#Walk1000miles
Is there any such thing as a ‘typical walker’ in 2018?
ÔWHAT DOES A walker look like? Apparently nothing like me’ wrote Lisa Mcatee, (pictured above), in the #walk1000miles Facebook group last month, after an exchange with a customer in the post office where she works. ‘She asked if I had plans for my two days off, and when I said I was going walking she said “Walking? You don’t look the sort!” and blatantly looked me up and down. I said yes walking, I help organise a women’s walking group, have climbed various mountains and I’m on my second year of #walk1000miles. “Well you’ve shocked me” she replied. I just laughed and said you should try it. It makes you a much better person!”
Which got us thinking. While traces of the stereotype of the straight, white, skinny, brownleather-booted, grey-headed, bobbly-sock-wearing, ploughmans-eating, dubbinloving typical walker linger in the media, just how out of date can it be?
‘I’M TOTALLY BLIND… AND I GET LOADS OUT OF WALKING’
“I’m totally blind so people think me walking is a waste of time as I can’t see my surroundings. Actually I get loads out of it. From hearing how much fun my guide dog Darby is having off the lead, to getting to try edible plants, taking the time to listen to the birds, running water and the wind in the trees. Feeling rocks, trees and plants. Smelling all the scents around me and it’s so important to me getting to meet other walkers and making friends. Walking is all about using all your senses not just your eyes!” Kimberley Frances Jones
‘PINK HAIR, TATTOOS, PIERCINGS, THAT’S ME’
“This is me. Been a walker for too many years to remember. Refuse to have normal coloured hair, and I have tattoos & piercings, one of which can be seen in the pic above my eye – and I fully intend getting more of both in the near future. Currently I’m a commuter (1st class if you don’t mind) en route to Glasgow, but normally I’m in the beautiful Scottish Highlands resembling something that looks like it fell off the back of a lorry, ha!” Carole Robertson
‘I DON’T ALWAYS WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR’
“I’m an ex-stewardess who spent her twenties whizzing around the globe and partying hard (I’m 49 and three-quarters and it’ll be a relief to reach 50 unscathed!). Now I’m a landscaper and me and Hoover cram in as many UK walking hols as possible together – in fact I haven’t been on a plane since 2008, ironic! This year it’s Ceredigion, The Peak District, Isle of Wight, Glencoe and the Lakes. I adore our little island and think we’re the luckiest people on the planet. I don’t always wear the right gear for the outdoors, but I do wear layers... lots of them! Love life, love the outdoors, love the mag!” Ali Page
‘PEOPLE THINK I MUST SPEND MY LIFE ON THE SOFA’
“I went into a local branch of a national outdoor shop a few weeks ago for some new walking trainers. I like the proper ones with the proper grippy soles, but couldn’t see any so asked if they had any in. The shop assistant looked me up and down and told me I really don’t need those soles for shopping, they’re really only for proper walkers who need the grip! I’m a size 20 alright but I told him I’d just walked up Ben Nevis with ice axe and crampons and was doing Snowdon in a few weeks and did he think I spent all my life on the sofa?” Paula Louise
‘PEOPLE DON’T SEE ME AS A WALKER’
“I’m 25 and in the Navy, covered in tattoos and was never a walker til my mum started this challenge back in January and I saw the results, and how buzzing she was when filling out her tracker. I decided to try out the 500 mile summer with a view to the 1000 next year. It’s getting me off my PlayStation and out of the gym, seeing wildlife and taking in views I probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I’ve lost 8lbs in under two months and that’s spurred me on. People don’t really see me as a walker simply because of the way I look but the challenge is motivating me massively!” Becca Kyle
‘WHO SAYS YOU HAVE TO BE YOUNG?’
“I’m 72 and I love walking, I still climb trees and sometimes I feel 21. But after a long day’s walk and a few running sessions at my running club I feel epic! Who said you have to be young? I have to challenge myself all the time and there are still a few mountains to climb. We walked from when we first stood up as children. It keeps you out of the doctor’s surgery.” Coralin Harrison
‘OPEN-MINDED IN LOVE AND LIFE’
“Me and my wife-to-be MaryAnne Slater, liberal and openminded in love and life. Aged 32, we’ve been walking together for the past year since moving to North Yorkshire, particularly since joining a local walking group and inspired by #walk1000miles. I enjoy walking for fresh air, beautiful views and a clear mind. And I find sweets very important to walks.” Clare Jackson (on right)
‘UNDERWEIGHT, NOT MUCH HAIR, BRING IT ON!’
“I am 54, underweight and with not much hair due to a stem cell transplant in January following a recurrence of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. But I’m going on a walking holiday next week in Wales trying to get my skinny no-muscle legs back up those hills. Last time I went through this I did the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, South Downs Way and the Coast to Coast. So bring it on!” Rebecca Shevill
‘SCOTLAND ER HJEMME NU’*
“I suppose I’m a 42-year-old Danish punk, but now Inverness is home, where I work as a veterinary nurse. I’ve enjoyed walking for years, and it’s helped me battle the depression I’ve suffered on a regular basis. Without a morning walk my head shuts down during the day. Longer walks in nature on days off helps clear my head and find my way back to me.” Vibeke Dahl (*Scotland is home now)
‘YOU DON’T NEED TO BE SKINNY TO BE FIT’
“I walked Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike two weekends ago, and on the way up Ben Nevis we saw a group of Scots Guards coming down doing the 3 peaks challenge and one said to me ‘See boys? You don’t need to be skinny to be fit!’ I hiked both mountains with my two-year-old son on my back. Just goes to show you can be obese and fitter than a skinny person.” Nicky Walters
‘47-YEAR-OLD CRIMSON-HAIRED OFFICE WORKING GRANDMOTHER’
“I started walking six years ago to escape from depression... and not stopped since! Mother and grandmother, currently sporting red hair (has also been blue, purple, pink, green...), overweight due to a love of alcohol and food but also fairly fit – completed Kilimanjaro, Inca Trail, Mount Toubkal, Welsh and Yorkshire 3 peaks, the Camino, Cornish coast, Hadrian’s Wall... and I love a selfie!” Tracey Parnell
‘I USED TO HERD GOATS IN NAMIBIA’
“Namibian born, I’ve lived in the UK for 18 years. I grew up in my village as a goat herder so walking has been my way of life since day one. This wonderful challenge has been huge in my life. To come here and get this love out of nowhere, I feel right at home. Previously I’ve never walked in snow because I was only ever a spring/summer walker. My biggest headache is I actually don’t know how to read a map, so if we meet somewhere and I stop you to ask directions please don’t be mad!” Bryan Mbatjiuoujekumeetu Shervin Hembapu
We want you in our gang! Join the friendliest group ever, whether you’re nudist, communist, cubist or as ‘normal’ as can be. Start at www.walk1000miles.co.uk