Ben Nevis climb
Created | Updated Aug 24, 2004
Or - "what happens when you get drunk with a bunch of 'sporty' friends"
10am, Monday 21 July 2003
A few friends of mine are climbing Ben Nevis this year. I thought that was very nice for them 
.
Then my brain started thinking (of it's own accord again) "that's not a bad idea, I wonder if I could do that".. so I've been getting tips about it (climb Ben Nevis thread), with the plan of doing it next year. July/August is the best time to climb you see, and we're half-way through July, and there's no way I could train in time! (Or so my sensible side thought.)
Then, the weekend occurred, and drinking with it... a few later, my friends were saying how they were going to nip up to Loch Ness too, which is one of the places I'd always wanted to go to, so, with alcohol and excitement, I said "I'll come too! this year!"
Thankfully, my fuddled brain was sensible enough to say at the end of the evening, that I'd confirm the following day, when I had a clear head.
I thought and thought about it in bed, wondering whether my indecision was really due to my brain trying to tell me it was a bad idea (got Vegas a few weeks after), I'm a strong believer in intuition .
Somewhat sadly, I realised that the only thing holding me back was fear (as I said to a friend the night before - "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve."1), of it being so close (5 weeks), of realistically, having to give up smoking so I'm not wheezing so badly I'd be hallucinating (), and being a little scared of heights, especially after being told of the scree nearer the top (like walking on a stony beach but at a very steep angle ). However, I also realised that no other friends would be willing to go, so if I left it till next year, it'd have to be on my own, which I'm unlikely to do. I like to share these big achievements with people
So I confirmed, well, when I tried to, the actual words got stuck and wouldn't come out! I had to concentrate on saying "Yes, I'm a definite" ... maybe my brain is trying to tell me something after all...
Training log
This log is just for me. (The above ramblings are just in case anybody stumbles across it.) To make sure I stick to getting fit for this madness. If I've got a record, I'm reminded that I've slacked one day, and I'll make sure not to slack the next day. I need to be strong with this. I'm not good at self-motivation . H2G2 is the simplest and easiest way to log
I've not told any family or other friends I'm doing this yet, partly because I'm not 100% sure I can. I am, honestly, the ultimate slob at heart. I'll probably end up recording any thoughts that crop up too - didn't want to hog my journal with Ben Nevis stuff. So, we'll see how we go...
Sunday 20th July (Agreement day)I shall also call this "Mental Preparation Day"
This was spent procrastinating actual confirmation, and enjoying my cigarettes. Though, I still didn't buy any till the evening, so didn't smoke that many Although, I figured that I'm not going to plan to give up entirely. Just till after Ben Nevis (I can't cope mentally with the idea of giving up yet), a sort of postponed cigarette Lent.Monday 21st July (Day 1 - just under 5 weeks to go)
10:58 - Walked to work this morning - 6km, takes about an hour walking briskly. Left fags at home, brought one to have when I arrived at work (treat!), ended up bringing one for the journey, but hardly smoked it in the end, so will just bring the one tomorrow. I'll probably borrow one from an office colleague in a min - giving up cigarettes will be the most difficult thing.
11:07 - Office colleague with cigarettes has disappeared! Gaaaaarrrgh!
14:13 - Had knockback (hardly, but any excuse eh) - bought fags - but super light ones. Will leave them at home again tomorrow.
Total training: 1 hour walking, fags: lost count.
Smiley deserved:
22nd July (Day 2 - just under 5 weeks to go)
09:30 - Didn't walk to work this morning, I've learned my lesson about overdoing it and making myself poorly - then I can't do anything, which'd be a bit daft. Late night last night due to work and housemates, have brought fags to work, but going off them by the hour.
11:07 - Second fag of day.
14:12 - Completed 30 minute brisk walk, had another cigarette.. must not bring packet in tomorrow..
perhaps I should leave money home too!Total training: 1/2 hour brisk walking, fags: 7.
Smiley deserved:
23rd July (Day 3 - just under 5 weeks to go)
11:38 - Walked to work this morning, faster time too! Didn't have a cigarette till I got into work
. Wanting one but I'm trying to put it off till after lunch.From next day - did quite well without fags until went out for a 'couple of drinks'.. downhill from there really
Total training: 55 minutes brisk walking, fags: lots.
Smiley deserved:
24th July (Day 4 - just under 5 weeks to go)
15:10 -
No exercising yet - only 1 cigarette though! This is probably mostly due to hangover, but it's worked! Total training: None, fags: only 4!
Smiley deserved:
25th July (Day 5 - just 4 weeks to go!)
12:59 - In work late today, I allowed myself a lie in. Due to rain however, I've done no walking, and it looks as though the rain is here to stay for the meantime
. Still, I haven't even had one cigarette yet . Though I may succumb when I go to get lunch, or, I may see if I can last till I leave the office (will buy some today, as I'm drinking tonight - can't have beer and no fags yet). Remembered this morning that when I climbed the top 700 steps of Mt Sinai, I'd been doing strenuous walking for a week and hadn't smoked much, and was still wheezing like a trooper, so would I be able to do this after all. Then remembered that I had started smoking more before Sinai, and, this time I've got a few weeks to build up the strength in my legs, and my lung capacity! Have also just realised that it's only 4 weeks away . Which is a real incentive to get into exercising again.26th July (Day 6 - just 4 weeks to go!)
Did half an hour brisk walking. Doing quite well with (and without) cigarettes - only failing when alcohol is involved.
27th July (Day 7 - under 4 weeks to go!)
Half an hour brisk walking, not many cigarettes at all
28th July (Day 8 - under 4 weeks to go!)
11:52 - Watched Terminator 2 last night - Sarah Connor is my inspiration today! Major muscles and smoothness
I haven't bothered doing 'smileys deserved', because a) probably can't admit to not doing so well, and b) lots of bad smileys may not have the effect of motivating me, but may depress me instead, which wouldn't be good!
ANYway, have done 1 hour brisk walking today, and only had 1 cigarette Report from next day - had another 4 cigarettes that day - 5 in total ain't bad!
29th July (Day 9 - under 4 weeks to go!)
16:18 - Did 1 hour brisk walking today, and have only had 1 cigarette so far
. I've been slow in updating today, but realised I need to keep it up, as it's a daily reminder of the time ticking away!30th July (Day 10 - under 4 weeks to go!)
1/2 hour brisk walk today.
31st July (Day 11 - under 4 weeks to go!)
08:46 - Didn't walk into work this morning, too tired! Will continue to try and keep down on the cigarettes though. After this weekend I'll have a break from job 2 for a couple of weeks, so my evenings can be spent briskly walking up hills!
From next day - no exercise yesterday. I think it's because work2 is closed for a few weeks, so my head is just saying "you can catch up then"
. And I'm bloody knackered. 