Photobucket Album
Monday 23 July 2007
Monday 16 July 2007
Thailand Jungle trek 5th to 15th July
Day 1: Thursday 5th July 10am flight to Bahrain from Heathrow. Kedra one of the group stayed with me overnight and I meet Matt & Paul, then Alice at check in followed by Sheridon and Adrian and Pheona and Kristy in the departure lounge, Elaine, Chris and Zena on the plane and Fiona at Bahrain. Delayed departure gave us less time at Bahrain airport, where we waited for about 4 hours for an onward
flight to Bangkok.
Day 2: Friday 6th July 00.15 flight Bahrain to Bangkok. Spent ages on the tarmac at Bahrain so further delay let to arriving 12.45pm at Bangkok airport. Here we were met by Jean-Dan our Swiss group leader who has been in Thailand running such trips and
other less challenging sightseeing tours for 20years and his second in command Oh a Thai from Bangkok. Both spoke excellent English. It took about 30/40 minutes to transfer in two mini-buses to our Hotel in Bangkok in the lively Banglamphu district. After a small briefing meeting Kedra and I headed off to narry.com tailors over in the centre of the city. As it was Friday night the traffic was horrendous and we were over 2 hours in the taxi before we gave up and it dropped us off at theskytrain - an overground transport system where 10mins later and 3 stops we arrived at the shop. Spent about 2hours in there 7-9pm being measured and choosing suits. I had a package which included 2 suits 2 shirts 1 dress and 2 scarfs for approx £110. As we had missed the group dinner we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe to add to my pin
collection and decided to eat there too. A taxi back to the hotel followed by a bedtime beverage and we were off to bed!
Day 3: Saturday 7th July Drive by mini-bus up to our starting point for the trek so today was a travel/sight-seeing day. We stopped first a war cemetery for those mainlyEnglish but some dutch who lost their lives in the second world war as prisoners of war forced to build the railway from Thailand to Burma by the Japanese. Then it was the Bridge over the RiverKwai itself where the other side was in Burma. Note the film was shot in Sri Lanka and the story a different one. Other stops were a restaurant lunch stop
and a Dam with a floating village and some tropical trees. We reached out destination of the Burmese Inn atSangklaburi late afternoon. Dinner was provided by our host followed by a few beers.
Day 4: Sunday 8th July All set for the first days' trek. As well as our English speaking guides we had about three Thai guides who were assisting including cutting jungle debris from our route. It started off flat but soon began climbing a slope and after a cave with bats flying though we were well on the way upwards. After a quick break at the top of the first climb it started to pour with rain. As we had seen this coming raincoats and rain covers for the rucksacks were already on. After a further steady climb and a couple of falls by myself we had lunch of rice and chicken wrapped in bamboo leaves. After this followed more muddy inclined terrain with which I continued to struggle. There were a few falls by various members of the group and
one which resulted in a bamboo tree nearly hitting one of us. Eventually after the guides trying to work out the best route we met the road and followed this to complete 10 hours walking getting to our destination in the dark. We were all put up in a barn type building with several sleeping areas under mosquito nets. Washing facilities were the nearby river. We were treated to dinner and a dance by some local girls before everyone went to bed shattered.
Day 5: Monday 9th July. A less difficult terrain saw trekking through rice fields and streams, one of which we stopped near for lunch after a swimming/wading dip. Following on we passed villages, rubber plantations and finally a wade across river to our island campsite with a freshly built bamboo hut containing six bedrooms and an outside campfire where we weregreeted by a can of Chang beer.
Day 6: Tuesday 10th July. A circular walk around the jungle following road and then down to follow a stream sometimes wading in it other times walking around it. This was followed by rafting down the river to our lunch destination on bamboo rafts. This took longer than expected due to first my raft capsizing (which resulted in several bruises a cut on the head a lostbandana and despite fishing them from the river a screw missing from my sunglasses!) followed by a second raft hitting the side of river and one member of the group trapped underneath the raft for a little while. After our late lunch were driven back to the Burmese Inn via Three Pagoda's Pass on the border with Burma. It was here that I started to feel weary. By the time I got back to the Burmese Inn I was shivering and getting hot and cold. However after some hot water and a shower I felt better. After dinner though having already had a little diarrhoea
the weary feeling came back and having got ready for bed I felt very hot and cold. I spent the night trying to sleep sweating a lot drinking a lot and passing water so not really replacing any fluids followed byvomiting in the middle of the night.
Day 7: Wednesday 11th July A relaxation day following the 3 day trek. Whilst the others went of on a local boat trip, temple and market visit Oh took me to the hospital. I had woken up feeling not quite as rough as when going to bed but we felt I had better get seen to. The doctors gave me some tests which were negative and someantibiotics and energy giving beverage salts. After a little rest back at the accommodation the rest of the group returned and we headed off to our next accommodation. Upon arrival I had a little sleep again and then tried to join everyone for dinner but again vomited. So I returned to my room and got into bed for the night.
Day 8: Thursday 12th July - Hell Fire Pass trek/Kayaking. As I felt a lot better the next morning I participated in the morning's hike along the remains of the death railway built by the prisoners of war. The day was hot and whilst I was thinking oh no I am sweating so much I'm feverish again everyone else was too so it was just the heat. The walk finished with some steep stairs up to the Hell Fire Pass Museum and by that time I was feeling sick again. I saw a bit of the horrific videos in there but came outside. I couldn't stomach lunch and sat in the van whilst everyone else ate. I therefore gave the kayaking a miss and was taken straight to the nightsaccommodation where I had a sleep with a nightmare that I was getting up walking about not knowing what I was doing and behaving rather mentally!! When my room mate arrived (The kayaking was all the way down river to theaccommodation ) about a minute after waking up I went across to the swimming pool with her for a quick dip and mainly stayed in the circular bit to the side sitting in the water. I managed to eat dinner this night and then just went back to the room for a rest and started the book I had purchased at Heathrow, just managing one chapter!
