Today, being the 1st of November here in Australia, I started my November Challenge.

My November Challenge is walking a minimum of 45 minutes every day of the month, and abstaining from salt and sugar for the entire month.

It’s going to be hard.

I have travel coming up this month – fortunately only internal domestic travel – but even so that makes exercise difficult. And I notice that some of you have suggested that I take the occasional rest day.

Nup.

One of the difficulties I will face is my knee. Those of you who have read my Camino memoir, The Way, My Way, or seen the movie, know that I have a bung knee. Basically, my knee joint lacks cartilage. Or to use the vernacular, it’s bone-on-bone.

I refuse to get a knee replacement. And so my knee continues to be an issue. I’ve developed a way of walking that minimises the pain, and yet it’s still bothersome. And sometimes it’s downright agony. So I’ll see how that plays out over the month.

But this morning, first day of the Challenge, I felt great. It was a beautiful fresh Spring morning and I walked for 54 minutes – 4kms – so it wasn’t too demanding. In Mudgee people I meet on my walk want to chat, so I stop and chat, and that messes with my stats somewhat – but this isn’t about pushing myself. This is about consistency.

By the way, Nordic walking is the best!