Training update - parkrun

Our parkrun selfie snapchat!

This morning I ran 5km in Durham with parkrun - if you haven't heard of parkrun take a look at their website here:  http://www.parkrun.org.uk/

Essentially they're free, 5km timed runs, run by volunteers, at loads of locations around the world. They're great fun and I always try to go along at 9am on a Saturday morning when I don't have an OTC training weekend.

My time wasn't great today as I ended up doing two exercise classes (Extreme Core and Insanity) back to back last night, and now everything hurts! But it was a fab way to start the day and I'm feeling good now.

I always try to keep fit, both for my health, my happiness, and for OTC, but my upcoming expedition to the Himalayas is giving me even more motivation - a lack of fitness would massively impact my ability to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Ladakh, and I might as well make myself as fit as I can.

I've been doing lots of running (both intervals and long scenic runs), spinning, and exercise classes, like Extreme Core, Box Fitt and Insanity, as well as a few trips to CrossFit (find out more here: http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/what-is-crossfit.html) on the outskirts of Durham. I always try to drag other people along, but this morning it was my housemate Sophie who woke me up and got me on my bike!

More training updates to come..

Expensive afternoon buying kit

I've just spent my afternoon at Cotswold Outdoor in Durham, looking at sleeping bags and walking poles and eventually buying some!

It involved a lot of rolling around on the floor zipped up in a sleeping bag feeling overly warm, and walking up and down the shop floor trying out the poles.

The sleeping bag has a comfort rating of -18°C so hopefully I should stay toasty no matter how high we go.

I'm very happy with my purchases and can't wait to use them in the mountains of India!

Post travelling India excitement

I've just got back from three weeks of travelling in Europe, though the Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - and Poland. I went with a friend from university, and we explored the capital cities, peaceful towns, beautiful national parks and cool sights. It was pretty in cool. Actually it was awesome, and I'm in a major low of post-holiday blues right now. Here are some photos of our adventure!

It's made me even more excited to go to India. I love the feeling of carrying my belongings in my rucksack and being able to fend for myself. I also love meeting new people, seeing new sights and experiencing unexpected things.

I'm now working harder than ever to raise funds for the expedition. I finished my ten week internship in London and have put all of that money aside. I'm going to be even more frugal back at university in Durham (more carbs, less meat - great!) so I can save more. We even couchsurfed in Gdansk, Poland, so we didn't have to pay for a hostel! (If you don't know what Coushsurfing is, take a look at the website).