Day 9: Friday 13th July A morning of elephant trekking and Kayaking followed by the drive back to Bangkok. I was on an elephant on my own which meant I spent longer at the front on top of mine. He did keep stopping to munch on the greenery around though! As I had not been kayaking the day before or anything like this for over 20 years I seemed to be quite a way at the back. Then the rest stopped briefly so I could catch up and then I went past and remained in the front all the rest of the way. I was expecting some of them at least to over take but I didn't realise that
they were not paddling all the time. I took about 3 or 4 brief rests all the journey whereas they were having longer rests! After lunch by the river bank mini-bus back to Bangkok. Upon arrival back to the hotel took a taxi and the sky train back to the tailors. Just a couple of alterations to do and upon finishing these they would drop them back to the hotel. After a quick visit to a nearby shop selling fake football
shirts and a purchase of the new Arsenal away strip for someone at the
cost of 840 bahts which is approx £13, I took the sky train back to national stadium station where I took a couple of pics of the sporting facilities upon descending the station and then taxi to the hotel. A quick look at the nearby shopping street and check of e-mails in the internet cafe and then our group celebratory meal. After the meal we were awarded a charity challenge medal by the guides. Then we went on to a karaoke bar which was tucked away and the only other people in there were locals. After that it was a night club til that closed at 2am. Although I wasn't drinking the lads get a little drunk and Alice tried to steer Matt the short journey back to the hotel!!
Day 10: Those of us that were not too hungover or shattered took a tuk tuk journey at 8.30am to the Grand Palace with a guided tour by Oh. Then back to the hotel by tuk tuk and Alice and I went on a brief shop before leaving the hotel at 11.15am for the airport and the long journey home with a six hour stopover in Bahrain. Pictures to follow. For details of the routes/distances walked, I can obtain the from Jean Dan by e-mail but probably not until August when he is less busy. He had a gprs system with him.
flight to Bangkok.
Day 2: Friday 6th July 00.15 flight Bahrain to Bangkok. Spent ages on the tarmac at Bahrain so further delay let to arriving 12.45pm at Bangkok airport. Here we were met by Jean-Dan our Swiss group leader who has been in Thailand running such trips and
other less challenging sightseeing tours for 20years and his second in command Oh a Thai from Bangkok. Both spoke excellent English. It took about 30/40 minutes to transfer in two mini-buses to our Hotel in Bangkok in the lively Banglamphu district. After a small briefing meeting Kedra and I headed off to narry.com tailors over in the centre of the city. As it was Friday night the traffic was horrendous and we were over 2 hours in the taxi before we gave up and it dropped us off at theskytrain - an overground transport system where 10mins later and 3 stops we arrived at the shop. Spent about 2hours in there 7-9pm being measured and choosing suits. I had a package which included 2 suits 2 shirts 1 dress and 2 scarfs for approx £110. As we had missed the group dinner we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe to add to my pin
collection and decided to eat there too. A taxi back to the hotel followed by a bedtime beverage and we were off to bed!
Day 3: Saturday 7th July Drive by mini-bus up to our starting point for the trek so today was a travel/sight-seeing day. We stopped first a war cemetery for those mainlyEnglish but some dutch who lost their lives in the second world war as prisoners of war forced to build the railway from Thailand to Burma by the Japanese. Then it was the Bridge over the RiverKwai itself where the other side was in Burma. Note the film was shot in Sri Lanka and the story a different one. Other stops were a restaurant lunch stop
and a Dam with a floating village and some tropical trees. We reached out destination of the Burmese Inn atSangklaburi late afternoon. Dinner was provided by our host followed by a few beers.
Day 4: Sunday 8th July All set for the first days' trek. As well as our English speaking guides we had about three Thai guides who were assisting including cutting jungle debris from our route. It started off flat but soon began climbing a slope and after a cave with bats flying though we were well on the way upwards. After a quick break at the top of the first climb it started to pour with rain. As we had seen this coming raincoats and rain covers for the rucksacks were already on. After a further steady climb and a couple of falls by myself we had lunch of rice and chicken wrapped in bamboo leaves. After this followed more muddy inclined terrain with which I continued to struggle. There were a few falls by various members of the group and
one which resulted in a bamboo tree nearly hitting one of us. Eventually after the guides trying to work out the best route we met the road and followed this to complete 10 hours walking getting to our destination in the dark. We were all put up in a barn type building with several sleeping areas under mosquito nets. Washing facilities were the nearby river. We were treated to dinner and a dance by some local girls before everyone went to bed shattered.
Day 5: Monday 9th July. A less difficult terrain saw trekking through rice fields and streams, one of which we stopped near for lunch after a swimming/wading dip. Following on we passed villages, rubber plantations and finally a wade across river to our island campsite with a freshly built bamboo hut containing six bedrooms and an outside campfire where we weregreeted by a can of Chang beer.
Day 6: Tuesday 10th July. A circular walk around the jungle following road and then down to follow a stream sometimes wading in it other times walking around it. This was followed by rafting down the river to our lunch destination on bamboo rafts. This took longer than expected due to first my raft capsizing (which resulted in several bruises a cut on the head a lostbandana and despite fishing them from the river a screw missing from my sunglasses!) followed by a second raft hitting the side of river and one member of the group trapped underneath the raft for a little while. After our late lunch were driven back to the Burmese Inn via Three Pagoda's Pass on the border with Burma. It was here that I started to feel weary. By the time I got back to the Burmese Inn I was shivering and getting hot and cold. However after some hot water and a shower I felt better. After dinner though having already had a little diarrhoea
the weary feeling came back and having got ready for bed I felt very hot and cold. I spent the night trying to sleep sweating a lot drinking a lot and passing water so not really replacing any fluids followed byvomiting in the middle of the night.
Day 7: Wednesday 11th July A relaxation day following the 3 day trek. Whilst the others went of on a local boat trip, temple and market visit Oh took me to the hospital. I had woken up feeling not quite as rough as when going to bed but we felt I had better get seen to. The doctors gave me some tests which were negative and someantibiotics and energy giving beverage salts. After a little rest back at the accommodation the rest of the group returned and we headed off to our next accommodation. Upon arrival I had a little sleep again and then tried to join everyone for dinner but again vomited. So I returned to my room and got into bed for the night.
Day 8: Thursday 12th July - Hell Fire Pass trek/Kayaking. As I felt a lot better the next morning I participated in the morning's hike along the remains of the death railway built by the prisoners of war. The day was hot and whilst I was thinking oh no I am sweating so much I'm feverish again everyone else was too so it was just the heat. The walk finished with some steep stairs up to the Hell Fire Pass Museum and by that time I was feeling sick again. I saw a bit of the horrific videos in there but came outside. I couldn't stomach lunch and sat in the van whilst everyone else ate. I therefore gave the kayaking a miss and was taken straight to the nightsaccommodation where I had a sleep with a nightmare that I was getting up walking about not knowing what I was doing and behaving rather mentally!! When my room mate arrived (The kayaking was all the way down river to theaccommodation ) about a minute after waking up I went across to the swimming pool with her for a quick dip and mainly stayed in the circular bit to the side sitting in the water. I managed to eat dinner this night and then just went back to the room for a rest and started the book I had purchased at Heathrow, just managing one chapter!
