So you know I said I was going to find a longer term fitness challenge..? I knew I’d find the perfect thing if I was patient. I wanted it to be something I have plenty of time to plan and prepare for, something really challenging but do-able. I need to be able to get fit enough to be 100% confident I’ll achieve it, and I wanted it to be something so awesome that I would always remember it. A defining moment you know?
Quite a lot of you have reached out to suggest things, and you know what, I might do a couple of race for life events as a way of building up my endurance and stamina, although I have to manage your expectations up front and say there’ll be less racing and more red-faced sweaty walking going on, depending on when they take place. After my two and a half mile walk on Saturday I feel like someone’s run me over with a truck but I’m quietly pleased with the way I pushed through my aches and pains when I took Charlie dog out yesterday afternoon…we even did the long circuit much to his delight.
I’ve also had a couple of offers to head on over the pond and participate in some local events, all of which I’d love to do at some point…imagine that, the former fat girl’s world fitness tour 🙂 But first, listen… I’ve found it. I’ve found the thing I’m going to do. I’ve already thrown my hat into the ring, registered my interest and I’m just waiting to find out whether my application has been accepted. And I’m so psyched about it…I’ll be on pins until January when I find out. But I can’t afford to wait…I need to start planning my approach.
So…want to know what it is..?
If my application is accepted, in October 2016 I’ll be completing a 90km trek over five days, from Havana across the Escambray mountain range to Trinidad in central Cuba. It’s the kind of challenge I never dared to imagine would be possible on a personal level, and I’m also hoping to raise a wedge of money for my chosen charity.
I should perhaps point out that right at this moment, the asshole in my mind has keeled over, laughing hysterically and in between snorts of derision is busy trying to tell me that it’s impossible – and I’ve got to be honest, if I really sit and think about it, fuck me it’s a big ask. In the next nine months I need to lose at least 70lbs, and build up enough stamina to be able to trek roughly 18km per day over some big-assed hills. I’m more scared about having to sleep in a tent than I can tell you…without blowing my own trumpet I’d make a lovely supper for a dingo, and besides that they have spiders the size of tanks in Cuba. I mean talk about in for a penny, in for a pound. But you know what, I can do it.
I’ll still be 60lbs too heavy for my frame at that point, but if I’ve given it everything I’ve got in nine months of training, I’ll have a reasonable level of fitness, and when I get back I’ll be on the home stretch on that journey to Skinny Town, right? It’s a massive thing, and right now I’m getting carried along by excitement, terror and pure blind faith that things will work out ok.
So, posse…what do you think..? Do you reckon I can do it..?
Dee,
I am excited for you!! That’s an awesome challenge. A year ago I was in pain 24 hours / day, 7 days / week. My knee hurt so much that I would wake up in the middle of the night in agony. I was 24 KG heavier than I am now, but I had determination, which I lacked two years ago. I decide, despite all that, I wanted to do a 160 KM bike ride from my home to Boston, MA in September. I did whole lot of work on flexibility and mobility to strengthen my knee. I started riding my bike in March. I never really rode a bike before, at least not since I was a kid. I trained really hard for it. I lost all the weight I needed to (and then some) and I got to he point where I was riding about 160KM per week (not at once). When I did the ride in September, I did great. I had to fight with the asshole in my head the entire time. From March – January. It was a real battle, but I should have had more confidence in myself so I wasn’t so stressed out. I think this is awesome. Believe in yourself. You are just beginning. You set a goal, no go after it!
Wow you’ve come such a long way…well done you, and yes, I’m fairly near the start of my journey but determined out of my socks to come and join you in SkinnyTown!
Of COURSE you can do it. And you will. You’ve got us behind you and your willingness to take on such a trek is very admirable. Baby steps will get you there. 🙂
Thanks Djan…scary but exhilarating 🙂
You’re so doing it. No question in my mind. Congratulations! Watch out Cuba!!
Thank you! 🙂
You can do anything you set your mind to. Steady training and work will get you there.
Yes Mimi…I’m hoping it will 🙂
The thing that the A#@hole forgets is that at our age we are well versed in stubborn…. You ABSOLUTELY can do this.
Oh yes…very well versed in stubborn!!
Is my version of your post missing the bit where you say what your challenge actually is, or did you leave it out as a teaser? Other people’s comments seem to know what you’re talking about, is that from the clues you give (Cuba, walking 18km per day, tents)? Mine goes from:
“If my application is accepted” then a blank space then “I should perhaps point out…”
Oh how frustrating…I don’t know why you can’t see the whole post – sorry Natalie, I’m not sure what the issue is, I can see it all at this end. The bit you’re missing is this…
in October 2016 I’ll be completing a 90km trek over five days, from Havana across the Escambray mountain range to Trinidad in central Cuba. It’s the kind of challenge I never dared to imagine would be possible on a personal level, and I’m also hoping to raise a wedge of money for my chosen charity.
Can you see that it now in the comments thread..? D x
Thanks, yes I can see your comment. Also I am now on my tablet instead of desk PC and I can see the whole original post. How weird!!
So, sounds absolutely amazing, challenging and exciting.
O.M.G. Of COURSE you can do it! Just coming UP with this Big-Assed-Hairy Audacity has catapulted you to the heights of — i don’t know, WORDS FAIL, :] but i think your day job is at NASA!!!
Looking forward to you hearing from them, and i am beside myself, beside you. Love, Fleury
Ha ha you know me Fleury, don’t like to do things by halves!
I’m sure you can meet the fitness challenge. I can’t comment on the tents, or the spiders, because omigosh.
But you know it’s a quick hop to NY from Cuba – I’ll meet you there and we can walk enough of Manhattan to eat whatever we like 🙂 Though at that point I think you’ll have a calorie deficit for weeks!!!!!
Congrats on feeling so motivated! It sounds very exciting and with your love for travel I think it will be a great inspiration to train.
Do you have pals joining you? Someone has to stand between you and the spiders . . .
Ha yes…I’m going to arrange for two bodyguards to keep spider and dingo watch at all times 🙂 I think there will be about 20 of us so that’s 40 eyes on…should be ok!
Are there dingoes in Cuba too? I thought they were only here in Australia!
Ha ha I have absolutely no idea…however if I were a buffalo I’d be the fat slow one at the back who got eaten by whichever predator was giving chase, and there’s bound to be some wild thing on them there mountains who fancies a decent meal!