Training

I’ll try to give here a basic outline of the training involved. Obviously, everyone has their own fitness levels so its impossible here to give any kind of standard training programme; however, these basics will help you to prepare your own. First of all, are you used to walking – I don’t just mean walking to the shop for the morning papers here, I mean walking for the pure enjoyment of it, say, 20 miles a week? If so, you’re already part of the way there but need to increase the mileages somewhat. If you answered no, then you have an awful lot of work to do. Most of us, if we’re honest, are overweight, so you’ll need to weigh yourself first and then give yourself a target to reach. The target should be reached about four weeks prior to the march. However, before taking on any extensive training it is ESSENTIAL that you have a check up with your doctor and explain to him/her what you are intending to do, after all we don’t want any heart attacks or the like do we? In case you need convincing that weight loss is a good idea, take a rucksask, fill it with 15 to 20 pounds of weight, then carry it around with you all day. Having done it, imagine what it would be like to have discarded that same weight from your body in the first place!

The best place to go to get fit is, of course, the gym. Check out your local fitness centre, book an appointment and a fitness test, tell them what you’re up to and heed what they say. If you can’t be bothered to do that then you could follow the guidelines below but don’t blame me if all goes wrong. To improve aerobic fitness takes time so the earlier you start the more benefit you’ll get out of it. Swimming, cycling and, indeed, walking is all good for you. To give you an idea of what’s involved here’s what I did before HM2:-

HM3 Assualt on Aviemore

During HM1 I took part on the odd few days, I did a little training but not anywhere near enough. I only walked for a total of two days and could really feel the pace. For HM2 I was determined not to make the same mistake and promised myself that I’d lose two stones in weight and get much much fitter. This target was reached with about five weeks to spare. My training prog’ started as early as October. It was made up gym work, walking, cycling and swimming. My diet was also changed slightly – out went the crisps, chocolate and cakes – in came the fruit! It didn’t stop me having beer (in moderation) or curries though!!

My gym prog’ consisted of using the treadmill (walking not running), aerobic stepper, static bike, weights to strengthen my knees and thighs and also upper body weights. The weights were used purely for fitness and not to increase muscle size so they were on a ‘low’ setting. Swimming was done in the leisure centre’s pool. The pool is 25metres in length and I was doing at least 20 lengths per session, sometimes more. I was cycling to (or from) work every so often – a distance of 18 miles. Walking was done almost daily, sometimes as little as 4 miles and sometimes as many as 20. All this training had to be fitted in around my work rota, which wasn’t always easy, but I got there in the end.

A similar programme was also adhered to before HM3 and from January 2005 to the start of HM3 I had completed 367 miles walking, 238 miles cycling and swam a total of 1136 lengths of the 25m pool.

Everyone is different, of course, so you will have to decide for yourself how you want to go about it. Only you know how fit you are and whether you are capable of walking long distances, daily, for seven or eight days. Walking is the key here, do lots of it and include steep hills in your routine if possible.