Day 9: Friday 13th July A morning of elephant trekking and Kayaking followed by the drive back to Bangkok. I was on an elephant on my own which meant I spent longer at the front on top of mine. He did keep stopping to munch on the greenery around though! As I had not been kayaking the day before or anything like this for over 20 years I seemed to be quite a way at the back. Then the rest stopped briefly so I could catch up and then I went past and remained in the front all the rest of the way. I was expecting some of them at least to over take but I didn't realise that
they were not paddling all the time. I took about 3 or 4 brief rests all the journey whereas they were having longer rests! After lunch by the river bank mini-bus back to Bangkok. Upon arrival back to the hotel took a taxi and the sky train back to the tailors. Just a couple of alterations to do and upon finishing these they would drop them back to the hotel. After a quick visit to a nearby shop selling fake football
shirts and a purchase of the new Arsenal away strip for someone at the
cost of 840 bahts which is approx £13, I took the sky train back to national stadium station where I took a couple of pics of the sporting facilities upon descending the station and then taxi to the hotel. A quick look at the nearby shopping street and check of e-mails in the internet cafe and then our group celebratory meal. After the meal we were awarded a charity challenge medal by the guides. Then we went on to a karaoke bar which was tucked away and the only other people in there were locals. After that it was a night club til that closed at 2am. Although I wasn't drinking the lads get a little drunk and Alice tried to steer Matt the short journey back to the hotel!!
Day 10: Those of us that were not too hungover or shattered took a tuk tuk journey at 8.30am to the Grand Palace with a guided tour by Oh. Then back to the hotel by tuk tuk and Alice and I went on a brief shop before leaving the hotel at 11.15am for the airport and the long journey home with a six hour stopover in Bahrain. Pictures to follow. For details of the routes/distances walked, I can obtain the from Jean Dan by e-mail but probably not until August when he is less busy. He had a gprs system with him.
w/c 25th June
Planned training for this the last full week before departure was a two day weekend with walks near Dover. However as my training partners of Kedra and my cousin were not available on Saturday I searched for an organised walk I could join. I found a 10 mile circular walk with the Maidstone Ramblers from Headcorn station starting at 10am. Although they were all much older than me they were very welcoming and friendly. The walk although mainly over public footpaths was quite overgrown which was excellent preparation for my jungle trek!! It also rained in the afternoon. We stopped to eat our sandwiches in a village church gardens/graveyard and then had a drink in a pub. I did not take note of which village this was!! The walk took less time than I had imagined and I was on my way down to Dover before 4pm.
Sunday's walk was cancelled due to the weather and Kedra having had a cold during the week and me having a niggle in my left leg.
Sunday's walk was cancelled due to the weather and Kedra having had a cold during the week and me having a niggle in my left leg.
Sunday 24 June 2007
w/c 18th June
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With the weekends now being two days of walking the suggested training also gave two cross training sessions in the week. However as my gym instructor had said give myself a rest before I go I decided not to do anything and won't next week either.
Monday - I had leave from work and hence decided to go for a walk first thing. I just did half an hour which more than made up for not walking across London Bridge! Afternoon spent in Canterbury with Kedra who is also doing the trek stocking up on most of the remainder of our kit with a 20% voucher that Blacks had sent to me. A little walk involved from the car to the shop. Then once home off to see the nurse for an anti-malaria prescription. It is a very costly business this trekking!!
Tuesday - more spending at Nomad Travel Victoria where they give charity challenge participants 10% discount for some hiking sandals for the river section of our trek. Walk up from Bromley South.
Saturday - Joined stage 4 of the Charing Cross to Hastings led walk which was from Sevenoaks to Tonbridge. See photo at Tonbridge here. If I remember rightly there was about 13 of us. Met at Sevenoaks station at ten to 11. The walk followed several footpaths and made use of the walking sticks purchased on route to Bromley South station with my nectar points at Argos! I just used one of them and lent the other to 77 year-old Margot. We stopped for about 45 mins for lunch sat on the benches of a small cricket pavilion. Tonbridge station was reached just after 4pm and a train a bus took me back to Bromley South. I departed the bus rather than sit on it round the traffice of Bromley and more and continued walking home heading on a little detour down the road to Shortlands station and along almost to Ravensbourne coming up to London Rd via the green chain route. Upon reaching home at 6pm I realised the rain cover had fallen from the back of by rucksack. So I retraced my steps and found it on the edge of the zebra crossing near shortlands station. So an extra 45 mins took me to approx 6 for the day and 23.30km reading on the pedometer.
Sunday - The Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent North Downs Walk 10 miles. Arrived at the latest possible opportunity to register and start this walk at 11am. Start/Finish at Harrietsham village just off juction 8 of the M20 past Maidstone. The walk was though various footpaths and extremely muddy fields. Some walkers were doing 5 miles and the organisers were advising this due to the weather however I stuck to doing the 10 miles. There were 5 check points/pit stops along the route and apart from stopping at these briefly I did the 10 miles non-stop in 4 and a half hours. Ploughmans and strawberries awaited and alas a drive home! Just about made it back. The walk was in aid of Cancer Research but I just made the minimum donation of £10 to walk. Glad I did it although my legs are feeling it!! Note the muddy shoes in pic above.
Wednesday 20 June 2007
w/c 11th June
Suggested training 2 cross-training sessions and 2 6 hours walks at the weekend. However as my weekend was busy with work and family dos I just continued with one walking day at the weekend and postponed the two day weekends to next weekend and the one after.
Wednesday - 1 hour walk from work to Tower bridge and back in loop along thames path as previous weeks with Hazel.
Thursday - swim 50 lengths.
Saturday - marie curie walk 5km in Greenwich Park. Took train to Hither Green arriving at 10am and from there walked towards Belmont Hill and along to Blackheath then down to Greenwich. During this time I got showered with rain and so was happy that I was wearing my craghoppers trousers which dry quick and also had my waterproof jacket. As I got to Greenwich early I walked through the foot tunnel to the other side of the river and along a bit and back. I also went in a few shops and Greenwich market before at noon heading for the Kings Arms for registration for the walk and lunchstop. The rain also came down just as the marie curie walk started and as I stayed with a group I probably did walk slower than I would normally. Back to the pub in 1 hour 20mins. I had a quick half pint of beer and then headed for the DLR and bus back home. Took the bus which was there that didn't take me all the way and so I walked an extra half hour uphill home. Total walking approx 4 hours.
Wednesday - 1 hour walk from work to Tower bridge and back in loop along thames path as previous weeks with Hazel.
Thursday - swim 50 lengths.
