Thank you for following my Moonwalk blog.

However..... I have decided that to continue with 2 blogs at once is silly as I'm either duplicating things or struggling to split sponsor news from training news when in essence it is all for the same cause.....

Please continue to follow my journey on http://elliebirch.blogspot.com

God bless

Ellie
xxx

Finding time

Well as I said my trainer extrodinaire came at the weekend along with my walking partner and we had a lovely time catching up and talking walking!


Andy got me in the gym on Saturday for what I thought was going to be an easy 3 mile stroll to see how I go on. Instead I got a bloody hard 5miler so he could see how I coped with differant speeds to work out my heart rate zones! It has to be said though I did enjoy it and felt better for doing (don't tell him though he might make me do 10 miles next time!).

I've not been able to go outside because of the weather being that bad. Not that I'm a fair weather walker it's just that it's been very icy and the last thing I need at this moment it to break my leg or something daft!

The only problem I have had this week is finding time to fit in my exercise. I seem to have been rushing around in all directions.

Monday I only had an hour but managed 3.5 miles in that time. Tuesday was a silly busy day but my Garmin forerunner arrived so I just had to try that out and did 1.5 miles. Wednesday I did 6 miles but knocked my time right down to 94 minutes and burnt 660 calories soI felt really good.

My head is in a spin my feet don't touch the ground!!

Gosh I feel good about myself at the moment as far as this Moon Walk is concerned. I'm not sure if its the endorphins of exercise or hearing and seeing everyones reactions to my 'news'!

I did 6 miles over 2 sessions on Monday 2.5 miles in the morning taking me 51 minutes and then and afternoon session of 3.5 miles which took me an hour. That's a combined total of 6 miles in 1 hour 51 minutes- not bad for a first session I thought.

Tuesday I did 20 lengths of the pool and a little water aerobics to stretch out my muscles.

Wednesday I was back on the treadmill with another 6 miles under my belt which I did in one session this time and it took me 1 hour 42 minutes (burning 461 calories so the little machine said lol).

I've listened to all the words in every song I've listened to on my iPhone. I've laughed and I've cried. I'm sure there will be more of that coming.

I must say at this moment in time I'm just LOVING the words of 'Gimme Gimme Gimme'

Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight

Won't somebody help me chase the shadows away

Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight

Take me through the darkness to the break of the day

With the Moonwalk starting at 00:00 I just think its just so poignient.

So far I've just walked on Abba songs but I'm sure by the time Caz comes at the weekend she will have a full list of songs for me to download!

I've been talking to Andy too and he is going to work out a training programme for me too so I'm just so excited for them to come at the weekend.

Super Trouper was the last song I listened to before I finished my session for the day, and my SUPER trainer is arriving to help me start my journey into fitness for the fabulous experience that will be the moonwalk... (I have to inform you that Andy has just inserted this paragraph but how on earth can I delete it on him, bless xx)

Two of our best friends have moved in together today and I wish them both all the luck in the world. Tammy you are one in a million and have been with me through thick and thin, from the bottom of my heart thank you. Al , we've got to know you so well over the last 10 months and thank you too for being there for us too. May our friendship grow ever stronger.

So I am now going to to pop the bubbles with them (along with Caz and Andy) and I'm going to have a fantastic weekend.

God bless

Ellie xxx

AM I COMPLETELY INSANE??

Well here we are at the beginning of February and I've made yet another life changing decision!!

Last night, with the help of a friend I entered myself for the Moonwalk in Edinburgh on 20th June this year!! It's a 26 mile walk, during which you are expected tp prominantly display your bra and starts at midnight in aid of breast cancer.

What made me enter?? I'm not entirely sure really, I did it for many reasons. I'm already on my sponsored slim with proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation (in memory of my Dad xxx) so it will certainly aid my weight loss. I just love a challenge and the more people say that I can't do it the more I will try! (after all I am a typical virgo - a perfectionist and I like things to be right!)

I was laid in bed this morning after our son had got up at 7:00 and whereas normally I would turn over and go back to sleep for an hour or so, I got up and put my joggers and trainers on and went into the gym on the walker - it was snowing heavily outside.

Ipod on and what I did realise that my Mamma Mia CD was just what I needed for my walkout! 'The Winner Takes it All', 'Money Money Money', 'Lay all your love on Me'. The majority of Abba songs are fantastic to listen too whilst your walkin and they always manage to make me smile as I recall the stage show and movie as I'm listening. I'm sure I'll get to love the CD all the more and find more Cd's to help me on my travels.

I was only able to do 2.5 miles (42 mins!) as Ray had to go out but I managed to do them at 4 miles per hour so I'm on track for my training programme. Benji is at school at 1:00 today so I intend to go back in and do some more!

No turning back, its started......... Thank's Caz (and Andy!)

Love

Ellie

xxx