Your letters, emails & posts

The things you’ve seen, the places you’ve been, the run-ins with police.

Walking has long been a hobby of mine – as a youngster I completed the Pennine Way double (one way, turn around and walk back), and in more recent years I’ve completed the Three Peaks challenge, and camped the South Downs Way.

I also spent 10 years as a chaplain on Beachy Head, but in April of 2018 found myself at my own very low ebb – virtually no energy, very down at heart, had lost all my get up and go. But I started walking up on the Downs again and started to notice the miles that I was doing. It was then I started with your ‘500 mile Summer’ challenge, and the fact of logging it kept me going.

When I started to struggle for energy, I went to see my GP whose initial tests pointed towards colon cancer. I also had very low iron and my blood levels suggested I was within one point of being diabetic.

But I kept walking, and pushing myself further. I had colonoscopy and gastroscopy which mercifully said I was cancer-free. But I still had no energy, so what next? Take tablets to build up iron and keep walking.

Well yesterday I completed the year having completed 1515.83 miles. I have masses of extra energy and have come off iron. And my diabetic score is almost down to normal range.

Was walking the medicine I needed to get over the cancer scare or was it the prayers of my local church? I’d like to say a little of each. I’d also suggest that not making time to walk was what allowed my health to drop so low in the first place. I’m now making time to walk every day, and recommend it to everyone as a great healer.

Attached is a photo from Beachy Head, where I did most of my miles. Mark Pybus, Polegate, East Sussex

Ed says: Such an inspiring and hopeful story Mark and a reminder not only of the power of walking but that the people who look after others also need looking after themselves.