Training For Enduro trip

In order to prepare for my Africa adventure it was clear to me (and many others...thanks for the “kind words of encouragement”) that I really did need to do something about my fitness level before my 10 day grueling excursion.

This was very much highlighted when Antony Doran from NTL arranged for me to join him on an Enduro training day in Hampshire last April. The day involved a variety of exercises such as tight circuits through trees, near vertical climbs up and down banks, fast gravel tracks and sand. I will never forget the sand and I am just hoping there is none, or at least very little on our route. 30 minutes of riding on deep sand finished me off. Knackered does not come close to describing my condition. You would think it is the bike doing the work but I tell you it did not feel like it one little bit. That day taught me that I had to be fitter.

So taking the advice of former Enduro champ Paul Rusby, also of NTL, I purchased a rowing machine, stuck it in front of the TV and started on a regular regime of rowing. I have been doing 30 minutes 4/5 times per week for the last 3 months. The table below shows the progress I have made on a rowing machine which does seem to give a good workout for legs, upper body, arms and is aerobic. 30 minutes is my boredom threshold not my physical limit!

week 1 - 120 mins - 10.84km - 28.3 strokes/min
week 2 - 120 mins - 11.79km - 30.9 strokes/min
week 3 - 120 mins - 12.50km - 32.8 strokes/min
week 4 - 120 mins - 12.81km - 33,6 strokes/min
week 5 - 150 mins - 15.94km - 33.4 strokes/min
week 6 - 150 mins - 16.23km - 33.7 strokes/min
week 7 - 150 mins - 16.30km - 34.2 strokes/min
week 8 - holiday
week 9 - 150 mins - 16.05km - 33.8 strokes/min
week 10 -150 mins - 16.2 km - 34.2 strokes/min
week 11 - 150 mins - 16.48km - 34.6 strokes/min
week 12 - 150 mins - 17.55km - 36.7 strokes/min

I am no Zac Purchase as you will see from the before and after pictures, but this must be doing me some good….no pain no gain.

In addition to the rowing I have managed some squash, golf and cycling...all in a good cause, not for my personal gain you understand. I am confident that all will be well and the training will help me to enjoy the ride more. I’ll soon see.