This is my first 1000 mile challenge, and before I had had even taken my first step, I had made loose plans to venture outside of my comfort zone and explore new places, I had imagined walking across Dartmoor in the spring fog, and along the coast Exmoor on a sunny day. Instead I’m walking almost in circles, trapped in a four mile square. I feel like a hamster in a wheel… lots of effort, but ultimately going nowhere.
I mentioned back in January that, the then, newly announced, lockdown was going to be a challenge. I figured the lockdown would just be for a couple of weeks, maybe a month, and we’d start to go back to the tier system and be able to move around a bit more freely. As it is, the limits to exercising have been nebulous and the lockdown doesn’t really show any signs of ending soon.
That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed it. I have. As I write this, I’m coming up on the 200 mile checkpoint. I already feel healthier and fitter, but I don’t necessarily feel I’ve achieved anything. It’s more like I’m in a holding pattern – waiting for the challenge to start properly.
How to keep lockdown walks interesting
I’m quite lucky as I live in a semi-rural location. Five minutes walk in one direction and I’m in the countryside, two minutes in the opposite direction and I’m in the town.
That being said 40 days into the challenge and I’m running out of places to walk. I knew I should have moved to Dartmoor! …although to be fair, maybe they’re getting bored of the same scenery too!
Over the weeks, I’ve been putting together a small list (I’ll add to it as my desperation grows), of little actions I’ve been taking to keep me motivated and keep me walking. Here are some ‘tips’ that I have found useful during lockdown…
Plan some core local routes
These are your fallback routes. I have three, each with varying distances the shortest being three miles the longest being seven miles.
The point of these core routes is that on days where you are feeling a little less motivated, or you have no idea where to go – you can do one of these routes without having to think about it. Just get your boots on and go.
Having multiple walks of varying distances allows you to choose which route you feel like doing or the one you need to do to meet your target.
These don’t have to be exciting or scenic walks, but if they are it’s a bonus! Two of my core routes involve a lot of ‘pavement pounding’ but they are great fallbacks – especially on wet weather days.
Go backwards!
I don’t mean that literally, seriously… Please don’t walk backwards. Instead, walk one of your core routes backwards. If it’s a circular route which you normally walk clockwise – next time do it anti-clockwise.
This sounds really simple… and it is, but it’s amazing how it can just ‘refresh’ a stale route. Walking one of my regular routes backwards has allowed me to notice quite a few things that I simply hadn’t before.
Race yourself!
The 1000 mile walking challenge is not a race… but that’s not to say you can’t indulge in a little competitive spirit against yourself.
If you find yourself walking the same route day in, day out – why not try to improve on your last time. I don’t mean by running or jogging – but by just pick up your pace very slightly.
Over the year, you’ll probably start to see your fitness improve naturally, it’s fun to see your average ‘minutes per mile’ time get lower. Why not challenge yourself to shave over a couple of seconds each time?
Walk at different times of day
This one might be out of your control, but where you are able to change up your walking time.
Walking in the evening can give a whole new lease of life to your route – if you normally walk during the day. Equally an early morning (we’re talking just after sunrise-ish) – is a refreshing experience.
Varying your walking schedule will help you see things in a whole new light, meet different people and see different events.
If you’re stuck walking at evenings during the week (I am sometimes) – then use the weekends to get out early.
Bring a buddy
Lockdown makes this one more tricky, but under the current guidance you can meet a single friend for a socially distanced walk.
If you’re struggling with boredom or motivation during your walk – having a friend or family member to talk to, can make a huge difference.
I’ve been walking with my son, and he manages to keep the conversation going, almost non-stop, for an entire four miles. even if we end up talking about the latest XBox games – it makes the walk fly by.
Podcasts & music
I’m the type of person that generally likes to ‘soak in’ my surroundings – and if you’re the same, this tip might not be for you. That being said, on occasion you can’t beat a good podcast!
Take a pair of headphones/ear buds with you and listen to some music or a good podcast. It can make a walk fly by!
Something to consider.. I generally only use one earbud, especially if I’m listening to stuff at night.. just so I can be aware of my surroundings.
(Got any good podcast recommendations? Let me know in the comments)
Use a footpath finder
When I started my challenge, I was only walking along paths I knew. then I discovered the Footpath Map
The website, which you can access on mobile, allows you to zoom in on your location and see public footpaths. This is great for discovering new routes, especially while you are out walking.
I’ve discovered about ten new routes in my immediate area that I had no idea were there. This is also handy for the next tip…
Take a right… not a left
Or vice versa!
Whether you’re walking along pavements, cycle tracks or woodland – next time you come to a crossroads take the path you haven’t taken before. Be spontaneous and take a different route, you’ll never know where you might end up.
The Footpath Map (mentioned above), is handy if you’re a bit nervous doing this as you can see where it’ll go before you make the decision.
I’ve found lots of great little paths, short cuts, and long cuts (is that even a thing? ) doing this. Unleash your explorer.
Plan for walks after lockdown
It may seem like it’s never going to end, but at some point lockdown will end. We’ll slowly be more free to explore another areas and travel farther afield.
No harm in grabbing your maps and planning a few walks now and making a ‘wish list’ or ‘places to walk’ list ready for later in the year.
What have you been doing?
There are a few ideas above to help maintain your motivation. Nothing ground breaking and I’m sure you are already on the case, but if you have any other tips please let me know in the comments or on social and I might update the list with the best ones (and a credit!)
Talking points