Three walkers, gunning for 1200km, share their stories of overcoming adversity.

Chipping away

Sarina Rochelle Clark remembers the day she broke her ankle: “It was wet and wild, and when the sun broke through my youngest daughter and I bolted for the trampoline,” she recalls. “A few bounces later I landed badly and felt my ankle give underneath me.” 

After eight screws, a metal plate, seven weeks in plaster and a few weeks in a moon boot, Sarina says,
“I was so weak at first I couldn’t even raise that foot into a tiptoe.” 

Eighteen months after the accident, and worried about regaining her previous level of fitness, she learned about Walk1200km. “I thought it sounded really good and decided I would try it.”

Spurred on by her “hyperactive dog”, Sarina found walking “was an enjoyable way of healing my body and soothing my soul. It got better with every step”. 

Sarina reached 600km by the end of July but is not sure she’ll make 1200km by the end of the year. She’s “chipping away at it” as the days get longer. 

“It’s been two years since the ankle break and I’m happy I’m back to doing pretty much everything I could before. The challenge has definitely increased my steps and both my dog and I are grateful!”

HRT success

Jen Massey walked 1800km last year, but the onset of menopause affected her massively. Her symptoms were debilitating. 

“Hot flushes, dizziness, body aching, gaining weight despite a good food plan. I lost my motivation to do much of anything.” 

Doctors recommended an intra-uterine device (IUD) but she wasn’t keen. Feeling frustrated and “mucked around” with her medication, she changed tack, came off the antidepressants and started seeing a natural practitioner. However, her symptoms worsened and she spiralled downward: “I was a mess. Extremely emotional.” 

A new doctor suggested a different approach that changed the course of Jen’s journey. She listened to Jen’s reservations about the IUD, resumed the antidepressants and suggested hormone replacement therapy. 

The effects were fast and remarkable: “Within days I was back to my old self and feeling so much better.” While she suspects she may not reach the 1200km target this year, Jen is delighted with the change in her symptoms. “I’m getting back into my longer walks without pain. I now look forward to walking again, knowing I’m not going to have to spend the rest of the day recovering.” 

The Walk1200km Facebook community is an important support for Jen, and although her goal has shifted, she says she enjoys taking photos on her walks and sharing them. “The group also has lots of nice people in it and it motivates me.”

One step at a time

Lisa Bailey starts each day with a sunrise loop walk to a hilltop overlooking the city and harbour and posts a pic on the Walk1200km Facebook page. 

“But there’s more to it than just the view,” she says. “It has also become my ‘gratitude spot’. Each time I stop and take that photo, I pause and think of one thing that I’m grateful for. It’s become a good habit, starting my day in a positive way.”

There’s more to Lisa’s story. After a breast cancer diagnosis in March 2023 and subsequent treatment, the following July she made a decision. “I wanted to focus on a healthier lifestyle, including making an effort to be more active.” 

She started walking in the mornings but struggled with motivation. She happened across Walk1200km on Facebook and thought it might be helpful “to have an actual goal to work towards, along with a group of people who have the same focus”.

This strategy clearly worked because on July 17 Lisa posted: “Today marked reaching my 1200km goal and I’m just a tad proud of myself. It has been such a helpful distraction … and honestly has been my one constant at times. I’m grateful for the wonderful friendships that I’ve made here. The support and words of encouragement from everyone have been helpful and uplifting – especially on the days I’ve had to dig deep.”

The impact of Lisa’s 1200km journey is clear: “I feel fitter than I’ve ever been and I’ve gained a new zest for life.”

Can you walk 1200km in 12 months? Sign up at wildernessmag.co.nz