Hi Eveyone, hoping this week’s email finds you all well. This is a testing time for all of us; but to reassure all of you that when this lockdown is over, I will be continuing our walks. This may be some weeks away yet, maybe longer but Walk2Fitness isn’t go anywhere (literally at the moment!) and hopefully we’ll get back to what we love, sooner rather than later. Hoorah!
KEEPING UP YOUR WALKING I managed to get some great new routes completed last week in readiness for our return to walking together, and it was so great seeing the paths have been drying out nicely. However, the Government Guidelines changed and we are now having to walk from home to avoid any unnecessary travelling. Though this is quite frustrating for all of us, we should follow these Guidelines and hopefully this will help keep us all safe and well during this time.
The What’s App groups are going really well with a lot of you staying in touch, sharing your photo’s of walks, and supporting each other with humour mostly; which is needed right now! Sarah shared the most adorable picture this morning of a baby deer (looked like Bambi) lying in the long grass. Just beautiful.
As I mentioned last week, if you are in a What’s App group and wish to come off just remove yourself by going to Group info and exiting the group. Those who would like to be in the groups, just let me know and I can add you. Thanks.
I will share some photo’s each week of previous walks and memories for you to enjoy.
Hope you all have a good and safe week ahead. All the very best,
Hoping you are all okay and staying safe. We have several Whats App groups going, there have been a few going a while and the Striders just set up one and i set up a main group for all walkers. If you haven’t been added to a group and want to, please message me and I will add you. Alternatively if you have been added and you would prefer not to, just drop me a text and I’ll remedy this. Thanks.
These groups are great right now as we can keep in touch with our Nordic Walking friends which is especially needed in these times of isolation.
WALKING What I will say is, it is great to get out and walk but please go where there aren’t many people and keep distances from each other. Italy have just said they are stopping people walking outside, even solo walking because of the escalation out there….I hope that doesn’t happen here but if we can take extra care now, it will help tremendously.
Great to see so many of you turning up for the walks in all weathers. With the warmer weather you will need to think layers rather than heavy clothes; so in the event you get too hot you can remove a layer. Tying tops/coats around your waist doesn’t really work with Nordic Walking as the dangling clothes impede the poles so you may want to think about bringing a small backpack with you. The Walk Leaders do have backpacks too if you are stuck, but they can only hold so much. It would be an idea to bring a small bottle of water too as temps increase.
WEDNESDAY WOMBLE A return to Marston Moretaine for a Womble around the Millenium Park followed by home-made (Amazing) soup at St Mary’s Church. This walk is approx 5 miles and no hills! Parking on Green Lane, Marston MK43 0NF. You can also park along Woburn Street if spaces are limited on Green Lane. Meeting point at the gate of the Church by the school at 10:30am. Soup is £3 and Teas & coffee are £1.
THURSDAY’S WALK This week’s Thursday walk will be from Woburn again but a different route than last week. So come along for our lovely Woburn walk and a nice cuppa to follow (of course!)
NORDIC WALKING WORKSHOP Saturday, March 28th – 11am – West Car Park It’s about time for another FREE Workshop for my Walkers. Our Refresher Workshops are to check your Technique to make sure you are still using the poles correctly and if not, I can help you with any adjustments that you may need. This Workshop will also cover the Hill technique. On our walks recently I have been observing techniques and feel this would be of benefit. Also if you’ve not been for a time and are returning to Nordic, you’re most welcome. The Workshop runs no longer than 40 minutes. Woohoo!
LONGER WALKS BOOKING ESSENTIAL NO LATER THAN 48 HRS PRIOR TO WALK.
