‘It gives me a reason to push myself’
How the challenge helps 33-year-old Danielle Sawyer tackle severe pain and PTSD
‘I have endometriosis, when the lining of the womb grows outside of the womb. It can cause a multitude of symptoms, such as painful bloating, extreme stomach cramps, pains down the legs and lower back, and vomiting. I also have PTSD from a car crash I was involved in five years ago. I get anxious in public spaces waiting for something bad to happen, and have lost motivation for life and suffered panic attacks.’
‘When I started the #walk1000miles challenge four years ago, I would only go out for local walks when I had the support of friends once or twice a week. Last year, before Covid hit, I started going out by myself. If I wasn’t taking part in the challenge I would be in a much worse mental state. It gives me something to work towards and achieve – a reason to push myself and try and find new places to walk and explore.’'
‘I want to encourage others to fight for their ambitions’
In May, wheelchair user Carol Hall achieved her 1000-mile goal, and has lost seven stone and completed marathons in the process.
‘I can’t walk, and for at least 17 years believed I was incapable of using a manual wheelchair. In August last year I had a heart scare and needed to improve my diet and lose weight. I bought a second-hand manual wheelchair and by the end of September I’d done 50 miles.
‘I started to push myself to go further on ever-increasingly challenging terrain. Pre-disability I loved to walk the fells. The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales were always my playground and it felt amazing to be back, under my own power, exploring again.
‘In February I was attempting a marathon and strained my shoulder. The physio told me it was highly unlikely I would recover to complete any of the challenges I had planned, and that I needed more realistic expectations of my body given my age (50) and disability. I did the rehab, introduced stretches and warm-ups, and went back to gradually building up strength and endurance.
‘In April I attempted a marathon going from Carlisle towards Keswick. I thought I would stop at 26 miles, but in the end I carried on to Keswick – 32 miles in 11½ hours.
‘My motivation is no longer just to get a bit fitter. Now I want to encourage others to enjoy the outdoors and fight for their ambitions. #walk1000miles has made me fitter and stronger, so day-to-day things are more achievable such as wheelchair transfers or being able to pop to the shop independently, which has a significantly positive effect on my mental health. But the underlying disability is still there, and when you see me doing these things it’s important not to assume that past challenges have disappeared.’
‘I might be slow, but I’m determined’
Deafness, epilepsy, severe asthma, arthritis, allergies… nothing will stop Liz Atkins enjoying the great outdoors. And thanks to #walk1000miles the 60-year-old hasn’t felt better in years...
‘When the pandemic hit, and I couldn’t leave the house, I knew that if I just sat in a chair I’d become even more vulnerable to infection. So I walked round and round my garden every morning, making sure I did a mile every morning. By the summer I was allowed out for walks, and I felt a challenge would help me to maintain the exercise. I signed up for #walk1000miles on 1st January this year. I might be slow, but I’m determined and I don’t give in.
‘My hearing presents a challenge – I don’t hear people around me, so runners and bikes that come up behind me startle me and I’m not able to get out of the way. I’ve been known to jump and scream when someone has suddenly appeared right next to me!
‘The challenge is doing me so much good! I feel happy when I’m out walking. I’ve not needed any antibiotics or steroids since I began this challenge, which is unheard of. It also eases general aches and pains associated with my arthritis. I’m walking nearly every day now and I remained well throughout the winter – I’m ALWAYS ill in winter, so I can’t overstate the importance of that, especially as my condition is potentially life threatening.’
‘#walk1000miles was my turning point’
Never-say-die challenger Eloise Harris shows how determination and planning can help you overcome the pain.
‘A few years ago I started getting pain in my right leg and began limping slightly and unable to sleep on my side. A doctor advised it was bursitis (a condition affecting the sacs that cushion muscles, tendons and bones). But I won't let it stop me; on unknown terrain I use my poles, pace myself, have a few stops and always wear good supportive footwear.
‘Joining #walk1000miles was my turning point. It keeps me going, seeing other people’s achievements, tracking my progress on my virtual mission and also being part of the Facebook group. I love sharing experiences and all the wonderful comments people write when I add posts to the page.
‘The challenge gives me a realistic goal to aim for and shows me that, with a bit of dedication and carefulness, great things can be achieved.’
