A LONG WAY TO GO...

Fancy doing a long-distance walking event in the beautiful British countryside? We help you find your feet with the basics

- Emma Lewis

Calling all keen hikers and general lovers of the great outdoors! We have just the thing if you fancy a challenge. Why not do a scenic long-distance walking event in the countryside? It may sound daunting, but with a bit of training and preparation, you'll be surprised at what you can achieve. There are all sorts of events out there throughout the country, from the stunning West Highland Way in Scotland to the South West coast, via rugged mountainous multi-peak challenges in Yorkshire, the hilly Chilterns and so many more. Whether you do a one-day or a multi-day event, there's bound to be something out there to take your fancy. Read on to find out how to start the preparation, find an event to suit you and enjoy the journey.

6 STEPS FOR TRAINING SUCCESS

Helpful advice to set you on your way to a rural distance-walking event

1. It's easy to think that the harder you train the better, but training smarter is the key to making the best use of your limited time, and avoiding injury and burnout. A good general rule is to up your distance by no more than 10 percent per week. You could look for a suitable long-distance walking plan online (for example, several of the charities have them to help you prepare for their events, devised by coaching companies such as Running with Us; runningwithus.com). This will help you make sure you're raring to go on race day.

2. Work back from the event date for the optimum time to start your plan. A lot of the 50K walking event plans for intermediates start four months before, for example. Check you're at a fitness level to be able to crack on with it when it starts (as these things are often designed for intermediates'), and start stocking up and trying out the necessary kit if you don't have it: especially socks and footwear.