Greensand Country Festival Walks in May
WEDNESDAY 13th May – 10am – Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine to Ampthill Park – 8 miles – Parking at Ampthill Park West Car Park we will then car share to the Forest Centre to start the walk. £8 (Mod 2 pace)
FRIDAY 22nd May – 11am – Ampthill to Steppingley circular walk – 7 miles – Parking at the West Car park in Ampthill Park. £7 (Mod 2 & 3 pace)
WEDNESDAY 27th May – 10:30am – Greensand Ridge Ampthill Park to Woburn – 10 miles – Parking at the public car park in Woburn we will car share to Ampthill Park to begin this fab walk. £9 (Mod 2 pace)HAVE A GREAT ST PATRICK’S DAY EVERYONE!
NEW SUPER G CLASS BEGINS THIS WEEK! This Tuesday we have a new Super G (G meaning Gentle) which is the same as the Gentle class just shorter. This is for all walkers who are returning to exercise, after an injury or op, or just need to take it slow and steady. As it’s between 30 to 40 mins this class is a great introduction to those beginning their fitness journey. Using the Nordic Trekking technique also means more stability for joints. This class will have our Caron at he helm so everyone will be in great hands. It will start and finish at the Hub car park at 9am each Tuesday and Saturday morning. This means we now offer 6 different speed groups for our walkers, so there’s something for every one.
WEEKLY WALKS LIST On the weekly walk list below I have put the speed of the class next to the class. For example: (Mod 3) – This just means this is the pace we will be walking at, so faster walkers can join the slower walks but just understand it will be at the pace advertised.
ITALY WALKING HOLIDAY For all our walkers booked on the Italy Trip in June, it’s too early to know what will happen due to the Carona Virus, but of course, we’ll update you if there are any changes, thanks.
POLES If any walkers are looking to upgrade their poles and want to sell their current ones, just let me know. With a lot of new walkers joining us, there are a few interested in buying 2nd hand poles as a starter pair. Thanks.
WEDNESDAY WOMBLE A return to Priory Business Park this week for a lovely spring walk from Priory Country Park, then along the embankment seeing the spring flowers as they emerge from their winter beds. A stop at Longholme Cafe on the return leg for an optional scrumptious bite to eat or just a cuppa. You will need your paws for this wonderful walk. Approx 5 miles on flat tarmac surface. £6
Risk assessing some walks this week proved interesting! Apart from all the mud, I was lucky enough to see a Barn Owl fly beside me which was just fab. I was moaning about having to turn back from yet another impassable path and there it was….gliding past. Stopped my moaning right quick and made me realise that if I hadn’t taken that route I would have missed this great sight. Just love nature! LONGER WALKS BOOKING ESSENTIAL NO LATER THAN 48 HRS PRIOR TO WALK.
Greensand Country Festival Walks in May
WEDNESDAY 13th May – 10am – Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine to Ampthill Park – 8 miles – Parking at Ampthill Park West Car Park we will then car share to the Forest Centre to start the walk. £8 (Mod 2 pace)
FRIDAY 22nd May – 11am – Ampthill to Steppingley circular walk – 7 miles – Parking at the West Car park in Ampthill Park. £7 (Mod 2 & 3 pace)
WEDNESDAY 27th May – 10:30am – Greensand Ridge Ampthill Park to Woburn – 10 miles – Parking at the public car park in Woburn we will car share to Ampthill Park to begin this fab walk. £9 (Mod 2 pace)
We managed to get out and enjoy the snow for the brief time it was here and headed for Houghton House on Thursday. By the time we returned the snow had all gone. Such fun to Nordic Walk in snow as the poles really help with balance and gives us confidence too. This week our weather looks much better and I’ve ordered sunshine from the Nordic Gods to start the week off in Cranfield!
PARQ FORMS All new walkers must complete a ParQ form and return it to me or the Walk Leaders. This is requirement to attend our walks so download and print it off from www.walk2fitness.co.uk or email a scanned copy to me at elaine@walk2fitness.co.uk. If you require a paper copy, just let Gordon or I know. Thanks.
WEDNESDAY WOMBLE A nice little 3 miler which is flat but will have some wet bits so please wear the appropriate footwear. Lunch after at The Cross Keys. If you can book onto this class by Tuesday that would be great. Thanks everyone.
