Feel the difference

I did quite a bit of walking in my youth, but as my waistline would attest, hadn’t done any for years. But after feeling cooped up, I started the 1000 miles challenge in mid-June last year and completed it on 9 May 2022. While it made a noticeable difference to my physical health (and waistline), I was more surprised by the positive, almost immediate, effect it had on my mental health.

I don’t have the same dramatic tale to tell as many, but I feel I could fill a magazine with reasons for others to do the challenge. To anyone who hasn’t done it, stop thinking g about it and get out there – all you need is boots and socks, and the rest of the gear (which isn’t that much) can follow later.

You will be amazed by what you discover right on your doorstep and in yourself. Recently a minor procedure has curtailed things and the effects of being becalmed are very noticeable. I’m impatient to walk more! Good luck to anyone starting out, and I hope you get the same sense of achievement, and feel the difference, I did.

David Thornley, by email