Every morning we get up at 6:30 am so that we can get in a good walk. I thought it might be fun to share my Manchester morning walk with you to inspire you. Inspire you to get up a little bit earlier and get in a walk before work.
Finding time!
I know what it is like to feel like you have no time to get outside and walking. It seems like the day is so quickly sucked up by work and chores and things like that. Before you know it, it is time for bed!
We used to find that it was the case too – although much of our time was actually taken waiting for irregular buses. It was during the summer that I decided that I needed to up my activity levels. Although we were out walking and hiking every weekend, the weekdays could be rather sedentary for us both. Me especially now that I work from home and am a short walk away from the kitchen!
After discussing lots of options that would help (and trying to get a mini walk in at lunchtime) we decided on getting 3 miles each evening wandering town.
The next level!
Very quickly, we realised that as we were doing more and more walking, it was getting much easier to do. However, my extra chub was not shifting, so I needed to take things up a level. That is when we decided to give walking in the morning a try. (You can read how it happened in my post where ‘I whispered, do you want to walk to town‘)
So now, every morning (bar Sunday) we will get up nice and early to enjoy the streets of the city, exploring unseen spaces and getting some fresh air to start the day. We even gave ourselves the challenge to get 10k steps before 10 am, which we hit daily these days! (#10kbefore10am if you fancy joining!)
Our morning walk is generally around the 4 mile mark, so a good start to the day and once you start getting up earlier, it gets easier and easier. It also kind of becomes addictive and you think about getting up even earlier at times too!
Wellbeing
Not only has our morning walking helped me curb the budge that was developing, it gives us time to prepare for the day and our evening walks are time for downloading – which means that we can get out any bothers from the day so that they don’t have to come home with us. It really does work wonders for relaxing at home!
As you may know, if you’re a regular reader, I have experienced mobility issues and poor mental health in the form of anxiety and depression, so I know first hand how important getting outside is for keeping you healthy. It also helps build community and a sense of belonging which is also a vital thing for us human beings!
A different light
Being in the city in the morning, nice and early, makes it feel like a completely different place. It feels as though you’re on a holiday, which is a fantastic feeling Everything seems new, exciting things appear for you and you get to learn about where you live in a new way. It think that this is one of my favourite parts of urban wandering in the morning. Even though I have lived and explored Manchester since 2001, there is always something new to be found.
The colours of autumn on my Manchester morning walk today was amazing! I have never seen such glorious shades over the Irwell. They even put the courts to shame!
The changing sights
Living in a city, you will see the area change over the years. Taking time out to explore and adventure, to take photos and enjoy the area helps you to see the changes. As you know it is easy to take things for granted. That shop that sold pretty stuff that has disappeared when you need it most, the road that you need that has now been closed. All these things that go on while we’re distracted by everything else.
Being able to get out and explore helps you to not miss out on these things, you can support local business and help to keep old buildings that make our city what it is.
Starting the day right
I have found that by starting my day with a morning walk, I have so much more focus for my work when I do get home. I’m not fidgeting and full of energy and I feel refreshed for the fresh air.
The funny thing is that I have managed to meet lots f new friends along the way too – and encouraged more to walk as well. We meet a lot more people on our morning walk than we have ever met in the whole 10 years that we have lived in our current house! It has definitely been good for both of us and for the people we meet too.
I’m looking forward to seeing the seasons change again. The city growing any my heath and fitness increasing more and more!
I’m also looking forward to a winter Manchester morning wander or thirty! and working out how to carry on my evening walks in the dark (the Bridgewater canal is rather too dark most of the time when the clocks go back) I’ll let you know how I get on and of course share my wandering photos with you too.
Make sure you get outside for some fresh air and fitness for free!
Would you get up earlier to go for a morning walk? What would encourage you to get outside more often?
Let me know in the comments below! 🙂
