Lizzy Layton Scott is walking Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones in 2018.
Why are you walking Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones?
I am walking Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones this year with my son Corey Layton. Neither of us has ever done anything this big before. Last year I celebrated my 50th birthday and wanted to make it a memorable year.
How did you get into walking?
In November 2015 I lost one of my brothers, very unexpectedly – he was only 47 and we were very close. It was a huge shock. The year after his death was awful and if I am honest, a bit of a blur. On the anniversary month of his death, I was still really struggling.
I worked full time and I walked to work, which is just under two miles away. I decided to walk further. To keep myself motivated I thought I’d raise money for charity. In November 2016 I walked 10 miles every day – a total of 305 miles – for Alzheimer’s Research. The walking helped me to cope a lot with my grief, and it was dark so no one could see my tears – and it certainly made me fitter.
Have you done any other long walks?
Last year, after my birthday, I wanted to complete the Ridgeway walk [Lizzie and Gary walked unsupported, not as part of Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones], again for charity, this time for MIND and SSAFA. I managed to rope my other brother Gary into it. Unfortunately, after only managing halfway, Gary injured himself, knocking out his hip and we had to abandon the walk. We still raised money for both charities but I really desperately want to complete the challenge.
So this year I am even more determined. Corey is slightly fitter than Gary – did I just say that out loud? We are both walking for SSAFA, a charity close to my heart as I’m an ex Wren (Women’s Royal Naval Service).
What training are you doing?
I am not the fittest person in the world but I do walk and I have the training diary, which I will be sticking to. I am definitely going to finish this year and I may even shed a wee tear when I do. I have been reading all the reviews from previous entrants and I think with all the fantastic support available there’s no reason I won’t be able to achieve my goal.