MUSCLES USED IN NORDIC WALKING Swimming uses nearly 100% of your muscles depending on what stroke you’re doing. The next exercise that uses the most muscles is Nordic Walking! By using the upper body whilst Nordic Walking the body needs more energy, but instead of feeling more tired, the poles actually make exercising/walking feel easier. Your body finds this extra energy from your FAT stores. Yipee! This is why you burn more calories (46% more) by using the poles in the correct technique as opposed to walking without them. Woohoo! LONGER WALKS BOOKING ESSENTIAL NO LATER THAN 48 HRS PRIOR TO WALK.
Greensand Country Festival Walks in May
WEDNESDAY 13th May – 10am – Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine to Ampthill Park – 8 miles – Parking at Ampthill Park West Car Park we will then car share to the Forest Centre to start the walk. £8 (Mod 2 pace)
FRIDAY 22nd May – 11am – Ampthill to Steppingley circular walk – 7 miles – Parking at the West Car park in Ampthill Park. £7 (Mod 2 & 3 pace)
WEDNESDAY 27th May – 10:30am – Greensand Ridge Ampthill Park to Woburn – 10 miles – Parking at the public car park in Woburn we will car share to Ampthill Park to begin this fab walk. £9 (Mod 2 pace)
Mixed bag of walks this week with some on hard paths as we await other routes to dry out a bit. I’m still grumbling about our Pop Ups that I had to cancel last week. I will be putting more Pop Up walks on for March of longer lengths and will let you know locations once we’ve risk assessed. Yay!
NEWBIES We have some more new Walkers joining us who have just completed or about to finish their Technique courses this week! They are Jackie, Delia, Patty, Philip and Patsy. I’m sure you’ll make them feel very welcome when they come along for the walks. Great to have you with us guys! If you have any questions about the walks, just let me know. You’re welcome to use my poles as long as you need but if you’d like to look at some to buy, Nordic Walking UK have a good online shop https://nordicwalking.co.uk/products/2/
WEDNESDAY WOMBLE Meeting at Bromham Mill this week at 11:30am for a lovely flat 3 miler around the village of Bromham following the Heritage Trail. Paws Needed for this one. There is an awesome cafe at the Mill which has great food. If you’d like to attend this walk, please book by Tuesday so I can let the cafe know numbers. Thanks. Mod 2 & 3 pace.
NORDIC WALKING & WEIGHT LOSS Above are before and after pictures of our Walk Leader Denise. With a healthy, balanced diet and regular Nordic Walking, Denise was able to lose three stone AND more importantly, she now maintains a healthy weight. It takes determination and discipline, but the benefits speak for themselves. LONGER WALKS BOOKING ESSENTIAL NO LATER THAN 48 HRS PRIOR TO WALK.
Greensand Country Festival Walks in May
WEDNESDAY 13th May – 10am – Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine to Ampthill Park – 8 miles – Parking at Ampthill Park West Car Park we will then car share to the Forest Centre to start the walk. £8 (Mod 2 pace)
FRIDAY 22nd May – 11am – Ampthill to Steppingley circular walk – 7 miles – Parking at the West Car park in Ampthill Park. £7 (Mod 2 & 3 pace)
WEDNESDAY 27th May – 10:30am – Greensand Ridge Ampthill Park to Woburn – 10 miles – Parking at the public car park in Woburn we will car share to Ampthill Park to begin this fab walk. £9 (Mod 2 pace)
Despite the weather, so many of you have been showing up for your Nordic Walking sessions and putting in such great effort! We had some fab walks last week and it’s good to see good numbers for the new Womble walks on Wednesdays!
