Author: Tim

Training: My Feet

Training: My Feet

Tim

Photo by Fidel Fernando on Unsplash

Comfortable feet is crucial with a firm fit to avoid blisters. Given the pounding they will take my feet are the thing I need to look after the most.

I need to find a good pair of lightweight walking boots. It’s important they are lightweight because I don’t push off with the ball of my feet, I lift with my legs. Fully able people put 60-80% pressure through the ball of the foot, I put 5-10% through the ball of my foot. This puts a huge amount of pressure on the heel so another critical feature is cushioning for the heel.

This is perhaps the trickiest part for me and the most crucial bit of kit for me to get right. I have made bad choices many times with footwear and always paid for it dearly. You get this wrong, you’ll be miserable all day, and in the worst case, stop any further walking.

Continue Reading, Training my feet…
Equipment: Fitness Tracking

Equipment: Fitness Tracking

Tim

Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash

Back when I was attending the gym 5 days a week for 2 hour sessions the most tracking I used to do was get on the scales to check my weight, or keeping a mental track of how many reps at what weights I was using.

Today there are so many easy ways to get multiple data points that really help with identifying problems and seeing exactly where improvement is coming. I use a few tools to be able to see progress at a glance.

Continue Reading, Fitness Tracking…
West Highland Way: I Need to do Some Training!

West Highland Way: I Need to do Some Training!

Tim

Photo by Me!

Obviously I can’t go from no terrain walking to walking 21 miles just like that. The problem is not just physical strength but stamina, wear on my feet, and mental discipline.

Mini Cycling Challenge

So, to get me going I have decided to do a virtual cycle ride from Lands End to John O’ Groats. It’s 1083 miles which I plan to complete over 80 days. I’ll be using an exercise bike and tracking the miles electronically using the Conqueror Challenge app on my phone. I will need to ride every day to make it work. To begin with I need to cycle for half an hour each day and over 30 days work up to an hour a day.

Continue Reading, I need to do some training…