April 20th 2014 – Day 70
Day 1 Weight: 256lbs Day 1 Fitness: Nil
Day 70 Weight: 233lbs Day 70 Fitness: Above Average
Week 9 / 10
I have now had confirmation that the trip is on for October this year. There really is no turning back now and the focus on improving my fitness is ever more sharp.
I will say at the outset the level of interest and support I have been getting is really heartwarming and does encourage me to stay focused. However, my previous attitude of "can't be arsed" to just about everything is a bit of a hard label to shake; and has led to some conversations where my inner voice is screaming "do you really think I'm that stupid?" Admittedly the answer I would get is probably yes if I said it out loud and I would only have myself to blame. So, to avoid any confusion over this matter here are a few answers to some FAQ's
And for the benefit of 1 person who was amazed I hadn't instantaneously developed the physique of Mo Farah I haven't lost 4 stone in weight overnight. I want to lose it gradually so as not to cause any other health issues. I am very happy that your friend lost 10 stone in weight in 8 months. I am really sorry to hear that they are frequently off work with health issues, I wonder why that is?
I have been my own worst enemy when it comes to staying focused on anything and at least I know that I am being asked these questions out of support and concern because they are all followed by words of encouragement. Thank you everyone. This is though an opportune time to give a little information about the challenge.
Kilimanjaro is the highest free standing mountain in the world at 19,334 feet or 5,893 meters. To put that in context Snowden is 3,560 feet or 1,085 meters, Everest Base Camp is 17,598 feet or 5,364 metres. So pretty big then. The route I will be taking is the Rongai Route, this is described as the easiest way up (hooray!!) as it allows the longest time to acclimatise to the high altitude and increases the chance of reaching the top. The whole trek is 8 days, 6 up and 2 down but day 6/7 run into one very long day. I doubt though that there will be any actual running.
Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano but gases are still being emitted near the summit. The last major eruption was 360,000 years ago, I remember it well as it was the last time David Moyes won a game at one of the 'Big Four' away fixtures.
Nobody knows where the name Kilimanjaro comes from. However, what is known is that, according to the Kilimanjaro National Park, only 41% of people who attempt to reach the summit do, most people get to approx 300m from the summit and turn back. That would be so frustrating. There is a high mortality rate amongst those who try to climb it, worse even than Everest but there are reasons given for this mainly that:
By trouble I mean severe altitude sickness. I have lots of information on the symptoms and effects and there is some scary stuff in there. Some of the less scary stuff is
I experience all of those now so how will the guides tell the difference? I will absolutely be listening to every bit of advice from the guides and medics and if they say stop I am stopping. I have spoken to my GP, and to a few people who have done this or something similar before, and they all confirm the advice from the tour guides.That is, nobody knows who will or will not get altitude sickness and how bad if they do.
Meanwhile the training continues and I have had a couple of minor triumphs. Britain's Next Top Model was showing noticeable beads of sweat last time she was in. I don't know whether that was caused by the exercise or the heat being given off from the flames leaping up off the treadmill due to the speed she was running. On some of the machines you can run them in hybrid mode to save energy (electricity not mine) and at the end of your session it tells you how much energy you have saved. I can manage to run a 15w light bulb for 75 minutes. BNTM can power Blackpool's illuminations for a month.
Went out for a trial hill walk to break the boots in and around Foel Fenli and Moel Famau, it really is a beautiful spot. It was gorgeous sunny day and I found a longer walk up to avoid the Bank Holiday crowds, took about 3.5 hours in all with one or 2 steep bits and a couple of other peaks.
I didn't have any problems with the boots and now know I can walk for longer than that on a hill walk. The next task is to get a rucksack so I can take more gear and rations with me. At the moment I am limited by how far I can go under my own steam with nothing to eat and carrying only a bottle of water. Also, I need sun tan lotion so I don't look like I have really high blood pressure by the time I get home.
I finished the bank holiday weekend by having a spending spree in the Cotswold Outdoor Shop. I am gradually building up the kit to go with the boots so now have my main kitbag, rucksack, hats, gloves, flasks and drinks bottles all banked. There is no longer any excuse now not to go out on some longer walks.
Keep pushin' on
Day 70 Weight: 233lbs Day 70 Fitness: Above Average
Week 9 / 10
I have now had confirmation that the trip is on for October this year. There really is no turning back now and the focus on improving my fitness is ever more sharp.
