Here's a quick update, along with some comments on preparation:
Logistics:
- we still need to find drivers and cars: any further ideas?
- I will book overnight accommodation for Friday June 5th this week (ie please shout now if you're not certain about joining in)
- you will need to have your walking boots and small rucksack soon so that you can get used to wearing them well ahead of the event
Training:
- by the end of this week, we have only 7 weeks available for training (excluding last few days when we should be resting up)
- essentially, there are three aspects to this (1) fitness/endurance, (2) being used to walking up and down hills, (3) being used to your walking boots; people fail the challenge because of lack of preparation in any one of these areas, so it's worth paying particular attention to each:
- Fitness/endurance: this will come from putting the hours in: fast walking, jogging and cycling are all great for building up core stamina. Your body does improve quite quickly if you train properly, but 7 weeks is not long. Aim for at least 3 exercise sessions a week. For the 3PC, we need to be able to exercise for 5 hours and then sit in a car for 5 hours ... and then repeat twice, so bear this in mind when training. Practise exercising twice in a day to prove to yourself that you can recover quick enough.
- Walking up and down hills: the best way to prepare for this is, funnily enough, walking up and down hills. If at all possible, get your legs used to working on gradients. If there are no hills nearby and you happen to work on the 25th floor of a tall building, then at least you can use the stairs as a form of practice. You also need to get your cardiovascular system used to the work rate of hauling your weight upwards which is why jogging is useful in the training routine (rather than just walking on the flat).
- Wear yor walking boots whenever you are out walking. Please don't leave this to the last week.
I've marked the following dates in my diary to do a fast evening walk, probably in the Overton area. Let me know if you'd like to join in with any of them:
- April 21, 28 and 30.
- May 6, 12, 14 and 20.
Happy training.
Graham
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteI didn’t want to offer before, but now it has a brand, spanking new engine, Our Grand Espace is available to do the trip. It comfortably fits 6 large adults (driver + 5) and is insured for any driver over 25 years old.
I may have a lead on a driver, but I’m still working on that.
I also want to lend weight to Graham’s training point 2. A friend and I started to walk the South Downs Way after what we thought was enough preparation in 2007. We had walked over 20 miles in an evening several times and thought that we would be fine. On the day, we only made 21 miles because walking up and, particularly, down hills uses your leg muscles so differently than walking on the flat.
Having done a few fast 10 mile walks in the last few weeks, I’d also forgotten how much my arms ache on a long walk!
Graham, I’m aiming to join you for some of your evening walks. What sort of time would you aim to start?
Later,
Rob.