The Walking Challenge Day 3: Walking With The Birds In Dulwich.
Do you find that walking improves your mood? (I just love Endorphins, its something to do with the ‘almond’ again 
– Check this blog out for the reference) Especially today as we had sunshine and a lovely breeze, here in London .
I taught a Nordic Walking class in Greenwich Park this morning and this afternoon, I went for an hour’s walk. As I was walking back, the sun had started to set in the horizon and the sound of birds was just too glorious for words. Any cobwebs loitering, were swept away from the sheer beauty of the sound of the birds singing and tweeting to each other.
On my walk, I was very conscious of my breathing and focused on slowing my breath down as I picked up my pace. The reason for actively doing this, is that I’m less likely to pant for Britain, when my heart rate goes up .
Yesterday, I mentioned that I would talk a little about breathing and how this can directly or indirectly affect one’s stamina. As you pick up the pace, your heart starts to pump faster and so your cardiac output (the rate at which your heart pumps blood out of the heart and around your body) improves and increases. Your respiratory rate also increases and can become slightly frustrating if you are suddenly feeling breathless after walking slightly quicker. So when you slow your breathing down deliberately, your heart rate also starts to regulate itself more efficiently. Try it out and see what you think.
Tip 1:
Inhale, take 5 measured but brisk steps, Exhale take another 5 measured and brisk steps. As you improve daily, maybe increase to 6 steps on your inhale and 6 on your exhale.
Tip 2:
Walk for 15 minutes a day or twice a day and build up with 5-10 minutes the following day.
Of course the above does depend on your fitness and health levels so enjoy walking but do listen to your body. Walking is one of the least stressful ways of exercising and I find it quite rejuvenating and hope that you will too. x
Tip 3:
Make sure that prior to your walk, you are wearing comfortable clothing.
I know this may sound a bit obvious, but I have been caught out myself once or twice when walking with a jacket that was hoodless and I got soaked! 
Tip 4:
Trainers or walking shoes really need to be comfortable.
When I buy a new pair of trainers, I really take my time testing them out in the shop. I need to be comfortable with how these new trainers feel on my feet, right now and also how they could possibly feel in 2-3 months time (must be something to do with my neural wiring Lol)
Believe me when I say that I have had one or two quizzical looks from other customers in shops as I launched into a rendition of the next Venus Williams or Candace Parker. x
So tomorrow some tips on aches and pains from walking longer distances or even short distances. I have it on good authority from Mark Hughes (@DaMaHug, on Twitter) that 12,000 steps is the equivalent of 10km or 6.2 miles. Thank you Mark – tomorrow’s blog is dedicated to you.
Happy Walking . Until tomorrow………
Many blessings. x
I have two doctors, my left leg and my right.
G.M. Trevelyan
