The FastDay Forum

I've done the Seven Bridges Walk, around Sydney Harbour five times now - I think I've only missed a couple of years since it started.

It's a 27 kilometer walk that goes over 7 Bridges that span the harbour: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Pyrmont Bridge (old), Anzac Bridge, Iron Cove Bridge, Gladesville Bridge, Tarban Creek Bridge and Figtree Bridge. It costs $25 to enter, and money raised goes to the Cancer Council. You can do it as an individual or as part of a team.

It requires a bit of training, but nothing like the super-athlete level. I think if you are confident you can walk about 15 kilometres you can probably do 27 km.

I usually start at Hunters Hill (between Tarban Creek and Figtree Bridges). It's a great day - and for most of us it takes all day. In the past we've started about 8:00 am and we finish at about 4:00 pm. You carry a backpack with water bottle and some food, and wet weather gear in case it rains. You don't really need to carry a lot though, because there are water filling stations, loos, and mobile food vans and coffee tents etc. at "villages" set up around the route. You are given a "passport" and you get it stamped at each Bridge and each village. Public transport is available if you decide to only do part of the walk. We've seen folks with babies in prams and walking dogs etc, but these people don't usually do the whole 27 km.

I'm starting training now, but my first move will be to see a podiatrist and probably get orthotics for my shoes, since I'm a bit worried about my right knee which is doing a lot of complaining whenever I tell it to go downhill.

Anyone wanting more info should can go to this link: [url]www.7bridgeswalk.com.au/‎[/url]

Thanks for the info, I'll have a look.

I saw a podiatrist last week because my knees are often sore, and was really impressed. I'm looking forward to getting my orthotics and getting into serious training. Currently I'm doing half hour to 40 minute walks and reluctant to do more because of my knees. They are especially troublesome on downhills and there are a lot of hills on the Seven Bridges Walk.

I've now got my orthotics broken in and finding a big improvement in my knees, so getting serious with the training by going for longer and brisker walks both outdoors and indoors on the treadmill. Interestingly as I've bumped up my exercise I've noticed I've lost a bit more weight, still maintaining the 5:2 way of eating.

I always feel really good on the day after a fasting day and I'm thinking I might fast the day before doing the Seven Bridges Walk. Can anyone advise me on this who has experience at doing something that requires endurance on the day after a fast? This isn't like running a marathon, but for me it's my annual fitness test. I would eat normally on the day of the walk - small amounts regularly - but fast the day before.