I will say at the outset the level of interest and support I have been getting is really heartwarming and does encourage me to stay focused. However, my previous attitude of "can't be arsed" to just about everything is a bit of a hard label to shake; and has led to some conversations where my inner voice is screaming "do you really think I'm that stupid?" Admittedly the answer I would get is probably yes if I said it out loud and I would only have myself to blame. So, to avoid any confusion over this matter here are a few answers to some FAQ's
- The trip takes 11 days and no it isn't a holiday. However, I do hope for it to be an amazing experience.
- Yes I do not what I am getting myself into
- Yes I do know I have to get fit
- Yes I do know I have to lose weight
- Yes I do know that just going to the gym will not be enough and that I have to go hill walking
- Yes I do know going for a walk on the roads is not enough and I have to go hill walking
- Yes I do know people have to deal with lack of oxygen at high altitudes
- Yes I do know it can be potentially dangerous
- Yes I do know I have to walk for hours on end day after day
- Yes I do know I will be sleeping in a tent.
And for the benefit of 1 person who was amazed I hadn't instantaneously developed the physique of Mo Farah I haven't lost 4 stone in weight overnight. I want to lose it gradually so as not to cause any other health issues. I am very happy that your friend lost 10 stone in weight in 8 months. I am really sorry to hear that they are frequently off work with health issues, I wonder why that is?
I have been my own worst enemy when it comes to staying focused on anything and at least I know that I am being asked these questions out of support and concern because they are all followed by words of encouragement. Thank you everyone. This is though an opportune time to give a little information about the challenge.
Kilimanjaro is the highest free standing mountain in the world at 19,334 feet or 5,893 meters. To put that in context Snowden is 3,560 feet or 1,085 meters, Everest Base Camp is 17,598 feet or 5,364 metres. So pretty big then. The route I will be taking is the Rongai Route, this is described as the easiest way up (hooray!!) as it allows the longest time to acclimatise to the high altitude and increases the chance of reaching the top. The whole trek is 8 days, 6 up and 2 down but day 6/7 run into one very long day. I doubt though that there will be any actual running.
Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano but gases are still being emitted near the summit. The last major eruption was 360,000 years ago, I remember it well as it was the last time David Moyes won a game at one of the 'Big Four' away fixtures.
Nobody knows where the name Kilimanjaro comes from. However, what is known is that, according to the Kilimanjaro National Park, only 41% of people who attempt to reach the summit do, most people get to approx 300m from the summit and turn back. That would be so frustrating. There is a high mortality rate amongst those who try to climb it, worse even than Everest but there are reasons given for this mainly that:
- more people try it than Everest and;
- too many people think it is easy and try to do it too fast and get themselves into trouble. They don't listen to advice and push on, usually it is bravado on the part of people who consider themselves as in perfect health and at the peak of fitness. You know the type, the ones who spend too much time admiring themselves in the mirror at the gym.
By trouble I mean severe altitude sickness. I have lots of information on the symptoms and effects and there is some scary stuff in there. Some of the less scary stuff is
- Loss of memory
- Confusion and irrational behaviour
- Decreasing mental status
- Inability to walk in a straight line
- Decreased co-ordination
- Loss of memory
I experience all of those now so how will the guides tell the difference? I will absolutely be listening to every bit of advice from the guides and medics and if they say stop I am stopping. I have spoken to my GP, and to a few people who have done this or something similar before, and they all confirm the advice from the tour guides.That is, nobody knows who will or will not get altitude sickness and how bad if they do.
Meanwhile the training continues and I have had a couple of minor triumphs. Britain's Next Top Model was showing noticeable beads of sweat last time she was in. I don't know whether that was caused by the exercise or the heat being given off from the flames leaping up off the treadmill due to the speed she was running. On some of the machines you can run them in hybrid mode to save energy (electricity not mine) and at the end of your session it tells you how much energy you have saved. I can manage to run a 15w light bulb for 75 minutes. BNTM can power Blackpool's illuminations for a month.
Went out for a trial hill walk to break the boots in and around Foel Fenli and Moel Famau, it really is a beautiful spot. It was gorgeous sunny day and I found a longer walk up to avoid the Bank Holiday crowds, took about 3.5 hours in all with one or 2 steep bits and a couple of other peaks.
I didn't have any problems with the boots and now know I can walk for longer than that on a hill walk. The next task is to get a rucksack so I can take more gear and rations with me. At the moment I am limited by how far I can go under my own steam with nothing to eat and carrying only a bottle of water. Also, I need sun tan lotion so I don't look like I have really high blood pressure by the time I get home.
I finished the bank holiday weekend by having a spending spree in the Cotswold Outdoor Shop. I am gradually building up the kit to go with the boots so now have my main kitbag, rucksack, hats, gloves, flasks and drinks bottles all banked. There is no longer any excuse now not to go out on some longer walks.
Keep pushin' on
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Mark
