Sunday 29 August 2021 – Tuesday 07 October 2025

#smilingontheinside – 11 October 2025

I was going to make a big deal about it. But didn’t.

I was going to walk Mt Tauhara in Taupo to landmark the day – something monumental. But didn’t. I’ve been-there-done-that (with Mt Tauhara) back in the day – it was stunning. This time around, I didn’t fancy walking it solo. Ironic given the majority of the previous 1,500 days have been solo events.

Those I asked to join me were either out of the country, advised by their doctor to take things easy (not walk Mt Tauhara) or work got in the way.

And that’s okay. That’s what happens sometimes, eh? Life gets in the way.

Screwing My Head On Straight

That’s one of the reasons why I walk – to help keep my head screwed on straight.

Yes – even in the rain (it was raining when I went out first thing on the 7th as well). Yes – even when I don’t feel like it.

Those days – when I don’t feel like it – I label them DFLGO in my Sports Tracker app – Didn’t Feel Like Going Out. They seemed to occur pretty regularly about this time last year.

But then I discovered I had pneumonia and then I didn’t feel quite so deflated. At least not mentally. Once I understood the DFLGO in my head was brought about because there was something wrong with my body, it seemed to make a difference.

But I still went out – those days were very slow walks and not very far. But I did it because I didn’t want to start from zero again.

Next Milestones

1,600	Thursday 15 January 2026
1,750	Sunday 14 June 2026
2,000	Friday 19 February 2027

Marking Day 1,000

Two of my very special friends “recognised” Day 1,000 with me – Saturday 25 May 2024. It doesn’t seem like 500 days ago. Where has the time gone?

One special friend marked the day by giving me this beautiful pearl-studded beanie – photo below. I made sure to send her a photo so she could see it’s still being worn and still treasured. #smilingontheinside

The other visited me in Hamilton; we walked around the arboretum in Scotsman’s Valley. #smilingontheinside

Feeling Like a Fraud

Sometimes I feel like a bit of a fraud. Imposter Syndrome…?

When people hear I’ve walked daily for this huge number they assume I must’ve clocked up squillions of kms. I haven’t because I don’t always walk a long way.

When I say every day they let me know they’ve walked every day as well. But not when it’s raining (!!??). How’s that every day when it’s not…?

Some weeks I don’t even achieve the recommended 300 minutes of aerobic activity. Other weeks I blow that out of the water.

The thing, for me, is to just keep lacing up my shoes each morning. Because I can.

Blessed With Great Genes

My mum once told me a couple of years’ ago, that she wants to still be dancing three or so nights/week, aqua jog with the same frequency, and still walking, well into her 90s. She’s still on track to make that a-happening thing.

I’m so very proud of her.

My maternal grandmother (and grandfather) walked everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Neither of them drove so public transport or Shanks’ Pony was how they got from A to B and Z.

Back when I was in high school, each Saturday morning grandad would walk to the local TAB and pop in for a cup of tea on his way home afterwards. He was doing that into his 70s… maybe his 80s. He thought nothing (well, not out loud) of making that 7-8km round trip. It’s just what he did.

I remember also when I was in high school going out with nan to the shops. I couldn’t keep up with her! I was almost running and she was marching along talking to me, barely out of breath while I was struggling to answer her questions. It’s just what she did – walked everywhere.

Both of them had a few tumbles in their latter years. But they bounced back pretty fast with no broken bones. All that walking gave them a bone density score that would probably blow the charts and be unheard of today.

Like my mum, I still want to be doing the things I’m capable of doing today in the 2030s and beyond.

To ensure that’s a reality, it means I have to continue walking. Yes! Even in the rain. And even on DFLGO Days.

My 1,500 Walk – Tuesday 07 October 2025

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Here’s to still be walking – Day 1,500…

Here’s to having great genes…

Here’s to having inspirational role models!

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Here’s to SmilingOnTheInside!