#try20 challenge weeks 3-5

So it's June which means National Walking Month is over for another year along with the May #try20 challenge. 

Along with thesis writing making sure I stuck to the challenge has been just that, a challenge, and I'm going to be entirely honest when I say I missed a day during the 3rd week.

To me that isn't a failure though. 

Only not walking for 20 mins on one day in a month? That's no failure. To be fair on myself I had just done a Rough Runner event the day before and covered 15km and many many obstacles and my body was in some serious pain (if you've never done an obstacle course race you would not believe how much of your body can hurt all at once without you realising the strain at the time). So considering that was the only day I didn't manage to get out I'm so pleased I managed to keep it up.

If you've read the past posts about the #try20 challenge (Taking on the #try20 summer challenge,#try20 challenge week 1,#try20 challenge week 2) you will know each week I tried a different way of making sure I got my walks in and to make it a bit more interesting.

So here is what was on the cards for weeks 3-5:

Week 3 (15-21st May)   :

Tip #19 - Power Walk! 

Week 4 (22-28th May)   :

Tip #13 - Lunch Alfresco not Aldesko

Week 5 (29-31st May)    

Tip #6 - Take the Long cut & discover new places.

My favourite of these had to be taking the long cut. Beautiful places are everywhere and I love finding new places that make me feel calm that I've never experienced before. It makes me feel so much happier knowing that hidden behind so many concrete streets are patches of green, where nature is still taking over and holding back the endless concrete miles.

Lunch alfresco is also always lovely, but unfortunately not something that's always possible with the incredibly changeable british weather. Making the effort to get outside on the rare sunny days though is really worth every ounce of effort allowing you to ground yourself a bit more than sitting at your desk or in the office cafeteria.

All in all I'm so glad that I took part in the #try20 challenge and made the extra effort for some time in the fresh air, and in all honesty, just taking an extra 20 minutes for myself without the constant distraction of modern technology.

May may be over along with the #try20 summer challenge but I for one will be trying my best to get out and get those 20 minutes of peace from the hectic fast paced life that modern life has become.

Did you take on the #try20 challenge?

I would love to hear how you found it in the comments below & if you have any tips that helped to get you out on the tougher days.

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Until next time - always remember, that sometimes, freedom is only a run away.

#runyourrmindfree

#try20 challenge week 2

It's the end of the second week of may,  the second week of National Walking Month and
the end of week 2 of the #try20 challenge!

My second week of the #try20 challenge went like this:

Monday - 20 minute lunch wander (gentle)

Tuesday - 20 minute lunch walk & 20 min run

Wednesday - 30 min walk to running track & 40 min track session

Thursday - 20 min walk to shops

Friday - another 20 min walk to shops

Saturday - 15km Rough Runner Obstacle Course Race (lots of walking, running & 20 obstacles)

Sunday - 30 min afternoon walk

This week seemed harder than the first when it came to making myself get out. I don't know whether it's because it's getting to the middle of the challenge or because it's just been a down week for me, which isn't uncommon, but I still managed to get out - and I'm proud of that.

Ending my week with an awesome time at Rough Runner with friends on Saturday definitely has left my week ending on a high (even if my entire body hurts today).

Conclusion : Week 2 was another success. 

My Week 2 challenge was to include some 'mindful meander' walks and get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week. So during some of my walks I tried to think about the positive things in my life right now & tried to soak in the beautiful scenery and truly appreciate the world around me.

For #MentalHealthAwareness week I was also asked to be part of a blog tour for the book 'Loving the Life Less Lived' a raw account of one woman's struggle with severe anxiety and depression and how acceptance changed her life. A Q&A with the author Gail Mitchell as well as a short review are here - take a look :)!

If you want to see what challenges I'm taking on in the next few weeks check out my first #try20 post and you can catch up on week 1 here.

Are you doing the challenge?

If so how did you get on and how are you making sure that you get the time in?

Comment below and let me know - I would love to hear from you.

If you want to get involved why not start walking everyday from now?

You could still make the rest of may or if you want to take on a full month just carry the days you missed over into next month! No excuses :)!

Bring on week 3!

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Until next time - always remember, that sometimes, freedom is only a run away.

#runyourmindfree

#try20 challenge week 1

It's hard to believe we're already a week into May & National Walking Month! 

