There’s something exciting and incredibly motivating about having a challenge to look forward to. You might have taken part in a Walk the Walk challenge before, looking for a bucket list activity to check off your list or are considering your first charity event; choosing your next goal can give you something positive to work towards and a reason to keep moving.
While your next challenge might still feel a little way off, signing up early can help turn an idea into a plan.
Give yourself something to look forward to
As the year gets busier, it can be easy for fitness goals and personal challenges to slip down the priority list. Having an event in the diary gives you something to work towards and can help you stay motivated.
It could be the chance to improve your fitness, spend more time outdoors, raise money for a cause that matters to you, build better relationships with friends and family, or challenge yourself to do something you have never done before. Whatever your reason for taking part, having that big thing to aim for can make it easier to build walking and activity into your routine.
You do not have to wait until you feel completely ready to start planning. Signing up is usually the hardest part and the kick-start people need to start feeling ready!
Why sign up early?
The key benefit to signing up early is so you don’t have to panic about outfits, fundraising amounts or your fitness levels a few weeks before you’re about to take on a mammoth walking challenge!
It also gives you more time to think about your fundraising ideas and decide how you want to get involved. You could start putting together your fundraising plan, get your friends and family on board or find a walking partner to take on the challenge with you.
Most importantly, you will have something in the calendar to look forward to. It might seem a long way away now, but the months will soon fly by.
Your next challenge does not have to be bigger
Taking on another challenge does not necessarily mean walking further or pushing yourself harder than last time. Your next challenge can be whatever feels right for you.
Perhaps you want to try a different distance, get a group of friends together this time, or return to an event that has become an important part of your year. You might even be ready to take on your first walk for charity and experience the atmosphere and community for yourself.
There is no ‘right way’ to do it. What matters is finding something that gives you a reason to get moving and a cause that you feel passionate about supporting, and the rest will then follow.
Make it a shared experience
One of the best things about charity walking events is the sense of community that comes with them. The training, fundraising and event itself can all be made even more enjoyable when you have other people alongside you, whilst being cheered on by thousands of others on the night!
What will your next challenge be?
Whether you are returning to a Walk the Walk event, looking for charity walking events in the UK or preparing to sign up for your first charity walk, your next challenge starts long before you reach the start line. It starts with deciding to take that first step.
For more information on how to get involved, click here.