Saturday - marie curie walk 5km in Greenwich Park. Took train to Hither Green arriving at 10am and from there walked towards Belmont Hill and along to Blackheath then down to Greenwich. During this time I got showered with rain and so was happy that I was wearing my craghoppers trousers which dry quick and also had my waterproof jacket. As I got to Greenwich early I walked through the foot tunnel to the other side of the river and along a bit and back. I also went in a few shops and Greenwich market before at noon heading for the Kings Arms for registration for the walk and lunchstop. The rain also came down just as the marie curie walk started and as I stayed with a group I probably did walk slower than I would normally. Back to the pub in 1 hour 20mins. I had a quick half pint of beer and then headed for the DLR and bus back home. Took the bus which was there that didn't take me all the way and so I walked an extra half hour uphill home. Total walking approx 4 hours.
Sunday 10 June 2007
w/c 4 June
same suggested training as last week 2 x cross training 2 x 1hr walk 1 x 8hr walk
Monday - lunchtime swim 50 x 15m lengths.
Tuesday - afternoon walked to from work meeting 30 mins there (got there early) and 20 mins back.
Wednesday - came back home and back in to London to watch England match 15min walk to Bromley South. Lunchtime went to gym to get body fat measured and had lost about 1% body fat since last measured 22 March.
Thursday - lunchtime walk 1hr to london bridge/tower bridge over to the south riverbank and back. Thanks to my parents I have now reached my second target of £1,500 fundraising. Third target of £1,750 had already been set.
Feeling very shattered towards end of week so no further swimming or walking for training purposes.
Sunday - Crusaid's walk for life 10Km sponsored walk with Rob Started with 20min walk to Shortlands station 1.06km Elephant & Castle tube to Hyde Park Corner and walk down to registration 20 mins 1.78km from train inc tube change to registration. 11.78 pedometer reading for walk itself. Left Hyde Park 12.15 arrived back just after 3.15. More photos here. After a little rest at event village walk back to Hyde Park corner and a pint in the Hard Rock Cafe. Left Hyde Park Corner at 5.18 walked back down same route to Trafalgar Square and straight to Charing Cross station. pedometer reading on train 3.8Km/30mins Caught 5.49 train to Hither Green arriving 18.12 and walked back from there. At verdant lane instead of turning the green cross chain route to Grove Park headed through Downham woodland walk way towards Downham Way and walked back way round to rejoin main road back up to home 5.52km arriving 7.30pm. Total reading 22.89km (from Elephant & Castle). Total hours approx 5.5 hours.
w/c 28 May
Suggested training 2 x 1 hour walks 2 x cross training 1 x 8 hour walk.
Monday - as with the day before a rest day from training. I was happy that my training for the bank holiday weekend had been during the good weather on Saturday. Short walk in Watford from car park to pub!!
Tuesday - a day off work to spend with my friend Geraldene with an afternoon walk near Marlow. As the longer walks were being saved for the weekend I chose a shorter circular walk (the water walk) at Bourne End This took us an hour and three quarters and read 7.04 km. (last pic)
Wednesday - Evening gig at the Astoria (first pic) so walk down from there to Charing Cross afterwards no walking the other end as I missed Grove Park and got a taxi back from Elmstead Woods!! Plus a little jumping up and down inside the venue which was quite hot!
Thursday - lunchtime walk again with ex-colleagues. 1 hr from office down london bridge thames path to tower bridge across to the south of the river and back along london bridge. Evening work do walked back across london bridge and got off the right stop!
Friday - Intentions were for a lunctime swim but I felt too tired and a little hungover so I gave it a miss!
Saturday - I had intented to do the Hither Green to Chelsfield stage 2 of charing cross to hastings but I had a better offer in a call late Monday from one of my fellow trekkers to train together. We met at Shoreham and set off for a circular (or more accruately a triange) to Eynsford Castle (2nd pic above) and back. Total walking time 5 hours distance as stated on the walk card 8.5 miles. More photos here.
Sunday - rest day and a little shopping!
Wednesday 30 May 2007
w/c 21st May
This weeks suggested training was the same as last week 2 x 1 hour, 1 cross training and 1 x 6hr walk.
Monday - rest day following 5hrs walking on Sunday!
Tuesday - lunchtime swim 50 lengths 15m pool
Wednesday - had planned on joining the organised 1 hr walk locally as part of the lewisham walking festival but I didn't manage to get on a train home. A trackside fire meant chaos so I chose instead to hang about and wait for the crowds to die down.
Thursday - lunchtime walk with ex-colleagues Mia and Hazel - Initially planned on half-hour max but met them by monument tube and walked along the river towards tower bridge and made circular walk along the south side back to london bridge and across. This along with to and from the office took virtually an hour. Plan to repeat meeting again next Thursday.
Saturday - joined organised walk from Charing Cross to Hither Green 8.4 miles. Part 1 of a whole set of walks based around the railway route from Charing Cross down to Hastings. This stated at 10.30am and we stopped for 45 mins in southwark park for lunch. I joined a group of approx 15. We arrived at Hither Green about 3.15pm so I decided to walk home as I had expected this to have taken longer. Arrived home at 5pm so 5hrs 45mins walking.
Monday - rest day following 5hrs walking on Sunday!
Tuesday - lunchtime swim 50 lengths 15m pool
Wednesday - had planned on joining the organised 1 hr walk locally as part of the lewisham walking festival but I didn't manage to get on a train home. A trackside fire meant chaos so I chose instead to hang about and wait for the crowds to die down.
Thursday - lunchtime walk with ex-colleagues Mia and Hazel - Initially planned on half-hour max but met them by monument tube and walked along the river towards tower bridge and made circular walk along the south side back to london bridge and across. This along with to and from the office took virtually an hour. Plan to repeat meeting again next Thursday.
Saturday - joined organised walk from Charing Cross to Hither Green 8.4 miles. Part 1 of a whole set of walks based around the railway route from Charing Cross down to Hastings. This stated at 10.30am and we stopped for 45 mins in southwark park for lunch. I joined a group of approx 15. We arrived at Hither Green about 3.15pm so I decided to walk home as I had expected this to have taken longer. Arrived home at 5pm so 5hrs 45mins walking.
Monday 21 May 2007
w/c 14 May
Suggested training for the second week running was 2 x 1hr walk but as well as this 1 x cross training and 1 x 6 hour walk.
Monday - I decided that I would start my training week off well (as Sunday had been a rest day) with an hours walk after getting home from work. I had decided to do an extention to my circular 45min walk by going into Beckenham Place Park for a bit but decided to continue along the green chain path there towards downham and then up the hill of the main road from there.
Wednesday - repeated the 1 hr walk from Monday
Friday - lunchtime swim which I'm sure I managed the 50 lengths in 20 mins.
