The Final Countdown

Wow, it's only 61 days till I actually set off. On the 2nd March I'll be boarding that outbound plane to Casablanca.

Feels like things are becoming a little serious now. Have to get my passport renewed, insurance sorted, and make sure I've got all the final bits of kit - sun-block, blister pads, wet- wipes etc. Suddenly wondering if I have enough super-socks.

I do have a pair of wrap-around sunglasses - although I haven't used them much so far, as they require a small sarcophagus to carry them around in, and, frankly, there hasn't been enough space in my handbag.

And of course the training. Suddenly I don't have all the time in the world any more.

So, here's the plan:

1. Continue with the cycling, as now, and walk to work (briskly), if the weather goes against cycling (don't think I'd do snow)
2. Go on at least one long (10 miles min) walk every week - will probably have to join the early bird Ramblers for this
3. Swim one evening per week (groan)

Will that do it?

I'll have to read through the instructions from those nice people at Discover Adventure any day now, and see what they suggest. I did have a little peep a while back, but I frightened myself, and so hid the info for a while.

Time now to be brave.

Wish me luck!

Wonder Woman 2

The other week there was an article on the local news saying that if you do really speedy exercise for 40 seconds a day, that can help prevent diabetes. I mean really speedy, like sprinting, they suggested. And you can do it for 2 lots of 20 seconds.

Well any exercise that is measured in seconds is good to me, so I thought I'd incorporate this into my daily cycle - the uphill bit preferably, as I'd be scared of going too fast downhill in case my brakes gave out.

I casually mentioned this to Rita, my triathlon-eventing friend at work, who seemed to be quite impressed, strangely, and then mentioned it on her Facebook. Then several of her seriously sporty friends 'liked' me/it - which is apparently A Good Thing. So I am now a sporting legend in my lunchtime.

My feeling is that we are not talking about the same thing. I have no idea what Rita and her chums mean, but I meant that I will go as fast as I can, which at times might mean, frankly, not very.

But in the meantime, I am happy to bask in the ill-gotten glory. It's good to be 'liked'.

And as a bonus, not only am I fighting poverty, but I'm now fighting diabetes. Life is good!

Oh dear!

November 3rd! What have I been doing?

Well quite a lot of stuff, but obviously not blogging.

I have the choice between short, sweet and a little more regular, or not at all.

While there may be a compelling case  for not at all, I'll try with the former for a while. Almost time for New Year Resolutions anyway.

So,

Training:
Did a couple of ten-mile walks back in the beginning of balmy November. Nearly killed me, since I'd obviously peaked too early with the training schedule. Nothing since, but plenty of good intentions - might even swim this weekend (aaargh!)
Cycling still going well though.
Have started the surgical spirit treatment to harden up the feet. Apparently hard feet are a good thing. Watch this space.

Fundraising:
Have now made it to about £3,500 (once Gift Aid is included.)
Thank you so much everyone who has supported me - I am so impressed with the generosity of people who are happy to give a hand up to a complete stranger in trouble.
I have quite a few irons still in the fire too, thanks to friends and family:

• a beautiful poetry book to sell online
• designer clothes to sell on e-bay
• vintage clothes to sell in trendy shops
• masses of stuff for a car boot

and a few people have pledged money too. I'm pretty confident of getting to £4,000 now - and maybe could even make it beyond that.

That would be fab, becasue it's been a hard summer in the Sahel, and will be a difficult hungry period next year.