I'd like to encourage everyone to say hello on here each day, or if possible every few days. No topic needed, just hello, I've been here, or share in anything at all.

I'm finding it hard to keep my interest up as not a lot of people post, though we can see from the stats that people read but don't say anything.

Let's try and encourage each other. Even if just to say, I've not walked today ...?!!

Please join in.

Make sure you watch Breakfast TV this Friday and see Dame Susan Devoy speaking about an awesome new walking book, written by Helen Vause, which is being released in early October! The book, entitled Walking for Fitness, Pleasure and Health, is a must-have, and will be on sale from this site from 6th October onwards.

I managed to get 5 teams of 6 at work to compete to cross America from Virginia to Seattle. Its approx 4000k's and as you enter you days km's you see a different photo of where you are.
The site has its issues but has been working ok.

http://exercise.lbl.gov

Maybe you would like to team up with your friends to cross America or on your own. I'm having fun with the teams as you can see each others progress if you set it up right.

The team were determined to finish the event within an 11hour time frame – a feat which was last achieved in 2006. Averaging a whopping 8km per hour throughout the 100km, the team have surpassed the previous record of 11 hours and 49 minutes set in 2006 by the Sunhing Cosmo Boys from Hong Kong.

Newlywed team member Rob Cox, has been training extensively for the event throughout his wedding and honeymoon period, saying "We're more than happy with the result, really stoked about the perfect weather and overall, I can't complain."

"These guys are fantastic – they have shattered the Oxfam Trailwalker record, running the entire course, and to top it off they have already raised over $2500 to help people living in extreme poverty," says Oxfam's Executive Director Barry Coates... Read the full text of this news item.

I'm not breaking any records but having this great little tool has certainly helped to keep me motivated and to push myself to go a little further and a little further on my walks!

Has anyone else out there been using it? I think there is a dog version too ....

It tells the personal stories of women of all ages, shapes and sizes who love to walk. The one thing these women have in common is their determination to achieve their goal, be it a half marathon, a weight loss or a commitment to lifestyle change.

Books will be available for purchase from this site after its release. Don't wait to buy a copy for yourself or to put in the Christmas stocking of someone special!

Tauranga, Tuesday September 25 – Sebel Trinity Wharf
Wellington, Wednesday September 26 – Mercure Wellington Willis Street
Christchurch, Thursday September 27 – Silks Lounge, Addington Raceway
Auckland, Friday September 28 – Crowne Plaza

Time: 7.30 – 8.45am (arrivals from 7am)
Tickets: $55 per person or $500 for a table of 10 (Includes a heart healthy breakfast and Go Red for Women goodie bag)
Bring: Friends, family, partners – all welcome
Dress: Wear a splash of red!

Book on the Heart Foundation website here

Shortly after that, on 8th October, a fantastic new book, Walking for Fitness, Pleasure and Health is being launched. Written by long-time walker Helen Vause, this books provides the most up-to-date information on what works best for women... Read the full text of this blog entry.

Walk Motutapu, Motutapu Island
Sunday 30th September
This walk on Motutapu Island (right beside Rangitoto) is part of the Auckland Heritage Festival and will offer people the chance to take guided walks, hear about the forest restoration project, the military history (this year is the 70th anniversary since the fall of Singapore and the installation of the WWII 6inch Mk21 Gun Battery on Motutapu), and the cultural heritage of the island.
For more information visit their website at http://www.motutapu.org.nz.

Waiheke Walking Festival, Waiheke Island
This is Waiheke's third walking festival and it lasts for 9 days, attracting walkers from all over New Zealand as well as international visitors.
Booking is essential as places on all walks are limited. There are also two dog friendly walks.
There is heaps of information about the testival on their website at http://www.waihekewalkingfestival.org/

Click here for race information. Read the full text of this news item.

http://www.waikatohalfmarathon.co.nz/information.cfm

The challenge is to complete 70,000 steps each week for the month of August. This is 10,000 steps per day. Your goal is to get to 10,000 steps each day or make up the shortfall on another day but complete 70,000 steps for each week of August

All you need is a pedometer or fitbit to record your steps for the day from the time you get up till the end of your day.