Saturday - rest day just a little walk to local restaurant and pub in the evening.
Sunday - Rob was again walking with me and we followed my route to Sundridge Park Station to pick up the green chain walk from there and walked to Chislehurst. This took an hour and half after a short stop at The Queens Head marking the end of the route we headed back missing out the walk by allotments and using the main road instead taking and hour and 15mins with pedometer reading totaling 10.97 km. Following a late lunch at home and short break I went out again for further 2 hours walk starting with a visit to Millets for some more training socks and then along to Shortlands station and round Beckenham place park and back home via green chain up to London Rd. Total of 8.97km.
Have just discovered that lewisham have a walking festival on and there is an hours walk locally on Wednesday evening (will have to miss first half of champions league final) and a walk on Saturday from Charing Cross to Hither Green between 10.30 and 16.00 so I'm planning on going along to that.
w/c 7 May
Bank holiday Monday no work therefore my longer walk of previous training week crossed into this one. See last post. Usual extra walking to/from work otherwise apart from one morning when I had to pick up something from the sorting office near Bromley North station.
Wednesday - gym after work 10 mins cross trainer & 30mins walking 6.5 km/hr.
Friday lunchtime - swim 50 lengths late night drive to my sister Monica in Southampton.
Saturday - walking in New Forest - I had taken from the hampshire county council website a 22 hour circular walk at Lepe beach and a 3 hour circular walk to/from Brockenhurst. Walking partners were Rob and Heather a friend of Monica's from uni. Monica managed to accompany us for some but not all of walk. Due to a late start and it being rather windy at Lepe beach we where it was very windy we walked about 30 mins and decided to head back (which took 20 mins!) and on the road for a lunch stop at a pub on route to Brockenhurst. The walk there took 2 hr 45 mins having taken the wrong direction in woodland and ending up on the main road much further down from the station car park where we had started and Monica had been reading in the car.
w/c 30th April
This week I felt too shattered and so didn't make the gym at all.
Usual walking to work - Wednesday work trip to Ascot but usual trip in to the office followed by similar walks to train home. Friday - walked (not sure what I meant to write here but probably gave walking across London Bridge a miss)
Saturday 1 x 1hr walk local circular walk with slight detour for small food shop. Followed by drive to my cousin's in Farnborough for fundraising make-up party raising £105.
Sunday Arsenal v Chelsea walk to/from Bromley South & Highbury and Islington tube station to ground including the stairs which my Dad stupidly did too.
Monday - bank holiday and trip to the Chilern's and a circular walk at Goring (after lunch) with friends Geraldene, Jonathan and Ruth. Got there by train to High Wycombe. As this took 2 hours and I should have been doing a 4 hour work I let them have a drink back at the pub and did an extra half hour. Total pedometer reading for the day 14.46km 22,599 steps.
Suggested training was 2 x 1 hr walks and 1 x 4hrs
Plan for next week-end is a walk to the New Forest on Saturday.
Usual walking to work - Wednesday work trip to Ascot but usual trip in to the office followed by similar walks to train home. Friday - walked (not sure what I meant to write here but probably gave walking across London Bridge a miss)
Saturday 1 x 1hr walk local circular walk with slight detour for small food shop. Followed by drive to my cousin's in Farnborough for fundraising make-up party raising £105.
Sunday Arsenal v Chelsea walk to/from Bromley South & Highbury and Islington tube station to ground including the stairs which my Dad stupidly did too.
Monday - bank holiday and trip to the Chilern's and a circular walk at Goring (after lunch) with friends Geraldene, Jonathan and Ruth. Got there by train to High Wycombe. As this took 2 hours and I should have been doing a 4 hour work I let them have a drink back at the pub and did an extra half hour. Total pedometer reading for the day 14.46km 22,599 steps.
Suggested training was 2 x 1 hr walks and 1 x 4hrs
Plan for next week-end is a walk to the New Forest on Saturday.
w/c 23rd April
Monday - Pedometer now in use I have recorded the following! To Work: 10min walk to Sundridge Park station measursed as 0.99km/1560 steps. London Bridge to work 1.56km 2438 steps. Lunchtime walk 10 mins 0.89km 1895 steps. Home to Cannon Street 0.83km/1300 steps. Sundridge Park to home 0.91km/1427 steps.
Tuesday - gym after work cross-trainer10 mins/treadmill 30mins. Pedometer 2.41km 3767 steps which I think covered just the way home.
Wednesday - 1.71km 2682 steps. Think I just went to Bromley North this morning. Evening out for a friend's birthday in Beckenham High St so took the train to New Beckenham and 15min walk further 4.35km and 6800 steps. Lift home afterwards!
Thursday - To/From work - Fire shut London Bridge so got a train Grove Park to Blackfriars about same distance to work as London Bridge 3.97km/6205steps. Evening 45min circular walk local roads last leg quite steep. 3.32km/5193 steps.
Friday - 50 length swim in gym approx 30mins.
Saturday - late afternoon 2hrs 25mins circular walk to/from Otford High St. First part very steep! 8.07km. Photos here.
Sunday - Arsenal v Fulham 2x15mins Bromley South home. Highbury & Islington tube station steps and to and from ground.
Looking back at this lot and long hours at work no wonder I am now shattered!
Suggested training was 2x45min and 1 x 2hr.
Next week suggested 2x1hr and 1x 4hr. Plan was for Tuesday/Thursday evening/Saturday morning 2 outside walks and one gym session with longer walk on bank holiday Monday. However Tuesday has already been skipped.
Tuesday - gym after work cross-trainer10 mins/treadmill 30mins. Pedometer 2.41km 3767 steps which I think covered just the way home.
Wednesday - 1.71km 2682 steps. Think I just went to Bromley North this morning. Evening out for a friend's birthday in Beckenham High St so took the train to New Beckenham and 15min walk further 4.35km and 6800 steps. Lift home afterwards!
Thursday - To/From work - Fire shut London Bridge so got a train Grove Park to Blackfriars about same distance to work as London Bridge 3.97km/6205steps. Evening 45min circular walk local roads last leg quite steep. 3.32km/5193 steps.
Friday - 50 length swim in gym approx 30mins.
Saturday - late afternoon 2hrs 25mins circular walk to/from Otford High St. First part very steep! 8.07km. Photos here.
Sunday - Arsenal v Fulham 2x15mins Bromley South home. Highbury & Islington tube station steps and to and from ground.
Looking back at this lot and long hours at work no wonder I am now shattered!
Suggested training was 2x45min and 1 x 2hr.
