So I am freaking out at the moment!
Ten weeks till I fly out to the UK & Europe, where among other things I'm hiking West Highland Way for 8 days at the beginning of my trip and Mont Blanc for 13 days at the end.
154km ........ 8 days........
150km.....13days........
So the pressure is on to get fit. I have a reasonable base line fitness but really need to up the ante so to speak.
I'll be sharing my 10 weeks fitness plan here and if you're interested check out my reels to see if I'm on track. Bearing in mind that this is plan is developed from my own past experiences with hiking and fitness in general, I DO NOT claim to be a hiking or fitness expert, and I am constantly learning.
Plan:
March: *5-10km walks most days
*increase daily steps in general
*body weight training
*once a week Flagstaff (this is a popular hiking trail at the back of my home town and is a great training ground for rough surfaces and steep inclines & descents
Reflection: I've not done too badly, sometimes life & work get in the way but in general I'm on track. Interestingly the first time I added on an extra kilometre of the rougher Flagstaff track I really noticed the fatigue in all the supporting muscles of my ankles and calves. Reaffirming the need to train on all surfaces, especially similar to those you will be walking on your hike.
April: *as above but walks more towards 10km minimum
*longer distances & time on Flagstaff
*wearing hiking boots and carrying daypack
* incorporating longer hikes when possible.
May: * continuing with more time & distances
The Why:
One of the hardest thing with hiking, especially these "shorter hikes", is training for the backing up each day, and not being able to develop fitness on the trail.
Most of us with reasonable fitness can do a 10-20km hike or walk but backing up the next day and the day after is the challenge. I'm lucky that I work 12hr shifts so have 4-5 days off at a time to do back to back longer walks.
I have been known in the past to jog a lot of the distance, just to "get the distance in" but in reality the most important thing is time on your feet, hours of walking. Often going at a slow pace will be more tiring than getting the kms done in a shorter time.
My boots are well broken in and I know my pack is comfortable but it is still important to train with them, as it increases the weight you are carrying and also the pack changes your centre of gravity & how you walk.
Bodyweight training is important to strengthen the muscles, not only of the legs, but the core and upper body. No one wants to injure themselves at the carousel picking up their bags or swing their daypack onto their back!
Of course all this training is balance up by daily yoga practise.
P.S Very funny that I didn't need to change much at all, last year I posted this originally at the 10 week out mark and was freaking out last year too! Seems to be a habit of mine.
Be free to live your best life
Great preparation!