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Original poster

How fit exactly do you think I need to be for this holiday?

77 replies

Dryandirriatble · 03/01/2023 21:29

I've booked to do the Tour Du Mont Blanc. It's 65 miles, including 6000m of assent over 6 days.

The reviews all say the same thing, an amazing trip but hard going, long days and you need to be really fit.

I am fit, I walked 15 miles yesterday and can run a HM in 2 hours without doing any additional training, but I'm also a woman in her mid 50s, so not fit like a young man. E.g. 19yo DS came on the walk yesterday and I can't keep up with him. I'm feeling very tired today after yesterday's adventure.

So, I'm very fit for my age and sex - Garmin tells me I'm in the top 1% 😆 but is that fit enough?

Also, as someone who lives in East Anglia, how do you train for this? I'm starting to get very cold feet...

OP posts:
GuinnessLover · 03/01/2023 21:30

Gas Hill 🤣

LlynTegid · 03/01/2023 21:31

Could you get any advice from any of the cycling teams?

Augend23 · 03/01/2023 21:31

I think you probably need to try some hills but if you're in the top 1% for fitness you should be fine realistically.

Can you get a day trip up to somewhere that has some decent hills in, to see how it goes?

Original poster
Dryandirriatble · 03/01/2023 21:32

LlynTegid · 03/01/2023 21:31

Could you get any advice from any of the cycling teams?

It's hiking, not cycling

OP posts:
LIZS · 03/01/2023 21:34

The altitude may affect you as much as the ascents.

pattihews · 03/01/2023 21:34

It's going to be more than 65 miles, surely? 65 a day?

You start by turning up the resistance on your static bike and you keep turning it up till the day you leave for the holiday.

Cornishmumofone · 03/01/2023 21:34

Do you have to carry your own kit? Do you have an opportunity to do several long walks on consecutive days?

UnaOfStormhold · 03/01/2023 21:37

I think the things to train for are total time on your feet (so lots of long walks of about the duration you'll be doing) on uneven terrain (can you find some nice uneven trails?) and the ascent and descent (in East Anglia perhaps a step machine at the gym or just going up and down your stairs a lot). The other thing worth thinking about is the altitude and planning your travel to give yourself a chance to acclimatise. Unless you can get a holiday in the mountains between now and then there's probably not a huge amount you can do to train for the altitude and it's not extreme enough to be a big problem, but be aware it will probably make everything feel a little harder. Still, sounds an amazing thing to do!

Original poster
Dryandirriatble · 03/01/2023 21:38

pattihews · 03/01/2023 21:34

It's going to be more than 65 miles, surely? 65 a day?

You start by turning up the resistance on your static bike and you keep turning it up till the day you leave for the holiday.

No, it's walking

OP posts:
Jumbojem · 03/01/2023 21:40

Don't get cold feet, it sounds like an amazing trip!
I'm guessing the walks will be climbing but also rocky paths which is very different to the same distance on a smooth foot path, especially a soft grass/ mud one. I'm thinking in terms of impact on joints etc. Might be worth considering a walking pole? It's hard on knees walking in the mountains.
If you can't get to a high hill area to get some practice in, long coast path walks might give a good training experience, rocky, lots of up and down etc?
Might also want to do some mobility work? I am similar age to you and fairly fit but my flexibility definitely holds me back when on technical walks.
Don't forget at altitude it will also make any effort harder! But think of the epic scenery...

Original poster
Dryandirriatble · 03/01/2023 21:40

UnaOfStormhold · 03/01/2023 21:37

I think the things to train for are total time on your feet (so lots of long walks of about the duration you'll be doing) on uneven terrain (can you find some nice uneven trails?) and the ascent and descent (in East Anglia perhaps a step machine at the gym or just going up and down your stairs a lot). The other thing worth thinking about is the altitude and planning your travel to give yourself a chance to acclimatise. Unless you can get a holiday in the mountains between now and then there's probably not a huge amount you can do to train for the altitude and it's not extreme enough to be a big problem, but be aware it will probably make everything feel a little harder. Still, sounds an amazing thing to do!

Nobody's mentioned altitude as an issue. It doesn't go above 2600m, but there's lots of up and down, hence 6000m climbing in total. Some have said the down is just as hard as the up.

Is altitude an issue at 2600m?

