Last year was my first Movember. I liked it so much that the Mo spread to become a beard! (After Movember of course).
I’m Movembering again, except this time, was challenged by work colleagues to do a ‘full reset’, which meant shaving of my Mo, my beard and even my hair! So I did.
Wether you know me or not, why not sponsor me anyway, for this very worthy cause.
My MoSpace = http://mobro.co/simonreeve
Mid Movember.
It’s looking good, so people tell me 😀
Here’s my MoSpace http://mobro.co/simonreeve where you can see more photos and sponsor me.
This is my first Movember. Having taken on the London Moonwalk 4 times, I thought it about time I did something for Cancer charities relating to Men.
Here’s my MoSpace http://mobro.co/simonreeve where you can see more photos and sponsor me.
Movember is about raising vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and testicular cancer, and walking around the office people have noticed the tache and I’ve told them why I’m doing it. So it does work!
I’m hoping to take as many photos as possible and animate them together to see the journey that is Movember 2012.
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 15th 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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I’ve left it a bit late to update my site with the fact I’m walking this years London Moonwalk, but better late than never. This will be Moonwalk number 4!
My training has been far from regular, but hey ho – loads of chocolate with carry me to the finish!
Please sponsor me direct with Walk The Walk “Uniting Against BreastCancer” using the sponsor page here http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/simonreeve2012.
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.
Just a short post.. I thought I’d attend the Tunbridge Wells Ukulele Night Thing wearing my suitably lit London Moonwalk Bra and Hat. Put a smile on many faces, even got to pose with a pink ukulele. To top it of, some kind folks sponsored me too.
I managed another walk last weekend – 13.5 miles @ 3.8mph. Found it harder than last year, so will have to step up training if I’m to complete this years London Moonwalk intact!
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.
I completed the Playtex London Moonwalk 2010, and never finished my post! Yes, this has sat in drafts for quite a while… Since I’ve got into the 2011 walk, I think I best finish this post off!
I had the pleasure of travelling up with 3 ‘first time’ walkers from Tunbridge Wells. I found myself reciting everything about my 2009 experience.
We arrived rather early, in fact, the Playtex Village wasn’t even open. This turned out to be a good idea as, whilst it meant we were there for longer, we didn’t have to queue for long, enabling us to maximise the time sat down, resting our legs! I intend to arrive early for the 2011 walk too!
I was in the Pink group (yep, the slow coaches) and we were next to the stage, unlike last year. This was great, as we were the ones in the tent the longest. Having found a spot to sit down, I tucked into the pasta and flapjack.
I had brighter lights this year and boy did I get a lot of attention! I had to pose for so many photos, I lost count. To that end, this time I will take a camera with me and try to get as many photos as possible with as many different walkers as possible. It was great to see my outfit get so many smiles. For Moonwalk 2011, I’m in the Pink group again., which seems fitting since my outfit is covered with bright pink LEDs. This will be the third outing for the feather covered bra – Hope it’s up to it!
After the warm-ups, and waving off my fellow Tunbridge Wells walkers (who were in the yellow group), it was time to get going, at 12am! It was very busy and a wee bit congested, there by ensuring we all took the 8+hours ;-). Whilst the weather was great compared to the recent horrible stuff we had, it was cooler than last year, such that I had to don my jacket at about 3.30.
I almost made the fatal mistake of not eating and drinking as we went along. At the big loo stop in Battersea park I did have to sit down and whoof a snickers and (Marathon) and a sports drink. Whilst I felt feint, I did manage to come round and get going again some 15 mins later. I guess that was my lesson learnt!
Had the pleasure of completing most of the walk with Samantha who just so happened to be walking by herself and at my pace. We both came the the conclusion, that walking this thing alone, is no mean feat, so if you are considering walking along, try and talk to someone at your pace and help each other round! I know Sam’s also got a place in the 2011 walk and reckon we’ll join up and take on the whole thing together.
We finished around 8.30, so a long night!
My admiration goes out to the marshals. They clap and cheer all night long. I made a point of cheering them, as to stand there all that time is about as hard as walking the route!
The Moonwalk is a fantastic experience and for a very worthy cause. It’s not easy, especially if you like your sleep. As a walker you’s start off very noisy, excited, then you’ll settle down as the long haul ahead is realised, before experiencing elation during the tearful, emotional last few hundred yards to the finish.
