3 and a half months until we leave for Nepal. We have started to do training to get our body’s in the best shape for the Trek. Decided to jot down what we have been doing and what we have planned.
Footwear
Both of us bought new hiking boots at the beginning of the year. I don’t really know much about walking boots apart from that I need to be able to walk in them for 8 days. Both our boots are from the Kathmandu shop. To save a few bob we shopped at the outlet mall in Birkenhead Point. They have some amazing deals. MK did struggle to find his size as they don’t carry many in the shop. It took two visits but we found him some in the end. Now the boots have been bought we have to wear them in.
What Are We Working On?
I did a lot of research on tour websites and blogs about what are the key things for nailing this walk. The one thing that stood out physically is to have a good stamina. My main two focuses are to shift weight and build up my stamina. MK’s is to build his stamina. Basically we just need to be able to keep walking. We also are walking with backpacks as we will have to carry day packs with us. This may seem stupid but walking with a bag does make a difference. Every walk I have done so far I have packed up my camera back pack and walked with it. I would say after 3 walks I am finally getting used to it.
What Types of Training Are We Doing?
I am doing running and swimming during the week. Running is not easy for me and I am slowly getting into it. I actually find it easier with the colder nights. I love my swimming probably because I am good at it. I swim at the North Sydney pool its such a cool view of Luna Park and the Bridge. The sun is setting as I swim it such a lovely backdrop as I do my 2KM in the pool (40 lengths in a 50M pool). I am now running two times a week swimming once and using works gym once a week (uphill on the cross trainer and small weights). I also do the bay walk on a Saturday morning which I will start to run soon. I find recording my work outs really helps keep me going. I use the Nike Run App even if we are doing a walk. Its a great record of our fitness and how we are improving.
Carly’s Look Out
Obviously we are doing walks /hikes to get used to the boots and build up our stamina. So far on our walks we have completed: Spit-Manly, Bondi-Coogee, Grand Canyon Walk (Blue Mountains) and Carley’s Look Out Point in Bent Basin. If we cant get out for a walk we do the Bay Walk to get a few KM under our belt for the weekend.
Over the next few weeks we have a trip booked to the Snowy Mountains to walk Mt Kosciusko and over the long weekend in June we will be doing a mountain biking trip in the Blue Mountain’s. We also have a few more walks up in the Blue Mountains to cross off our list. A little bit closer to the trip we plan on doing a full weekend of walking to get into the motion of waking up and walking day after day.
This time next month we will have lots of KM’s completed, some strong legs and worn in boots. Hopefully have many photos of all the beautiful scenery we shall see as well.
Yorkshire Rambler 