Back into the consistent training - it's been a while. Feeling very tired tonight thanks to a combination of a bit of insomnia, crazy work loads & a few late nights & early mornings. But I am slowly but surely getting my groove back. I just hope it arrives before Sunday....
After skipping yoga on Monday morning after a restless nights sleep, I headed to the gym at lunch for a weights session (back/bis/core). I was surprised at how strong I felt given that its been over 5 weeks since my last weights session. But thinking about it, using a walking pole to pull myself through the Himalayas for 3 weeks was probably a good substitute!
Tuesday morning it was back to the gym, this time for an interval session on the bike -
5mins w/u
6 x 4mins efforts (L10) w/ 2mins recovery
5mins c/d
Total: 46mins
Today after another late night, I dragged my butt out of bed for a run. I'm glad I did - it was a beautiful mild, clear morning - very different from the pea-soup fog that I drove through at the same time (5am) yesterday morning. I really struggled to get going but eventually got my act together. I also managed to get lost (again) - the second time I've done that since I got back from my trip. As 2P would say, I zigged when I should have zagged - all the roundabouts & McMansions around here look the same! So much for being mindful - next time I must pay attention to where I am & not dream about great adventures..... Finished with about 6kms which I think is probably my longest niggle-free run since Six Foot. About bloody time too...
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Me, myself & I
Well I've been home 2 weeks now. I have found it hard to adjust to life here again. I am finding it very distressing as I realise the extent to which we fail to recognise our blessings & the opportunities we have. But I also recognise that there is nothing I can do here except ensure that I live a rich & full life & use my resources - my blessings & opportunities - to enhance the lives of those less fortunate. Stay tuned because soon I'll be asking anyone reading this to do the same....
The first week when I wasn't working I was lying on the couch or sleeping. Between the chest infection, post-holiday fatigue & a dose of "Bangkok Belly" that I picked up in, well, Bangkok on the way home, I wasn't a particularly well girl. So I made the difficult decision not to travel up to Brisbane with Owly for the Warwick Penath-run weekend. It is a fantastic weekend & I was very sorry to miss it. However it was the right decision - after 4 days of resting, I headed back to work on Tuesday morning (I'd taken Fri & Mon off due to Warwick), I was feeling much better.
This week I've slowly been easing back into the training. After not running for 6 weeks, I headed out last Sunday for a short run. I was surprised that despite having trekked around 250k up & down the Himalayas, a short 20mins run left me with some DOMS. A good reminder of the pounding that the body takes thanks to running - and to resume my stretching regime. I've followed this up with another 2 short runs this week - the longest being 30mins this morning - and an upper body weights session on Thursday. No complaints from the body and with my cough slowly residing, the effects of all that altitude training is becoming noticeable which should come in handy with the Great Nosh (a 15k trail run) next Sunday. I've done bugger all running since Six Foot so it's gunna be interesting.....
The first week when I wasn't working I was lying on the couch or sleeping. Between the chest infection, post-holiday fatigue & a dose of "Bangkok Belly" that I picked up in, well, Bangkok on the way home, I wasn't a particularly well girl. So I made the difficult decision not to travel up to Brisbane with Owly for the Warwick Penath-run weekend. It is a fantastic weekend & I was very sorry to miss it. However it was the right decision - after 4 days of resting, I headed back to work on Tuesday morning (I'd taken Fri & Mon off due to Warwick), I was feeling much better.
This week I've slowly been easing back into the training. After not running for 6 weeks, I headed out last Sunday for a short run. I was surprised that despite having trekked around 250k up & down the Himalayas, a short 20mins run left me with some DOMS. A good reminder of the pounding that the body takes thanks to running - and to resume my stretching regime. I've followed this up with another 2 short runs this week - the longest being 30mins this morning - and an upper body weights session on Thursday. No complaints from the body and with my cough slowly residing, the effects of all that altitude training is becoming noticeable which should come in handy with the Great Nosh (a 15k trail run) next Sunday. I've done bugger all running since Six Foot so it's gunna be interesting.....
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Encore
Ewen - the sky is the limit :-)
Cho La pass (5420m)
Stay tuned - we return shortly to our regular programming...
Cho La pass (5420m)
Stay tuned - we return shortly to our regular programming...
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Back by popular request....
Welcome home David Hicks.
And a few more photos -
The stupa at Bodhnath (Boudha) in Kathmandu, one of the world's largest. It is believed that the first stupa built on the site was built around 600AD.
Lukla airport. Someone described landing at Lukla as 'thrilling'. They weren't kidding.
At Everest Base Camp
The view from my tent after an afternoon snow fall at Monjo (el.2835m)
The view from the tent the next morning after the weather cleared..
