Nordic Walking & Squatting by Sheila

Went Nordic Walking with Nordic Walking East Kent group first thing this morning.  I did 5 training sessions with them in September last year, mainly because I had been given the poles by Jae’s mother in law last year.  She has no use for them now, as sadly, she can no longer walk at all because of Motor Neurone Disease.

It was a lovely bright sunny, but freezing cold morning.  The leader/teacher Erika, was happy to see me back and remembered I had a £5 credit with her, because I left a review on her site after training.

I definitely think NW is excellent training for Kili.  I have no opportunity to practice high level walking in Kent, but I did work up a good sweat this morning.

One of the other walkers – a fellow Scot – was just back from doing the Inca Trail. She said she had got up to just over 4000 metres and had thought she was about to die!  She said they got to that in two days.  I see from the Exodus itinerary that it takes more than 5 days to get that high on Kili, so maybe I will survive.

She said the worst thing was the toilet arrangements.  She talked about poo pots and pee pots in the toilet tents, and the importance of making sure she was first into the tent in the morning!!!  Although she is a very fit woman, it was clear during the warm up exercises that she couldn’t squat.  She said she hadn’t been able to do so even as a child.  She had therefore acquired a Shewee for use on her walk, which she highly recommended. However she said it needed a fair bit of practice in the bathroom at home, before setting off.  The one bloke in the group didn’t look too comfortable by this line of conversation.  I think my squatting is probably up to scratch:  plenty of practice for years at Pilates will hopefully stand me in good stead.

Popped into Aldi on the way back to pick up some food.  Saw they had a fishing/ski wear promotion on.  I do love the arbitrary things they sell.  On looking through the ski wear – never been ski-ing in my life and don’t expect I ever will – I saw they had “ski & sports base layers” reduced to £4.49 a set. Each set comprises a long sleeved top and long johns which claims to insulate and moisture-wick and has no cotton content.  I know cotton is bad for climbing because it retains moisture.  So I bought two sets, as it seemed great value.  Can always use them as PJs on cold nights in the caravan, if I am told they are the wrong thing.