Guest column: Nina Barough
A walking challenge can achieve the incredible – says the woman whose MoonWalks have raised £120m
Meet the founder of the MoonWalk.
IT’S EASY TO see why walking has been classed as the perfect exercise. To be able to step out of your door at any time of year in all weathers can be invigorating, energetic, relaxing, a stress release, fun, whatever you want it to be, not to mention the abundance of health benefits that walking can bring, both mentally and physically is amazing.
But those benefits can dramatically increase when the bar is raised, the pace and purpose of walking is increased, and you set yourself a challenge. The decision to take on that challenge can completely rejuvenate your body and mind and you can suddenly find yourself doing something quite extraordinary that you had never dreamt you could achieve.
Over the years I have seen thousands of women, men and children, take on Walk the Walk challenges, and even though the odds seemed stacked against them, because of age, ability or disabilities, health, or mostly their own self-doubt, they have found the motivation to take their walking to the next level, to walk challenging distances, to walk marathons in a set time, and to walk in remote parts of the world.
Many of the people that take on Walk the Walk challenges are motivated by the desire to help others and especially with the united aim we all have of finding a cure for breast cancer. Some people are looking for something that will dramatically change their lives, for others small steps and smaller challenges work best.
Once you have chosen your challenge, it’s important to recognise three simple things: that your goal should be realistic and attainable, that you are prepared to go that ‘extra mile’ in the effort you put in to get it, and that you are ready to overcome any obstacles that may occur along the way.
The secret of success on any walking challenge is to break the preparation or training down into manageable stepping stones, and this is where by joining # walk1000miles you will be making a great start. By setting your goal of walking at least 2.74 miles every day for a year, not only will you be achieving your 1000-mile goal, which is a great achievement, you will also be getting used to walking on a daily basis, so your short-term goals will be helping your longer-term goals and before you know it you will be walking further and longer than you perhaps ever imagined. With a new level fitness, it then opens the door to a host of possibilities! The year is young, and now is the perfect time to take a new look at what you could do to improve your fitness and well-being. Even small changes can make a big difference. Research has shown that diet, lifestyle and exercise are key to good health and prevention against disease. By signing up for Country Walking’s #walk1000miles and picking yourself a Walk the Walk Challenge, add a little technique and you could go from being a walker, to a Power Walker in just two weeks.
Don’t let the winter weather put you off – with a lightweight hooded waterproof jacket, a wicking T-shirt, lightweight leggings, a pull-on beanie and a good pair of waterproof trailshoes, you are all set to own the road, the trail!
So let’s stop talking and let’s start walking, you could just do everything the same as you have done before or this year you could choose a different and extraordinary path. In the words of a quote I discovered on the internet recently “No matter how old you are now. You are never too young or too old for success or going after what you want.” Good luck, happy walking!