The final 20 mile practice

It's now less than 2 weeks till the big night...................so scary!

So this weekend I set off on my final 20 mile practice walk, and like with most of my practice walks I was going alone and had less than no motivation - but it had to be done so off I went.

The weather had no idea what it wanted to do either, one minute it was torrential rain and the next glorious sunshine!

After about 7 miles I got the most amazing text, asking if I wanted some company on the walk - of course I did!

Euan met me after about 9 miles (2hrs 5mins = 13.8mins per mile!), and was brave enough to do another 13miles with me :) So glad of the company - it really does make walking a million times better.

So for my final practice I did 22 miles, in 5hrs 35mins making it the perfect 15.2 minutes per mile :)

BRING ON THE BIG NIGHT (lets hope my feet are feeling happier before then!)

Our 22.2 mile triumph!

So with the weeks getting fewer till we take part in the Moonwalk, we decided it was time to aim for another 20 mile walk. Starting the weekend early we set out on Thursday with the sun shining and waterproofs at the ready! We had planned a 17.6 mile walk plus part of the canal that we couldn't map out. I was very pleased with how our training has come on with us not having any problems until the latter few miles.

Using iMapMyWalk iPhone App we learnt that the canal was slightly longer than expected at 4.6 miles making our total walk 22.2 miles!

We managed a sweet average of 15.5 minute miles with our total time being 5hrs 45.

This is a guest post from my fellow team mate Kirsty Pierson

4 weeks to the BIG NIGHT!

It just hit me - 4 weeks today till the big night, when somehow I have to make my legs carry me around the 26.2 mile route! SCARY STUFF!

Today I went out for a "short walk" of 11.3miles - the fact that I call this short now worries me how much I have changed since practicing for the walk - I used to think that a walk to the shop was a short walk.

I did a very similar route as I have done before, however I went the other way (the longer way) around Arthurs Seat - hence the extra 1.1miles.

Last time I did this walk it was after work and was at an average pace of 16.3min miles - today was thankfully quicker taking me 2hours 40mins and an average pace of 14.16min miles :)

Lets hope I can keep the pace up on my next walk (a 20miler with Kirsty on Thursday!)



16.3 min miles

Yet another walk.....20.8miles!

5 weeks today is the big night - so in preparation for this I set on yet another really long walk with Caroline!

We walked 16.2 miles around Edinburgh, in a time of 4hours 45mins, which is a little slow going at only 17.59mins per mile - but I am not complaining at that. It was Caroline's longest walk and she did amazing considering the discomfort she was in from about mile 8!

In addition to this was I also decided this morning that I would stupidly walk to Caroline's first, adding another 4.6 miles onto the equation, which I completed in 1hour 5mins (approx 14.1 min miles).

So all in all today I did 20.8miles, in 5hours 50mins (16.8 min miles) - so happy with that! however, all I have to show for it is some random sunburn (I must have missed some parts of my arms with the lotion!) and one small blister!

A walk of two halves

So to make up for my rubbish 5 mile walking attempt yesterday, I decided to join my friend Caroline (who is also taking part in the moonwalk this year) for a walk.

Having company on the walk was AMAZING - it is so much easier to walk and talk, as it distracts you from the distance and the walking itself.

We were a bit slower on this walk today - but I blame the heat (can't believe i'm in Edinburgh and blaming heat!), was about 18degrees today!

So with Caroline, we did 12.8miles in 3hours 30mins - so approx 16.4min per mile!

Instead of being sensible and walking straight home after this I decided I was enjoying walking so much that I would do a little more on my own.

So on top of the 12.8 miles I did with Caroline I did a further 5.2 miles, in 1 hour 20 mins (15.3 min per mile).

Now after all of this my legs are sore and I will definitely sleep tonight, but I am very happy to have completed this distance again.

Total Distance = 18miles
Total Time = 4 hours 50 mins
Approx Mile per Min = 16.11 mins

NEXT CHALLENGE - to manage 18 miles more comfortably!

I don't want to walk ... :(

So Sat 30th April - I forced myself to get up early and go for a walk.

I REALLY didn't want to go out, and I think this lack of mental motivation didn't help my physical motivation.

Every step on this walk was an effort, my foot was hurting and I was really tired and fed up :(

So sadly, I (for the first time ever) gave up and went home - only completing 5 miles around Arthurs Seat! due to this lack of energy and motivation it was also a very slow, taking me 1hour 25 mins (approx 17min per mile).

It's all about the milage.....

Back to the famous saying from last year "its all about the milage..." - this was my quote of the day, my main determination was to get around Edinburgh no matter of the time!

The weather today was awful! - very foggy, a lot of rain showers and sever VERY VERY heavy showers :(  - this did not make walking easy but its gotta be done as it may well be raining on the big night!

So the distance........ I did 19 miles in 4 hours 35 mins.....

All of this now = a lot of pain :(