So that’s my brief take on my Playtex London Moonwalk 2010.
I promise, along with more training, to not leave it so long before posting about my Playtex London Moonwalk 2011 experiences. I hope to post about training and my tips I’ll be using for the next one.
Photos!
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Just a quick post. Weds 29th September, I filled in the on-line entry form for the Playtex London Moonwalk 2011! – must have been one of the first!
Friday the 1st, I got a the confirmation email – I’m IN!!!!!
Training is still a bit sparadic, but I did manage to complete a half moon’s worth of practise walk yesterday 13.5miles. Avg speed was 4.1mph, so should shave some time of last year.
Tonight we finished the new outfit. Loads more lights and rather fetching! What do you think?
Don’t forget you can sponsor me on-line here – it’s very easy and you’ll be helping a very worthy cause.
http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/simon_reeve
Visit my sponsor me on line page to find out more about WalkTheWalk and where the money goes.
Many thanks folks.
Well despite only three weeks till the night, I’ve finally walked further than the usual 3 or 6 miles! It seems this year, either the weather has been so bad or uninspiring, or I’ve been ill or too busy to follow the training plan provided by WalkTheWalk.
The final parcel arrived at then end of this week, including bra, cap and t-shirt and, coupled with the glorious sunshine, it spurred me on to nail at least 10 miles+. I managed 13.7 today, before getting back home in time for BBQ number 5! Yes you read correctly, BBQ number 5!
Whilst walking, my wife finished of the new addition to my Moonwalk outfit – a fluorescent pink tutu, with flashing LEDs!!
So I’m feeling more confident now, as the actual walk is only twice what I did today – “how hard can it be!”.
The London Playtex Moonwalk 2010 is not far off now, on the 15th May!!
Well it’s a bit late to start training, but I’m now spurred on by the final arrival of the Sun here in the SE of England, the setting up of my on-line sponsor page here http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/simon_reeve, and the arrival of more bright pink LEDs for this year’s outfit.
I’ll be using the trusty bra of last year, with a new bright fluorescent skirt to help me stand out!
My fundraising page is very new, so why not be the first to sponsor me for what is a very good cause.
I recently had the opportunity to volunteer making Rememberance Day Poppies at The Poppy Factory in Richmond, Surrey, England.
For just one day, myself and 6 work colleagues visited The Poppy Factory, not really knowing what to expect, other than the chance to make some poppies. The day turned out to be quite an eye opener and one that leaves me seeing poppies in a whole new light.
We were given a brief tour of the factory and an insight into the history of the Poppy Factory charity. Then it was straight down to work to make as many lapel type poppies as we could in 3 hours. I achieved about 750, which seems quite a lot, however, it’s a drop in the ocean when you consider the numbers produced by the Factory this year of 38 million Remembrance poppies, 5 million Remembrance petals, 900,000 crosses and 100,000 wreaths!
Having bought many a poppy over the years, it’s amazing that you never really get to find out where they come from. Well The Poppy Factory is where. Yep – this one place manned by 50 or so people churn out the whole lot, working throughout the year, with some home workers chipping in too. The fact that such as huge initiative is fed by such a small outfit is amazing and a credit to all at the factory.
Who are these incredible people? The work force mostly comprises disabled ex Service or dependants of ex Services men and women. The Poppy Factory is a charity in it’s own right and through the production of poppies, provides employment and support for such people.
The history of The Poppy Factory starts in 1922, with the current factory dating back to 1933. Major George Howson MC started the factory when after serving in the 1st World, he set up a small factory in South East London.
Poppies are sold during The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, which runs during October in the run up to Rememberance Day on the 11th of November.
The poppies we made are in fact for next year, so who knows, I might end up buying one I made 😉
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I travelled up to London with Sarah, another moonwalker with whom I did my practise walk the ‘Long One’. We arrived at Hyde Park Corner around 19:25 and queued up. The queue grew very quickly and that’s when it dawned on me there weren’t many chaps taking part – but I kind of hoped that would be the case. 😉
I was blown away on entering Playtex city, the tent was huge, big enough to house all 15,000 walkers. The central isle of the tent was flanked by coloured flags matching the four colours of the starting groups. There was a stage at one end featuring Tina May and Richard Sheldon accompanied by the BBC Big Band, and later on BLAKE, amongst others. Paul O’Grady made an appearance in a very fancy bra featuring sequencing LEDs – very cool! Paul and Sara Cox took part in the Half Moon. Walkers take on wither the Full Moon or Half Moon, full or half marathon. I did the Full Moon.
