Sunday saw me hobbling around London raising money for Refuge. Here’s some photos.
You can still sponsor me (all money goes to Refuge) here: https://walk4.everydayhero.com/uk/madeleine
#Walk4Refuge
Category: exercise
#BoldisBeautiful
So you may remember approximately a year ago I took part in the first #BoldisBeautiful march sponsored by Benefit Cosmetics in aid of women’s charities Refuge and Look Good Feel Better.
Well it rolled around again and my 10k partner Rehana and I signed up.
Last Sunday was boiling hot and I melted somewhat as we marched our way around London. There were 600 ish people, mostly women, a few men, some children and at least three dogs taking part.
Having mangled my knee a few weeks before I was a bit worried about hobbling along but it was only after we stopped that I was in pain, so that was something.
At checkpoints, including the Good Ship Benefit, we were given goodies and funny marching gear (pompoms, capes) to speed us along.
I received a medal to go with last year’s and brought home a giant pair of tweezers to terrify the Mr with (he has two giant caterpillars on his face forever trying to meet one another).
If you want to get involved, head to your nearest Benefit Brow Bar and get yours waxed, all profits go to the charities and you get a free product to say thank you.
Last year’s had a few hiccups that spoilt it and while this year’s wasn’t perfect (one of the checkpoints definitely wasn’t wheelchair friendly) despite the sunburn, it was really fun and I will be signing up for next year’s event.
I love a goodie bag
I realise I never shared my 10k goodie bag with you. As well as a medal, everyone who completed the Walk4 Refuge 10k got a bag full of gifts from their sponsors and doners.
It came in a handy canvas bag – perfect now that shops are charging 5p a bag – save the planet people, reuse your bags.
I felt a bit sorry for the men and children who did the walk as these goodies were definitely for women.
As well as a Refuge keyring to match the bag, there’s a hot pink water bottle – which I am clipping to my bike, as I don’t have a cycling one.
Then there’s the beauty spoils – Benefit have a long running sponsor relationship with Refuge and there’s a little They’re Real! Push Up Liner from them in the bag.
Then there’s exciting corporate pens and mints from Shearman & Sterling – which I gather is a law firm.
Other brands that donated are John Freida (Style Creator Styling Spray), Avon (Magic Effects Mineral Crush nail polish in Diamond, a glittery polish), L’Oreal (super liner) and Max Factor (sheer gloss balm).
It’s great to see so many big name brands, brands we probably all own a fee bits and pieces from, contributing to a good cause.
Also featured, mini bubble mix, not featured – the Haribo we were given at the start, they didn’t make it to the finish!
ramblingmads
Walk4 round up
My feet are throbbing and I am knackered so here’s a photo round up of the walk4 Refuge. Apologies for the less than stellar photos, the sun was in my eyes and my phone was struggling.
The day was really good, approximately 300 people, men, women, children, dogs, took part. Every £60 raised is a night in a safe place. An incredibly vital cause, rounded off with lemonade, goodie bags and winning in the champagne raffle.
There were lots of other charity walks taking place as well, for Cancer Research, Diabetes, MS, and a very cool dapper gentleman’s vintage motorbike ride for breast cancer – they looked amazing.
Shame all the roadworks got in the way, but I’m sure you’ll find better photos out there.
Great to see so many people raising funds for the causes they care about.
You still have time to sponsor me, while I recover from my blisters and aches.
ramblingmads
Yogi Surprise – first box
I have been trying to get back into yoga, it’s good for your body and also your mind, so I was delighted when Yogi Surprise started shipping internationally.
A box of treats and yoga tools – hopefully this will inspire me to practise more.
Mind Over Lather – mat cleaning spray in lavender mint – this smells heavenly and will hopefully prevent that sweaty rubber smell yoga mats give off after a while.
Natural Fitness hemp yoga strap – yoga straps help you get into some of the asanas or poses that are a little trickier if you’re not super flexible. Unfortunately they can also be expensive, so getting one in this box is great.
Bearded Brothers Fabulous Ginger Peach Energy Bar – the first ingredient is dates, which unfortunately means I will be passing on this – I find they overwhelm all other flavours and if I want to live on dates, I’ll buy Medjool ones from the little grocers on the corner.
Yoga Gangsters essential oils energy mist – I spritzed this on for the all important sniff test – it smells good but I didn’t feel instantly more energetic. Though apparently you should spray into the air and inhale deeply – I don’t think my asthmatic lungs will be too keen.
Gaiam Yoga Gloves – these grippy gloves help you keep yourself from slipping on sweaty palms and can be used without a mat. Great for practicing on the go.
Finally a beautiful bonus treat – a jade tree of life bracelet
This was in a little cloth bag, and is worth more than the box cost.
Jade encourages love, inner peace, balance and harmony, while the tree of life represents knowledge and wisdom. All things I could do with.
If you want to win a yoga retreat, they host a monthly prize draw on their social media pages, all you have to do is take a selfie of you and your box that’s fun. I guess a yoga pose with box is what they’re after.
ramblingmads
Regular update – sponsor me
You are going to see a fair few of these posts over the next few months.
I am doing dreaded exercise but as it’s for a good cause, I am actually happy to do.
Walk4 Refuge is in September but I want to exceed my fundraising target so please, sponsor me and help women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Www.justgiving.com/madeleine-walk4
Thank you. Your support means a lot.
ramblingmads
Walk 4
This September I am doing a charity walk for an organization I am quite fond of – Refuge.
They are the UK’s biggest domestic abuse charity and support women and children fleeing abusive situations. They receive no government funding and as the Government tighten the country’s collective belts, sadly organisations like Refuge are needed more.
I am asking, very nicely, if you could sponsor me. All of the money goes to Refuge, nothing will be in my pocket.
So click here and give whatever you can.
Thank you ladies and gents in advance. I’ll keep you posted.
ramblingmads
Ouch!
I went to my first Fit Club session last night, led by my friend Kayleigh and now I ache all over.
I am not remotely fit, but it’s time to remedy that, having spent the last few months changing my eating habits, I’ve decided my sloth-like habits need to as well.
Wednesday nights are Fit Club, and hopefully Thursday afternoon will be yoga, I’ve sent an email to a local yogi so fingers crossed there’s space in her class.
Bits of my body ache that I don’t really get why, and since I walk everywhere, really shouldn’t.
What’s your fitness routine? Are you a gym bunny or a sloth like me? 🙂 Let me know your favourite exercises/work outs in the comments.
ramblingmads
Yoga – good for the soul
So recently I’ve been getting back into yoga and boy am I stiff! Feel about 900 years old. Yoda would probably do a better job than me!
My joints creak like they need oil, my knees especially hate me and the other day I felt physically sick getting up and into the warrior pose.
I’ve started following some yogis on instagram in hopes of inspiration from people who stretch and headstand regularly. I’ve got a mat, and a dvd to guide me through. I just need to find the get up and go to do it every day.
I don’t like exercise, so thank goodness getting healthier is only 20% exercise and 80% nutrition. I’ve got the healthy eating down (lost half a stone in a month) but need to do more with my body. Walking I do regularly, cycling and swimming I used to love.
Motivation is what I lack. What do you do to get motivated?
ramblingmads
ramblingmads 