Gauntlet thrown down to walkers
The reigning champion of a local walking challenge is hoping to take this year’s event in her stride when it starts next week.
Alison Insley won the TravelWise Walking Challenge last year in the individual and team categories, averaging around 30,000 steps per day.
The Challenge, which encourages people to walk 10,000 steps a day for four weeks, begins on Monday, September 21 until October 16, and there are free pedometers available to participants or teams who register (available on a first come first served basis).
Alison and her team of four, who are all staff at Warwickshire County Council, said they are re-entering to keep fit and regain their crowns!
“I do a lot of exercise anyway but this is a really good way to challenge yourself and monitor how much walking you are doing,” said Alison, who lives in Kenilworth.
“Doing it as a team really helps because you can encourage each other and make sure you all reach your target.
“If somebody falls a bit behind then we all go for walk at lunch or at the weekend.
“Last year we were having a lunchtime run around Warwick Racecourse and that helped, and because you’re conscious of your target you make the effort to do little things like walking to the shops rather than driving.
“At the peak last year, I think I did 40,000 steps in one day but I had walked between Coventry and Warwick!
“You have to work fairly hard to meet the challenge but it’s enjoyable and by the end of it I think everyone felt fitter.
“It’s probably a good event for people who are looking to start and get healthy, because it’s a first step, and you can challenge yourself to improve.”
It’s not just for council workers though and all businesses are invited to take part.
Along with free pedometers, TravelWise will also send a form for individuals to keep a note of their daily steps and, at the end of the challenge, the teams and individuals who have made the most progress will receive awards.
To register as an individual or a team, email joanne.rainbow@coventry.gov.uk with your name, company name, email address and contact number.
For more information, call Joanne on 024 7683 1342.