‘WHAT A JOURNEY!’

Chelsea Louise Hayden, 26, Llangollen I’ve tried other things but I always come back to walking – because you can take off whenever you like, you don’t need any fancy or expensive kit and it’s a free way to enjoy nature. I wanted to take the challenge up because for the last few years I’ve had in mind that I want to retrain as a hill and moorland leader but in all honestly, I didn’t think my fitness or confidence was up to it! Walking nearly every day has showed me otherwise and now I’m doing it! I feel so healthy! Physically I’ve seen a big difference. I had asthma as a child and sometimes I get it now but walking has certainly increased my lung capacity. My calf muscles are like a rugby player’s – I can’t fit them into my wellies! I don’t shy away from the steeper hills and my pace has increased. I honestly believe walking and being outdoors helps me with my mental resilience too. Walking has give me a sense of freedom and self-confidence – and a fresh perspective. I’ve seen hundreds of miles of rolling countryside, dramatic coasts, stunning sunsets, thick foggy nights and snow, downpours and gale-force winds, trees clothed in fresh leaves, wild flowers sprouting, kestrels flying high – oh my word, what a journey!