Andrew Forrest

'Enjoying' the Deepdale Saunders
Lakeland Mountain Marathon

I'm Andrew, a long-time hillwalker, mountain‑marathon regular, and a proud data geek with a deep interest in how walking supports health and wellbeing.

I've been an outdoor enthusiast for many years, spending as much time as possible walking or hiking in the hills. Over the years, I've taken part in 20+ two‑day mountain marathons, including the Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon (SLMM), Karrimor International Mountain Marathon (KIMM), Original Mountain Marathon (OMM), and Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (LAMM).

I've always been more interested in the event, the company, the scenery and the beers than threatening any leaderboards - although I was more than happy with two top 10 finishes in the Wansfell category at the SLMM.

I have a degree in engineering and am a chartered accountant, so critical thinking, structure, and numbers are central to how I make sense of things. That analytical mindset naturally led me to explore the science behind walking, fitness, recovery and longevity - and I genuinely enjoy translating research into practical, everyday habits.

Like most long‑time walkers, I've also dealt with injuries along the way (broken toes, torn ligaments, plantar fasciitis, a torn meniscus). I've worked with numerous physiotherapists and podiatrists over the years (and still do), which has made me especially interested in sustainable training, mobility, strength work, and the small decisions that help you keep walking consistently.

I'm curious about recovery and hydration, and I regularly speak with people working in that space - including Pete Marroni (founder of PEMFiT) and Craig Driver (founder of Optimal Hydration). I treat new ideas as starting points and always look for the underlying evidence before sharing them.

I've had asthma since my early teens, too, and after a rough bout of COVID‑19 pre-jabs, I became even more focused on respiratory health and building fitness in a sensible, sustainable way. I track my steps, sleep and training data daily (mainly via my Garmin Fenix), I listen to numerous wellness podcasts, and if something grabs my attention, I'll go and read further into the studies and guidance behind it. My main focus areas are sleep, longevity, weight management, and fitness - with walking as the habit that ties it all together.

Over the years, I've written walking and outdoor articles published in books, magazines, newspapers and online - all with the aim of helping more people get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. I hope the walk guides, gear reviews, wellness articles and videos on this website inspire you to explore new places, move a little more each week, and discover just how good walking can feel - for both body and mind.

Note: I'm not a clinician - my content is educational and based on lived experience and research. For personal medical advice, always consult a qualified professional.

Andrew