Whoops, didn’t take long for my intention to keep this blog regularly updated to go by the way! I blame Social Media – its far too distracting… 😉
Anyway, I’ve been continuing my training sticking pretty much to the training plan produced by Adam Lewis from Your Fitness Coach. I’m still keeping him on his toes as he has theres not that much information out there for walking training!
I’m getting into ‘serious’ distances on my longer walks now, but am happy to say that I’ve now done over half distance – woo hoo! I’ve had to miss two long walks so far – one because I had a stinking cold and din’t leave the house for a couple of days, and one because of the weather last weekend – I just can’t walk when its so cold and icy. I did manage to do about half the distance in the snow though so wasn’t a completely missed day, but it was affecting my joints so I had to come back.
As the weather has worsened (wetter and colder), I’ve been coming back from my longest walks very very cold and its taken me ages to warm up, especially my legs which is not good for me. I just can’t walk fast enough over that length of time (4 hours plus) to keep my legs warm especially when they are getting wet. I’ve had suggestions for warmth of both runners tights and waterproof trousers and I think I’m going to go with the latter as its the getting wet I need to avoid I think and they’ll help with the cold.
My longest walk so far has been 4.5 hours so I’m still a way off how long I think its going to take me (about 8.5 hours including toilet stops) but I’m getting there. I am starting to have a problem with nutrition and fluid intake though – especially as it looks like the sports drinks I’ve been having (lucozade mainly) may have upset my digestion a bit. Yet another thing for Adam to sort out for me! I have managed without sports drinks the last 3 long walks I’ve done but I have felt a bit funny at times due (I think) to low sugar/energy/salt levels which obviously isn’t good as my walks get longer and longer.
Something else to contend with as I’m out for hours is the boredom. As lovely as Brighton and Hove and the seafront is (even in Winter), I still need something to keep me motivated as I walk. I’ve started putting together a playlist on my mobile phone, and I’m also going to try audio books. Theres also taking photos and updating/checking facebook and twitter as well as reading emails as I walk. All of this, plus the GPS tracking I’m doing using Endomondo, means that I am draining the battery on my phone especially now that I have the using the Nevo Rockaway bluetooth headphones that my other half got me for Christmas. I have a Veho Pebble which is going to allow me to charge the phone when it gets low but that may not be enough. Now what techy thing shall I not do… 😛
Onwards and longwards!