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.
Wednesday 30 May 2007
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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