Next week suggested 2x1hr and 1x 4hr. Plan was for Tuesday/Thursday evening/Saturday morning 2 outside walks and one gym session with longer walk on bank holiday Monday. However Tuesday has already been skipped.
w/c 16th April
Monday - as stated in last blog lunchtime swim.
This week work has been really busy and I have felt swamped. I have got up earlier to help me get through as much as possible but twice when I planned to go to the gym (Wednesday & Friday) I felt so shattered and a little giddy with exhaustion.
Tuesday - Lunchtime 10min walk around block. Football Arsenal v Man City. Walk up stairs at Highbury & Islington tube station and 10 min walk to/from H&I to ground. 15min walk home from station other end.
Wednesday - instead of the gym treadmill came home then later went for 45min walk despite feeling knackered. This included a steep hill on a circular walk.
Thursday - 15 min walk lunchtime slight variation to block route picking up some new shoes in Jones and taking in 3 sides of a square!
Friday - gave in and didn't even do the longer walk back home from my alternative station.
Saturday - Tottenham v Arsenal. Just about made it in time to meet my Dad on the train and in walking fast 15 mins walk left shin was getting sore. At other end lots of stairs walking up to Garfunkels at Victoria. After some food the tube escalators and stairs at Seven Sisters where some bloke on the escalators shouted out "keep up"! more stairs to get out of the station followed by walk to ground which I forgot to time but I kept having to slow down for my 3 companions so about 25 mins. Walking back did a detour away from the away-end corner and the High Road through back streets to join it later which took 35 mins. No further problems with the shin it was just when I was in a hurry for that train!
Sunday - Decided to start using the pedometer purchased at the same time as my boots which have been in use for weeks now! This meant measuring my stride length which I did in my hallway. One local walk mainly on a green-chain route with one of my training partners (my boyfriend) by persuasion i.e. roped into it for no reason! 2 hour walk aim turned into 2 hours 15 mins with a couple of stops Rob being interested in the golf on the courses and having a little rest! Pedometer reading: 9.86km 15,409 steps converts to 6.1miles.
Suggested training was 2 x 45min walks and 1 x 2 hours. Only one 45min walk non-stop but plenty of other walking done.
Plan for next week (same suggested training) - Tuesday treadmill, Thursday either treadmill
again or probably local walking, swim on Friday, 2hour walk sometime on Saturday.
This week work has been really busy and I have felt swamped. I have got up earlier to help me get through as much as possible but twice when I planned to go to the gym (Wednesday & Friday) I felt so shattered and a little giddy with exhaustion.
Tuesday - Lunchtime 10min walk around block. Football Arsenal v Man City. Walk up stairs at Highbury & Islington tube station and 10 min walk to/from H&I to ground. 15min walk home from station other end.
Wednesday - instead of the gym treadmill came home then later went for 45min walk despite feeling knackered. This included a steep hill on a circular walk.
Thursday - 15 min walk lunchtime slight variation to block route picking up some new shoes in Jones and taking in 3 sides of a square!
Friday - gave in and didn't even do the longer walk back home from my alternative station.
Saturday - Tottenham v Arsenal. Just about made it in time to meet my Dad on the train and in walking fast 15 mins walk left shin was getting sore. At other end lots of stairs walking up to Garfunkels at Victoria. After some food the tube escalators and stairs at Seven Sisters where some bloke on the escalators shouted out "keep up"! more stairs to get out of the station followed by walk to ground which I forgot to time but I kept having to slow down for my 3 companions so about 25 mins. Walking back did a detour away from the away-end corner and the High Road through back streets to join it later which took 35 mins. No further problems with the shin it was just when I was in a hurry for that train!
Sunday - Decided to start using the pedometer purchased at the same time as my boots which have been in use for weeks now! This meant measuring my stride length which I did in my hallway. One local walk mainly on a green-chain route with one of my training partners (my boyfriend) by persuasion i.e. roped into it for no reason! 2 hour walk aim turned into 2 hours 15 mins with a couple of stops Rob being interested in the golf on the courses and having a little rest! Pedometer reading: 9.86km 15,409 steps converts to 6.1miles.
Suggested training was 2 x 45min walks and 1 x 2 hours. Only one 45min walk non-stop but plenty of other walking done.
Plan for next week (same suggested training) - Tuesday treadmill, Thursday either treadmill
again or probably local walking, swim on Friday, 2hour walk sometime on Saturday.
w/c 9th April
Well it seems a long-time ago since I had that cold!
Monday - bank holiday and trip to Newcastle, not much walking to the ground from the train station here but still a long walk up the steps instead. I think the bus was taken intsead of walking down to my local station but I did walk back & up and down the stairs at tube.
Tuesday - back to work and got there early! After all that walking I was missing the swimming so lunchtime was pool time.
Wednesday & Thursday evenings were social & work was busy! 1 x 15 min walk home.
Friday - work really busy again and I was debating whether or not to go to the gym at lunchtime or after work. Decided not to go lunchtime but then having ate my sandwich (purchased on the way in) felt like I needed a break so got the ipod out and walked round the block for about 15/20mins stopping for window shopping. Left work at 6.30pm and went on that damn treadmill. Thought I would prefer my own music rather then the power room with MTV blasting out any old tune so went on the treadmills in the main room. Still getting pain in shins walking fast as I had done one morning walking for my train.
Saturday - walking around running errands 2 x 15min walk as well as stairs at Highbury & Islington station!
Sunday - 2 hour walk in the morning mixture of park & local roads at different levels!
suggested training was 2 x 30min walks and 1 x 2 hrs.
I have started week 10 with a swim today at lunchtime as was going for the Monday/Wednesday/Friday gym hit but probably should have had a rest day today and gone tomorrow. My left leg started getting a little sore but I still managed 50 lengths in about half an hour.
Monday - bank holiday and trip to Newcastle, not much walking to the ground from the train station here but still a long walk up the steps instead. I think the bus was taken intsead of walking down to my local station but I did walk back & up and down the stairs at tube.
Tuesday - back to work and got there early! After all that walking I was missing the swimming so lunchtime was pool time.
Wednesday & Thursday evenings were social & work was busy! 1 x 15 min walk home.
Friday - work really busy again and I was debating whether or not to go to the gym at lunchtime or after work. Decided not to go lunchtime but then having ate my sandwich (purchased on the way in) felt like I needed a break so got the ipod out and walked round the block for about 15/20mins stopping for window shopping. Left work at 6.30pm and went on that damn treadmill. Thought I would prefer my own music rather then the power room with MTV blasting out any old tune so went on the treadmills in the main room. Still getting pain in shins walking fast as I had done one morning walking for my train.