Where does the time go?! 

So how's the first week of the #try20 challenge gone and how am I feeling about it?

My Week :

Monday - true to the challenge 20min evening walk

Tuesday - 30 min evening walk

Wednesday - walked 30 min to work (+ 20 min run before work)

Thursday - 30 min walk from work to the station

Friday - 30 min evening walk (+ 30 min after work run)

Saturday - walked around town & got a lot of errands done

Sunday - Ran a Half marathon & walked home (55 min)

So I'm pleased to say I managed to keep up with the challenge! I also didn't take my runs as the 20 minute walks for this week. Running and walking for me have a completely different feeling (physically and mentally), and so I wanted to stay true to the challenge (at least for this week).

How has it made me feel?

The things I've enjoyed most about this is getting outside & getting fresh air every single day of the week. I never normally do this and it really helps me unwind, even if only briefly, while I'm out walking.

One thing I really liked too which I guess I wasn't really expecting was that nearly every walk I went on there was some people that said hello in passing. I really like it when this happens, as it really doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes I smile and say good morning/afternoon and get no response or even looks of slight disgust. I get it that I'm a stranger, but what happened to saying a friendly hello to your neighbours?! So anyway, I loved that there was a few friendly hellos thrown in and it made me feel a bit lighter and uplifted.

Conclusion : Week 1 was a success! 

My Week 1 challenge was get snappy this weekend - so here is my compulsory half marathon pic from this weekend :D! 

If you want to see what challenges I'm taking on in the next few weeks check out my last post :)!

Are you doing the challenge?

If so how did you get on and how are you making sure that you get the time in?

Comment below and let me know - I would love to hear from you.

If you want to get involved why not start walking everyday from now?

You could still make the rest of may or if you want to take on a full month just carry the days you missed over into next month! No excuses :)!

Bring on week 2!

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Until next time - always remember, that sometimes, freedom is only a run away.

#runyourmindfree

Taking on the #try20 summer challenge

I'm taking on the #try20 summer challenge organised by the charity Living Streets.

So what's the challenge?

It's simple.

Add 20 minutes of walking to your everyday for the month of May.

Why May? 

It's National Walking Month - the best time to start.

This may sound like a simple task, and the important thing to remember is that it can be & I believe it can be hugely beneficial for both your general and mental health.

I'm relatively active as a person but as many of us are it's not consistently on a daily basis.

I normally run 2 to 4 days a week but on the other days, sometimes when I'm working from home I don't leave the house and in all honesty I can get a bit stir crazy. 

I think most of us have at least one day that we don't move much - maybe for you it's your Pyjama sunday, or maybe that's your normal work day. You drive to work, you sit at your desk, you drive home and then you relax on the sofa.

I'm not saying this is a bad way to live but just getting 20 minutes of walking in, either to work, at lunch, or any time you feel you can could make a big difference to your life.

Getting outdoors and active always helps me relax and reconnect and I'm always happier after I make the effort.
Even on those days when I don't want to, or I'm finding it difficult to leave the house, I always feel better when I do.

So I'm taking on the challenge to try and add 20 minutes of walking a day to my EVERYDAY routine, and I'm dedicated to it!

I'll be posting weekly updates about how I got the twenty minutes in everyday, how it's making me feel & any thoughts I have along the way.

To keep myself motivated through the month I'm going to be taking some #try20 tips from Living Streets and trying a different one for each week of the month. 

Here's my plan for the month:

Week 1 (1-7th May)      :

Tip #5 - Get Snappy Happy this weekend

Week 2 (8-14th May)     : 

Tip #15 - As it's going mental health awareness week - A Mindful meander.

Week 3 (15-21st May)   :

Tip #19 - Power Walk! 

Week 4 (22-28th May)   :

Tip #13 - Lunch Alfresco not Aldesko

Week 5 (29-31st May)    

Tip #6 - Take the Long cut & discover new places.

Get involved and take the #try20 challenge yourself! 

You won't regret it.

To keep you motivated why not rope a friend in and get them to take on the challenge with you.
I've teamed up with theasthinkings so that we can keep each other on track.
Head over to her post to see what challenges she's decided to take on for week 1!

I can't wait to start on 1st May! 

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Until next time - always remember, that sometimes, freedom is only a run away.

#runyourmindfree