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Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_04_15/GA_1504_E1_018.pdf
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Galway Advertiser
April 15 2004
NEWS
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FASHION
BEAUTY
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H E A LT H
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LIFE
MARY
Working out in a gym is great. You know which machine will tone which muscle, and you can even watch the calorie countdown on the screen in front of you. But for scenery, fresh air, and good exercise it's hard to beat walking. And for good company, and expert guidance on where and when to go walking, it's hard to beat the Galway Walking Club. With more than 130 members, the 10-year-old club is remarkably active with weekly meetings and regular weekends away to busy themselves. The members meet in Tonery's Bar on Bothermor every second Thursday at 8.30pm to organise future walks. The walks themselves take place every Sunday, with members meeting at the Omniplex Cinema on the Headford Road at 9.45am. One Sunday the members go on a National Way marked walkway of some kind, and the next they go on a hillwalk, which can be more challenging. Wednesday walks will also begin in a few weeks for the summer period. Now the evening are longer, members from the club meet up to go for a five or six mile walk mid week as well as at weekends. Membership for the year is just 35, and if you are without transport you need not worry because the cars are pooled and members get a lift to the destination of the walk for just 5, be it 20 or 50 miles away.
O'CONNOR
BY SINEAD McGOVERN circulation, and stress. In terms of prevention, it can help strengthen muscles and ligaments against conditions such as arthritis, and osteoporosis.
Walking - an underestimated pastime
How can I join?
All you need to do to join the club is to show up! The club meet at the Omniplex Cinema on the Headford Road at 9.45am every Sunday morning. Every second Sunday the group go on a more adventurous hill walk, so check before hand to see which walk they are embarking on. PRO Aisling Keenan recommends that anyone who may be joining the club for the first time come along wearing comfortable walking shoes, and comfortable rainproof clothes. "They would also need to bring along a drink and a packed lunch, we really make a day out of it!" she said. For more information see the club's website at www.galwaywalkingclub.hom estead.com or give Aisling a call on (087) 6815007.
Members of the Galway Walking Club stop to enjoy the view on Benletterey last August
the Cork and Limerick border for the May bank holiday weekend.
New friends
A great way to see the country and meet new people is how PRO Aisling Keenan describes the group. So why not get some fresh air into those lungs and see some of the hidden corners of the countryside while you're at it? "The club is joined by numerous tourists each summer, because they know it is the best way to see the country, and of course get to know people," she says. "It's a young, vibrant club with an awful lot happening in it. There are social events left right and centre, and I've made some great friends in the club."
fresh air, which is good for putting the colour back into your cheeks after the long and dull winter. It an also help alleviate both mental and physical exhaustion. After a
hard day in the office, there is nothing like a long brisk walk to brush away the cobwebs. And even though you may feel like hitting the sofa, you will return to it from your walk
brimming full of energy. Walking it a great aerobic exercise, but it can also help alleviate symptoms of a number of conditions including back pain, bad
Destination anywhere
Croagh Patrick, Derryclare Horseshoe, Ballacorrick, Clare Island, Nire Valley in Waterford, and Mount Gable are just some of the places the club have walked in the last year. People with all levels of fitness are welcome. There is always someone at the front and back of the group to make sure that no one gets lost. Upcoming trips include Aughnaglinny in the Burren area on April 25, and a weekend away to the Ballyhoura walking festival on
Why go walking?
Walking is most certainly an underestimated form of excercise. Why spend hours on end on a treadmill staring at a wall or a TV screen while you could be out discovering some of the country's most beautiful scenery? When out walking you get
PRO of the Galway Walking Club Aisling Keenan on a recent walk on Ben Gorm in Leenane.
simply beautiful
T: 091 568555 E: info@bellissimo.ie