Saturday - walking around running errands 2 x 15min walk as well as stairs at Highbury & Islington station!
Sunday - 2 hour walk in the morning mixture of park & local roads at different levels!
suggested training was 2 x 30min walks and 1 x 2 hrs.
I have started week 10 with a swim today at lunchtime as was going for the Monday/Wednesday/Friday gym hit but probably should have had a rest day today and gone tomorrow. My left leg started getting a little sore but I still managed 50 lengths in about half an hour.
w/c 2 April
I didn't do any swimming this week because I still had the cold lingering.
Monday & Wednesday evening gym training, which I felt went better than last week but still found tough going with some soreness still.
Good Friday - 2 hour walk locally with my mum. This was mainly in one park area which I walked to meeting my mum there and finishing at my parents.
Sunday - Today spent just over an hour walking stop-start around by Lullingstone Castle in Kent.
There were several other short walks made this week.
Monday & Wednesday evening gym training, which I felt went better than last week but still found tough going with some soreness still.
Good Friday - 2 hour walk locally with my mum. This was mainly in one park area which I walked to meeting my mum there and finishing at my parents.
Sunday - Today spent just over an hour walking stop-start around by Lullingstone Castle in Kent.
There were several other short walks made this week.
w/c 26th March
In my last blog week 5 had not quite finished and I had intended to go on an hours walk on the Sunday. A walk of 1hr 15mins was achieved in the mild weather with no pain from my legs. I decided therefore to give them a rest on Monday and do my gym work Tuesday. I did however develop a cold so was suffering all week with sore throat and runny nose and on-off headache. I still managed to do my extra walking on the way to work and two gym sessions the second on Thursday. I did both at level setting rather than incline, I was struggling at the 6.5km/hr setting with shin becoming a little sore so I turned it down to 6.3 and similar for the second. I didn't push myself too much! I gave swimming a miss too.
Other walking - 1 x 1hr 1 x 40 mins, 3x 15 mins
Saturday - I still managed to get up at 5am to catch the train to Liverpool for the thrashing there! I walked from Lime St to Anfield which took an hour to get to the turnstile at the other side of the ground and 40 mins on the way back from the total service station where we dropped the crowds and picked up some water. I was in need of a rest when I bagged that seat on the train. Both trains packed full of more Liverpool fans than normal too
Sunday - I went for a stroll in the sunshine in Hyde Park so much of a stroll it doesn't really count! Still suffering from the cold though.
suggested training was again 2 x 30 mins and 1 x 1 hour.
Other walking - 1 x 1hr 1 x 40 mins, 3x 15 mins
Saturday - I still managed to get up at 5am to catch the train to Liverpool for the thrashing there! I walked from Lime St to Anfield which took an hour to get to the turnstile at the other side of the ground and 40 mins on the way back from the total service station where we dropped the crowds and picked up some water. I was in need of a rest when I bagged that seat on the train. Both trains packed full of more Liverpool fans than normal too
Sunday - I went for a stroll in the sunshine in Hyde Park so much of a stroll it doesn't really count! Still suffering from the cold though.
suggested training was again 2 x 30 mins and 1 x 1 hour.
w/c 12th March
Cross trainer/treadmill sessions x 2 Monday and Friday after work. Although my shins did not hurt as much this week I did find Monday's session tough and it seemed to go on forever. Friday's despite being quite knackered I was surprised that I found it easier and went quite fast.
Wednesday I had a half day from work and from that went for a swim 50 lengths (15m) before travelling up by car to Villa v Arsenal. We parked about 10 mins walk from the ground. Alas the traffic to get out of Birmingham was a nightmare and we ended up arriving home at 2.30am hence my tiredness at the end of the week. I was therefore feeling quite positive.
Further walking 1 x half hour walk and 1 x 45 min walk;
On Saturday late afternoon I went into London, as well as a meal out and a pint of Guiness for St Patrick's day I did a half hour walk in St James's Park and walked around the west end area.
Sunday I took the train to Liverpool for Everton v Arsenal and although used public transport to get to Goodison I walked back to Lime St Station despite the weather. Towards the end of the match there were hailstones and these were coming down hard as we walked out of the ground. They did not last long though!
Week 6 - suggested training schedule 2 x 30mins walk 1 x 1 hour walk.
So with the day out on Sunday my plan was to go for a swim Monday lunchtime and do the gym work later in the week. However my left leg was really sore and although I took my gear into work on Tuesday I was struggling to walk around the office. I went for a swim Wednesday lunchtime and only managed 32 lengths. On Thursday I went back to get my body fat measured and my trainer has suggested this may be from the incline on the treadmill and to rest and upon returning to the treadmill use the flat setting. A couple of days I stopped the extra walking from different stations. I was going to go for another swim on Friday but I left my costume behind! I intend to go for an hours walk tomorrow. So I have not met the schedule but this is my 6th week of training and not actually my 2nd so it is not that bad a set-back.
Wednesday I had a half day from work and from that went for a swim 50 lengths (15m) before travelling up by car to Villa v Arsenal. We parked about 10 mins walk from the ground. Alas the traffic to get out of Birmingham was a nightmare and we ended up arriving home at 2.30am hence my tiredness at the end of the week. I was therefore feeling quite positive.
Further walking 1 x half hour walk and 1 x 45 min walk;
On Saturday late afternoon I went into London, as well as a meal out and a pint of Guiness for St Patrick's day I did a half hour walk in St James's Park and walked around the west end area.
Sunday I took the train to Liverpool for Everton v Arsenal and although used public transport to get to Goodison I walked back to Lime St Station despite the weather. Towards the end of the match there were hailstones and these were coming down hard as we walked out of the ground. They did not last long though!
Week 6 - suggested training schedule 2 x 30mins walk 1 x 1 hour walk.
So with the day out on Sunday my plan was to go for a swim Monday lunchtime and do the gym work later in the week. However my left leg was really sore and although I took my gear into work on Tuesday I was struggling to walk around the office. I went for a swim Wednesday lunchtime and only managed 32 lengths. On Thursday I went back to get my body fat measured and my trainer has suggested this may be from the incline on the treadmill and to rest and upon returning to the treadmill use the flat setting. A couple of days I stopped the extra walking from different stations. I was going to go for another swim on Friday but I left my costume behind! I intend to go for an hours walk tomorrow. So I have not met the schedule but this is my 6th week of training and not actually my 2nd so it is not that bad a set-back.
Training w/c 5th March
Cross trainer/treadmill sessions x 2. As I had been doing well last week at 6km/hr I tried to go faster and just managed to 6.3km/hr. My shins were aching a little - well that is my excuse!
