Tales from the Purbeck Challenges…..

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The 2 challenge events at  the PURBECK NORDIC WALKING FESTIVAL are not out and out races but rather timed distance routes. Last we saw people of all levels, take up the challenge and push themselves to complete their selected distance.
 
 
Sue from Bromsgrove completed the tough 27 mile challenge – she says “The Nordic Walking Marathon 2017 is an event I will never forget. I had never entered a challenge before so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and also, what I would be capable of. I registered in May and closer to the date had regular emails from NWUK with all the information I needed. There was nothing else to do apart from turning up!
The challenge was very tough but that was part of the fun. Once you get started that competitiveness takes hold and although you are only challenging yourself, that feeling when you overtake someone is great! The focus is on achieving your best possible time. Twenty seven miles in 7 hrs 45mins – I still can’t believe it! The icing on the cake was to finish 3rd fastest female!
I only achieved that time because of the fantastic motivation and support given by Ian, my Instructor, who walked the marathon with me. The steeper inclines were the hardest part for me, making me feel nauseous. Although I didn’t appreciate it at the time, I’m glad Ian didn’t show me any sympathy. He simply made me dig deep and get on with it!!
If I do it again, I would definitely do Ian’s Marathon training and a hill climbing course to be fully prepared. To go to this event as a large group would be fantastic and i am glad several of my group are booked in already for 2018.

I’m still buzzing from this experience and to be cheered over the finish line by my hubby and friends was a fantastic feeling. I really would encourage you to give it a go!” Sue
 
Meanwhile lots of nordic walkers completed the shorter 16 mile challenge event fpr a host of reasons including motivation for weight loss. Emma on the right of this picture is a busy Mum of three who suddenly realised she was leading a sedentary life. At the end of 2016 she took up NW and this is a picture of her in a Workout Walk (having climbed her very first hill) She fet she needed something to focus on in order to keep her walking every week so the Team at Dorset Nordic walking trained her up for the 16 miler. Emma took part in workout walks during the week and every sunday from July, the team took her out on the Sunday training walks which gradually got longer and tested parts of the actual route. (these are happening again this year folks so check out DORSET NORDIC WALKING if you fancy joining them!)
 
Now Emma walks twice a week and is 5 stone lighter (see second from the right in this picture) In fact she loves Nordic Walking so much she even works at HQ and is on the Festival planning Team “Only problem is I will miss the 16 miler this year as I will getting things ready for the Satuday Night Feast with live music at the HUB. However, I can definatley recommend the atmosphere on the event, everyone was brilliant.The other participants, marshalls, back markers and team giving out medals at the end made it something I will always remember” she says.

 

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