More research to show the positives of walking

The East End Girls (my walking group) were born out of the Aviva Breakthrough to Breast Cancer 60 k walk in 2006, you can read all about the walk itself on http://www.walkerscoach.com/Breakthrough%20Walk.htm and we are well aware of the benefits that walking brings.

It is a form of exercise that impacts on so many aspects of health both physical and mental so how great to read today about further research that shows how walking cuts breast cancer. This is great news. Read all about it for yourself by accessing the story on

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2008/12December/Pages/Breastcancerandwalking.aspx

If you're wanting to walk email heather@walkerscoach and let me help you.

Frustration??

Only I believe caused by the choice and wanting to do it all. What am I talking about?


Today I got the latest copy of Country Walking delivered and it's packed full, as usual, of tips; information; ideas; walks but also there is a supplement of worldwide walks and I want to do them all. They inspire me as they provide challenges, opportunities to explore and see new places, scenery that is stunning in all kinds of weather and the chance to walk with like-minded people.


As I read, I can see myself there, stepping out in the Alps, back on the Inca Trail (see http://www.walkerscoach.com/inca_trail__the_dream_comes.htm ), exploring the Pyrenees and walks in virtually every country in the world.



Already on my calendar for 2009 is to complete the Thames Path with the East End Girls (http://www.walkerscoach.com/east_end_girls.htm), walking more of the Camino with Teresa which hopefully will mean two 4/5 day chunks in May and September and perhaps Hadrian's Wall. Can I fit in any more? Well what about when I'm in the States in July? Will keep you posted and until then I guess I just have to keep fuelling my inspiration and plan to do even more walking whenever I can.

Moonwalk, here we come.

This week I started training two lovely ladies to do the Moonwalk. This is the walk that people do to raise money for Breast Cancer and so popular it has become that it's as hard to get into as the marathon.

Elaine and Gill are doing it in May 2009 giving them 7 months to get fit and in shape to complete the 26.3 miles course which takes place through the night.

Our first walk on Wednesday evening was to give me a view of how they managed at this stage and we did just over an hours walk of about 3 miles. They both iimpressed me as they kept up a good pace, the chat was flowing and they were still smiling at the end.

They will join myself and the East End Girls tomorrow and walk for at least an hour. Then over the next 7 months we will build up their walking in terms of distance , pace and stamina. I'll bring you lots more reports as training develops.

Elaine and Gill before we started, happily they were still smiling at the end.

I felt queasy just watching it.

This path looks "interesting" - that's the message I got from my husband yesterday when he sent this link through. - http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1438490562

Hey girls is this a possibility for us? Have a look and make up your own mind!! Let me know what you think.

East End Girls on the march again.

First walk after the holidays and we were back on the Thames Path, this time from Windsor to Marlow although I wasn't sure we'd do it all.

Here we are and we had 5 new members this time, all of whom really enjoyed themselves.

The walk allowed for some opt out points which is essential when you have new members on such a long walk, well we don't want to frighten them off too soon and sensibly about 6 members left there. Poor Teresa is in recovery after doing in her Achilles and I've told her I'm not carrying her on the Camino!! More about that in future posts.

A happy buch stopped for lunch at Bray Lock.
A shortage of eating places meant a picnic but the weather was good to us, not sure what we'd have done if it had poured like the few days previously.




Joan and Stephanie enjoying the rest. Joan's first walk and she did the whole 14 miles - well done. She also listened to my tips and this is the email I got this morning - 'I took your advice: hot bath and legs against wall for 15 mins. Had another hot bath this morning; am feeling tired but, miracle of miracles, I'm not aching! It was so nice to meet you all, and I hope I didn't slow you down too much.'

A lovely stretch of River just leaving Maidenhead

Here are some of the texts and emails I received today -

'Thank you so much for a fantastic walk yesterday. My legs are certainly feeling it today!'

'I took your advice though and had a lovely long bath last night and a glass of wine.'

'Thanx 4 leading another great walk 2day. I really enjoyed it.'

'Thanks Heather – I really enjoyed my section of the walk – meeting the group and getting out into the fresh air. I certainly found out about the right shoes and jackets!'

If you are around London and want to join us, our next walk is Oct 11th - http://www.walkerscoach.com/east_end_girls.htm and if you are interested in being part of the East End Girl's network and setting up your own group, email me on heather@walkerscoach.com

Great new site

If you're into hiking or treking in a big way and want to find the best hikes all over the world, this site that I've just stumbled upon will help - http://www.besthike.com/ I know I'll use it when planning loads of my walks for the East End Girls and other walks and I like the way it breaks down regions making it easier to find what you want.

The power of PR.

The programme hasn't even gone out yet but already I've had enquiries from 4 new people to join my East End Girls and a potential client in the North West.

What will tomorrow bring? It's all very exciting.

Don't forget, radio 4 at 3.00 p.m. July 18th.

On the Radio.

I love to walk and I'm also a little bit of a performer hence the reason that I love to train, to talk to people and to appear in the media.

I was delighted to get a chance to do a mix of these on June 9th when myself and some of the East End Girls (my walking group) did a walk in the Lakes for Radio 4's 'Ramblings' programme.

