I needed to get fit for a walking holiday in the Cevennes mountains in the South of France. I had been finishing a book over the winter, ie sitting down a lot, had put on some weight and was suffering from painful knees. I’m 67years old. Paul designed a tough schedule for me.
I walked every day: every week I was to take one long walk (10 miles), two shorter walks (5-8 miles) and four ‘constitutionals’. In addition I was to swim once a week and continue in the Pilates class. He also suggested ways to take my diet in hand, and some exercises for the knees. Paul took me out walking on Dartmoor twice, to stretch me further.
This programme lasted for six weeks.
The highlights:
I managed the tough walking schedule in the Cevennes Mountains in France (70 miles in 6 days, much of it steeply up or down).
I really enjoyed the Dartmoor walks, with Paul and on my own.
I could see I had got fitter, lost weight and although slow, could get up those hills.
What Paul added
Paul helped me define my goal: to get fit for a strenuous French walking holiday.
His feedback gave me confidence and encouragement, like showing me how to deal with rasping breathlessness. He had good ideas to make daily walking more interesting: walking new routes, by the sea or on Dartmoor, sending him photos as I completed them.
I’m now working on maintaining my fitness with Paul in a new programme.
Caroline Lodge
