‘I walked 1000 miles and I NEVER want to do it again’

Critical care nurse Skye Steffens from Cambridgeshire walked 1000 of the hardest miles.

‘In 2021 I didn’t have a single boots-on mile, not one! I did 82% of my miles walking and running laps around the beds of my patients in the ICU. I did the miles in a way that exhausted me more than any long distance backpacking trip or cross country trek ever has. We helped those breathe when they couldn’t for themselves, we talked to their families when they couldn’t, we held phones to ears so they could hear their families’ voices. Then, if the time came when their bodies couldn’t fight anymore, we held their hands as they died, and yes, we cried.

‘We did as many as six 12-plus hour shifts a week, covering up to eight miles a time. Before I stumbled on #walk1000miles, my sanity had been waning with the stress I feel. But with it I found something to focus on other than helping people survive. My walk to/from the hospital helps clears my mind, be a better nurse, be a better spouse, not to let the weight of it all get to me. In my walking I’ve found the joy and beauty in simplicity. And getting my Completer Medal was a physical representation of all the hard work. I’m fiercely proud.

‘I’m moving towards 2022 with new walking/ backpacking goals and have already set some plans in motion that will ensure I get my 1000 boots on miles in 2022. Looking forward to the adventures that are coming my way.

‘The challenge and its community has been impactful in ways I can’t properly put to words. All I can say is thank you for giving us the challenge and creating the community. And thank you to everyone for being so wonderful and supportive of each other.’