Progress on the weight front is actually ahead of the curve, and I’m happy about that. Minor change to itinerary to move trek forward to April to avoid flight changes in Kathmandu to Ramechhap. I didn’t fancy a nine hour connection cross country ahead of the trek.

Thanks everyone for donations so far. Pleased to be at £700 of £5000 so early on. It’s taken some of the pressure off.

Training started 7/2/2027. Decent 2.7 mph pace should see me right on the trek, so the aim over 2026 is to maintain a 3.55mph rate across 10k walks at sea level. I’ll be posting weekly, including the updates on the weight loss plan. 4 weeks in, we’re on track.

Thanks everyone for giving the page a read. I’ve now had the 12 month training plan come through from hiking bees and it looks brutal.

12-Month EBC Training Plan Breakdown (Richard Hayes)

Months 1-3: Foundation & Core (Build Consistency)
Goal: Build a solid base without injury.
Activities: 2-3 days of light cardio (hiking, walking, running) and 2 days of strength (core, lunges, squats).
Focus: Start wearing your hiking boots to get used to them.

Months 4-7: Strength & Aerobic Endurance (Increase Volume)
Goal: Build stamina and leg strength.
Activities: 3 days cardio (longer walks/runs) and 2 days strength (weighted step-ups, leg press).
Focus: Begin hiking with a 5-8kg backpack, gradually increasing weight.

Months 8-10: Specificity & Back-to-Back Training
Goal: Simulate trekking conditions.
Activities: Long hikes (4-6 hours) on weekends, preferably in hilly terrain.
Focus: Back-to-back training days (e.g., long hike Saturday and Sunday) to prepare for consecutive days of trekking.

Month 11: Peak Intensity
Goal: Maximum training load.
Activities: Longest, heaviest hikes.
Focus: Ensure you can comfortably hike for 6+ hours with a 10kg pack.

Month 12: Taper & Recover
Goal: Reduce fatigue, prevent injury.
Activities: Reduce training volume (fewer sets, shorter distances).
Focus: Rest, stretch, and ensure full recovery before travel.