Everest Challenge Training

I'm about to start an exercise programme to prepare me for the Everest Challenge, a charity ski-a-thon that I'll be doing in January 2010. (For more info see www.snow-camp/everestchallenge).

After taking a 3-month break from serious physical training, my fitness levels are relatively low. Not that they are by any means bad for your average 35-year-old: I have maintained the obligatory fitness level needed to demonstrate basic cardio, weights and kickboxing exercises to my clients. I even kept the stamina and strength to run circles around 16-20 year-olds on a 5-a-side football (soccer) pitch. But such tests of "fitness" are deceptive; today's young people (especially here in the UK) can be remarkably unfit due to unprofessional coaching techniques and a bad diet. Also, my demonstrating exercises that I've known how to do for decades relies more on muscle memory than the strength, stamina, agility and physical proportion I will need to have to successfully complete the Challenge.

The Challenge is to ski (or in my case, snowboard) down 57,000 feet of vertical slope during two full days in the Austrian Alps. That's twice the height of Mt Everest and will mean dawn to dusk snowboarding at a quick pace for two consecutive days. What's more, my friend (Facebook friend list, name rhymes with Juicy) has promised to sponsor me £1 for every serious jump I do. She will start off with £20 in advance sponsorship and has said that I need to get good air for each jump to be considered valid, so need to develop the ability to fly over and land 20 proper jumps in as many hours of snowboarding. That's a tall order considering that my current riding style, while very fast, generally involves being planted firmly on the snow.

I'm going for my first run this morning. Wish me luck.
(If you'd like to be one of my first sponsors, please give me £15, $15, €15 or whatever you can afford at www.justgiving.com/parkerlake. Thanks).
Parker Lake - Personal Trainer and Nutrition Consultant | M: +44 7984427854 | www.parker-lake.com

This winter I'm doing the SNOW-CAMP Everest Challenge. Please sponsor me on http://www.justgiving.com/parkerlake.