I’ve managed to set myself a fairly daunting list of activities for the next 9months or so. And whilst I’m in decent shape at the moment, it makes a lot of sense to introduce more structure into the work that I do to make sure I’m ready to run a competitive New York Marathon in November and go to Argentina in January 2010 as has been suggested “in the best shape of [my] life” for Aconcagua.

Realistically the focus is Aconcagua, it’s going to be a much harder prospect than any other physical activity or climb I’ve ever attempted. As I run a lot this will form a large part of any training and so also work well as my build up for New York. And well anything I can do now as part of a plan looking to the future will help me out in the Alps too.

A quick look on Google and there’s a lot of material out there. I actually decided to begin using a Denali training plan as this puts further emphasis on carrying loads which is something that I’m keen to sort out. So I’m starting off with the Denali training plan by Alpine Ascents, and then the plan is to arrive in the Alps having completed the first two months and then hold there for the third month once I return. And then build up slightly more gradually to November when I’ll run the marathon, and have a week break off after followed by removal of running for a further fortnight which I’ll replace with cycling/swimming. No doubt things will change as time progresses but I don’t want to get too hung up on detail yet, the plan starts fairly close to what I’m doing at the moment (so I’ll get into it without too great a problem) and progresses in a way I think I’ll cope with.

So for the first few months, the aerobic training will be predominantly running (I’ve got a half marathon and a 10km race before the Alps to train for) and playing squash, with some spinning classes thrown in for variety too. The strength sessions will be sit ups, press-ups and free weights… oh and my poor climbing technique (i.e. dragging myself up the wall) will help with arms for now. Recreational activities will be the climbing and walking (with a weighted pack when I get the chance to go up something steep).

So this is how I’m starting. I’ll be keeping a log of everything I do that I’ll occasionally bring out and comment on how it’s going and what is working/not working.