Walking a Marathon (in a day)

Yes, I take the point. I don't think I'm vain (maybe I dodged that one) but, of course, there are vain men. Maybe many men give up the struggle to look good, or kid themselves they still do, earlier than many ladies. I was thinking that I don't dye my hair or use make-up but, if it were the fashion (as once it was), maybe I'd be popping into Boots more often.

Thanks again for the kind words about walking and running.

Well done from me, too, Frankel--and for going on a 9 mile run two days after the 10 mile walk. When is the R-t-t-B half marathon?

I don't know if I'm vain or not--I just find choosing glasses incredibly difficult--especially if i'm going to wear them all the time. I guess because I've been lucky enough not to need them much until now.

Most of the time I don't think much about what I look like--more about what I'm off to do. If I'm off to the allotment, it's old trousers, slightly muddy boots and appropriate-to-the-weather top. Stopping at Tesco's on the way home I fail to be embarrassed by the mud on my hands or state of my hair.
If I'm on G'ma duty again it's practical clothes; and I rarely wear any makeup--takes too much time, when I'd rather be reading!

On the other hand, if I'm going to the annual dinner dance with my partner, or a special occasion with friends, I like to think I can 'scrub up well'--for all our sakes!
I often think I must have been a chameleon in a past life.

However getting to grips with getting older is more about the bits that are wearing out: having to spend more time at the dentist, and at the optician.

I was told I have early indicators of macular degeneration--and that scares me as reading and writing are my 'essential skills'. Should I prepare myself for their possible loss? Or just put it out of my mind?

My biggest fear is having a left-sided stroke (in my family history) and losing my speech and use of my right hand. Should I write some 'instructions' for my communication & care now, while I'm still fit, healthy and enjoying life?

I don't want to be unduly pessimistic, but I was a nurse and Health Visitor, so prevention and preparation to ease situations is in my nature.
Has anyone else thought about these things?
Please share
Sue

Yes, I have thought about the possible consequences of ill health, Sue. At the moment, I am very fit, active and healthy, but nobody can foresee what might happen in the future. Loss of sight is my big fear but I recently had an eye test and though I have been myopic since birth and I have worn glasses since I was nine, I was reassured that I have no indications of any eye problems. I was being careful, because both my mother and brother had cataracts removed. There is now some progress on treatment for age-related macular degeneration, which is good news.

My other big fear is dementia and I have made my daughter aware of my wishes if I ever lose my personality. If I am not 'me', I don't want to live. Nor would I want to survive in the later stages of motor neuron disease, or 'locked-in' syndrome. She wants me to live in a cottage in her garden in New Zealand, so she can 'keep an eye ' on me - she thinks my scrambling alone up mountains in isolated bits of the Alps is dangerous. I want to hang on for another three years or so, until I am 75, as I have a lot of Europe to see yet.

I try to live a very healthy life - good diet, lots of walking, I have never smoked, I drink one glass of red wine diluted with 'Zero calorie' Sprite with my dinner each evening. My personality is optimistic and calm, but of course events occur to stress us and I have tried to come to terms with my other daughter's mental illness and codeine addiction, and the loss of contact with her and three of her adult children.
I keep mentally active with reading, sudoku, and discussions on this and other forums.
I participated in a survey about bowel cancer (not pleasant, but nice to know I am clear), and I have mammograms whenever the French health system sends me an appointment. I lost two stones by regular walking and my BMI is now about 22.5. The arthritis I had in my hips and knees when I was inactive seems to have responded very well to my walking regime. I can now tackle very steep, rough mountain paths, rising several hundred feet, without a twinge.
I had slightly raised bp so now I take the minimum dosage of Ramipril , 2.5 mg, every day and it is working.
I am not a hypochondriac, but my independent lifestyle, which I love, depends on my keeping fit so I am doing all I can to make sure that happens.

Sue - I have all sorts of eventualities prepared for. I find that, once I have done all I can to prepare, it is then easier to put it out of my mind. I even have a bag permanently packed in case I have to go into hospital in a hurry. I might add that I have no health problems but, being a realist, I accept that anything can happen.
Well done Frankel - I wish I could still run, but have accepted that a recurrent injury has put paid to it. Walking is a pleasure too, although I have Achilles tendon problems at the moment. I know stretches and rest will sort it, but I do not have much patience! I hope you enjoy the upcoming challenges.

Hello dear Gransnetters,
Just in case any of you remember this page, I'm sorry I've let it slip since the 'Challenge' was completed.
But then I had the idea of starting something new--around the topic of 'Growing to love the challenge of Ageing' but I couldn't decide where to put it!

Well, now I've just set myself a new challenge--I'm going on a 'Begin to Blog' course tomorrow!

I just keep thinking of things I'd like to write about and share, so I thought I better go and learn how to do it. Probably can't learn in two days (tomorrow and next Tuesday) but I'll have a go.

I may even write a bit about taking on this challenge. Just off to look at the forum topics and decide where to do this one. I'll come back to this page to let you know.