POP UP FRIDAY This week we have a great POP UP Friday walk planned. Meeting at 10am at The Danish Camp, Chapel Lane, Willington, MK44 3QG we will transport you to the start of the walk at Kempston Mill for a nice stretch of the legs back to Willington. This is approx 8 miles on flat. You will need your Paws! (Mod 2 pace) £7
WEDNESDAY WOMBLE This week’s Womble is starting a bit earlier than usual because the Marston Moretaine Church, St Mary’s is putting on Soup and a roll for us afterwards. Yay! The walk is a bit longer this week (5.5 miles) but on the flat as we walk the whole circuit of the Forest Centre’s Millenium Park. Looking at doing a Mod 2/Mod 3 pace. Parking on Green Lane MK43 0NF or along Woburn St (just past the traffic lights pn the side of the road) and meeting at the Church gate by the school at the end of Green Lane at 10:30am Soup & a roll is £3 going to the Church. Tea & Coffee also available. Many thanks.
BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE RAIN OF LATE I HAVE HAD TO STICK TO SAFE LOCATIONS FOR OUR WALKS THIS WEEK. HOWEVER, PLEASE COME PREPARED WITH LIGHT RAIN COAT AND THE CORRECT WALKING SHOES FOR WET WEATHER. THANKS EVERYONE!
LONGER WALKS BOOKING ESSENTIAL NO LATER THAN 48 HRS PRIOR TO WALK.
Pop Up FRIDAY – 21st February – Kempston Mill to Danish Camp, Willington linear walk – park at The Danish Camp at 10am and we’ll car share to Kempston Mill – 8 miles – (Mod 2 Pace) £8 PAWS for the majority of the walk.
SUNDAY, February 23rd – CANCELLED
Greensand Country Festival Walks in May
WEDNESDAY 13th May – 10am – Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine to Ampthill Park – 8 miles – Parking at Ampthill Park West Car Park we will then car share to the Forest Centre to start the walk. £8 (Mod 2 pace)
FRIDAY 22nd May – 11am – Ampthill to Steppingley circular walk – 7 miles – Parking at the West Car park in Ampthill Park. £7 (Mod 2 & 3 pace)
WEDNESDAY 27th May – 10:30am – Greensand Ridge Ampthill Park to Woburn – 10 miles – Parking at the public car park in Woburn we will car share to Ampthill Park to begin this fab walk. £9 (Mod 2 pace)
A great turnout by all my new walkers this week. The first couple of times out you’ll get more familiar with how the speed groups work. If you found your first session too easy, move up to the next one. I will be there to advise you if needed. All regular walks are 1 hour long and approximately 3 miles. Womble Walks & Pop Up walks distances vary.
PARQ FORM For all my new walkers you will have to fill out a PARQ form and bring it with you the next time you come. You can find this form on the website www.walk2fitness.co.uk. If you need a hard copy just let me know.
WEATHER THIS WEEK Because of the extreme winds, we need to take extra care this week. I may ask you to hold your poles if it is gusty. This is prevent the poles being blown into your stride which could cause you to trip. As always if there are any cancellations or changes to the walks this will be put on the website front page. Please check before you leave to make sure walks are on. Thanks everyone.
WEDNESDAY WOMBLE This weeks Womble walk is starting at 11am and meeting at Priory Business Park car park, Stannard Way, MK44 3WH. Mod 2 & 3 pace. £6. Approximately a 5.5 mile flat walk with light lunch/drinks at The Longholm cafe around mile 4. Click here to view the menu https://thelongholme.com/ After a nice relaxed snack/drink at the cafe we will stroll back to Priory and the Business Park car park. Please check Google maps to see how to get there as this car park is just off the A421 and you can avoid driving into Bedford using this easier car park saving a lot of time. Yay! PAWS needed for some of the walk. Please BOOK onto this walk by text or email by Monday evening. Many thanks.
Our Thursday group (above) were on par for another fab walk at The Bedford golf course! LONGER WALKS BOOKING ESSENTIAL NO LATER THAN 48 HRS PRIOR TO WALK.
