Severe illness need not be a barrier to regular walking. In fact, walking can be pivotal to the healing process. By Diana Ward

A Walk1200km-er explains perfectly how walking can play a part in coping with, or recovering from, a major life crisis: “For me, Walk1200km is bigger than walking 1200 kilometres. Walking offers anyone, including those going through tough times, the chance to reconnect with themselves and grow stronger in mind and body.”

We are grateful to members of our community for sharing their stories.

Stacy Currin-Steer

Ignoring a lingering, uneasy feeling that was telling me ‘now’s not the time’, I set off up the Cobb Valley intending to camp at Fenella Hut. I didn’t want to miss the rare opportunity to spend time on my own doing what I love – hiking in nature. But at what cost? I was fine at first, but gradually I began to feel unsettled. The trees seemed to be closing in around me. Everything grew darker. I felt shaky and scared. Then I started to cry uncontrollably. My mental load felt heavier than my backpack. Closest to Cobb Hut, I made a pact with myself: I’d stay there and get the heck out the next day, back to the safety of my family.

How often do we ignore those warning signs? I now realise I was taking on too much in all areas of my life, deluding myself that I was coping. It has taken months of therapy and the support of family and my workplace to get back on my feet, quite literally. Although walking revealed my deteriorating mental health, it has also been a powerful tool in my recovery. 

I’d joined Walk1200km in January, and since the crisis I’ve made it my own. The progress tracker is next to my bed. It’s a reminder to walk regularly, not necessarily every day, to give myself space to sort my thoughts and gain perspective. I focus on walks that give me pleasure. I love the bush and gaining elevation. I walk with or without company depending on my mood. I enjoy new tracks and walking further. I savour sights, sounds, smells and sensations – animals in the distance, a roaring river, crunching leaves underfoot, walking over different terrain.

Summiting Knuckle Hill in Collingwood in April with a friend signalled a real turning point. I’ll never forget the panoramic views and the joy and sense of accomplishment I felt. My wife has seen my confidence and positivity soar since I committed to my walking. She’s noticed it has encouraged our children to walk more, too.

Charlotte Crowe

Grief and loss following the death of my husband Ian nine months ago hits me hard some days. I can feel ‘away with the fairies’, sad and emotional, and lacking in motivation. I have various strategies to help process my grief. One of the most effective is to go for a walk. It’s a logical choice for me, as Ian and I always walked together until motor neurone disease made it no longer possible. How we loved our outings! They were a way to get exercise while talking through our life plans or simply what we’d have for dinner. 

After losing Ian, I found I needed more of a structure to commit to my walks. Walk1200km has provided that. I can’t ignore the progress tracker on the fridge. Even on the hard days, even with children to look after and ferry about, 3.3km is achievable. The Walk1200km community has really helped motivate me. I see others working through their challenges, physical and mental, and feel the support without the pressure.

What is it about walking that’s so beneficial? During the four years I was Ian’s carer, friends and family would sit with him so I could walk. I learnt how therapeutic walking is. Being a carer is super hard and relentless. Walking gave me time out to think, to cry, reset and move forward. It still does. 

Walking can also be social. You can easily hold a conversation with a friend on the phone or in person. Regular walking has done wonders for my mental health as well as my fitness. It gives me a good base to work from when training for the half marathon I do with a friend every year.

Almost a year has passed and I’m gaining strength. I’d encourage anyone to consider Walk1200km to get back on track.