I’m doin Movember!

MovemberThis 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 ;-)

Moonwalk 2012 MedalLondon 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:

[nggallery id=15]

London Moonwalk 2012

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

London Moonwalk 2011 – Done!

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.

Nina BaroughHad 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! 

view from the stageDuring 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).Nearly at the finish...

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!

London Moonwalk Bra @ Ukulele Night

Moonwalk Bra and UkuleleJust 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!

London Moonwalk 2011 Hat

London Moonwalk 2011 HatSo 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.

Volunteering at The Poppy Factory

IMG_1865IMG_1830webI 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 😉

[nggallery id=2]

Sponsor me in the ‘Fight Against Breast Cancer’

justgiving_badge52I’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..

Red Nose Day 2009 – Wear Something Funny For Money.

13032009124awide 

 

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 😉

http://www.comicrelief.com/

Simon

I’ve secured my place in this years London Playtex Moonwalk

There’s no turning back now!  I’ve got my place in this years London Playtex Moonwalk. 

huge

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…