After growing up a sport nut and completing a degree in Sports I drifted, as many do, into middle-aged bill-paying, car-driving, beer-drinking inactivity. I have instigated ‘health kicks’ on and off over the years, but work demands, inclement weather and a melange of other excuses derailed any long-term efforts.
In the end it was the combination of explaining to amused friends that I worked on the ‘Active’ Forests programme and a commute amounting to little more than a two metre shuffle from dining table to sofa that led me to think I really should start doing something. But what? I can’t cycle any more because of genetic neck problems (thanks mum), I’ve never seen the need to run unless being chased for something I’m not prepared to relinquish, and felt swimming should only be considered as an alternative to drowning.
“They simply walked. No expensive equipment, no clima-cool clothing, just open door, close door, lock door, walk.”
My colleague mentioned a forthcoming involvement with the Walk 1000 Miles challenge. Interest peaked, I checked out the website and was met with a plethora of well… ordinary looking people who simply… walked. Short distances, long distances, with dogs, with kids, to escape both, didn’t matter. They simply walked. No expensive equipment, no clima-cool clothing, just open door, close door, lock door, walk.
On that note, just remember to zip your keys in a pocket otherwise, not only will you end up retracing your steps on a fruitless six mile search, you will also find yourself climbing through a small kitchen window, stubbing your toe on a kitchen tap and knocking your favourite pint glass off the draining board. I’m not saying that everyone will, I’m just saying some might...
Read Jo’s full story here
