Training starts !

I would think that the first few entries will be a bit dull and boring until we actually start the trek.

Today was the first group training for the Kokoda Track. I was dreading (and somehow looking forward to) this as I know that I have not been doing enough walking etc to get to the required fitness level. But I also knew that this would give me a benchmark. The plan is for all of us, as a group to go on these training walks each Sunday at 7:30AM, with the route selected getting more difficult and of course a little longer each week. Individually, we need to up our training during the week.

There are 10 of us in the group, with 8 turning up today, so a good turn out. The there are all ages from I would guess early 20's up to 60's (and that is probably me as the oldest)

The walk was in the Hornsby area, to the north of Sydney, on a section of the Great North Walk. This was a good first up area to walk in, some steep slopes and inclines but not too bad for our first hit out.

Well I survived, in better condition than I thought. The knees are feeling it particularly the left knee. We did the 10.5 Kms in 2 hours 55 mins, when the expected time was 3 to 3.5 hours. So we all felt pretty good about this. As I have not broken in my hiking boots I went in my joggers, and that has worked out OK as well. A cool morning with fog around at the start. The idea is also for us to start using the equipment that we intend to walk Kokoda in. I have borrowed a Camelbak for my water, snacks etc throughout each day. One of those really great inventions.

Weight before this morning's walk 76.3 Kg, and 76Kg after and would have put that back on by now.