Put through their paces

EACH weekday at 7am a group of active Pomona residents meet outside the Pomona Community House to pound the pavement as part of the Pomona Pacers walking group.
Started six years ago, the group walks for up to 60 minutes each day from Monday to Friday on a range of local walks.
There are currently 24 members in the group, who all enjoy a brisk walk while meeting new friends.
Long-time walkers Helen Randall and Denise Ruttley recently shared their stories as members of the Pomona Pacers.
Helen said she joined the Pomona Pacers Heart Foundation walking group in May last year and enjoys exploring the beautiful forest walking tracks.
“I joined the Pomona Pacers after my daughter (a marathon runner) kept nagging me to join the walking group. I had been walking solo with my dog along the forest trails near my home and as it was rather lonely I thought my daughter had a good idea and as it turned out it was the best idea ever,” she said.
Helen said she is lucky to have good heart health and fitness at the age of 66 but a recent diagnosis of dementia turned her life around.
“Yes, it was a shock but believe me the lovely caring people in our walking group have made this adjustment so much easier,” she said.
“I was advised by the physician to keep walking and stay fit – and to keep up my social contacts. Well how lucky I am to have my Pomona Pacers buddies to walk with.
“The exercise is important but the friendship, chatter and laughter is what keeps me going. We walk and talk but it’s more than walking. We share coffee on Wednesdays when the group gets even bigger with partners and friends popping in. We also have lots of other outings – moon walks, longer walks to lookouts and up hills (ouch, hamstrings) and many other celebration brunches and lunches for birthdays or whatever.”
Helen said she stays positive to slow down the onset of dementia but having the support of the walking group has been “fabulous”.
“I recommend that you get involved and find one near you, even if you think your heart’s in good shape you just don’t know what else is around the corner,” she said.
Fellow Pomona Pacer Denise has been walking with the group for several years after her neighbour encouraged her to give it a go.
Walk organiser Karen Gosling, who has been walking for four years, said in keeping with the spirit of the Pomona Pacers group, Denise keeps an eye on those who may be feeling down or unwell, and kindly shares her and husband John’s produce with the group.
“One of Denise’s many talents is scrapbooking and we are very touched that Denise has produced a beautiful album dedicated to a year in the life of the Pomona Pacers,” she said.
“Denise has been collecting group photos and a few candid shots on our walks and outings for some months now as she builds a library of happy memories of our walking group.
“With great care and affection Denise has spent hours putting together this book of moments and memories of the Pomona Pacers.
“So, you might think of the Pomona Pacers as the local Heart Foundation walking group but really it is a walking group with a heart.”
Anyone who would like to join the group can phone Karen on 0408 652 821.