Possibly the biggest challenge of training for the Yomp is finding time to fit it all in. With full-time jobs and a social life (if you’re lucky), how on earth are we supposed to slot in even a few hours of training?
It’s about making time, rather than finding time I guess. The word ‘Yomp’ has been floating around the office for a few months now and I’ve known since last year that I’ll be taking part. So why didn’t I start training way back in January?
I lead a pretty active lifestyle, walking the dog, cross-training and doing the occasional jog, so I suppose I thought I’d worry about actual training for the big day at some stage. I’m at that stage now and with just a few weeks left until June 13, I need a serious boot up the backside.
So, what have I actually done thus far? Every week, without fail, since time immemorial, I’ve done a cardio session three times a week. That might be a four to five mile run, 50 minutes of cross-training, or, in the past, a gym workout (urgh) or a spin class (argh!).
Living in the country, the gym no longer features in my fitness regime, thank God, and I’m more than happy to run round fields and quiet back roads or jump on the cross trainer in my garden shed.
I spent a week in late March in a holiday cottage just outside Aviemore and walked between eight and 14 miles every day. It’s a stunning part of the world and a joy to wander through ancient Caledonian pine forests, past lochs, bothies and windswept ridges.
I topped the week with a jaunt up 2,657ft Meall a’ Bhuachaille, which was capped with snow.
Back in Angus, I’ve tried my best to get out into the wilderness and clock up the miles at weekends, but it’s not always possible, with things like weddings down south and parties in Edinburgh getting in the way.
A few weeks ago, I scaled 2,440ft Mount Blair, although golf ball-sized hailstones almost aborted the mission. I also marched round Backwater Reservoir in Glen Isla, but snow, a hangover and generally hellish conditions forced a return about three miles in. Sad, I know.
This weekend I’m determined to crack on and do something a bit more challenging, although I haven’t decided what yet.
Having chatted to personal trainer Yolanda Gratton, who’s put together a special training plan for the Yomp, I know what I need to do. Her key message is: “Time on feet”, whether that means one hour or ten.
She recommends I forget about scaling mountains and focus on long-distance walks, which makes sense. It depends on what level of exercise you’re used to, but in my case, she recommends “back-to-back” walks. This means that rather than doing a ten-hour extravaganza in one go, I divvy up my weekend walk time into two five-hour hikes. Sounds a bit daunting, but if I’m going to take this whole thing seriously, that’s what I should be doing!
At least I know my feet will be happy throughout this madness. If you read my last blog entry, you’ll know I just got myself a pair of Alp Flow Goretex Surround Salewa boots, in a glorious shade of turquoise. They’re absolutely fantastic the comfiest and coolest looking boots I’ve ever owned.
I’ll report back next week.