‘HILLTOP WALKS have become my therapy’
When Melissa Talago wants to find some me time, she heads for the hills
Iused to squeeze in the odd gym class for relaxation but I never really enjoyed it, while organised events such as a spa day always seemed to end up costing a lot of money and feeling a bit forced. So when I discovered a love of walking, it quickly became very important to me. I embarked on my first long-distance walk three years ago when my husband was away and my two boys were at a weekend sports camp. I realised that what I really wanted was some time to myself, to clear my head and reconnect with the outside world. As my husband works abroad a lot, my life can be hectic, running the home as well as my own communications business, with no family support nearby. I’d become more of an observer than the one doing things.
That weekend, I walked 14 miles, staying in a hostel overnight and hiking back the next day. I loved the challenge of climbing the hills, using muscles I didn’t know I had. I hadn’t shared a room with other people since I was a teenager, but though I was the oldest there, everyone was very friendly. I got back home feeling refreshed.
Today, I regularly do a five-mile walk along the River Ouse near my home, and a long-distance hill walk once a month. To me, walking feels like a treat. It’s great exercise, but it’s the mental release I enjoy most. Being outside gives me a sense of freedom. Your thoughts slow down, you’re disconnected from life, the internet and modern distractions, and you start to notice things you wouldn’t have before, such as the flowers that grow at the side of the path or the birds wheeling through the air.
There’s something about the rhythm and pace of walking that’s calming, and it gives you a chance to work through your thoughts. If I’ve got a business problem, I’ll mull it over, sometimes even talking aloud to myself so things become clearer. By the end of the walk, I’m no longer thinking about anything at all.
My children think I’m mad – to them, walking is pointless – but I hope I’ll win them over one day. My husband’s ex-military and spent years marching in the rain, so he couldn’t see the attraction of walking for pleasure. But he’s recently joined me for a couple of walks and has had a change of heart.
I’ve also started a walking group for women just like me – we’re called the Glamoraks! I took a group of 16 on a hike to the Lake District; some of us walked up Kilimanjaro, too. It’s been hugely rewarding. When you walk with someone, even strangers, you really connect. It’s like therapy. Most of all, though, I like to walk alone. I get cabin fever when I’m in the house for long stretches of time, so when I’m feeling irritable, I go outside for a walk and instantly feel better.
Your thoughts slow down, and you’re disconnected from life