Jane hits her Country Walking #Walk1000 miles challenge target

As charity partner for Country Walking Magazine's #walk1000miles in 2019 challenge, we've been speaking to Walkers who are getting involved! Jane has talked about her relationship with Walking, and following the Nijmegen Marches with Walk the Walk has now reached her #Walk1000 miles target! 

You can read Jane's previous blog here.

Getting Back Out there (Kicking Butt)

Since my last blog in May, time has flown by. June was very full on, after completing the London to Brighton Challenge and I had to pull myself back together and recover, which was tough.

I have also been suffering from an intermittent illness, which put the training on semi hold. I’ve tried to get out there, but I have been feeling tired and worried that I would fall ill again while out on my own. I also felt so unfit and with another challenge coming up, walking from Arundel to Winchester along the South Downs (Race to the King) over two days, I was thinking of pulling out. Luckily I have good walking buddies who I could talk to!

Although I was ill again while walking this event, I did finish. Yet again, I could not have done this without Julie and Christine, both are very experienced walkers and caring humans. I’m also too pig headed to give up!

Miles to date 1000, (boots on). Woo hoo, I did it. I am now a proclaimer x 2

The Nijmegen Marches 

I had a major challenge ahead in July, The Nijmegen Marches in the Netherlands, taking part with breast cancer charity Walk the Walk. This was my second consecutive year doing the Marches as part of a team. The aim was to walk 160km in 4 days alongside 47,000 others, including military. I was worried I would not be able to train or go, but I knew that if I could stick to the training plan which Walk the Walk send out I would at least have a chance.

With the OK from my doctors, I did go to Nijmegen and once again had an amazing time. It was tough and with tired legs and blistered feet, we sang and danced our way around the route each day. We all looked out for each other and I’m proud to say we all completed the event as part of a team. This event is very special to me, not only is it the hardest event I have taken part in, its also one of a kind. I feel very humbled and proud to walk alongside military from around the world, with my fellow Walk the walkers and such special friendships were made.

In August all it’s done is rain, rain, rain!

I gave myself a week off from walking to recover & heal those blisters. Although I reached my 1000 mile mark in June, I wanted to carry on adding up the miles. I stopped counting them last year, as soon as I had reached 1000, so this year I’m going to see how many miles I can do in a year!

I have found it very hard to start walking again. I have had PEB (Post Event Blues). I’ve missed everyone from Nijmegen and it took my husband Roger to kick my butt out of the door to get me walking again. Another training plan gets put up on the wall! This time we are both training for a trek in Patagonia at the end of the year.

My walking is more off road now.

For this, Roger has sorted out the routes to walk. Hills and off road are my nemesis, my back doesn’t like them, but life’s too short to whinge and once we’re out there in Patagonia, I know it will be incredible and so off we go!

We try to walk early as it’s the best time of the day for me, we usually get out at about 5.30 am (once I’ve rolled out of bed that is). The world comes to life as we walk, birds start to sing as dawn breaks, and there is hardly a car on the roads, as we make our way along the lanes, then slowly walk up into the hills. We’re so lucky to have the South Downs on our doorstep - it’s so beautiful to walk here and the views always take my breath away.

Roger and I decided to do a training walk from Cocking to Harting and back again, (14 miles) and we were joined by Claire & Christine, fellow Walk the Walkers, who have become walking buddies over the years. It was another chance to catch up while putting the miles in. Starting off, the first mile was a steep incline and is always tough, but the views outweigh the burning legs. We’d done one hill, with five hills to go!

The weather was kind to us and Roger filled the girls in on the history of some of the places we passed. Soon the miles passed and we reached Harting Hill, where we stopped to catch our breath, and have a quick bite to eat. The sun came out and looking around I realised how beautiful life is and we started to head back. We all decided to tackle the steepest hill Harting Down (you can walk around this hill & we chose to do this on the way out). It was a tough climb and the steepest part had steps made by fellow walkers to help with the gradient. Out of breath, I had to stop a few times, but before long I was at the top and caught up with the others. You can see the Isle of Wight from the top. We were soon finished and a cup of tea awaited!

Every event or walk I take part in helps me, as walking helps my mental health and keeps me fit. Raising funds for Walk the Walk too is a bonus. Too many people I know, have or have had breast cancer. Together we can help achieve incredible things.

My aim is to see how many miles I can do this year! Miles to date - 1292 (Boots on)

To sign up or find out more about Country Walking Magazine's #walk1000miles in 2019 challenge click here!

Feeling inspired?

Join The MoonWalk London, Register your Interest for The MoonWalk Scotland or take a look at the other Walk the Walk Challenges on offer... sign up now and start adding up your mileage in 2019 all whilst raising money for vital breast cancer causes!