Join a virtual hike to the 12 Apostles

Great Ocean Road Health (GORH) has begun its virtual Health Hike from Torquay to the 12 Apostles, and is inviting the community to join in any way they can.

Starting on Tuesday this week at Point Impossible, the 200km walk along the coastline will cover a new section on each of its 29 days.

A daily introductory video from one of the GORH team will let participants know sights and attractions they can expect to see, including Carisbrook, running along the shoreline from Grassy Creek to the Swing Bridge at low tide, and Dinosaur Cove at Glenaire.

The section covered today (Thursday, September 3), for example, stretches 8km from Bells Beach to Point Addis.

You can enter the hike as an individual or in a group (maximum 10 people). As this is a virtual challenge, you are able to accumulate your steps throughout the day, aiming for 10,000 steps per day.

Steps can be counted on your smart phone or smart watch, or by using the simple formula of 10 minutes of moderate intensity activity being equal to 1,000 steps. This includes walking, cycling, swimming, rowing, dancing, and all activities that raise your heart rate but still allow you to hold a conversation.

If you enjoy more vigorous exercise that makes you huff and puff, 10 minutes of high-intensity activity is equal to 2,000 steps. This includes circuit training, aerobics, running, brisk cycling and rowing.

A virtual bus will pick up anyone who misses the daily 10,000-step target and drop them off at the start of the next day’s section.

The GORH allied health department’s goal is to keep people moving, and understand that achieving this goal requires more than strengthening muscles and filling our lungs.

To promote the benefits of mindfulness, they are encouraging 10 minutes of daily purposeful relaxing, with each 10-minute block spent being present equating to another 1,000 steps. This includes practicing gratitude, reflection, gentle stretching, yoga, pilates, breathing exercises, and gentle gardening.

To register for the Great Ocean Road Health Hike, head to greatoceanroadhealth.com.au/hike and follow the links.

To watch the daily videos showing progress along the hike, join the Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/2596022954058879.