Out & About

"I started training for my second Playtex MoonWalk in January this year.

People may think it sounds easy to walk a marathon but it's still 26.2 miles and power walking is very different to walking at a normal pace - it can actually be as physically demanding as running.

Nicky (centre) at 2007's MoonWalk

I'm hoping to complete the course in 6 to 7 hours, which means I'm aiming to walk between 4 and 5 miles an hour - that's no mean feat!

So, once a week I've been power walking back from my filming location in central London. Depending on where we're working each day, this is between 3 and 5 miles and takes me up to one and a half hours.

I also have a longer power walking training session once a week, which is up to 15 miles long and takes me approximately three hours.

To complement my training I do a weekly Pilates session where I concentrate on muscle strength and flexibility, and I also work on my cardio fitness by running with a personal trainer once a week. 

Beside the physical benefits, I've discovered that power walking is great for clearing your mind. And listening to music motivates me to keep going - at the moment Gnarls Barkley and Snow Patrol are accompanying me on my training walks!

The MoonWalk gets underway

With the MoonWalk coming up on Saturday night, here's what my week looks like:

• Sunday - 3.5 hour power walk into central London and back
• Monday - 40 minute run
• Tuesday - one hour personal trainer session
• Wednesday - Rest
• Thursday - Rest
• Friday - Pilates - focusing on legs and stretching

I've also focused on my diet this week, cutting out alcohol in favour of 2 or 3 litres of water each day. Plus, I'm eating pasta for dinner to increase my carbs intake to give me extra energy and fuel for the weekend.

One thing I can say is, all the training is definitely worth it.

The pink tent in Hyde Park

On the night of the event I'll be joining over 15,000 women and men in their wonderfully decorated bras, with the common aim of raising money and awareness for vital breast cancer causes.

Plus, the atmosphere in the big pink tent in Hyde Park is so electric, it really is an amazing thing to be a part of! 

Walk the Walk, the health charity behind the MoonWalk, has raised over £40 million in the last 10 years and is aiming to raise £6 million alone from this year's event - which is reason enough, surely, for anyone to get involved!"

The Playtex MoonWalk is on Saturday 17 May, with all funds going to breast cancer causes. Send us your photos if you're at the event or if you catch any of the walkers on the night: to yourlondon@bbc.co.uk