I’m up for the challenge…

I’m pleased to say that I’m officially back in a walking routine.

My body (and my spirit) was so broken after completing Milford Track at the end of November that not only did I vow never ever ever to climb another mountain, but that I’d never ever ever sign up for anything that stupidly beyond me again.

The evening we arrived back in Queenstown after doing the Track, my ankles blew up into cankles. Huge cankles. Not only were my muscles still as stiff as a board, but I was hobbling like someone a lot older than I am would.

My hands and fingers had reacted badly to sandfly bites and they too had blown up. It took a couple of weeks before I could eat normally without feeling ill, and I had 4 toenails that were hanging on by a thread and were strapped up to stop them ripping off before they were ready. Yes, I know, eeeeuw.

All of this meant that my feet did not go anywhere near my trainers for at least a month.

Then January and February hit, and brought with them house sales, house purchases, farewell parties, too much food, way too much alcohol, extreme weather, and complete chaos.

It’s fair to say that the walking routine I’d had in place leading up to Milford had completely gone missing – as had my mojo. The unfortunate result of all of it piled together has meant that I’m currently tipping the scales just under my highest ever weight (which was, incidentally, recorded just before we went to Vietnam).

Fast forward to now, and I’m pleased to report that not only have I found my walking mojo, but I’m back in a good weekday routine.

I’m doing 5km along the beach path most mornings, with the occasional afternoon stroll as well. Having my day off to an active start is helping me think better – and even sleep a little better. Last week, for the first time this year, I registered a (small) loss on the scales (-0.9), finally hit my targeted steps (68,000 for the week against a target of 60,000) and walked 30kms (my target was 25kms).

To help us stay motivated, a friend and I have decided to embark on a training challenge.

We originally looked at the 35km Coast trek that’s happening up here on the Sunshine Coast in July, but that one has way too much soft sand for me. Lots of soft sand. And my dodgy joints and dodgy back don’t like soft sand.

Then we looked at the Brisbane Bloody Great Walk (also 35kms) – but that’s on the same weekend as the Romance Writer’s Conference – and I have a prior (ahem) speaking engagement there.

So, the chosen challenge is….drum roll… the Bridge to Brisbane. It’s 10kms – so absolutely doable – and the cut-off to complete the course is 3 hours – again absolutely doable. There’s the added advantage of walking across the Storey Bridge.

The challenge is set. Has anyone else signed up for this one? Watch this space for our training progress. I’m bringing back Excess Baggage especially for the purpose.

I’m loving my walking again, but what are you loving about life right now?

Ok, it’s Thursday, so that means sharing our happy. Like the Partridge Family sang C’mon Get Happy! Am I the only sad case old enough to remember that?

Feel free to link up a post that reflects what you’re lovin’ about life. All bloggers are welcome! Fashion, food, beauty, business, personal, parenting … whatever … If you’re not a blogger then use the #lovinlife hashtag to tag instagram photos or tweets about the things that are making you smile. You can also click on some of the Lovin’ Life links below and see what else is in the blogosphere. So much to love …

To join in the Lovin’ Life Linky, all you’ve got to do is: Link one post about what you’re currently lovin’ in life. Read two or three posts from other Lovin’ Life Linkers and leave a comment so they know you’ve dropped by. Spread the Lovin’ Life word and feel free to link back. The linky goes live at 7.30am every Thursday and finishes at 7.30am of a Monday (Australian Eastern Time).

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Author: Jo

Author, baker, sunrise chaser

24 thoughts

  1. Great to hear you’re out walking again after your experience on the Milford Track Jo. I love walking each morning but sadly it was raining here this morning, so I didn’t make it out on my usual sunrise stroll – and
    there’s no photo today 😦

  2. I look forward to your photos each day 🙂 It was raining when I left home this morning, but cleared up.

  4. I regularly enter fun runs Jo and have my Saturday Sisters (my friends) as my training group. I did the B2B last year because it was a new route and previous years had been too crowded. My next one is the Mother’s Day run which I do every year with my daughter in memory of my Mum and her Nan who died from breast cancer. Keep up the good work and at least you live in a beautiful place for training.
    Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

    1. My days of attempting to run are over. Just before I left Sydney my chiropractor made me promise not to do anything so ridiculous as attempt to run up here. Lol. But walks are so easy to do with this backdrop.

  5. Great effort. I am at my highest weight right now. Mostly need to change my food choices but also need to up my cardio. I hike with my dogs anywhere from 2-4 days of the week, but nee longer distances and back to some running, I did bridge to Brisbane a few years ago when I pushed myself to stick with running. It seems I hit that peak and then put away my running shoes so to speak lol. It is very crowded but if you are waking you will fall into step with your own crowd of people. When is it again- might be worth pushing myself to train again. Good luck.

    1. Hi Deb, It’s on the last weekend of August…I (walked) the City to Surf a few times in Sydney & the crowds were phenomenal, but you sort of find your own pace…Thanks for dropping by.

  6. Good on you for getting into a walking routine. That was me last year! Things have gone off track this year due to plantar fasciitis in one of my feet! Need to get back to my walking routine though. I miss it and it does make you feel so much better. Your Milford Track experience reminds me of the Kokoda walk I did some years ago. SO FAR beyond me. Nearly killed me! All hills! Big hills! Big hills of loose stones and dirt! I was a wreck. Couldn’t work. Couldn’t walk. Couldn’t move. So much pain! We live and learn! lol Bridge to Brisbane is so totally doable! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife

    1. Kokoda? Man oh flipping man! I was at least sleeping in lodges at night, but Kokoda? Oh, respect!

  7. That is great that you are doing regular exercise. I am going to do the Busselton Jetty swim but it is not until Feb. It is a 3.6km ocean swim!

    1. Now, that’s a challenge! I’ve only been to Busselton once, but I’ll always remember the colour of that ocean…

  8. I must pay my entry fee so I’m locked in. I’m doing NOTHING on a regular basis but love that I’ll have something to aim for. You’ll be cruising the 10km by then.

    And I’m planning to buy my fitbit shortly…. so I’ll be more than aware of the pathetic amount of steps and incidental exercise I do!

  9. Sounds like the perfect distance for a walking challenge. I do a few kilometres each morning (some days a bit less!) and I could manage 10ks but not 35! Mind you the 10km hike through the Southern Ridges in Singapore in 95% humidity didn’t ring my bells! Leanne | cresting the hill

    1. It’s the perfect distance really. But no, I can’t say I’d like to be doing it in Singapore either!

  10. Good job, Jo!! I always laugh when I change my mind like that—I guess it’s good that are memories fade, because the walking is always good!! It’s all the other things that come with it that aren’t as great!!
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  11. You know, I would have said there’s no way I could handle the Bridge to Brisbane, but when I was in Sydney on Friday (for a conference on Saturday) I did some sightseeing and a fair bit of walking. I walked from my hotel to Darling Harbour, then to Circular Quay, and wandered around. Got the train back to Central, walked to my hotel not far away. Had a shower and went for drinks at the bar in my hotel, then walked to Spice Alley, then back again … and at the end of the day I had walked 11 1/2 km! Go me!!!! Mind you my calf muscles were pretty sore for a couple of days afterwards as I am out of the habit of walking … 😉

    1. That’s what I love about incidental walking – it just sort of happens. Have a fabulous weekend. Maybe you should join Debbish & I on the bridge walk 😉

  12. I can’t catch a break with my health or injuries right now. I was walking up to 80km a week. I can barely walk around the extended block right now. How I miss it. Hoping to slowly get back into it this month and lead up to some larger walks. You’ve inspired me.

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