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need to get fit, best way to do it

  • 05-01-2010 02:05PM
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 53 ✭✭


    Hi Guys


    need to get fit for a challenge in a couple of weeks, fitness levels aren't great.
    the bad weather ain't helping either.

    I need to be able to walk for about 4-6 hours a day for 5 days.
    Any one know whats the best way to practices between now and when we go in a months time.

    thanks in advance


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,095 ✭✭✭--amadeus--


    Hi there,

    You probably aren't going to like this but the best way to get fit enough to walk is to walk!

    As long as the walking you will be doing during the challenge isn't strenous (as in going up and down mountains or steep hills or in difficult conditions like heat or humidity) then walking isn't that difficult and you should be able to get through it. The best form of training for any event is to mimic that event in training as closely as possible - so a sprinter trains by sprinting, a marathon runner by doing long runs and a walker should train by walking. This trains the correct muscles to work in the correct way and teaches your mind what your body is capable of. i know that the weather lately hasn't been great but it's not *that* bad - wrap up in plenty of layers and be careful of your footing and there is no reason you can't train. There is a cliche that says there is no such thing as the wrong weather to train, just the wrong clothing... If you really can't train out doors then a tradmill in a gym will do the job.

    One thing is that you have left this very, very late. Generally the physiological benifits of training take a couple of weeks to come through. Training damages the muscles which are then repaired to a higher, stronger level (overcompensation) and this is where the training benefits acrue from. This takes time; as I said a couple of weeks usually. So if your challenge is in a fortnight then there isn't really a lot you can practically do to materially improve your fitness before you start.

    Good luck with it though!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,051 ✭✭✭MCOS


    +1 to this. Just get out and walk. Keep progressiing it by

    Walking a bit more
    Walking different routes
    Walking hiilier routes
    Driving to the nearest mountains for hilly walks on trails


    Where are you goig to be doing your 5-6 hour daily walks? If you are going trekking, get as much trail and varied terrain practice as you can.

    But most of all... just walk, walk and walk some more :)


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    I dont know what climate you are doing this in, but remember you wont get to choose the weather there. So get out now and do your training regardless of the weather. Even when its icy, its possible.

    As amadeus has said, theres not a heck of a lot you can do in a few weeks, but dont think that lets you off the hook. Push yourself and do what you can. Get out and walk. Vary between brisk speed walking and longer routes taken at a slower pace. Make sure your shoes are suitable, dont chafe on long walks, and if they are newish, make sure to break them in. My main worry for an event like that would be keeping my feet blister free.

    What kind of distance and terrain does this event entail?


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