Prep For Ex Service Member

[anna]

Hi there
I have been wanting to do the kokoda trail for a very long time ( I am 42)
due to work committemnts ( serving member of the defence force) familly ( mother of 2) I haven't as yet.
I have served my country on active duty so like many others there are 2 trips we would like to do in our lifetimes -Kokoda Trail and Anzac Cove

I have been out for nearly 3 years and during that time have let my fitness go and put a few kilos on. Also after 20 years as a soldier I have injuries that have to be manged and looked after to prevent them becoming worse. So I want to prepare for the trail not in 5 minutes but over a period of time as I do have the determination but must make sure the body is prepped as the mind will take me anywhere

I live in Brisbane is there any suggestion or wherer i can join to prepare for this type of activity as I would like to do this in the next 2-3 years I also work fulltime so have to work around that

I know I can prepare my own fitness regime however like all things if you do fitness with more than one person it makes it easier plus you don't give it away which I am a basically lazy person who will put off if on my own

Thanks hope you can help

[Malcolm]

Hi Anna,
One of the best things I did was join a bushwalking club, not only for fitness but variety of walks. I know of a few clubs in and around Brisbane, am myself with Logan & Beaudesert Bushwalkers. Five of us are off on Monday for the big walk and getting nervous. <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//wink.gif&#8221; style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”;)” border=”0″ alt=”wink.gif” />

[alfwo2]

HI ANNA

I AM ALSO EX ARMY, BEEN RETIRED NOW FOR 16 YEARS.

I AM DOING THE TREK NEXT MAY 2007.
WE LIVE UP AT BEERWAH IN THE GLASSHOUSE MOUNTAINS AREA AND HAVE THE IDEAL TRAINING AREA. MT COOLUM, MT NGUNGUNG, AND MT BEERBURRUM, ALSO WALKS AROUND THE GLASSGOUSE MOUNTAINS THEMSELVES.

WE ARE ALSO GOING TO CHECK OUT THE "KOKODA" WALK AT MT COOT-THA, I BELIEVE IT STARTS SOMEWHERE NEAR CHANNEL 9.

I STARTED TRAINING 4 MONTHS AGO AND AM SURPRISED HOW QUICK MY LEVEL OF FITNESS GROWING. WE WALK ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS AT LEAST EVERY SECOND WEEK END. I ALSO HAVE A STEPPER, TREADMILL AND EXERCISE BIKE.

I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM FINDING THE TRAINING BETTER THAN WHEN I WASI N THE ARMY, THE INCENTIVE IS FAR BETTER.

AVAGOODUN

ALF

[phantom]

Hi, good to see you all fired up. I hve only just come back and in hindsight I needed to do alot more hill climbing work. The trip is brilliant but does require alot of preparation. If you are using a porter then it is much easier but still bloody hard.I carried my own and that was really satisfying for me. If you have old war wounds then that is the smart option. The training and prep work is all great and just adds to the build up. Get going and book your trip it really makes exciting times leading up to it. We had a couple of older ladies and although we all struggled at times they made it and did great. Go for it.

[Waza]

<img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//rolleyes.gif&#8221; style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:rolleyes:” border=”0″ alt=”rolleyes.gif” /> Hi Anna

Not sure if you still log into KTL, I hope so though, seeing you first wrote to the website, but I hope you receive all the replies and they are of assistence to you.

I'm also ex-Services having served in the RAAF and I walked it last year (Trek 83) and I have about 20 years on you, but I built up my fitness level, with Squash, running, exercise bike, walking, aerobics-oz style, and climbing Bloody mountains!

We have North Brother Mountain, which is a tremendous training ground, about an hour up and an hour back, with a full 17kg pack and sometimes I just tried to run with a hydration pack and my trusty pole. Towards the end of my training, I would do it twice in a row and then the same the next day. All of it was worth it though.

Although, I don't any amount of training can prepare you mentally or physically for the first day, going from Kokoda to Isurava Battle Site, but after a few days you find your walking legs and all your training kicks in. Worth every minute of it.

Make sure you book with Gail at KTL though and ask for Justice (or Rod) as a guide and Maurice as a Porter – superb!

Look forward to hearing from you and that your training is going well and you have commited yourself to a 'Kokoda Trek'.
Cheers
Waza ( <img src="http://developer2/board/upload/style_emoticons//tongue.gif&#8221; style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:P” border=”0″ alt=”tongue.gif” /> , my look when I finished)

[Author]

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