With 80 years and heart surgery behind her, this determined walker credits Walk1200km for getting her back into tramping. What can we learn from her?

Fresh from her 9km morning walk, it’s hard to believe that just over a year ago, 81-year-old Maureen Baines underwent triple bypass surgery. She has grit in spades. Only two days after the operation she was walking confidently around the ward, and once home she began training with strolls round the garden and to the woodpile. She increased the distances and level of difficulty incrementally, mostly setting off from her front door in the seaside settlement of Sandspit, on the Mahurangi Peninsula. 

Now, a year on, Maureen has almost regained her previous walk fitness, and she and husband Terry are contemplating a guided multi-day tramp of the Hollyford – albeit with a little comfort factored in – and section-walking the Nakasendo Trail in Japan. Maureen is adamant that nothing will prevent them from returning to tramping, a pursuit they were introduced to in their fifties when friends persuaded them to walk the Lake Waikaremoana Track.

“We were instantly smitten,” Maureen says, recalling the many tramps they’ve done since. Among the most memorable are the Travers–Sabine Circuit with an icy ascent to Angelus Hut, and the 170km Tour du Mont Blanc. 

Maureen is quick to reveal the secret weapon that has aided her incredible bounce back: Walk1200km. She’s become something of an evangelist. “Despite my best efforts, three months after surgery I wasn’t making enough headway. I needed a more structured and goal-oriented approach. Walk1200km provides that. It motivates me to walk regularly, and I get a buzz seeing the tally mount. Walking an average of 3.3km a day over the year is achievable. You don’t have to be an expert. It has become a bit addictive, mainly as it also makes me feel good. It’s been brilliant for my physical, mental and emotional health.”

Another attraction of Walk1200km for Maureen is that she can make it her own. One strategy she uses is to ‘bank’ kilometres when she does a longer walk, which enables her to have a day off without falling behind. A keen hillwalker, she also consciously builds elevation into her walks and records the gains on her app. By the time she reached 1200km in week 38, she’d already climbed five times the height of Mt Everest. She expects to cover around 1600km in her first full year on the challenge – and effectively to summit Everest twice more.

Maureen doesn’t want to give the impression that it has been easy. She has off-days and sometimes has to scale back her expectations. She doesn’t take all the credit for how far she’s come, either. She puts that down to encouragement from Terry and her adult children, all of whom are walkers, and the push that Walk1200km gives her. “They all work together to keep me on track,” she says.

Gear to help you walk more this month

Bridgedale Explorer Heavyweight Merino Performance $69.99

This boot length sock has dense cushioning throughout for extra warmth, impact resistance and comfort. www.ampro.co.nz

Mountain King Guide poles $199

Walk further faster with these trusty hiking poles suitable for your winter wilderness adventure. www.futherfaster.co.nz

Back Country Cuisine Veggie Cottage Pie from $11.99

Enjoy freeze dried lentils, savoury tomato sauce and vegetables with a potato topping in this delicious no meat cottage pie. Gluten free. www.backcountrycuisine.co.nz

Aku Women’s Rapida Air $279.99

Fresh and breathable footwear for all your walks – trail- or pavement-based. It has a mesh fabric upper for maximum breathability and protective reinforcements at toe and heel. www.gearshop.co.nz

Big Agnes Parkview 63 $499.99

Ultralight sustainable materials paired with a unique compression system and plenty of storage capacity make the Parkview perfect for longer trips. www.bigagnes.co.nz

Yum vanilla bean and almond pancake and waffle mix $10.99

The fluffiest, tastiest pancakes with protein-rich almonds, real vanilla beans and no added sugar. www.yumnz.co.nz