THANK YOU!
Thanks for the inspiration to finally get walking - and to enjoy it.
I have sat at my computer in my home based office for nearly twenty years now and finally, a couple of months ago I put down my mouse for an hour and went for walk in the middle of my working day. That day my walk was different from any other walk I had had for years.. I had taken time for myself to walk for pleasure, not just to cram in a dash of irregular exercise. For the first time ever, I took my new ipod and listened to 'my' music as I strode along. Suddenly I realised that I had stopped focussing on the pains in my feet and calves. No longer did I just want to get the exercise over with and get back to work. I was really enjoying myself.
Next day I bought myself my first pair of proper walking shoes and tried them out that afternoon. I had no idea what a difference proper shoes would make. It wasn't just that I wasn't noticing the pain in my feet and calves, it had disappeared. Suddenly, I felt like a machine!
My next discovery was www.gmap-pedometer.com. Magic! All of a sudden I could find out exactly how far I was walking. I could map my routes in advance and look at the terrain and satellite pictures of where I was going. Every day I take a new route and have finally discovered the neighbourhood that I have been living in for thirty years!
I have now been walking between eight and ten kms almost every day (unless it rains) for over two months and I just love it. I feel so much more alive. It's not just the physical benefits (sorely needed unfortunately). I had needed to get out, Sometimes I see the same people on my walks and it's lovely to recognise them and just to have them smile and say hello as we pass each other. Walking has made me feel part of the world again and this website has definitely helped make it happen.
Thank you.