Meanwhile, keep up all your amazing interests. Frankel I hope your training is going well--have you managed to get a place for the London Marathon yet? Good job you weren't down for the New York marathon. Although I gather a number of entrants still walked to raise money to help all those who suffered because of Superstorm Sandy.
Greatnan I do hope you're still enjoying your vertical walking do you taper down a bit at this time of year--or get out your skis?
Shysal I hope I'll still be able to read your encouraging posts if I change site.
And that applies to all the other gransnetters who supported my marathon walking challenge. I've told so many people about all the support I received from you--Mr/Mrs/Ms-ss Motivators
Sue

I've started a new thread in the Learning forum.
Please check it out. All ideas welcome, as always.

Enjoy the fireworks tonight
And keep the stars in your eyes.
Sue

Hello, Sue. What a good idea -I look forward to reading your blog.
I have spent a week in the Pyrenees on a house exchange and did some very strenuous walking there. At the moment, it is a question of fitting in a walk between the rain and snow!

Brilliant Greatnan, how I admire you and your knees! Do you put special 'chains' or blades or something on your boots? I imagine it must get quite slippery. But the scenery in the snow must be fantastic.

I've just written on my other site that I think I was a butterfly in a previous life. Maybe I should have put mountain goat (I'm a Capricorn!). Not that I walk in mountains but when I reach one point I seem to look 'up a bit and over there' and see something else I'd like to achieve. Then something else appears that looks interesting, etc, etc!

I guess it's called Life

My walking boots have good 'treads' on the soles but mainly I rely on my two walking poles to stop me from slipping. We had a blizzard last week but the snow did not stay long - there is just a dusting on the mountain opposite my flat. This is the least attractive month - the autumn colours have almost gone and there is no snow to silver the trees, so the forest is just dark green conifers and leafless deciduous trees.
I carry chains in the car because they are obligatory on some roads when there is snow and ice, but they are a real pain to put on and as I have a little 4 x 4 I haven't needed them since I came to live in the Alps two years ago.
I really miss my walks when the weather is too bad - I don't mind when it is overcast but I am not daft enough to go out in pouring rain!
I know what you mean about wanting new challenges - I always have to see what it round the next bend or over the next hill.

This is really bad.

Considering I walked 61,329 steps on 8th Sept, this is worse than bad.
Since 'my marathon' I've barely reached 5000 steps in a day. I even lost my step-meter (probably whilst changing the sheets on the spare bed. It's crammed against a wall in a corner and difficult to get to to tuck in the under sheet even though it's a fitted one).

I realise just how goal-oriented I am, and without the challenge of training for 26 miles I'm widening by the minute! Trying to let go of my Type A personality is obviously being successful. It's so lovely to sit down with a book and not feel guilty for not circumnavigating Richmond Park x 2.

But, this will not do. I'm considering if my 'Growing older and wiser' blog or 'learning to love the challenge of ageing' (when my blog gets going) needs to include an exercise log. I wonder if this would make me get out and walk at least 10,000 steps three times a week?

What do all you seriously-exercising gransnetters think?

Incidentally, re shysal's query before my trekathon, I did 61,329 steps on 8 September. That was for the whole day. As 56,282 of these steps were 'aerobic' steps. I guess this was the number i walked on the 26 miles from Winchester Cathedral to Salisbury Cathedral Spire2Spire trekathon.

ps I've just found my fitbug step meter, so I guess I better walk to the V&A this afternoon to pick up my blogging notes. (For anyone who doesn't know me, this is not a euphemism, see the Learning forum!)

I check my time rather than number of steps, but when I get by GPS compass it will have a pedometer. I did once count my steps back to my car, just for interest, and I counted 8,000 one way, but each step is only about 50 cms. At the moment, because my usual lanes are very boggy from the melting snow, and I can't get my car up some very isolated lanes (Anno will know the kind I mean!) I have to walk along the metalled roads to the next villages and I am only managing just over an hour a day. Normally, I walk for a minimum of two hours and often for much longer. The longest distance I know I have walked, not counting wandering around for hours when lost in a forest, was 12 kms. but it was very rough, steep terrain to see a waterfall in New Zealand.
When I first started serious walking, I did get obsessive and if I had only walked for 1 hr. 55 mins I would just walk around for the extra five minutes.
I gather that 'exercise obsession' is quite common!

I don't think I could ever just do exercise for the sake of it - my walks all involve wonderful views .

I tried only a half marathon and still practicing to get full marathon...

Keep at it picasoflake you can do it. The 'mantra' that kept me going at 18-23 miles (the toughest for me) was my daughter's text: Everything seems impossible--until it's done. Good luck

Hi anyone who was so supportive to me when I walked my trekathon a year ago.

If you do remember, I have a bit of interesting exercise news....

My daughter and her boys met me at the end of my 'walking a marathon in a day'. She had been my inspiration as she had done her first London Marathon in 2012. She did another marathon this year--and also did the Moon Walk--a marathon walk for Breast Cancer research.

Now she's put on her dancing shoes, and is dancing in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Her first dance is tonight (Friday 26th, BBC1 9pm)--and I'm sure all you mums and grandmas (and dads and granddads) know that you never stop worrying about your kids--however old they are. I'm a nervous wreck on her behalf!

So if you're feeling kind, and can bear to watch the programme, all I ask is that you support Grandma Miney, (once-removed) once again, and when the voting starts, spare a thought for me , and vote for my hardworking, loving and lovely daughter--Susanna Reid.

Thank you so much