‘I’m fit, happy and outgoing again’
Geoffrey Mayne, 53, from Leicestershire is currently on 1310 miles having smashed his 1000-mile target despite suffering from fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue six years ago. Sometimes it would leave me unable to do a thing. I struggled to get back to any form of fitness, then two years ago I had severe pneumonia which left me with dysfunctional breathing. That was the lowest point. But then I woke up one day and decided that the day was mine and fibromyalgia can have me at night. I started walking. Then when I saw this challenge I decided to see just how far I could push these conditions before they really stumped me. I soon began to notice walking really helps with everything. I can’t say it’s been easy or pain free. But as the miles built up and I became fitter I found that coping with fibro and fatigue became a way of life. And so here I am, still going, living with the pain and enjoying just walking. I do pretty much what I can in the daytime, and the nights – well they’re taken by the disease. Doing the challenge has been very important to me. It’s made me exercise and get back to feeling fit and happy. I used to be low and withdrawn – now I’m outgoing again. I’ve got family and before I couldn’t walk properly or play with them, but now that’s all changed. I don’t think there’s anything better than deciding to do something every day. It feels wonderful to be part of the #walk1000miles community. It’s great to see so many achievers and people just getting away from the telly and seeing the countryside. There’s so much to see! You just have to do it.