Fitness
JUNE 2019 HEALTHY FOOD GUIDE 83
RenataRussell,58,isaneventco-ordinator
from Hertfordshire. She joined some short
local health walks when she was recovering
from breast cancer in 2014, and now walks
with Ramblers most weekends.
I was diagnosed with a rare form of breast
cancer in 2013 that required extensive
treatment over the next couple of years. It took its toll and left me
weak, breathless and feeling low. I had to retain any energy I had for
returning to work, but I’ve always loved being outdoors in the fresh
air, so it felt incredibly isolating to have to stay in and rest.
I knew I needed to try to get myself fit, but one of the more
serious side effects of my treatment, pulmonary embolism (multiple
blood clots in my lungs), made me scared to exercise. One day I
spotted a leaflet in my GP surgery advertising a local Walking for
Health group and decided to give it a try. I was really nervous going
along for the first one, but I was asked to fill out a short form about
my health and the leader reassured me we’d only be walking for 45
minutes and no one would get left behind. I was huffing and puffing
on that first walk but I was so glad I did it. It really helped me feel
safe, walking with a group of supportive people.
For about 18 months I walked whenever I could with that group.
I wanted to keep it short and local in case I got into breathing
difficulties. It was comforting to see familiar faces and discover new
places to walk locally. With time, I was losing weight and feeling
fitter – and proud of myself for both. My lung capacity had
increased and I wanted to walk further. Some of the people on the
health walks talked about Ramblers but I’d always thought that
the organisation was for fast, serious walkers. They assured me it
welcomed all abilities, so I took the plunge.THE RAMBLING BUG
I started going on some five-mile rambles, which could take a couple
of hours. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. We’d walk
whatever the weather. It wasn’t only the walking that I enjoyed- having the opportunity to meet and chat with friendly people,
some of whom had also recovered from illness, was very valuable.
We were able to listen and support each other on our walks, so it
was like therapy in a way.
These days I can comfortably walk up to eight miles. At the end of
last year, I did my first 10-miler, walking from Welwyn Garden City
to Hertford along the old rail track. I’ve discovered some beautiful
local routes with Ramblers and they’ve taken me to places I wouldn’t
walk on my own – there’s safety as well as company in numbers.
Walking has definitely been key to my emotional as well as my
physical recovery, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to
get their fitness and confidence back after a trauma. For me, being
outdoors in the countryside is really uplifting and almost spiritual,
seeing green fields, wildlife or a beautiful blue sky. When I return
home from a walk I always feel so much happier and healthier, and
very grateful that I’m alive.
CASE STUDY
^Walking got me back to fitness
while recovering from cancer_Strava,
free (with
subscription
upgrade options), App
Store, Google Play
This was originally a
platform for cyclists
and runners, but is just
as handy for walkers to
log activity, track fitness
and share stats across
a fitness social network.
Syncs to most trackers
or fitness watches.
up, why not challenge yourself to take part in a
walking event, going further, higher or faster than
you have done before? The cancer charity Macmillan
runs Mighty Hikes that offer the chance to follow a
marshalled 26-mile route while raising money. They
take place from June to September this year across
eight stunning locations (register at macmillan.org.
uk/challenge). Many popular Ultra Running festivals
have options for walkers to take part. Or you could
choose one of the National Trails and challenge
friends to complete it over a set period (over several
weekends during a year, say).
There are lots of opportunities to learn skills, from
becoming a walk leader to finding out how to claim
historical rights of way. Or how about some climbing
or mountain training? The British Mountaineering
Council (thebmc.co.uk) offers courses, as does
Ramblers. Who knows, your love of walking could
even take you into a new career.PitPat dog
activity
monitor,
£39, and app, free,
pitpat.com. This small,
on-collar device gives
a fun insight into how
much ground you
and your canine
companion are
covering. A three-axis
accelerometer can
identify walking,
running and playing.