How time flies. Six weeks into her training for the Playtex Moonwalk 2007, Carrie-Ann Skinner marvels at how it has taken over her life…

We’re half-way through March already! The sun is shining and the birds are singing – spring is on its way. However, as much as I can’t stop the huge grin from spreading over my face at the thought of long, hot summer evenings ahead, the onset of March means the big day itself is just nine weeks away.

It’s been absolutely ages since my last diary instalment, but time is so precious at the moment. The actual training for the Moonwalk involves three walks a week – a short one of between four and six miles, a walk with Natalie once a week, which started off at six miles and is increased by a mile every week in a bid to get close to her target of 13.1 miles, and of course a long walk every week to take me one step closer to the 26.2 miles I’ll walk on the night.

Sadly the heavy rain in February did hamper my walking efforts slightly. So far Natalie and I are at eight miles, we’ve only got another three to cover before she’s fully prepared for her section. I hit 18 miles last week, which took me four and a half hours. However, I’m aiming to cover 23 miles before the big event, so that’s at least another five to go.

As if the walking isn’t taking up enough of my time already, I need to keep my cardio-vascular levels up as well. It’s very important not to rely on one form of exercise alone as your body gets used to it, so I’ve also had to take on other disciplines as well. I hit the gym twice a week, once for Body Pump – an exercise class that involves lifting a bar with weights at the same time. I also joined the Body Combat class – a high impact aerobics class that takes its inspiration from kick boxing although without the contact, because let’s face it a black eye isn’t the latest fashion accessory gracing the catwalks this season!

Then there are my dance classes – a hobby I just couldn’t bear to give up from my childhood. So once a week, I trek down to my local dance studio and with a handful of other ladies, attempt to perfect the latest street dance moves. Unfortunately as much as I’d like to leave dance practice to once a week in the studio, I can’t. We have a show to put on every summer and, of course, spring is when we start gearing up for it by choreographing the dances and sourcing costumes, so more often that not I find myself scouring the internet and running through the dances in my head just to prove I can actually remember them!

So that’s my exercise plan, now for the social duties. My best friend Annette is getting married in September and as a bridesmaid there is plenty to do, from organising the hen weekend to getting fitted for my gorgeous dress. I certainly don’t begrudge the duties, I’ve had such a blast with all the wedding stuff but sometimes it’s a hard choice between planning a four-hour walk and going shopping for wedding shoes, and like most girls the shoe shopping wins outright – especially if it’s raining!

Most Saturday nights I’m too exhausted from my busy schedule that I just end up crawling into bed and watch all the TV I’ve missed during the week on my Sky +. Hitting the bars to scout our Mr Right is just going to have to wait until after May 19!

I certainly underestimated just how much the Moonwalk was going to take over my life, but that said – I wouldn’t swap the experience for the world and I’ll be very proud to have taken part in such a special event. Right, time for me to stop typing and locate my trainers!

Find out more about the Moonwalk at www.walkthewalk.org. Carrie-Ann Skinner is a freelance journalist and PR executive specialising in fashion, music and property. She can be contacted at carrieannskinner@hotmail.com.