We were given a choice of a rice or pasta dish and a flapjack. I went for pasta before donning my outfit, the bra, the lights and ribbons. A constant stream of walkers entered the tent as we were getting ready, like an incoming tide of pink hats. A great deal of imagination had gone into some of the costumes and bras. Decorated bras everywhere, feathers, lights, you name it! The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation.
At about 11pm a warm up act came on to get people ready for the off, yellow group first, followed by green , then orange (including me) and finally pink. Sarah made her way to the start with the Yellow group, leaving me behind to warm up some more, whilst waiting for Orange group to be called up. Orange group got going at 23:45 with me crossing the Start line at 23:48. It was a slow cosy shuffle to the start line and beyond for a while, until we hit the open (closed really) road around Hyde Park.
Walking in amongst so many people is bizarre. All the pink hats swaying from left to right created the illusion of a pink sea. Half Mooners wear white hats, and so I guess they were the white horses. The first mile or two was spent getting used to the idea that this is it and I was finally on my way, having spent some 3 hours waiting to start. I was complemented on my feathery bra, a theme that spanned the night and it was nice to be welcomed to what is a predominantly women’s event. Breast cancer affects men too, not to mention women close to us, so it’s great to have been given the opportunity to take part.
Around mile 3 I met Deborah, another lone walker. We got chatting and since we had a similar pace, stuck together for the rest of the way. I say similar pace, I was not quite as quick. I thought we were going quite fast, but not so, only 3 miles an hour to start with. This largely due to sheer number of walkers and crossing roads. Still she didn’t mind staying at my pace, something I’m very grateful for. To say Deborah was a lone walker was not true, she had a banana with her for quite sometime, slowly going blacker and blacker, until she finally consumed it, but I forget when.
We circled Hyde Park, before making our way down to Westminster, then along to Vauxhall Bridge, over and back on the South Bank, then beyond to Battersea Park, Chelsea, Westminster again then Hyde Park. My memory of the route is a little blurd, as staying awake through the night whilst walking a long way plays with the mind. I know we passed many iconic London landmarks such as The Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, The Globe, Tower Bridge, Battersea Park, The Mall, Horse Guards, Harrods, Kings Road. We passed many supporters along the way, including some bemused inebriated folk who were very complimentary and supportive.
Walking along way is hard enough, but staying awake through the night is really hard, especially for someone who likes his sleep! I swear my stomach went to sleep for a bit, as it felt rather nauseous for a while around 3am. So I munched through sports bars and chocolate to get me through.
I forget when, but dawn did arrive and it helped enormously, as you start to realise you’re half way. I wasn’t a big fan of the mile markers, as I prefer to not know how far I’ve walked. The reason being, I’m a bad estimator of distance and when I do find out, I’ve always walked further than I think. Deborah and I didn’t see the 14 mile marker, so when we saw 15miles, it was a very pleasant surprise!
As soon as we hit 20 miles the end seemed in sight. “Not far now”, I kept telling myself. I was growing tired, so much so, I got disorientated and thought we had to cross the river again to get back, which would have been odd, since we were already north side – the right side for Hyde Park.
The volunteers on the night are amazing stars and unsung heroes – they stayed up all night, constantly praising our efforts and cheering us on – vital work, as they make you smile, which seems to do more to fight pain than ibuprofen! I made a point of praising them too, as it’s no mean feat to do what they do.
Well done to all the organisers – you did a great job! It can’t be easy with all those walkers.
I’ve got some photos below, though not many, as it’s hard to concentrate on walking that far through the night. I know that sounds mad, but it’s true, you get drawn into focusing on finishing the walk.
To those who sponsored me – a BIG thank you – Your generosity ensured I hobbled to the very end, and it will go on to help in the fight against breast cancer.
I hope this gives some idea of what it’s like to do the Moonwalk, and maybe inspired you to join the next one, as there’s no knowing what it’s like until you’ve tried it. Well done if you too completed the walk, I’m sure you’ll be applying again – I know I will – see you next year!
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Packed my Moonwalk bum bag full of chocolate and energy drink, had a quick kip and am now ready for the off! The bra masterpiece is all packed, appropriately in a pink plastic bag.
