Wellbeing Wednesday: Manufacturing's 500-mile challenge

A group of colleagues in Unipart Manufacturing is using the fitness tracking app Strava to boost physical activity, help people take a break, and build team spirit through the barriers of remote working.

The March 500-mile challenge encourages team members to get out once a day to walk, run, or cycle, tracking their activity to contribute to the overall goal.

Sarah Ward-Wheeler (pictured), Unipart Powertrain Applications Project Engineer, was one of the first people to join the team.

“A couple of people were already on Strava and someone came up with the idea of linking everyone together to motivate each other,” said Sarah.

“The challenge was set at 500 miles as a stretch target for the team because there was such a mixture of capability. Some people have competed in marathons and half-marathons, but for many of the team it’s a chance to get out for some fresh air.”

As of last week the team of 13 had completed 300 miles of walking, running, and cycling (the latter calculated using a ratio given the greater distances), but as well as achieving the target the challenge has brought them closer together. People are commenting and supporting each other on the Strava group message boards, and sharing planned activities.

For Sarah the group has pushed her running to a better place: “I started running in the first lockdown last year, when I began the Couch to 5k. I thought 5ks would be my limit, but with the help of the group I’m regularly doing 10k. Now I’ve started measuring my heart rate using my smartwatch to push my running even further.”

Sarah has found exercise to help not only her physical, but mental wellbeing.

“When you’re working at home all the time it’s difficult to know where the working day starts and finishes, so it’s really useful to have a break in that routine. Through exercise I feel like I’ve got a better coping mechanism to deal with the day-to-day stresses.

“If I start to feel overwhelmed by work or just the situation, I think to myself ‘I’ve got a run later’ and that helps me relax.”

The group is set to take on another challenge in April.

Setting up a group on Strava

Strava is one of a big range of fitness apps for tracking activity. If you and your colleagues are using Strava you can find out more about how to set up a group (or ‘club’) on their website.

Couch to 5k

Find out more about how to get into running on the NHS website's Couch to 5k page.

LifeWorks, our employee and family assistance provider, is available for all UK colleagues.

Free confidential support and counselling for colleagues and up to five family members is available 24/7 on 0800 169 1920. No account is needed to access this telephone support.

For online support please visit unipart.lifeworks.com or the LifeWorks mobile app - if you don't already have a login, find out more about how to sign up here.