after about 5 days with no excercise I managed to do approximatley 44 kms either with my 20 kg pack or pulling a tyre. Using my mountaineering boots for the first time for a while gave me blisters. That was the first walk of the weekend and for the remaining two walks I hobbled in my runners. One of these walks was a delightful spin around the Macedon Ranges Walking Track. The slope at each end of this track is 'very good for training' being steep and long.
A couple of days of no activity followed that little burst of activity - not because rest was in order but because of work commitments taking up my time. I did manage 2 gym sessions and 2 more walks (20 kms in total, tyre or pack) by the end of the following weekend.
I have to keep up the momentum for 2 more weeks. That's two more 'tyre drags' and several pack walks. I am getting stronger!
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Training, Training, Training
With 6 weeks to go before we leave Australia we have a lot to get ready. I've been doing fitness training for a number of months but the training now is pretty crucial. While I would like to be doing 10 fitness sessions a week I'm finding that I am managing between 5 and 7 - due to work and other commitments - though I know that if I tried really hard I could get out to do more. One of the key barriers is mental - the commitment and determination to do some excercise every day even if it means going out in the dark of the night or the very early morning. I can't always make myself do it.
My fitness activities include:
Basketball - Good for a fun activity, anaerobic excercise and speed work.
Gym - I have a 3 programs that I work through. These are mainly focused on upper body strength to make sure my back and arms are ready for sled hauling, lifting and snow shovelling. If I go in the mornings I only do one aerobic warm up and alternate between the stepper and the rowing machine. If I go in the evenings or on the weekend I will do both.
Running - I run once a week with a friend and we do about 5 kms. I do another run once a week and do between 10 and 15 kms.
Tyre hauling - this is the delight of icecap expedition training. Great for fitness because I work hard and for over 2 hours each time. I attach a tyre (with a wheel) by a rope to a backpack harness and drag it on dirt tracks for approx 11 kms each time. I have several options including adding wieghts, dragging the tyre on the side that has already worn through. This is hard work as the tyre picks up dirt and rocks and has a high level of friction.
Pack walking - I load up my back pack with 20 kgs of water, bricks, ropes and other heavy stuff and walk from my house for a couple of hours. I try to find routes that have hills.
In the last 3 weeks I've managed to do the following:
week 1: gym 3 times, tyre drag 2 hours and 20 mins, 24 km bike ride
week 2: basketball game, touch rugby game, gym 2 times, run 5 kms
week 3: basketball game, touch rugby game, gym once, tyre drag 6 km heavy/6 km light, run 8 kms.
I hope to do more sessions over the following 6 weeks - but to avoid injury and over tiredness.
My fitness activities include:
Basketball - Good for a fun activity, anaerobic excercise and speed work.
Gym - I have a 3 programs that I work through. These are mainly focused on upper body strength to make sure my back and arms are ready for sled hauling, lifting and snow shovelling. If I go in the mornings I only do one aerobic warm up and alternate between the stepper and the rowing machine. If I go in the evenings or on the weekend I will do both.
Running - I run once a week with a friend and we do about 5 kms. I do another run once a week and do between 10 and 15 kms.
Tyre hauling - this is the delight of icecap expedition training. Great for fitness because I work hard and for over 2 hours each time. I attach a tyre (with a wheel) by a rope to a backpack harness and drag it on dirt tracks for approx 11 kms each time. I have several options including adding wieghts, dragging the tyre on the side that has already worn through. This is hard work as the tyre picks up dirt and rocks and has a high level of friction.
Pack walking - I load up my back pack with 20 kgs of water, bricks, ropes and other heavy stuff and walk from my house for a couple of hours. I try to find routes that have hills.
In the last 3 weeks I've managed to do the following:
week 1: gym 3 times, tyre drag 2 hours and 20 mins, 24 km bike ride
week 2: basketball game, touch rugby game, gym 2 times, run 5 kms
week 3: basketball game, touch rugby game, gym once, tyre drag 6 km heavy/6 km light, run 8 kms.
I hope to do more sessions over the following 6 weeks - but to avoid injury and over tiredness.
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