Here we are about half way through the walk

The programme will be broadcast this Friday, July 18th on Radio 4 at 3.00p.m. If you can, do listen and tell me what you think. We even got a write up in the Radio Times!

You can comment through the blog or on heather@walkerscoach.com.

If you are inspired and want to walk, then the East End Girls are always looking for new members - http://www.walkerscoach.com/east_end_girls.htm and Walkers' Coach also runs a range of local walks called Walk your Way to WOW - http://www.walkerscoach.com/walk_your_way_to_wow.htm

If you'd like something in your area, wherever that might be, please let me know as we will be rolling out our programmes and services throughout the UK and Ireland in 2009.

The Inca Trail, relived....

It took me about a year to find the time to do it but finally , starting on the anniversary of the day we returned from this amazing trip I did. You can read it in it's entirety at http://www.walkerscoach.com/inca_trail__the_dream_comes.htm

I really did relive it all again and it was fantastic and of course also fuelled the wish to do something else. A few of us are off to France in October to walk the beginning part of the Camino de Santiago, that will be another tale to tell.

In the meantime, I had this lovely feedback from Gemma, one of my fellow travellers and an East End Girl who said - 'Just read your write-up of the Inca Trail. It brought back so many memories, I even had a tear in my eye!!'

Read it for yourself and be inspired and if you need some help on how to train, Walkers' Coach is there to help.

and more feedback...

The feedback is always good but on Saturday's walk it's flowing -

Chris emailed me with "Thanks for a fantastic day on Saturday. It was fun! Total freedom. It was great. Can't wait till the next one."

Actually for a group that has now been walking regularly for over two years, it's fabulous that people still enjoy it so much. And all the new people who came along in the New Year have joined too. Long live the East End Girls.

If you want to know more about us with a view to walking have a look at http://http://www.walkerscoach.com/east_end_girls.htm and if you'd like to discuss it then call me on 07941 246619 or 020 8220 6919.

If you'd like to start your own East End Girls, then we are looking to develop the network so that we can link up, organise events together, visit each other etc. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sunny Saturday...

"Saturday’s walk was fantastic, I enjoyed it very much. I think that was my favourite section of the Thames Path so far, although no doubt helped by the gorgeous weather we are having at the moment." - so emailed Lindsey to me and it was a fabulous day on Saturday in all ways.

Here's Lindsey and two of the others walking along a lovely shady section.

We were on our third part of the walk moving from the Woolwich Foot tunnel further East of the Thames Barrier towards it's source. This month we walked from Putney Bridge to Kingston upon Thames along the South Side of the River, it was bliss, so green and shady.

We passed some lovely building new and old, one inparticular was Harrods Furniture Depository which now looks as if it is home to many people. You're also more and more aware as you move along this part of the river just how much boating goes on, rowing being omnipresent.

We walked at quite a pace but it didn't really seem like hard work and were all rewarded with a late lunch at the end when we only had to get to the station. Worth waiting for. next month it's on to Shepperton.

Thames Path, 2nd section

On Sunday, the East End girls did part two of our Thames Path walk and we all managed 12 miles from Mile End all the way to PutneyBridge. Especially well done to our 4 newest members who all kept up and are rearing to go on part three in a couple of weeks.

Here they all are at the Pagoda in Battersea Park.

Thanks for decent weather

As I sit at my desk looking out at the torrential rain, flashes of lightening, black skies and buffeted trees, I am very grateful for dry weather this past weekend.

Mid way through last week, the forecast was for rain all day Saturday and showers on Sunday especially in the afternoon, not what I wanted when two walks were planned but we've walked in rain before.

However, thankfully it was not to be and here are all the girls at the start of the Thames Path walk.

We added a short distance to allow us to start at S. Woolwich where crossing the river was easier and walked as far as Limehouse basin on the path. We'll pick up from here again next month and aim for Putney.

The weather on Sunday morning was even better when Cajsa, Christine and I started the Big Fun Walk. In aid of the North London Hospice, this walk is growing in popularity with registration to the event closing a week before it, last year they were taking registrations on the day. It really is a lovely walk starting at East Finchley Tube Station and passing through about 7 London Parks on it's journey to Westminster.

Great organisation, biscuits, water and lunch provided en route and coffee etc at the end. Dog biscuits and water also provided for our canine friends.

Christine, Cajsa and I did a fast paced walk covering the route in 3 hours and enjoying a good workout. This is definitely a walk to consider if you live in or around London and anyone who walks with me, I think we'll put a team in next year.

Here we are at the end ready to head off for a well deserved coffee and cake!!

First EEG walk of 2008

I have been walking with the East End girls on our first walk of 2008. To meet everyone's needs - those who have not walked for a while, those new to the group and to walking, Marina who is pregnant and Usha who needed to do other things as well, I planned a walk with opt out points and options for continuing for those who wanted to.

What a great day and what superb weather. Bright sunshine in blue skies and a seat for all of us in Starbucks when we had a late coffee break. It was so good to be striding out again and enjoying the company of the girls. Those of us who stayed to the end did about 20,000 steps and 10 miles but to everyone, well done and see you on the next walk on Feb 3rd.

If any of you reading this want to get involved in walking more - we have so much fun - email me on heather@walkerscoach.com and let's have a chat. It's the best exercise ever!!