London Moonwalk 2012 Done!  That’s Moonwalk number 4 for me, 15 for Walk The Walk.

This time, as ever, I failed to follow the training programme, though this year the weather did give me an almost valid excuse. I managed a few 5 – 8 miles and a 12 ish mile, but that was it.

On the day, I had the usual faff, deciding what to wear, take, etc.  The bra’s the easy bit.  After checking the weather, I plumped for a vest, t-shirt and a zip top for the early morning chill.  I packed the bum bag with 2 Snickers, 1 Red Bull, 3 energy bars, 1 packet of dextrose, chewing gum (to clean the teeth), spare mobile phone batteries, camera, tissues, etc.  Fortunately for me, I can use the bra G cup for storage too 😉  It typically houses battery pack for lights, tissues and water bottle.

I got there nice and early – about 7pm and pitched up on my wee foldable stool, right by the entrance.  It’s quite something to be the first in the tent (pink palace) empty, then watch it fill up.

Weather – how lucky were we???  In the run up to the event, I was seriously worried about it raining, but it turned out proper nice 😉

After the entertainment and the very powerful 1 minute silence, the warm up started and we made our way to the start.

This year I walked with Deborah, who I met on the first Moonwalk, her second walk, having had a 2year sabbatical 🙂  I was a bit nervous about walking with her, as she had reported some serious training and speeds!

We were in the Green group and, as usual, I reckoned on 8 hours.  We started at 11:40 and all I did was yawn and yawn, as the tiredness kicked in (I like my sleep).  Round Hyde Park, then off towards Westminster, we were on our way.  It felt a bit quick for me, and at mile 4 to 5 I started to ache.  Oh dear!  This went on for a few more miles and I was a wee bit worried.  Time for a Snickers and later on, a Red Bull.  I came to life and all was good, although Deborah was probably sick of my increased energy, as I kept on talking.

Mile 10 and the Half Mooners peel off.  That’s hard, as it rams home the fact you have a long way to go!  Still, onwards and onwards..

Next up Battersea Park for the obligatory loo stop, and this year a chunk of banana and orange.  I only ever eat oranges on the Moonwalk – strange but true.

Then it’s the hard slog to mile 20, where we were promised a surprise, as it was the 15^th Birthday of the London Mooonwalk.  When we got there – lemon tea or hot chocolate!  As soon as I saw the hot chocolate being poured, I knew what I was having.  Yum!

Then it was the home run, just 6 miles – easy, especially as the Sun was coming up nice and warm.  Although each mile was slower than the previous, so much so, the last mile always seems to be longer than a mile.

After a stop at the Mile 26 marker, it was the last whatever it is to the finish line.  Brilliant feeling to finish and have someone put the medal around your neck.

After some good byes and collecting the bag, it was time to walk back to the tube to get the train home.  Walking down to Hyde Park Corner, there were morning runners going in the opposite direction and one of them, a lady with a huge smile, shouted ‘enjoy your good rest’ – a very memorable thing to be acknowledged by someone clearly far fitter than I!

I managed to stay awake on the train, so as not to miss my stop.  At home I had the pleasure of seeing for the first time, the two huge blisters on my feet, which in as somewhat strange way I’m rather proud of 😉

Now to collect the money – may target is £1000 and I know, once I’ve collected the cash, I’ll beat it this time – so that’s a very chuffed Moonwalker.

This event can lead to fabulous things, from meeting people on the walk that you keep in touch with beyond, to raising funds for a worthy cause, to being invited to talk about the walk at your son’s school!  Yes – I was invited in to talk about The London Moonwalk at my son’s school, which made him proud of me and vice versa!

Here’s to Moonwalk number 5 in 2013

Simon

Some photos I managed to get:

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This being my third London Moonwalk, I was a bit complacent and did not do quite as much training as I perhaps should have!  Still, I was very excited, looking forward to the event.

I raised £965, which is so close to that magical £1000.  Must try harder!