OP posts:
ameliameerkat · 03/01/2023 21:41

I did a very similar sounding trip over 10 days. That was when I was in my mid 20s and was pretty fit, and I found it ok. I wouldn't do it now (early 40s) as I have dodgy knees that don't like hills anymore!! My advice, having done holidays with other folk who haven't done many hills, is to do hills...... Another walking holiday I did was with a lady who said she did a lot of walking, but it was all on the flat and she really struggled.

Everyone found the altitude a bit weird on the first day (breathing doesn't work!! It's very odd), but the leaders should have that planned into the itinerary to let you adjust a bit.

Take lots of photos, enjoy, eat all the delicious local cheese and delicious local wines is my advice!!

Original poster
Dryandirriatble · 03/01/2023 21:42

Cornishmumofone · 03/01/2023 21:34

Do you have to carry your own kit? Do you have an opportunity to do several long walks on consecutive days?

Yes carrying own kit. Realistically, I'm not going to do more than one long walk in a weekend.

OP posts:
Emptyandsad · 03/01/2023 21:43

I'm 63 and I've done lots of multi-day through hikes even though i am not super-fit at all. I havent done the TMB but I did the HRP in 2021 and the GR20 in Corsica last year.

If you can run a half marathon I think you'll be fine. Any running you can do up hills will not be time wasted, but don't worry, you'll love it

ameliameerkat · 03/01/2023 21:44

Ben Nevis is 1345m so you're almost twice the height! Altitude shouldn't be an 'issue' but you will likely feel it.

Is it just a day bag that you're carrying, or all your stuff? The one I did was vehicle supported, so you just carried your day pack containing spare jumper, waterproofs, lunch and water etc with you each day.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 03/01/2023 21:45

Back in the late 90s a friend of mine was due to do something along these lines. She used to do Step Classes whilst carrying her (carefully weighted) rucksack.

(Do step classes still exist?)

Cornishmumofone · 03/01/2023 21:45

If you can practice with your rucksack a few times, that will help. You need to think about how you can recover as quickly as possible for the next day.

Emptyandsad · 03/01/2023 21:46

Oh, and altitude won't be a significant problem. And I would advise using trekking poles, which really help on both ascents and descents.

As a pp said, total time walking is wearing, so do try and do walks of 20km and more as training

Original poster
Dryandirriatble · 03/01/2023 21:47

ameliameerkat · 03/01/2023 21:44

Ben Nevis is 1345m so you're almost twice the height! Altitude shouldn't be an 'issue' but you will likely feel it.

Is it just a day bag that you're carrying, or all your stuff? The one I did was vehicle supported, so you just carried your day pack containing spare jumper, waterproofs, lunch and water etc with you each day.

Everything, but it's not really.that much more than day kit anyway. Only a change of clothes and (minimal) wask kit. The advice is to take one set of day clothes and one set for evening and wear the dirty ones while hiking. It's not camping.

OP posts:
Whotsit · 03/01/2023 21:49

Find some stairs to train on?

pattihews · 03/01/2023 21:49

Aaagh. Assumed you were doing the mountain section of the TdF on a bike.

If I were you I'd want to start training for length as well as steep ascents — and descents, too, because descending can be hard on your joints. I'd probably organise a number of weekends in the nearest proper hills (Lake District, Brecon Beacons, Munroes) doing 15 miles, 10 mile and 12 miles walks on consecutive days. You can stay in a hostel, it needn't cost a fortune.

botharna · 03/01/2023 21:50

I’ve done a few of the MB trails but just on day trips. Lots of hikers in fifties, and beyond! 1,000m ascent a day is hard on the calves when you are not used to it so perhaps use one of those steppers in the gym? And perhaps a weekend hiking somewhere hillier than east Anglia😁

I wouldn’t worry too much about altitude, I would be surprised if it is an issue, I’ve only ever felt it in the telecabine up the Aguille de midi.

It is a beautiful region for hiking, you’ll have a gorgeous time. Just don’t forget your earplugs for the refuges…

Emptyandsad · 03/01/2023 21:51

The lighter tour pack, the easier the walking will be. If your not camping you should be able to keep your pack weight down to around 8kg. Certainly don't go over 10kg. Bear in mind it can be cold and wet.

botharna · 03/01/2023 21:54

And definitely poles! I’d agree descent can often be harder on the knees and poles are really helpful.

Notjustabrunette · 03/01/2023 21:56

I found the cross trainer and stair climb at the gym was good trading for the Inca trail.