Training time!

I've always been a fan of keeping fit and all sorts of sports having played football, rugby, tennis and athletics for many years. Unfortunately, University and living in Prague for 6 months (where beer is 60p a Pint...) introduced me to the (dubious) pleasures of fast food and the (undoubted) pleasure of beer. This meant that my fitness was placed on hold for a couple of years as I worked on a nice new rotund shape for my belly.

WELL THOSE DAYS ARE OVER!!! 

I recently signed up for an Olympic distance triathlon in the summer, which has got me swimming and running several times a week whilst also getting me out on nice long trips on the bike again. I like to vary my routines as I believe that a good all round fitness will be vital for a major trip so that I can manage a whole range of obstacles I might come across.

For example, as I mentioned I have started swimming and running a lot, which will help increase my flexibility and stamina. In addition to this I have taken up Muay Thai Boxing. This has been a fantastic idea as it has begun to toughen me up. I was no wimp to begin with (well, maybe a little...!) but taking punches and kicks to the body twice a week for an hour and a half has conditioned me to push through any smaller injuries, as well as increasing my pain threshold in case of any accidents. Not only this, but should I encounter any ninjas/Chuck Norris in the desert, I should feel sufficiently confident to roundhouse kick any of them in the face!!!!

And even though I think I would make a terrible, terrible soldier, I have started doing the Army's Personal fitness assessment with my own circuits thrown in. It goes something like this:

1.5 mile run

2 minute sit up test

2 minute press up test

3 x circuit of 10 x tricep dip, 10 x squats, 10 x lunge

10 x Burpies (if you don't know what they are, google!)

6 x 20metre sprint interval

2 minute plank

1 minute sit up test (do a different type from the first test)

1 minute press up test (again, try a different type to get different muscles working)

Give it a go and let me know what you think!

Fitness and endurance are going to play such vital roles in the success of this trip and so making sure I'm as prepared, healthy and fit as possible is all part of the organisation, and of the course the fun (if you enjoy the pain!)