I’m Very happy to see the weather forecast change in our favour from rain to clear 😉
Good old BBC, I knew you’d fix it ;-).
Managed to complete a trial walk, as per the Moonwalk training plan. I teamed up with another walker and we walked around Tunbridge Wells, thanks to Sarah for her planning the route! We missed the 20 mile target by 3, but feel it’s enough to build on before the big one!
So what do you think?????
I braved wearing the now completed Moonwalk bra to the office. Needless to say it put a smile on everyone’s face an worked a treat at kick starting sponsorship. Wearing it for a few hours around the office makes me think it might prove uncomfortable after some 7 hours of walking, but it’s for a good cause!
I’m rather pleased with the decoration, though I was only the artistic director, I owe many thanks to my capable seamstress – my wife.
Off out this weekend to do a practise 20 mile walk. Then next week, perfect the finishing touches of the outfit for the big night!
Whilst shopping on Saturday, my wife, son and I visited local sewing/ fabric shops and bought anything pink that you could stick to my Moonwalk bra. This evening, my wife turned a dining room chair into a dressmaker’s mannequin and started to pin the fluffy pink boa and sequins to the bra. That’s not all, I’ve got some LEDs too, to light up my night walk.
The Moonwalk booklet has a detailed training plan, and I thought I’d use this as a means to address the annual New Years resolution to get fit. Well, needless to say, I’ve been sufficiently distracted and expert at finding excuses to have not followed it. I have done some walking, and the other day, covered half the distance and still managed a bike ride the following day. So I’m hoping that a practise walk of 20 miles will be enough to prep me for the big night.
Two (current) concerns I still have, are:
Ok, back to the bra – hope to have it ready in next couple of days and use it as part of my fundraising campaign – so watch this space.
Finally got round to breaking the 10 mile barrier in training for the Playtex Moonwalk in my home town of Tunbridge Wells (UK) and covered 12 miles and that’s after a day’s shopping, which I didn’t track, so guess about 14 miles in total.
The thing is, I thought I’d make a point of turning left or right into roads or footpaths I haven’t taken before and it’s amazing how little of my own town is new to the eye.
The sun was shining and it turned out to be pleasant day wandering streets and parks new to me, which of course made the time and miles pass by!
So if you’re reading this and taking on the Playtex Moonwalk, or any other similar walking/ running event, train locally and just zig-zag all over where you live and you’ll be amazed at how much you didn’t know was there!
Walk the walk!
It’s getting closer!!! My parcel arrived with the Bra, the Hat and T-shirt. Note I’ve not modelled the bra yet, as I’m waiting until I’ve decorated it.
Despite wanting to use this event as an opportunity to train, train, train, I’ve adopted the same attitude I applied to a previous event of 40 miles. How hard can it be? It’s only walking… Mmmmm I’ll have to wait and see, as no training = payback after the event.
Still, I’ve bought some new trainers, so they should help!
I’ve just opened my own on-line sponsor me page on Justgiving.com for those of you who would like to sponsor me for taking part in the 2009 London Moonwalk. By sponsoring me, you will be helping the charity WalkTheWalk and the fight against breast cancer.
See the widget to the right? My Totaliser! All you have to do is click the orange ‘Donate’ button and you will be routed to my sponsor page, else follow this link http://www.justgiving.com/simonreevemoonwalk.
Now it’s going to take me some 8 hours and unless I start training in ernest, I’m going to end up with very sore knees! I’ve got a step machine and am stepping away whilst watching TV, it’s a start..
So I did! The photo says it all.
I drove to work dressed like this and brightened up the drag to the office on the way for those glaring at me in the traffic and on the footpath.
It’s made a very pleasant change seeing folks smile back 😉
Work – the team joined in, and armed with some cakes and Red Nose Day sweepstakes, we raised approx £200 for Comic Relief.
For thos of you unfamiliar with Comic Releif, find out more here about a very worthy cause, and why not donate too 😉
Simon
There’s no turning back now! I’ve got my place in this years London Playtex Moonwalk.
Now I’m not one for running, so thought this might be my chance of doing a London Marthin without the agony, whilst raising funds for a more than worthy cause.
I’ve yet to read all the contents of the information pack, other than training starts real soon!
The event is on the 16th May 2009.. and I’ll keep you updated with my progress here…