I had the fortune of being offered a lift with a group of ladies from Tunbridge Wells, some of whom I travelled up with last year. There were 7 in all and they hired a minibus for the journey there and back.  This made a HUGE difference, not having to walk to and from train stations, etc.

I was picked up at the end of my road at 4:50, which meant we arrived with plenty of time.  I strongly recommend if you wish to avoid queueing on your feet for an hour or so to get in.

The sky looked ominous, threatening rain, and it was notably windier and cooler than previous years.  I had 2 t-shirts, a fleece  and, of course, my bra, tutu and hat.

Had the pleasure of being right at the front when founder Nina Barough yelled the countdown to open up Playtex City.

Once inside, it was down to business.  Get blankets, water and food. This year was pasta and banana cake for me. The tent is huge, especially when you’re one of the first in, but it soon fills up with walkers and atmosphere.

I had arranged to meet with Sam who I walked with last year from about mile 7, since like me she was walking alone.  We were both in pink group (the last group of four to start), whilst the TW ladies were in orange group (2nd off). It’s not easy trying to recognise someone, when everyone’s wearing a pink hat!

Following speeches from sponsors, beneficiaries and Prince Charles on video, it was warm up time, before which Nina asks us all to hold hands and stand quiet for 1 minute.  This is a rather powerful moment, to hear complete silence.   Now here’s a tip if you’re in pink group. Don’t over do the warmup, else you be knackered before you even start! 

During the warm ups, Roy the ‘warm up guy’ invited folks up on stage and when it came to the last warmup I just had to get up there and see what it was like to look out at all the walkers dancing. I’m not sure who the warm up guy was inviting up, but I just blagged it anyway. Once up, he dragged me to the front, since I was the only bloke up there. The view was great, loads of pink hats all bobbing up and down following the instructor. I wasn’t particularly good at keeping up with the routine, but it was an experience I’ll not forget.

After that, it was off to the start line and the beginning of the 26 miles and a bit walk.

The route was more interesting this year but there was more congestion and some stop starting. Having said that, it meant the field didn’t thin out completely for the whole distance.  This proved quite nice, as you saw a sea of pink all the way round, most inspiring during that tough bit from 3 to 6 am.

As the sun comes up, and the birds start to sing,  you get your second wind, knowing that you’ve probably only got 15 miles to go.

This year I thought I’d try to take pictures on the way round, but to be honest, it’s not easy. At the beginning, there’s too many walkers to just stop and click.  After a while, the last you want to do is stop and take pictures, you just want to put your head down and go.  Still, I got a few, though most are not really good enough for the web (a bit dark or blurry).

Some other points to mention.  There’s a really cruel bit, where you see walkers (the fast ones) on the opposite side of the road, some 8 miles or more in front!

Another hard pill to swallow is when the Half Mooners peel off with one mile to go. You soon get over it though, after all, if you don’t finish, you don’t get the badge!

So how long did it take me? Just short of 9 hours! Bit longer than last year, but that’s probably due to there being more congestion.  Still it’s not a race, it’s a walk, an experience and a poignant one at that.

To anyone reading this who sponsored me, a BIG THANK YOU.  I’ll be badgering you again next year!

Too anyone googling, researching Moonwalks and considering doing it next year: See you at the London Moonwalk 2012!

So, one week to go.  I’ve beet my target and raised over £600 – so far! http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/simon_reeve

There still time to sponsor me.  Watch this and I’m sure you will, even if you don’t know me, as it’s a worthy cause.

So my Playtex London Moonwalk 2011 hat, bra and T-shirt have arrived, together with my Moonwalker number.

The hardest part will be the walking. Not that I don’t know how to walk of course, just this last year has been a somewhat lazy and self-indulgent one. Indeed, I typically walk a few yards from house to car, car to office, and back again.

I’ve completed one longer than normal walk so far, of 11 miles in about 2hrs45mins. So that’s a step count boost from 3k to 20k for that day!

Still I’m trying to train more; even typing this whilst walking a couple of
miles at lunchtime.