Progress

Well, after a most uncomfortable week in the quad, hamstring and thigh department I think I am on the mend.  In fact I managed to have a fairly successful Davina session today and while my legs are by no means pain free, it feels as though they are getting stronger.

Here's a bit of blurb about the Annapurna region, courtesy of Wikipedia:

"Annapurna is a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes 8,091 m (26,545 ft) Annapurna I, thirteen additional peaks over 7,000 m (22,970 ft) and 16 more over 6,000 m (19,690 ft).  This section is a 55 km-long (34 mi-long) massif. Annapurna I is tenth among Earth's fourteen eight-thousanders. It rises east of the Kali Gandaki Gorge separating it from Dhaulagiri massif. 8167 metre Dhaulagiri I is 34 km to the west and the gorge between is considered Earth's deepest"

Annapurna I was the first 8,000-metre (26,200 ft) peak to be climbed. Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, of a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog reached the summit on 3 June 1950.  Its summit was the highest summit attained on Earth for three years, until the first successful ascent of Mount Everest. 

Weak at the knees

It's been a while since my wife made me feel weak at the knees - (well maybe not that long) - but this afternoon I decided to join her on one of her Davina fitness DVD sessions.  It was a leg routine and involved plenty of squats and lunges - I can honestly say I've haven't felt that stuffed in a long while.  I hobbled over to Rory's pool and sat in the shallows hoping that the cold water would delay the stiffness.  But I need to apply myself - those downhills are going to be punishing unless I strengthen my thigh muscles and knees.  Ah well, at least I've zero based things and know just how much work is needed.  It can only get better from here.  Here's two ridiculous movies to keep things light hearted:

Elevations

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.  Psalm 24

OK so this is pretty scary.  In short, I'd better keep my hands clean.  Check out this altitude chart for the Annapurna Circuit:

There are very few places you'll go with these sorts of elevations - to be so consistently high for a week could be a challenge.  Not to mention those bone jarring downhills - check out the drop between day 9 and day 10!!!  And day 13 and day 14!  Going to have to work on those quads for sure.

Tim reckons I need to do som of my walks breathing through a straw.  I've been on the Jungrau Joch 3471m.  Giant's Castle 3315m.  Trail Ridge Road Colorado 3731m.

Inspiration

Preparation

I woke up the other night worrying myself silly that I wouldn't be fit enough either to finish the walk or, perhaps more realistically, enjoy it to the full.  So I've begun walking - 4 or so kays on Friday and 9 today (a nice circuit of Ballito with a long uphill from the beach to the BP Garage).  I spent most of yesterday feeling stiff and uncomfortable - especially my hammies and lower back - so was careful after getting home from today's walk, to sit for half an hour in Rory's icy swimming pool and reading Piercing the Darkness while I did so.  I'm told it does wonders for one's muscles.  We'll know soon enough!  Well, here's the official photo....the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!