How fit do I have to be. . .
for an overseas trek or cycle ride?
This is the hardest question of all to answer as "being fit " means many things to many different people. However we can say that these events are not designed for the "experts" and people who undertake cycling or mountain walking events at a high ability level. They are aimed at people who may never have taken part in an event of this nature before, but who are prepared to put in plenty of training to enable them to meet the challenge.
Training advice will be sent out to everyone who registers to take part in an event. In the case of treks it will require participants to start by walking two or three times a week for an hour at a time increasing to longer walks over hilly terrain for up to 8-10 hours over two or three consecutive days. For cycling events, if you have not cycled for some time you should start with short half-hour rides gradually increasing until you are cycling for at least one hour two or three times a week. By one month before departure it is advisable to have cycled two consecutive days of 6/7 hours each day.
How fit do I have to be. . .
for a UK team challenge event?
Action for Charity’s UK challenges are achievable by people who are fit and have put in plenty of training beforehand. They should not under any circumstances be attempted by teams who are not fully fit, who have no experience in hill walking and/or cycling. It is imperative that everyone who undertakes a challenge follows a reasonably serious course of training in order to take part. This will help ensure the safety of themselves and their fellow team members. It will also mean everyone gets the maximum enjoyment from the event.
Having said all that your training can be a very enjoyable addition to your lifestyle. An excuse to leave behind the stresses and strains of office or home life and head for the hills. In addition team members should use their local gyms for fitness training and more targeted muscle-building e.g. step machines and gradient-adjustable walking and running machines. It is a good idea to tell the fitness instructor at the gym the nature of the challenge you are planning to undertake and ask for a progamme designed to get you in peak condition. |
