Preparing For Trekking

I'm in training for the Jodi Lee Foundation (JLF) Trek. Why? Late last year I had my own health scare and decided I wanted a challenge. The JLF trek is a way for me to celebrate my body, enjoy the great outdoors, spend time with my partner and raise money to support the JLF in raising awareness about preventing Bowel Cancer. I have family members who have gastrointestinal disease that puts them at a higher risk for Bowel Cancer and as a physiotherapist I know that regular walking is one of the best lifestyle choices you can make.

I’m a regular walker thanks to owning a dog (Piper, pictured), but relatively inexperienced trekker. With the walk on 19-20th May 2023, and not many weeks to go, I’ve increased the distance I’ve been walking. Increasing workload can lead to problems if you progress too fast and too hard. This is often when injuries occur. So how do you pace your walks? The JLF Trek has a great training guide, that has given me some great guidance on weekly goals and preparing for walking longer distances over terrain more challenging than my usual beachside Esplanande.  

My favourite walk in the last couple of weeks has been around the Happy Valley Reservoir. The boundary loop is just under 11km, with some steep sections. There are lovely views of the reservoir and when I last went, lots of kangaroos and fairy wrens were hopping around. I’d love to find out where your favourite walking locations are and if you're trekking too!