Read an introduction to Ciara’s Kilimanjaro journey here!
The beginning of this journey fell just before a family holiday to Tenerife and a teething baby – so I did not get off to the energetic start I’d hoped for!
Before the trip, I laced up my runners, pulled on my workout gear, and joined a Hyrox-style fitness class. I was pleasantly surprised I could keep up (though I suspect the coach may have taken it a little easier on me!). Still, it was a small win and gave me a nice little boost of confidence heading into this new chapter of my Kilimanjaro prep!
Holidays, Ice Cream, and Baby Steps
I had high hopes of squeezing in some workouts in Tenerife, but realistically, it just was not possible. I did get a good daily average of steps in, but also treated myself to my fair share of ice creams and desserts – no regrets there! By the time I got back to Dublin, I felt like I was starting over, but oddly enough, that feeling only fuelled my determination.
My First Personal Training Session
One of the biggest milestones for me so far was attending my very first Personal Training session. I have always been a bit intimidated by the idea of joining a new gym – mostly because I never really knew how to use the equipment. Turns out, I wasn’t wrong about that!
Thankfully, my coach is amazing and will be working with me over the coming weeks to fine-tune my form, build strength, and improve cardio. This has been such a huge win for me because having training tailored specifically to prepare me for climbing Kilimanjaro makes all the difference. So far that’s included weighted workouts while also focusing on the bike, rowing and ski machines – lets just say my legs and arms are definitely feeling it!
Outdoor training and Nutrition
I’ve also been making the most of my time by getting outdoors as often as I can and exploring a few beautiful spots close to home! I haven’t made it to the mountains yet this month, as things have been pretty hectic – but I’m planning a trip this weekend and am really looking forward to it. In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying walks through the woods and getting my steps in!
Now that I’m in training, I’ve been paying a lot more attention to my diet. I’m aiming to eat as healthily as possible, but I’ve noticed that sometimes I end up eating less than I should. So I’m trying to stay mindful about getting enough nutrients, especially around my new workouts. This weekend I prepped my dinners for the week, and even set a reminder on my phone to keep drinking water throughout the day – my goal here is to be comfortable drinking as close to 5 litres as possible a day to help combat altitude sickness (AMS) when on Kilimanjaro.
The plan for the next few weeks
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind – full of learning curves, sore muscles, unexpected wins, and a fair bit of chaos! But honestly, I’m really excited to see what the next few weeks bring. 15 weeks to go, and I’m feeling focused and full of excitement!
Looking ahead, I’ve got PT sessions twice a week for the next few weeks, and I’m planning to fit some home workouts in between. The hills are definitely calling and I am really looking forward to spending some time exploring while improving my fitness! I just need to get a bit more organised and make my meal planning and prep more efficient to keep everything on track.
