Spring Into Fitness - Weeks 6 and 7

View of Loch Lomond from Ben Lomond 

The end of Week 7 has been the pinnacle, or rather summit, of the fortnight :). 

My brother has invited me to join him at the gym for many months so I asked him last week if I could join him but he said he no longer went to the gym. He invited me to join him on a walk instead so I agreed on the understanding it would not be too strenuous or long. On that understanding, he, his son and I climbed my first ever munro, Ben Lomond, on Saturday 19th May! I only found out where I was going when they picked my up early that morning, I was away almost all day but surprisingly I didn't feel too much pain after so I lived to tell the tale. 

I'm not sure I really want to know what this does to my broomstick points :). 

Earth 
I've been eating lunch more regularly and having lighter dinners at night and not wanting to snack too much in-between. 
I am still selecting and ironing work outfits in advance of the morning dash to work.

Air 
Again I have spent much more time at work - I overworked and lost the equivalent of over four days work in the last month :( . 

However my climbing expedition, to 990m, did wonders for my lungs!

The views were wonderful too :), except when the clag i.e. cloud/fog came down on us as we climbed the summit ;).

When my friend visited from London during week 6 so we got to chat for a couple of hours, taking a walk to catch up with our own and family developments on a lovely dry evening and even visited my sister. 

Water

I took too much water on the the climbing experience by accident, 2 litres instead of 1, double what was recommended, and my brother insisted on carrying it for me so I felt bad about this. I am someone who makes good use of the ladies facilities, it has been well drilled into me from childhood, but surprisingly being on a mountain for six hours didn't phase me and my body behaved itself!

I crossed more than a few burns and streams on my trek and trudged in the pockets of snow on the summit and then drank hot coffee on the top of the summit with the other climbers as the light snow swirled round us. 

Fire 
After that, and the tiring days, I feel fine, just a little tightness in my calves. My brother advised me to get a protein bar to give me a boost and it would take pain away 'next time round'! 

I spent Sunday at home but did get lots of laundry done :).

When my friend visited from London a week, we went on a, what I will now refer to as, short walk, chatting as we went. 
 x50 (at a guess)


Spirit 

I did think seriously about cancelling the walk, even before I knew where I was going as that is what I usually do - avoid situations that I am not sure about or in control of.
My friend who is very attuned to the energies tried to meet with me  during week 6 but I could never find the time. I felt quite bad about this as I do worry about her however I meet with her this week and all is well - she becoming a stronger woman :).

Last year when my friend visited, we took our own full day tour of Glasgow so it was nice to relax more this time ;). We also paid a quick visit to see my sister, time which all three of us enjoyed :).

Week 5/6 Thou Art Goddess Challenge (Optional) 

Exercise my Elements! I think I shall be repeating myself here, as I find it difficult to remember anything before Ben Lomond. My brother is now calling me 'Mountain Girl'! 

Earth  - striding up, and down, the mountain. Ok, so not striding, and there was a path but not what I would have previously called a path...
Air  - I did walk up some stairs at work but walked down more - I visited my customers on floor 13 a lot over the two weeks. Mountain again - 990m! My brother did most of the talking, providing advice, information and general chat during the expedition - I responded when I had the breath to do so ;).

Water  - Walking over burns and streams and alongside patches of snow - during the Scottish summer!

Fire  - I found the energy for the climb. Can I remember any passion? I'm sure there must have been some ;).

Spirit - the camaraderie of the many climbers on the mountain, everyone sharing hellos and tips on the conditions etc. The sheer vastness of the mountains and the beauty of the views. The absolute silence on the mountain when there was no-one close by on the path - such serenity.

*Ben Lomond Walk Statistics*

Distance         12km/7.5 miles

Time              4.5 - 5.5 hours 

 - My time ascent 3.5hrs, descent 2.5hrs*

Ascent          990m

Grid Ref        NS359986