A month or so ago, I had an offer to join a group for a week or so of activities in the lovely Freycinet Peninsula area of Tasmania. It was oh so very tempting partly because I had been there before and knew what it could be like. However, for various reasons, I thought it best not to accept. One of the major reasons being that I wouldn’t have enough time to develop the fitness for a multiday backpack and camping walk. There is a saying of the 5 Ps. Prior preparation prevents Poor Performance.
At this time of the year, many people have plans to fly north for their summer holiday or to escape our winter. Now is the time that they come to the clinic as a part of their preparations. So, what are they doing this for?
Reasons include:
- Getting loosened up to avoid any stiffness on a long flight.
- Ramping up their fitness for the trip, like carrying their luggage on their backs, playing 6 rounds of golf in 8 days, walking the Cinque Terra or the Camino Trail
- Keeping supple so that they don’t get a stiff back in a ‘different bed’
So, in many instances they start to get physically prepared 2 – 4 months in advance of their holiday. Much in the same way, if I go on next year’s trek, I’d start walking 4 months or so out to build up the underlying fitness. Three weeks before may be a little late to get a big enough impact.
To make the most of your holiday plans, let’s talk and get the ball rolling.
