For national walking month in May, Cheryl set herself a challenge, walking 100 miles in support of the National Deaf Childrens Society as part of her 50 before 50 goals.
The month started positively, easing into the challenge with some shared time outdoors and a relaxed approach to building up the miles.
“A few walks with Steve my other half, including a Friday night walk to the pub after work which felt like a good way to ease into things. That didn’t last long. It quickly became a mix of early solo walks while Steve stayed in bed, lunchtime walks squeezed in between meetings, and the odd evening walk, again to the pub, when we could both fit it in.”
As the days went on, fitting in the walking became less about choosing the perfect time and more about making it work around everyday life. Cheryl began adapting her routine to make sure the miles added up, even on the busiest days.
To reach her goal, Cheryl found creative ways to fit walking into daily life.
“Parking my car at the station the day before so I had no choice but to walk to collect it. Walking to meetings. Walking to pick up a friend’s car so Steve could MOT it. Even building walks into days out, including a trip into London which somehow involved a lot of extra miles between places. “
Like any challenge, it wasn’t always straightforward. There were days where motivation was low, and the focus shifted to simply getting out the door.
Cheryl did face some challenges along the way, and not every day felt motivating. She explains:
“Some days were just about getting out and getting it done. Cold mornings, wet walks where I tried to dodge the rain and failed, and blisters that made every step a bit more of a challenge.”
At the beginning, the physical side of the challenge was the biggest hurdle, as her body adjusted to the sudden increase in activity.
“At the start, the physical side was definitely the hardest. My feet needed some time to adjust, especially with the blisters early on, and getting out in the cold or rain was a bit of effort.”
Despite the more difficult days, there were still plenty of moments that made the challenge enjoyable and memorable, helping to keep her motivated and on track.
“A country walk through fields to my sister’s to celebrate my parents’ 55th wedding anniversary. A “say no to everything” challenge during a day out that resulted in even more walking when we went the wrong way! And a few pub walks that became a bit of a theme across the month…..this walking lark is expensive!”
As the weeks went on, the experience began to shift. What initially felt like a challenge started to become more routine, and gradually, more enjoyable.
“By the third week, things started to feel a bit easier. The weather picked up, the routine kicked in, and I found myself enjoying the quieter walks more. A windy seafront walk, a lunchtime walk in the sun, and discovering a woodland path I’d never noticed before, complete with a cute little bridge.”
These quieter moments became some of the most meaningful parts of the experience, offering time to pause and reset during busy days. The benefits weren’t just physical, but mental too.
“Mentally, it made more of a difference than I thought it would. Having time to myself on solo walks, or just getting outside between meetings, gave me a bit of space in the day. By the end I looked forward to going out on a walk.”
As the end of the month approached, Cheryl made a conscious decision not to rush the finish line, choosing instead to end the challenge in a more memorable way.
“Towards the end of the month, I could have finished the 100 miles early, but I didn’t want to end it with just a walk around the block. It felt like it needed something a bit more memorable. So I saved the final stretch and finished the challenge with a walk to my niece’s hen do.”
By the end of May, Cheryl had completed her challenge, reaching the full 100 miles through a combination of consistency, creativity, and determination.
“And despite the blisters, I made it to 100 miles.”
What started as a simple goal ultimately became something more, showing how small, regular changes can build into something significant over time.
“What started as a simple target turned into a mix of routine, persistence and making time where I could. Some days were easy, some were not, but it all added up.”
Cheryl’s experience shows that walking doesn’t have to be about big challenges or strict routines. It can be as simple as finding small moments in your day to get outside, clear your head, and take a break.
Whether it’s a short walk between meetings, a lunchtime reset, or a longer route at the weekend, every step can make a difference.
Find your pace, make it work for you, and discover how walking can support your wellbeing. Start your journey today with Walk for Your Mind.