This is how it will work in our workplace……
The challenge starts on the 1st of August and ends on 28th of August.

Week 1, 1st – 7th
Email your total after the 7th

Week 2, 8th – 14th
Email your total after the 14th

Week 3, 15th – 21st
Email your total after the 21st

Week 4, 22nd – 28th
Email your total after the 28th

It doesn't matter how you achieve your steps – running or walking, the main thing is to...

The North Shore Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, 5k and RUN Kids 2km Beach Run will take place in the heart of Auckland's North Shore – Takapuna.

The course, New Zealands most scenic Marathon and Half Marathon will be based on a 21.1km circuit that will see participants start from Takapuna Beach head along Takapuna Beach and make their way down to Devonport taking in beautiful Narrow Neck Beach and the amazing Historic North Head then returning to Takapuna Beach then onto a loop around Milford before heading back to Takapuna Beach finishing on Gould Reserve with Takapuna Beach and Rangitoto Island as the back drop for your stunning finishers photo. The 1km circuit around North Head using the DOC Tunnels Loop will be the showcase of the event with Auckland's best views over the city and out into the Hauraki Gulf.

We love running ourselves and we are here to deliver fun, friendly and relaxed running events for runners and walkers that love the sport as much as we do. We love to see new participants getting involved and achieving their own personal health and fitness goals... [[/default,4081,sun-26-aug-2012-north-shore-half-marathon-5km-fun-runwalk-700am.sm|Read the...

Read more here.... Read the full text of this blog entry.

I did consider to chicken out, but receiving a spot on the course and then discard it?? No I couldn't do that.
There was no other way out than putting on my worn out running shoes (used for walking) and get into it. Yikes!
I started off gently and it was -as expected- dreadful, but kept on doing it: Intervals of jogging and walking. Sweat and stuffed breathing.

What made me continue was an app on my iphone: iMapMyRun. It logs every 'run', gives me an exact distance, time, calories burned (this can be very motivating!), pace, climbs etc. I can compete with myself, and I have a growing list of all my trips, so I can browse...

I really love it and wear it all day and sleep with it (rather sick, I know!) but it logs your sleep patterns too. It updates to the Fitbit site wirelessly if you are in range and your computer is on. It shows your steps/floors climb or hills/calorie burn
I think it was well worth the investment (though forgot to see how long the battery lasts as I does not look like you can replace it)
What it does... is make me want to do 10000 steps per day and climb up stairs! I believe it is accurate for work activity and yes I log my whole day of steps (converted...

Plase read below to see the great job she is doing.

Wellington Women Walking Project. We are on a mission to take 100 women across Oxfam 2013 from the Greater Wellington region.

This caters for all women, of all fitness levels and all ages. Women that want to be part of something amazing. If you are a women that likes to walk, chat, take photos, go for coffee, hang out with your girlfriends, meet new people, see places in Wellington I can guarantee you have never seen before, then this is for you!

Its also for the women that don't feel like Oxfam is for them and just want to come along for the walks

If you have any questions please feel free to call me at 0211879679 or send me an email to nataljiaalbkert@g2mail.jcoms

Don't forget to like us on Facebook so we can send you all the latest news, photos, dates and updates of the walks. https://www.facebook.com/WellingtonWomenWalkingProject

There aren't many things we can do these days that are free.Walking is!The only 'cost" if you like is time- and whilst that is a precious commodity for all of us ,if you do a cost benefit analysis it's a no brainer ! So many proven health and well being benefits-regular walking is the pathway to good health –all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other. STEP OUT for your sake!

Why don't you have a look at our WALK INFO area and find some great walks in your town or region-Try a different walk every so often and just enjoy the incredible paradise we live in.

You could also log onto the WALK DIARY –all you need is a pedometer and you can log your distances in and see how far you can walk around NZ or along the great wall of China.Not every one can say they've walked the length of NZ but you can.

Also if you're interested in EVENTS have a look to see what's of interest –Always heaps of things happening!... Read the full text of this blog entry.