It’s amazing what you can achieve one step at a time – and Walk 1000 miles pairs perfectly with a parallel ambition…
Achievements that build slowly can be some of the most vital of our lives, but they’re underestimated by a fast-moving time heavily slanted towards instant gratification. Progress toward the goal is often unflashy and may be almost imperceptible – bad for your chances of attracting Red Bull sponsorship, yet with no bearing on the worthwhileness of the quest or the memorability of your mission. But the small, regular investments we make in #walk1000miles, and the compounding interest it earns our health and happiness, are a powerful reminder of what can be achieved one step at a time – and the challenge’s adaptable nature means it dovetails perfectly with any number of other ambitions. You build miles while training for a marathon, or collecting trig points, or visiting as many beaches as you can, after all – and many 1000-milers find the presence of parallel quests redoubles their motivation to get their miles in, while turbocharging their chances of achieving something that might be both deeply personal and forever memorable. We’re inspired by their examples!
To the lighthouse!
Stepanie Williams: “I love everything they represent; safety, rugged coastline, home, plus it's a great excuse for another holiday near the sea! There are more than 250 functioning lighthouses in the UK and we've bagged about 100 so far, including staying in two of them (Whitby and Corsewall). My favourite so far is St Catherine's on the Isle of Wight where we were given the honour of a guided tour.
Peripatetic pilgrim
Aisha Hussain: “I've walked most of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path since last year, the only sections to go are the ones which are a bit difficult to get to by bus. My next challenge to myself is to complete it in one go. I love having something to aim for. Before #walk1000miles, I never dreamed I'd be able to walk this much of it. I've seen more of the PCP in the past year and a half than I did in the previous five years combined! And I've signed up to volunteer so it's now even more meaningful.”
Summit to aim for
Slinky Baloo: “I'm doing the Ethels – 95 hills over 400m in the Peak District – which I hope to complete by the end of this year. I'd also like to complete all of the Wainwrights, which I'm estimating will take me the rest of my life! It feels amazing to have a project on on the go and always gives a purpose to go on more and more adventures.”
The county collector
Nichola Suzanne: I’m visiting every county, with a walk however short. It will be slow but it was a ‘big birthday’ decision when a friend bought me a journal to record my adventures. So far I’ve visited 12 English counties and some in Wales, doing things I wouldn't otherwise have – a maize maze, a scarecrow trail, a carousel horse trail, RAF Duxford, RHS Bridgewater, part of the Northumberland Coastal Path... I collect postcards, leaflets and things to put in the journal to remind me of the visits. This year we still have visits to Norfolk, Hampshire and Surrey. Next year I am looking at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, some of the Manifold Trail and The Lost Gardens of Helligan for starters! Now there’s always things to look forward to and special places to find.”
Wainwrights for heroes
Leona Thorpe: “I’m walking the Wainwrights, and taking a pic with the Lullaby Trust logo on top of each to raise awareness and funds. We lost my niece at three months old and the charity supported my brother and his wife, and they have extra support if you go on to have another baby. I’m on 124 so far. For me having another goal is a great motivator and also helps to keep you going when it's hard work. I work as a social worker with children with complex needs so getting out walking is really important to clear my head and connect with nature away from work stresses – as rewarding as the job is it’s hard some weeks. Walking is a lifesaver.”
All the roofs of the country
Liesl Van Niekerk: “I've been chipping away at the county tops all over the country. There are 97 in all and I'm on 63 now. I realised about four years ago I'd already bagged four (Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, Black Down and Brown Willy) and thought doing them all would be a great way to see the country. It is! I've discovered counties that aren't quite on tourism lists that have such amazing beauty. Places I never would have gone to if not for this challenge. Some tops are really dull, but my most recent one in Fife was an absolute pleasure!”
The Munros for me!
Salyen Latter: “After 5 years or so we’re now 142 and 146 into the 282-Munro total [Scottish mountains over 3000ft] and chipping away at it slowly. We’ve been to parts of Scotland we perhaps might never have gone to, we’ve camped up high in the mountains and low down in the glens. We’ve seen wildlife we wouldn’t ordinarily get to see. We’ve experienced all weathers. It’s been a mixture of type one fun (instant gratification), type two fun (fun in hindsight) and sometimes bordering on type three fun (why the hell are we doing this again??!!). We’ve had multiple days where we never saw a soul, but whatever the day brings, it’s a step closer to our goal. It’s been fantastic!”
Never-ending journey
Sally-Ann Fox: “We walked the South West Coast Path at a rate of a week a year for 13 years. We wouldn’t win any records for speed! But we added extra bits walking to and from accommodation, walking out to the end of headlands and visiting tourist attractions just off route. We visited lots of lovely cafes, a few pubs and stopped to sit and admire the stunning views. We loved every minute and didn’t want to stop coastal walking when we came to the end of the SWCP so decided to keep walking the coast on the same basis and see where we get to. We’re now on our second year post SWCP and as we speak are away walking some of the Isle of Wight coast – beautiful!”
Routes by commute
Keith La: “For me, there is nothing like a tick list or target to encourage a walking achievement. I’ve done the Wainwrights and am now two thirds through Wainwrights Outer Fells, but we’re also working through the National Trails of England and Wales. Living in the South, work and life commitments has necessitated completing these glorious walks in parts. It means there’s always something to look forward to. Whether it’s all of a type of trail, a trail in parts, a range of mountains or geographical markers such as trig points or county tops the options are huge with something for everyone. But, I think all have the benefit of extending one’s lifetime passion for walking.”
