Jen to the top

So, time has come to go to the airport. I havent slept at all so Im expecting to sleep quite well on the plane. But we all have some proper getting-to-know each other to do. Watched some videos from precious climbers and I could feel the butterflies coming, soo excited! Did my last squats with the magic ring from Pierre as you could have seen on the pic I took but I cant upload it unfortunately, my last contribution to the preparations, from now on its reality all the way :) I might find a tree though to Use for this but Im not sure my legs would appreciate it.. Will be really cool to see the others, we all come from different places and most of us havent met before, so it will be an exciting setup and we have to form a good team. I am sure we will, we have all raised money for the same cause and know we will push ourselves a bit further than normal. So, good morning everyone, hope you have a magic day! Jenx

So, now its really getting closer.. In a week, I will be in Nairobi waiting to go to Tanzania and Moshi, the town close to Kilimanjaro. Weird but absolutely super-exciting! Yesterday, I got my backpack from Johan. Tis was my christmas gift and we found a great one from Kathmandu. I have the most vital things done now, just need sun cream and the malaria tablets, get Sharons sleeping bag which she so kindly is borrowing me and then I think Im done. My trip has changed as I have sadly cancelled my second week of holiday due to the high security risk in Kenya. I had a plan B but due to visa time frames it didnt work out. Ah well, another time. Just so disappointed that others, terrorists and others, have made the world such a bad place. They have just decided that I cant go on my holiday. Training is also going well, went on a jog along the canal today as it was such a good day. So warm and lovely, and I thought I should enjoy it and go for a 8 km run, but missed the turn and got a 1

I just love when seasons change, and today I think we can say we officially have spring in London. I optimized my time last night and ran home from the office, and I only had a tshirt on but that was ok.. I just love the little chill in the air but not too much, it just makes it fresh. And also the late sunsets, so I actually have time to run before darkness. I normally dont run home that much as I have my backpack and it gets a bit complicated and my back starts to moan a bit, but yesterday was actually good. I ran for about an hour, not fast at all, but everything was intact when arriving home. I can feel superficial soreness but nothing major so all is going really well. I cant believe I have come this far. I read about two girls today that got mugged in Tanzania by a cab driver. I guess I just have to be very careful as the swedish embassy doesnt seem to be too helpful either. Will have my last injection tomorrow, then I am all done. Will also have my passport picked up from t

Went to the gym yesterday to do boxercise, and I must say it turned out to be a much better workout, even if it was less boxing that I hoped for! We got into the room, and the regular guys started to put up different stations around the room. I didnt get it, I was there to do boxing? The leader, Wendy, then soon came in. She is def shorter than me, long blond hair and around 45 I would guess. An attitude that is enough for an elephant and a voice that you will hear from London to Brazil! She hates when you dont move, so we were constantly moving for an hour, no time for rest. I must say I have probably never worked my body that much before and I have never had someone shouting at me whilst doing it. Cool though, great feeling afterwards :) Went to Pierre again today and felt pretty good, but after 10 mins he had gone past what he calls the superficial soreness in a muscle, and was down deep and my back felt like it would break. That soreness is not superficial, it is very real... Bu

19 days to go until we leave Heathrow and Im building up both my body and my courage. Its not going to be a walk in the park and I am trying to not be so mega scared of the potential snakes I might come across. I realized today that I might just ignore the fear for that as I cant do anything about it anyway. I just rationalise. Ah well. I only hope I wont have any unpleasant encounters as they might be the last I have. Went on a run yesterday in the great weather in London, and when cruising through Osterley Parks lovely horse fields I felt stronger than ever. Its been ages since I felt that good, that I can just roll on, mile after mile. I couldnt, but the shape is getting there. I give most cred to Pierre, my physio who has given me great exercises and stretches so I could build up my back and my legs. Its a fantastic feeling to not be in pain, I can tell you that. Its a shame it takes so long to understand it.  A typical night in for me;  stretches and exercises... thank god for

This weekend just gone me, Johan, Alfie and Cath went to Brecon Beacons and had a lovely walk up to the top of Pen-y-fan, 886m. It started out great with sunshine so I was (un)clever and didnt bring my wooly underwear with me, I left it in the car. After like an hour walking, the showers started and after reaching the first peak we were in the storm! We even considered not moving on, but only for a brief second. Of course we move on!! But I have never experienced that kind of storm, I was scared to be blown off the ridge. But the views are fantastic and even if the rain and storm made it slightly cold, it was truly amazing. Best of all, I think Mr J got a great interest for walking, so I hope to bring him along to more of my expeditions :) We could all feel it in our legs, and I couldnt help thinking that 900m is only like a 6th of Kilimanjaro in height.. I will be walking for 6 days, and I will surely feel that in my legs. So I have to work harder with my squats with the magic ci