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Original poster

Best foot forward for 2023: a thread for walkers

133 replies

crosshatching · 27/12/2022 20:27

Come and tell me all your walking adventure plans for the New Year. No matter if you're just making it around the block, walking the pooch or doing the Camino de Santiago.

I'll be exploring the countryside around me and hopefully a further afield, getting a bit fitter and hoping to meet some other local walkers.

OP posts:
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17
PositivePants2023 · 03/01/2023 19:30

MastieMum · 03/01/2023 19:26

@PositivePants2023 it's a few years since I did marathon walking but I do remember that taking spare socks to change into half way always reinvigorated me! And spare pants too, if you can - chafing etc...

They’re really good tips! Thank you! How long did it take you? X

MastieMum · 03/01/2023 19:26

@PositivePants2023 it's a few years since I did marathon walking but I do remember that taking spare socks to change into half way always reinvigorated me! And spare pants too, if you can - chafing etc...

PositivePants2023 · 03/01/2023 19:11

Hi can I join in?!

Love walking with the dog. Happily walk up to 10 miles when we go away.

However… I’ve signed up for a marathon ‘hike’ (although I think my course is fairly flat) and am a bit stressed, I ran the London marathon a year or so ago and wasn’t nearly as worried as I am about this… maybe because of how long it will take walking?! Any tips? Xx

Theskyoutsideisblue · 03/01/2023 04:47

Did 9.5 miles on 1st and 11 yesterday. We were away for 2 days walking though. Today will be about 7 on long dog walk locally

dontdivorceoverchacha · 02/01/2023 14:17

thesnailandthewhale · 01/01/2023 13:47

Beach walk done this morning and first 11 miles chalked off :)

I have beach envy. Counting steps rather than miles atm due to the dodgy foot. Trying to add 500 steps each day to my count and hit 4000 👍 frustrating to say the least but hopefully slowly building up wins the game 🤞 clocked the post about the exercises and will investigate 👏

ProfYaffle · 02/01/2023 07:12

I finally managed to sign up to the 1000 mile challenge on the second attempt after failing the 'are you a robot?' test Confused

ErrolTheDragon · 01/01/2023 22:19

We've been having an unplanned break in the Cambridge area with my DD, we went to Anglesey abbey and Wimpole hall, 12.6km in their grounds plus another 2kmthis evening in the town so I'm starting the year with 14.6 km

PauliesWalnuts · 01/01/2023 17:19

None for me today as it’s been raining all day but boyfriend and I have a 14 miler through Calderdale planned for tomorrow. Sounds worse than it is - it’s a short steep climb to the top of a plateau and then most of the rest of it is flat.

ChristmasCrackler · 01/01/2023 17:05

I walked a lot in the summer but have gradually fallen by the wayside, though still quite active.
So I'm in!
Plan to do a stroll this evening so i can log my start.
Thanks!

ProfYaffle · 01/01/2023 16:56

Almost 7 miles today. Dh and I are going to sign up to the 1,000 mile challenge but 3 miles a day seems daunting. It'll be easier in the summer with the light evenings though.

Billybagpuss · 01/01/2023 16:50

4.25 miles today

WhatWouldHopperDo · 01/01/2023 13:59

Hi all. I have a dog so walk most days but I have got lazy in the shit weather so want to improve my stamina. DH and I did 2 miles yesterday.

We are lucky to live on the south coast so we have lots of options for walking. I’m aiming to do 500 miles this year as 1000 is just unrealistic for me.

I like the idea of mentally walking a certain route so I am going ti invent my own first challenge. Maybe the perimeter of Loch Ness or something?

I’d love to do the Camino one day (in real life, not mentally!)

thefinaltwist · 01/01/2023 13:52

I love walking but find it very hard to fit in. I work 5 days a week and my dh is a hgv driver so can work long hours or away for the night so all childcare/household tasks fall to me so I find it hard to find a gap for walking 🙁

thesnailandthewhale · 01/01/2023 13:47

Beach walk done this morning and first 11 miles chalked off :)

Original poster
crosshatching · 01/01/2023 12:19

Welcome @Readytostartagain honestly at the moment I'm happy to just manage my step count goal!

Good luck to everyone stepping out on a new habit today.

OP posts:
BookWorm45 · 01/01/2023 10:00

Sounds great, I'm in.

@Readytostartagain have you come across the British Pilgrimage Trust (if you are in UK) - they look to have interesting walks.

Readytostartagain · 01/01/2023 08:37

Can I join? Walking has fallen rather by the wayside so more if a round the block type at the moment though would love to do a pilgrimage walk at some point

ErrolTheDragon · 31/12/2022 23:30

DH and I have been walking very regularly over the last 3 years - just totted up my totals for 2022 at about 2090 km . Unfortunately he's developed some foot issues so we may not manage quite as much in 2023.

PauliesWalnuts · 31/12/2022 17:30

Another one with a target of 1,000 miles in 2023, and hopefully a few more Wainwrights ticked off - I think I have 122 still to do. Cycling target is 2,000 but if I stick to my cycle commuted that should be do-able.

blackheartsgirl · 31/12/2022 17:23

thank you for foot exercise recommendations! I will have a look at these. It’s the tops of
my feet and my toe joints that hurt the most but if I can help my feet muscles get a bit stronger then that will help hopefully.

i took our dog out for a 4 mile walk today, my feet were aching by the end of it but it feels great

BigSkies2022 · 31/12/2022 16:53

Clocked up 6.6km today walking to the library and back, and taking Ddog for a walk in the woods. It was raining, and muddy, and I have a cold, but I enjoyed it all anyway. If I can maintain this frame of mind, and build this habit, I shall be in good shape mentally and physically in 2023! Good luck to all us walkers!

ProfYaffle · 30/12/2022 12:04

I've found doing rebounder exercises really good for strengthening my feet and knees.

EasterIsland · 30/12/2022 11:24

search 'foot strength for dancers' you will come up with good exercise routines for improving strength and flexibility in your feet, ankles and calves.

Look particularly for 'doming' and 'Alfredson's heel drops'. Both excellent exercises/stretches.

Original poster
crosshatching · 30/12/2022 11:04

So sorry for your loss @blackheartsgirl I hope you find your strength returning very soon.

www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/dec/30/dark-days-are-a-time-to-replenish-how-to-walk-well-in-winter

Here's a lovely article on winter walking which I am very much in favour of in principle but not on days like today with driving rain coming in sideways!

OP posts:
BigSkies2022 · 30/12/2022 10:30

@blackheartsgirl I also had painful feet but I've improved them a lot with exercise. If you go on YouTube and search 'foot strength for dancers' you will come up with good exercise routines for improving strength and flexibility in your feet, ankles and calves.

I'm sorry for your loss - hope you get out and about more in 2023.

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