The Gokyo valley from Gokyo Ri (el. 5360m)
Chomolungma - Everest - from Gokyo Ri (el. 5360m)
Cho Oyo (the 8th highest mountain in the world) looking down over the Ngozumpa glacier.
On the Cho La pass (el.5420m), looking down the valley to Ama Dadlam. Our next campsite is the orange dot in the centre of the valley.
Another view from the tent, this time at Dzongla (el.4830).
And yes Tess, I have plans to get a little higher than Base Camp :-)
And a few more photos -
The stupa at Bodhnath (Boudha) in Kathmandu, one of the world's largest. It is believed that the first stupa built on the site was built around 600AD.
Lukla airport. Someone described landing at Lukla as 'thrilling'. They weren't kidding.
At Everest Base Camp
The view from my tent after an afternoon snow fall at Monjo (el.2835m)
The view from the tent the next morning after the weather cleared..
The Gokyo valley from Gokyo Ri (el. 5360m)
Chomolungma - Everest - from Gokyo Ri (el. 5360m)
Cho Oyo (the 8th highest mountain in the world) looking down over the Ngozumpa glacier.
On the Cho La pass (el.5420m), looking down the valley to Ama Dadlam. Our next campsite is the orange dot in the centre of the valley.
Another view from the tent, this time at Dzongla (el.4830).
And yes Tess, I have plans to get a little higher than Base Camp :-)
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The Nepal report 2007
The body roams the mountains and the soul is set free
I saw this quote on my last day in Kathmandu. It sums up perfectly how I felt during my trip to Nepal.
I struggle to describe my trip to Nepal as a holiday. It was - by far - the hardest thing I have ever done (both physically & mentally) – ultimately we trekked somewhere around 250km. But it has been more than a holiday for me – more like a life changing experience. It taught me a lot about myself, how strong I am, how blessed I am & about the type of life I want for myself. As incredible as the scenery was, it was the people of Nepal who truly touched my heart with their generosity, compassion & passion for life.
I saw this quote on my last day in Kathmandu. It sums up perfectly how I felt during my trip to Nepal.
I struggle to describe my trip to Nepal as a holiday. It was - by far - the hardest thing I have ever done (both physically & mentally) – ultimately we trekked somewhere around 250km. But it has been more than a holiday for me – more like a life changing experience. It taught me a lot about myself, how strong I am, how blessed I am & about the type of life I want for myself. As incredible as the scenery was, it was the people of Nepal who truly touched my heart with their generosity, compassion & passion for life.
A 'few' photos - first we spent a few days in Kathmandu….
Downtown Kathmandu – being a Hindu country, cows are sacred in Nepal - you can serve jail time for killing one - so they basically have right of way & can often be found walking or laying down in the middle of major roads, completely oblivious to the traffic.
The first time I saw the recluse Chomolungma – Everest - on the trek from our camp to Namche Bazaar (el.3446m ) As I said, she was being a bit shy that day.
Our hotel at Namche Bazaar. The helicopter crashed there about 2 years ago but it is too expensive to remove it (it would need to be broken down into parts & carried out by porters) so it’s stayed.
Our campsite at Dole (el.4200m). False advertising I think 'cause I was looking but didn't find any yetis...
The view back down to the village of Gokyo - and our camp - el. 4790m, from the 'hill' known as Gokyo Ri (el. 5360m) which took us 3 very long hours to walk up. By far the hardest single thing - physically & mentally - I have ever done. I suppose the fact that at 5,500m there is only 50% of the oxygen at sea level didn't help either....
Still climbing...
Finally! On the top of Gokyo Ri (el. 5360). Everest is the peak over my left shoulder. And yes, it is as cold as it appears...
Contemplating Everest.
Snow climbing my way up to the Cho La pass (el.5420m). Yes, it is as steep as it appears!
On Cho La pass. I’d made the mistake of skipping through the snow to get in position for this photo. As I discovered, not an easy thing to do at that altitude...
At the top of Cho La, about the drop down into the next valley. Ama Dadham is at the head of the valley. Our next campsite is the dot of orange near my right hand.
At the top of Kala Pattar (el.5550m) Everest is trying to hide in the cloud immediately above my left shoulder. Everest Base Camp can just be seen to the left of the photo.
Everest poking her head out to say hello (over Nuptse) on the walk to Everest Base Camp
At Base Camp (el. 5364m)
Couldn't resist !
The view from our tent back at Namche Bazaar!
As I said, just a 'few' photos. If anyone wants to see a "few" more, email or PM me...
Righto, 'bout time this blog resumed its normal transmissions I suppose...
The first time I saw the recluse Chomolungma – Everest - on the trek from our camp to Namche Bazaar (el.3446m ) As I said, she was being a bit shy that day.
Our hotel at Namche Bazaar. The helicopter crashed there about 2 years ago but it is too expensive to remove it (it would need to be broken down into parts & carried out by porters) so it’s stayed.
