on, otherwise it could be Ellie's rice krispie buns the whole way!

So, here's to the start of Week 4!

Lx

Launch of First Fundraiser!

It's a day of firsts......firstly my first public thanks and then the launch of my first fundraiser - the Yummy P1 Mummies' Coffee Morning!

Had to get Ellie to school early this morning to speak to the School Principal to ask permission to distribute the flyer detailing this fundraiser. She kindly agreed and then Ellie's teacher and classroom assistant agreed to put them into the schoolbags of every child in Ellie's class! I feel another thank you coming.....Thank you all very much ( you know who you are)! Spoke to a few mums about the event and they were all very supportive.....a couple even agreed to do a bit of fundraising for me!

I'm hoping the event will tick a few boxes, firstly raise some money but secondly, a chance for these new school mums to get together in warmer surroundings than the school gate and have a bit of craic, a few buns (the post-Christmas diets should be finished by then so I'm hoping that everyone will tuck in!) whilst getting to know a few more faces.

So please all come along on 06 February between 10 and 12 noon - everyone welcome!

Anyway, enough blogging for one day, I'm off now to have well earned glass of wine or two but must be careful cos I've my next training session in the morning! Mandy May - are you coming??!!

Lx

First of many thanks!

This will, I hope, be the first of many thank you blogs I have to do!

For the last couple of weeks, Andy has been working secretly on designing and organising some MoonWalk PR material and has roped in the help of two friends, Paddy Grimes and Andy McGimpsey (Gyppie to most people!). Gyppie has designed a page/poster layout for me to use on fundraising flyers and also business cards to hand to all and sundry to try and raise as much as possible for this fantastic cause. Paddy's printing business, 300dpi , then produced the business cards which he delivered to me yesterday....what a surprise! They look fantastic! I'm sure within time I'll feel comfortable handing them out, I need to get over my fear of begging!

Guys - thank you so much for all your hard work and generously giving me your time and resources - you're stars. Feel proud that you're the first to get public recognition for helping me ( Hubby doesn't count - they must do these things for world peace and harmony!). Pints on me the next time I see you!

THANKS!

Lx

Interesting Fact!

Just had to share this interesting fact! Was chatting to Nik tonight and we were discussing how far 26 miles is! Yes I know it's 26 miles but we were trying to put it into context. Nik was able to inform me that Big Gav (her hubby) had informed her that it's from her house, on the King's Road, Belfast to The Outlet in Banbridge.......OMG.....that just seems such a long way! The way I'm looking at it is that we'll probably be walking for 8 hours which as anyone who knows me knows, I can easily manage on a shopping trip! But yes I know, shopping entails browsing walking not power walking but us girls can soon take off at an increased pace if there are some good offers on the go! And Mags is definitely the star of this game.....must let her know that walking round M&S at Sprucefield for hours doesn't count as training!

Night night Lx

Week 2!

It's week 2 with our 3 planned walks completed last week.  Mags ditched me on Thursday evening as she'd had a better offer ....dinner with friends....who can blame her!  Anyway, at least she completed her 3 miles before she went!  So roped my pal, Mandy May in, and we did our walk with lots of chatting on the way catching up with all the biz.  Another outing on Saturday morning completed Week 1.

Starting now to think of a few fundraising ideas and have set a target of raising £1,000, a lot of money I know but guess it's better to aim high.  I realise that it may be more difficult in the current economic climate but if everyone that I know gives a small donation then it'd be a good start.  I'd like to have an event every month from now until the big day and am considering a Yummy P1 Mummies coffee morning for the mums in Ellie's (my daughter) class in February, a Night at the Races in The Primrose (some free advertising for my Dad for the best bar and restaurant in Ballynahinch!) in March, a Wine and Cheese Night for neighbours in April and a BBQ for friends and family in May.  Can't let the guys in work off the hook so I'll be organising a few things for them to contribute - don't want them to feel left out!  If anyone out there has any other bright ideas, PLEASE PLEASE pass them on!

Anyway, tomorrow night it's back to the training programme - need to do 4 miles in 70 mins 3 times this week.  If anyone fancies joining us for the training, craic or just to get some fresh air, just get in touch - we'll be happy to see new faces!  Training times will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings!

So far, so good but I know it's a long way to go!  Mags and I are both enjoying it so far and can't wait to up the miles.

Lx

Our first walk!!

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2474169

Check out the link above (and yes, andy set this hyperlink up!) to see our first route.  First training mistake, work out the route before walking!  Our aim for today was 3 miles in 50 minutes but we ended up doing 4.6 miles in 1 hour 8 minutes!  Underestimated the length of a lap 'round the town' (Ballynahinch for those of you not familiar with this term!).  Our 3 mile challenge was completed in 44 minutes.  All statistics thanks to Nike+!  

Typical, it was also the coldest night of the winter so far.... -1.5 degrees when we set out at 7pm!  Need to research some decent gloves as hands were freezing!  Not sure my skiing gloves will look well with a pink bra in May! 

Anyway, good to get the first training session out of the way, only probably about another 60 to go!

Found out this afternoon that one of my best friends Nik has also got her place for the Moonwalk along with her friends, Julie and Ruth.  This is fantastic news and I'm so pleased for her.  Nik's doing this for very personal reasons and it is brilliant (whilst typical of her!) that she's putting herself through this to help others when it's her that deserves some star treatment!  Want to check with Nik before I say anything more about why she's doing this.

So roll on Thursday to our next session - same target and time!

Lx

In the beginning.......

Well, today is 06 January 2009 and the day I start my training for the London Moonwalk May 2009!

Over a coffee in October, my work colleague Eileen suggested casually that we enter the London Moonwalk, little did I know that this consisted of a walking a marathon at night in a bra - all for a great cause - breast cancer. In a split second, I agreed and called my mum, Mags, to see if she fancied it - which she did - very brave as she celebrates her 60th birthday in May.....sorry Mags if you didn't want the world to know this! At the same time Eileen's daughter, Alison also decided to sign up. Eileen and I were able to register online however entries were filled up before we could get Mags and Alison registered! After much stressing (over delivery options, downloading forms, etc) Mags and Alison also got their places confirmed!

By this time, our team has grown to Mags, Alison, Pam (Eileen's future sis-in-law), Anne (Eileen's friend in England and the person responsible for this madness as she did it last year and made the initial suggestion to Eileen!), Anne's friend, Eileen and myself. First competition: what should we call our team (clean suggestions only, please!).

Over the next few months, I will be attempting to fundraise as much as I can - there must be some reward for putting myself through this - so I will be tapping all my friends, family, work colleagues, acquaintances, strangers for some cash - please give generously to this great cause! More details to follow. If you want more details on the walk, charity etc, please go to http://www.walkthewalk.org/ (I know you can put a link in here but my IT knowledge doesn't stretch this far (need to ask Andy!!!).....DONE ( Andy xoxo)

By the way, on this note, a big thank you to Andy for setting up this blog! and for all the future advice on how do I link this, how do I put this photo on etc etc.......blonde, I know! also for all the fitness, injury advice etc I'm going to need as apparenty he knows something about that stuff!

Not sure, why I decided to do this but it seemed like a good idea at the time! After the initial excitement, reality has set in and I'm beginning to realise the size of the task ahead...especially after reading blogs of people who have done it before and seen the photos of their blisters!

But one thing stood out - everyone was so proud of their achievement (as they should be) and most said they would do it again!

Tonight Mum and I go out for our first walk - 3 miles in 50 minutes - should be ok but I'll keep you posted!

Lx

This is what it is all about.