Virginia Water Lake

Morning walk for me and the dogs today. Virginia Water is just over 4 miles, so perfect distance for a short Moonwalk training session, and for the dogs to stretch their legs and get as muddy/wet as possible. I also have new trainers which were far too white and gleaming, so something needed to be done about that. (Asics Gel-Kinsei 2 for the athletes out there!)

I also tried out my EveryTrail app for the iphone. I have been using Runkeeper, which is great as long as you don't go into a shaded area. Runkeeper was also tracking my average minutes per mile, which was helpful for the Moonwalk.

However, EveryTrail seems to have managed to map all the way around the Lake, which is excellent, and provided a HTML code for blogs, so let's see if that works too.

What was even better was the sun was shining.. Spring is definitely here!

Virginia Water

Map your trip with EveryTrail

Gotta have faith in your footwear - Training Diary #2

After a week of feeling very sorry for myself and being, to be frank, extremely unwell, I was beginning to doubt whether 26 miles in 6 weeks was a reality.

To cheer myself up between feeling nauseous and trying to absorb water, I had to invest in some new trainers for the big event.  Last year, I bought a fab pair of Asics trainers, that cost an arm and a leg, and I swear they carried me around the Moonwalk course.

However, these high tech beasties were fantastic, but the gel does wear down in them, and I was starting to feel a bit of strain on my muscles and joints on the longer walks this year.

In Windsor, there is a brilliant little chain of shops called Swim, Bike, Run (does exactly what is says on the tin - Swimming, Bikes and Bike Gear, and top Running Gear) so I went down for a chat, and they showed me the updated version of last years trainers (with the updated price - £130!!)  So the chap fitted them for me, pointed out how the laces are shaped to help your bone structure in your foot, and showed me a new way of tying them!

I then tested them out on a couple of 2 miles walks with the dogs, and I seemed to bounce along nicely, especially with my dri fit socks as well.

So today was the tester.  I aimed to walk up to 12 miles - a test for the trainers, and for me, as after last weeks bug, yesterday was the only day I had managed 3 square meals, without feeling awful afterwards.

On my first stretch along the river, I bumped into my friend Matt, who was on lock duty.  He offered me a cup of tea, which I turned down as I was early into my walk.  I was to regret that later.  After a quick catch up, me and my new trainers bounced upon our way.

The lesson to learn today was that I should have brought a bit of change out for extra water and stashed a chocolate bar in my jacket.  I kept going for 9 miles and then slowed.  My legs had given up the juice and whilst I probably could have forced myself home, I listened to my body, decided I was too dehydrated, and phoned for my lift.

All in all, I am very happy with my trainers, only one small blister, and not too many aches!

Must remember to equip myself to get more water next week!