Today is always the perfect time to start #walk1000miles – and look what an incredible difference walking makes whatever milestone you reach!
300 miles in
‘I found a purpose’
Felicity Haines, 33, West Mids
‘I needed a purpose after some heartbreaking news last year and I found it. I've walked more in three months than I did in the whole of 2020! It’s my 'thinking time' now, and having this allocated window to cry and ponder and whatnot, I manage my grief better. The first 100 miles felt easy, the 200 a bit harder and the 300 felt harder still! As a thank you to my trusty feet for getting me to mile 300, I got a professional pedicure as a treat. Services had just re-opened so it was good timing!’
What three words sum it up?
Individual, non-competitive, welcoming
300 miles in
‘I’m terrible at sticking to things!’
Laura Walker, 37, West Yorkshire
‘I’m usually terrible at sticking to things but I’m thoroughly enjoying this. We go walking every weekend now and my little ones just keep impressing me with their miles! I celebrated with a pair of walking shorts (look what I have become ha ha!) and we have a long list of walks we’re looking forward to get to 400. Doing this challenge has forced me out for some fresh air, a change of scenery and exercise even on the days I don’t feel like it and it feels amazing. I’m definitely fitter, and it’s helped my mental health no end.’
What three words sum it up?
It’s a blast!
400 miles in
‘Loving the person it’s making me’
Judith Lane, 50, Buckinghamshire
I was feeling that I was more a mum than my own person so I thought I’d have a go. 400 miles later, I’ve hardly missed a day and am loving the person it is making me. I’ve got self-belief, confidence, stamina – and I’m a much calmer person now. I can’t believe how just by going out on a walk each day my well-being has improved. Probably most importantly my daughters (aged 18 and 15) can see how creating a bit of time for yourself makes you a better person, and hopefully see by my example that you have to look out for ‘you’. It felt fabulous hitting 400 as I never thought I would achieve anywhere near this. But it happened one walk at a time.’
What three words sum it up?
Energising, Exciting, Addictive !
400 miles in
‘I’m fitter than ever’
Keith Walker, 61, Scottish Highlands
I was recovering from major surgery and wanted something which would encourage me to get out and walk on those days when the motivation was lacking. Now at 61 I'm fitter than I’ve been at any time in my adult life, and three stone lighter too! It's lifted me when I've been down and it's taken me to places I never would have found.
I celebrated my 400 with a walk to one of the most magical places in the Highlands (and there's a lot of competition for that accolade) – Redpoint Beach. It's one of those places where the fabric of the world seems thinner and the heavens seem to be only just out of reach.
What three words sum it up?
Inspiring, Joyful, Motivational
400 miles in
‘I’m healthier and happier’
Melanie Moss-Burton, 50ish, Clacton-on-sea, Essex
Every morning I go for a walk before work and I have found some amazing places I didn't know about before I started. I walk every single day, and I feel alive! I’ve a healthier and more positive outlook since starting this challenge and it felt awesome to hit 400 miles!
I feel awesome, I really do and overall healthier and happier.
What three words sum it up?
Epic, Fantastic, Radiant
500 miles in
‘I love, love, love it’
Hazel Hayward, 49, Hull
‘I'm so god damn proud of myself! Walking is like a breath of fresh air and I look forward to every walk, rain or shine. I absolutely love, love, love it. Where I live is very flat, but I live almost in the centre of Hull and there are so many places to take a walk. I walked 13 times before I repeated one! I love the seasonal changes especially and that’s something I hadn't noticed before. I take so many pictures! I’ve lost weight and my legs are definitely more toned too
What three words sum it up?
Nothing is impossible
500 miles in
‘It feels incredible’
Peter Callaghan, 43, Lancashire
‘I wanted to lose weight loss and feel happier and 500 miles in it feels incredible. I’m much more relaxed, positive, confident and able to focus on solutions instead of dwelling on problems. The sense of achievement feeds into the newly found self confidence. To have reached the halfway point after only four months has reminded me setting a goal and taking small steps means that even stretch goals are achievable. Now I’ll see if I can stretch to 1256 miles (2021km) this year!’
What three words sum it up?
Positive, rewarding, grounding.
600 miles in
‘What an AMAZING difference’
Penny Holroyd, 59, West Sussex
I’ve gone from thinking three miles on the flat was a long way, to conquering my fear of hill walking and now I do regular 10+ mile walks on the South Downs. I was never particularly sporty, and though keeping fit was something I knew I should do I never thought that walking was enough to keep you fit and healthy. But I’ve lost weight and feel more toned, I’m more confident, I’ve even inspired my daughters to have the discipline to exercise regularly too and I’ve walked the South Downs Way. What an AMAZING difference!’
What three words sum it up?
Inspiring, motivating, rewarding
700 miles in
‘An instantly better mindset’
Laura Law, 45, Portsmouth
Working in a nursing home, followed by Netflix and eating just wasn't doing me any good. I needed something else to focus my mind on, something for me. Now I always start my days off with a walk, whether it's five miles or just a walk around the block and it instantly puts me in a better mindset and ready to face the day. I’ve lost a stone in weight and feel much happier and more positive. I can't quite believe I hit 700 miles on 1st May! My plan is to go on more adventures and I'm excited to see where the rest of my miles take me.
What three words sum it up?
Inspiring, adventurous and limitless
750 miles in
‘It’s life-changing!’
Eddie Winder, 60, Nottinghamshire
‘A double heart bypass five years ago made me seriously think about priorities. I wanted to lose weight, get fitter and live more and with #walk1000miles I’m exceeding all expectations. I feeling much fitter, healthier and sleep like a baby which I haven't been able to do for years. At the beginning we weren’t sure that 1000 miles would be possible – now we’re going for 2021! It just shows what is possible with a little effort and determination. Could never have imagined walking so far in a year!