Pop Up FRIDAY – 21st February – Kempston Mill to Danish Camp, Willington linear walk – park at The Danish Camp at 10am and we’ll car share to Kempston Mill – 8 miles – (Mod 2 Pace) £8 PAWS for the majority of the walk.
SUNDAY, February 23rd – Woburn Public car park to Eversholt circular. 6 miles Paws for only a part of this walk. (Mod 2 Pace) £7
Greensand Country Festival Walks in May
WEDNESDAY 13th May – 10am – Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine to Ampthill Park – 8 miles – Parking at Ampthill Park West Car Park we will then car share to the Forest Centre to start the walk. £8 (Mod 2 pace)
FRIDAY 22nd May – 11am – Ampthill to Steppingley circular walk – 7 miles – Parking at the West Car park in Ampthill Park. £7 (Mod 2 & 3 pace)
WEDNESDAY 27th May – 10:30am – Greensand Ridge Ampthill Park to Woburn – 10 miles – Parking at the public car park in Woburn we will car share to Ampthill Park to begin this fab walk. £9 (Mod 2 pace)These pics are from our walking routes last week. I love a good sunset!
Welcome to all my Newbies who completed or are just about to complete their Technique course. We have Andrea, Steve, Danny, Angie, Shaufun, Joanne, Penny, Angela, Ann, Catherine, Sylvia and Julie. I know you’ll make them feel very welcome.
For my Newbies, you will see a list below of the walks coming up this week the one’s highlighted in Yellow are Booking classes and you can do this by emailing: elaine@walk2fitness.co.uk or text 07894791527 or via the website www.walk2fitness.co.uk. The grading key will let you know which walks are suitable for your particular speed. Striders is the fastest group, then Mod 1, Mod 2, Mod 3 and Gentle. If you need any help or advice, don’t hesitate to let me know.
POLES You can hire poles from me at £1 per session but if you would like to buy your own you can have a look here: https://nordicwalking.co.uk/products/2/ Amazon have good deals too but just make sure you buy Nordic Walking poles which have the strap as this allows you to do the full technique. Let me know if you need any help. Thanks.
WEDNESDAY WOMBLE As you can see from the above photo the inaugural Womble walk was well attended and we had a beautiful sunny day to stroll around the lovely village of Harlington before having a yummy lunch at the Pub. This week we are heading to Willen Lake in Milton Keynes to walk around the lake and have lunch at Camphill cafe.
There is a small car park so car sharing is advised. If you would like to car share, let me know by Tuesday afternoon and we’ll meet at Ampthill Park West car park on Wednesday at 11:20am; otherwise we will see you at Willen Lake to start the walk at 12pm. The address is Japonica Lane, Willen Park South, Milton Keynes, MK15 9JY There is also a car park the other side of the road to this and it costs £1.20 for 2 hours.
This is a 3.5 mile walk and the pace is Mod 2 & 3. £6 If you’re staying for a light lunch please have a look at the website http://camphillmk.co/cafe/ please book on by Tuesday noon. Thanks everyone.