Our campsite at Dole (el.4200m). False advertising I think 'cause I was looking but didn't find any yetis...
The view back down to the village of Gokyo - and our camp - el. 4790m, from the 'hill' known as Gokyo Ri (el. 5360m) which took us 3 very long hours to walk up. By far the hardest single thing - physically & mentally - I have ever done. I suppose the fact that at 5,500m there is only 50% of the oxygen at sea level didn't help either....
Still climbing...
Finally! On the top of Gokyo Ri (el. 5360). Everest is the peak over my left shoulder. And yes, it is as cold as it appears...
Contemplating Everest.
Snow climbing my way up to the Cho La pass (el.5420m). Yes, it is as steep as it appears!
On Cho La pass. I’d made the mistake of skipping through the snow to get in position for this photo. As I discovered, not an easy thing to do at that altitude...
At the top of Cho La, about the drop down into the next valley. Ama Dadham is at the head of the valley. Our next campsite is the dot of orange near my right hand.
At the top of Kala Pattar (el.5550m) Everest is trying to hide in the cloud immediately above my left shoulder. Everest Base Camp can just be seen to the left of the photo.
Everest poking her head out to say hello (over Nuptse) on the walk to Everest Base Camp
At Base Camp (el. 5364m)
Couldn't resist !
The view from our tent back at Namche Bazaar!As I said, just a 'few' photos. If anyone wants to see a "few" more, email or PM me...
Righto, 'bout time this blog resumed its normal transmissions I suppose...
Friday, May 11, 2007
Alive, well & showered :-)
Namaste!
Thanks to everyone for your comments - I have really appreciated them. A bit of 'home' during an adventure that has well & truly pushed me outside my comfort zone. Nothing like not showering for 17 days to make you feel 'precious' ;-)
Just a quick post - I am alive, well & back in Kathmandu after our trek. After seeing nothing moving faster than a Himalayan trail (ie a convoy of yaks) and hearing nothing louder than the bells they wear around their necks for 3 weeks, polluted & chaotic Kathmandu is proving to be somewhat of a culture shock.
I'm really struggling to find the words to describe the trek - I certainly can't in the time I have available now - suffice to say that it was by far the most difficult & challenging (both physically & mentally) thing I have ever done - but also the most rewarding & fulfilling. Nepal & particularly its people have touched my heart & soul. Apart from the scenery, it has been the interactions with the locals that have truly touched my heart. The Nepali are by far the most generous, humorous, good natured & beautiful people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. With porters who don't speak a word of English, I have played cards and also cricket with a bat made out of a tree stump - cricket I have to say becomes very difficult above 4,000m! I have been called 'didi' our young porters - kids under, say, 25 for whom western woman are still an object of fascination. The smiles on their faces when I responded with 'bhye' (meaning younger brother) were priceless & something I will always treasure.
I can't believe my time here is coming to an end - but I am already planning my next 2 visits here. This place has made such an impact on me that I know it is somewhere I will continue to visit time & time again. In the last few days I have also put into place plans to give something back to this wonderful country & to a few very special people which I am very excited to be involved with.
I'm flying back into Sydney on Sunday night so a full 'trek report' & photos will follow soon.
Thanks to everyone for your comments - I have really appreciated them. A bit of 'home' during an adventure that has well & truly pushed me outside my comfort zone. Nothing like not showering for 17 days to make you feel 'precious' ;-)
Just a quick post - I am alive, well & back in Kathmandu after our trek. After seeing nothing moving faster than a Himalayan trail (ie a convoy of yaks) and hearing nothing louder than the bells they wear around their necks for 3 weeks, polluted & chaotic Kathmandu is proving to be somewhat of a culture shock.
I'm really struggling to find the words to describe the trek - I certainly can't in the time I have available now - suffice to say that it was by far the most difficult & challenging (both physically & mentally) thing I have ever done - but also the most rewarding & fulfilling. Nepal & particularly its people have touched my heart & soul. Apart from the scenery, it has been the interactions with the locals that have truly touched my heart. The Nepali are by far the most generous, humorous, good natured & beautiful people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. With porters who don't speak a word of English, I have played cards and also cricket with a bat made out of a tree stump - cricket I have to say becomes very difficult above 4,000m! I have been called 'didi' our young porters - kids under, say, 25 for whom western woman are still an object of fascination. The smiles on their faces when I responded with 'bhye' (meaning younger brother) were priceless & something I will always treasure.
I can't believe my time here is coming to an end - but I am already planning my next 2 visits here. This place has made such an impact on me that I know it is somewhere I will continue to visit time & time again. In the last few days I have also put into place plans to give something back to this wonderful country & to a few very special people which I am very excited to be involved with.
I'm flying back into Sydney on Sunday night so a full 'trek report' & photos will follow soon.
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