I still managed a swim despite a sudden change of plan for Wednesday lunch - My boss took our team out for lunch to celebrate new investors coming in. We ended up in the restaurant until 4pm. Some colleagues then went on to the bar afterwards but I went back to the office then an hour later managed on the full stomach to complete 50 lengths before my own bar time before football!
Further walking - have started now walking to the next station nearer home both in the morning and evenings. An appointment on Tuesday gave me the opportunity to do a further 3 x 15mins walk. Friday evening and another impromtu social gathering with the venue being a 30 min walk away with a couple of shop stops and 15min walk home.
Saturday was a rest day and then Sunday had a lesiurely 30min walk by the River Medway near Maidstone after a domestic showroom visit and lunch here! river walk
Coming up week 5 - 16 weeks to go and the training suggests 3x 30 mins walking which shouldn't be too hard as two of these will be done in the gym.
I still managed a swim despite a sudden change of plan for Wednesday lunch - My boss took our team out for lunch to celebrate new investors coming in. We ended up in the restaurant until 4pm. Some colleagues then went on to the bar afterwards but I went back to the office then an hour later managed on the full stomach to complete 50 lengths before my own bar time before football!
Further walking - have started now walking to the next station nearer home both in the morning and evenings. An appointment on Tuesday gave me the opportunity to do a further 3 x 15mins walk. Friday evening and another impromtu social gathering with the venue being a 30 min walk away with a couple of shop stops and 15min walk home.
Saturday was a rest day and then Sunday had a lesiurely 30min walk by the River Medway near Maidstone after a domestic showroom visit and lunch here! river walk
Coming up week 5 - 16 weeks to go and the training suggests 3x 30 mins walking which shouldn't be too hard as two of these will be done in the gym.
The start of the road to Thailand
06 Mar 2007
It was Sunday 4th Feb and after a fornight's consideration I booked myself charity challenge's Thailand Jungle Trek in July. I found out about the trip from Leukaemia Care for whom my friend Lucy ran the London Marathon for last year.
I had already just joined the gym across the road from work in order to move my swimming away from the local pool and make it more regular. I was locally swimming once (or twice) a week 30 x 25m lengths.
Due to the trek I am now increasing my walking and each morning and getting off the train in the morning a stop earlier for the past couple of weeks. I have just extended this to a stop earlier on the way home with a steep incline on the route even if there is not much increase in time. On top of this I am now climbing all the escalators/stairs at tube stations (I don't use the tube everyday so this is not too much)
My trips to the gym are now aimed at 3 times a week - I swim and 2 x 10 mins on the cross trainer and 30mins on the treadmill walking at 6/7 kms an hour.
Week 1 - 20 weeks before departure w/c 12th Feb. 1x swim 2x cross trainer/treadmill - gym work eased in as first time. didn't quite make the 10 mins on the cross trainer!! Weekend - 2x 15min walk plus Emirates Stadium to the Bank of Friendship and Oxford Circus to Regent Street and back looking for hiking shoes/boots including up and down to the 5th floor at Lilywhites.
Week 2 - 19 weeks before departure w/c 19th Feb. Two days annual leave for trip to Holland for PSV v Arsenal so figured the amount of walking over and above the days I would have had in the office warrented 1 swim and 1 cross trainer/treadmill session. A two hour/4 mile walk per my guidebook was planned for the Wednesday but it rained so my Dad & I walked round the Van Gogh museum instead. Walking had been the unexpected on Tuesday as our hotel in Amsterdam was not the one I thought I had booked and was the other side of the city centre, which we did the long route. Also walked back there from train after arriving back from Eindhoven. Sat 1x 50min walk with my mum then 1x 20min walk to a friends.
Week 3 - 18 weeks before departure w/c 26th February. A horrendous journey to Cardiff on the trains (1x 15min walk to local station) for the Carling Cup final arriving home 1.30am meant postponing my training from Monday to Tuesday and then due to being busy at work managed just 2 x cross trainer/treadmill. Weekend 2 x 15 min walk to station Sat further 2x 15min walk Sunday. Purchased a pair of hiking boots prior to this week so started using them whilst training.
I have a suggested training schedule from charity challenge for 16 weeks prior to departure which I will try and follow and compare with what I actually do.
It was Sunday 4th Feb and after a fornight's consideration I booked myself charity challenge's Thailand Jungle Trek in July. I found out about the trip from Leukaemia Care for whom my friend Lucy ran the London Marathon for last year.
I had already just joined the gym across the road from work in order to move my swimming away from the local pool and make it more regular. I was locally swimming once (or twice) a week 30 x 25m lengths.
Due to the trek I am now increasing my walking and each morning and getting off the train in the morning a stop earlier for the past couple of weeks. I have just extended this to a stop earlier on the way home with a steep incline on the route even if there is not much increase in time. On top of this I am now climbing all the escalators/stairs at tube stations (I don't use the tube everyday so this is not too much)
My trips to the gym are now aimed at 3 times a week - I swim and 2 x 10 mins on the cross trainer and 30mins on the treadmill walking at 6/7 kms an hour.
Week 1 - 20 weeks before departure w/c 12th Feb. 1x swim 2x cross trainer/treadmill - gym work eased in as first time. didn't quite make the 10 mins on the cross trainer!! Weekend - 2x 15min walk plus Emirates Stadium to the Bank of Friendship and Oxford Circus to Regent Street and back looking for hiking shoes/boots including up and down to the 5th floor at Lilywhites.
Week 2 - 19 weeks before departure w/c 19th Feb. Two days annual leave for trip to Holland for PSV v Arsenal so figured the amount of walking over and above the days I would have had in the office warrented 1 swim and 1 cross trainer/treadmill session. A two hour/4 mile walk per my guidebook was planned for the Wednesday but it rained so my Dad & I walked round the Van Gogh museum instead. Walking had been the unexpected on Tuesday as our hotel in Amsterdam was not the one I thought I had booked and was the other side of the city centre, which we did the long route. Also walked back there from train after arriving back from Eindhoven. Sat 1x 50min walk with my mum then 1x 20min walk to a friends.
Week 3 - 18 weeks before departure w/c 26th February. A horrendous journey to Cardiff on the trains (1x 15min walk to local station) for the Carling Cup final arriving home 1.30am meant postponing my training from Monday to Tuesday and then due to being busy at work managed just 2 x cross trainer/treadmill. Weekend 2 x 15 min walk to station Sat further 2x 15min walk Sunday. Purchased a pair of hiking boots prior to this week so started using them whilst training.
I have a suggested training schedule from charity challenge for 16 weeks prior to departure which I will try and follow and compare with what I actually do.
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