POP UP FRIDAY We have a POP UP walk this week and you will need your Paws. For the Newbies, Paws are the rubber tips that go on the bottom of the poles to prevent vibration on harder surfaces. If you wish to have food after this walk, please have a look at the menu and let me know your choices by Wednesday evening. https://www.anchorinngreatbarford.co.uk/s_foodanddrink.asp Thanks
LONGER WALK – BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Pop Up FRIDAY – 7th February – Bedford to Great Barford linear walk – park at The Anchor Inn (picture above) in Great Barford at 10am and we’ll car share to Priory Business Park, Stannard Way just off the A421. 7.5 miles (Mod 2 pace) £7 PAWS
Pop Up FRIDAY – 21st February – Kempston Mill to Danish Camp, Willington linear walk – park at The Danish Camp at 10am and we’ll car share to Kempston Mill – 8 miles – (Mod 2 Pace) £8 PAWS for the majority of the walk
SUNDAY, February 23rd – Woburn Public car park to Eversholt circular. 6 miles Paws for only a part of this walk. (Mod 2 Pace) £7
Greensand Country Festival Walks in May
WEDNESDAY 13th May – 10am – Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine to Ampthill Park – 8 miles – Parking at Ampthill Park West Car Park we will then car share to the Forest Centre to start the walk. £8 (Mod 2 pace)
FRIDAY 22nd May – 11am – Ampthill to Steppingley circular walk – 7 miles – Parking at the West Car park in Ampthill Park. £7 (Mod 2 & 3 pace)
WEDNESDAY 27th May – 10:30am – Greensand Ridge Ampthill Park to Woburn – 10 miles – Parking at the public car park in Woburn we will car share to Ampthill Park to begin this fab walk. £9 (Mod 2 pace)
Another great week of walks last week and so great to see so many of you coming along working on your health and fitness. What a great start to the year! This is especially great as statistics show the tail end of January is where our mood changes, the gloom sets in and we feel less inclined to get out there, BUT not MY Nordic Walkers! Well done for keeping up the good work on your walks and for “showing up!”
WEDNESDAY WOMBLE This week see’s the new class starting and this will vary each week. The start times will vary also and this is dependent on the distance and location of the walks. When paths dry out more some Womble walks will be more challenging. After each walk we hope to visit Pubs/cafe’s and we will have days out further afield to places of interest too.
29th January – 12pm – Harlington Village Walk, meeting at the Village Hall – PAWS – 3 miles – Pub (Pace Mod 2 & 3) Harlington village is a wonderful place to walk around and has it’s share of history. John Bunyan lived here and was then arrested in 1660 for preaching in the fields below Harlington at Bunyan’s Oak and thrown into Bedford prison where he then wrote Pilgrims Progress. Also the first recognised English National Steeplechase took place from Harlington Church in 1830 and went to Wrest Park. As we wander the little streets and lanes you can look out over wonderful views as well as have a beak at the sweet cottages and gardens. An easy 3 miler with a pub stop….what a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. I grew up in Harlington and it will always be special to me.
UPCOMING CHALLENGES We’re still putting together some longer distance challenges and we’re finding some routes are impassable at the moment due to extremely muddy sections which means we have some Paw walks coming up. Here are some dates in the next month to put in the diary so far:
Pop Up FRIDAY – 7th February – Priory country Park, Bedford to Great Barford linear walk – park at The Anchor in Great Barford at 10am and we’ll car share to Priory. 7 miles (Mod 2 pace) £7 PAWS
Pop Up FRIDAY – 21st February – Kempston Mill to Danish Camp, Willington – park at The Danish Camp at 10am and we’ll car share to Kempston Mill – 8 miles – (Mod 2 Pace) £8 PAWS for the majority of the walk
SUNDAY, February 23rd – Woburn Public car park to Eversholt circular. 6 miles Paws for only a part of this walk. (Mod 2 Pace) £7
Greensand Country Festival Walks in May
WEDNESDAY 13th May – 10am – Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine to Ampthill Park – 8 miles – Parking at Ampthill Park West Car Park we will then car share to the Forest Centre to start the walk. £8 (Mod 2 pace)
FRIDAY 22nd May – 11am – Ampthill to Steppingley circular walk – 7 miles – Parking at the West Car park in Ampthill Park. £7 (Mod 2 & 3 pace)
WEDNESDAY 27th May – 10:30am – Greensand Ridge Ampthill Park to Woburn – 10 miles – Parking at the public car park in Woburn we will car share to Ampthill Park to begin this fab walk. £9 (Mod 2 pace)
MORE LONGER DISTANCE WALKS WILL BE ADDED FOR MARCH & APRIL SHORTLY. WOOHOO!
Above and below pics: Beautiful crisp winter days in Ampthill Park last week.
