Rachel Honey, 50, from Rochester reached her 1000 miles having walked through an unexpected diagnosis right the the outset of her challenge. Amazing determination in action!
‘At the beginning of January I was diagnosed with breast cancer – but walking gave me the strength to think that ‘I’ve got this’, and I was determined it wasn’t going to get in the way of my walking 1000 miles. I went for a three mile walk the morning of the operation and the day after it managed a mile and half mile walk around my neighbourhood. I soon progressed back to three miles in one go! In March I found out I would need chemo but for my first four sessions I walked four miles to the hospital and then got a lift home. I managed to keep walking three miles every day through chemo. Some days my pace was very slow! But I’m convinced the walking really helped with the mental and physical recovery.
I finished radiotherapy at the beginning of September, and my strength is returning on a daily basis, along with my hair. I’m building back up to longer walks and hope to return to the mountains again soon. Walk 1000 miles has been hugely important in all this! I think walking helps with everything that is going on in anyone's life, and the challenge provides not just the motivation but a wonderful community full of inspiring and supportive people.
I’m an outdoor swimmer too, and I completed my 1000 miles at Westwood Ho! after a swim in the tidal pool there. I think it’s so important to keep doing what you can, and moving your body out in nature and fresh air always helps!’
