A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... | 57
Which sports person do you admire? I admire all sportsmen and women. To have that level of dedication to sport and fitness is extraordinary. I particualry admire my adventuring buddy, James Cracknell, who has an obsessive compulsive attitude to sport. He inspires me to push my own physical and mental boundaries.
What’s been your biggest challenge? My biggest challenge to date will be when I set off, with Cracknell, on a 3,000 mile mountain bike race across the Rocky mountains in the US. The Tour Divide begins in Canada and ends on the Mexican border and we’ll cycle up to 180 off road miles a day (that’s 18 hours in the saddle). I love a challenge, but as a cycling novice this is a huge test and could well prove to be the toughest yet. In training, I’ve already had broken fingers and black eyes and I’ve yet to step foot in the Rockies.
What’s the first thing you do after reaching the goal you set out to do? The first thing I do when I’ve reached my goal is to call my wife. I’m often out of contact during challenges and it’s a real treat to talk to home. Then I reward myself with a hamburger and chips - always the same. I’ve even known vegetarians who crave a burger when they’re away.
What’s your fitness regime? “I usually try to keep good fitness levels year round but step it up about six months before an adventure, depending on the scale of the expedition or challenge. The South Pole involved lots of core and upper body training and dragging car tyres around parks and up and down beaches. Rowing the Atlantic involved hours on the ergo, while my forthcoming mountain bike race requires about four hours of cycling per day. Typically, I try to do a two hour workout session which might involve a two hour run or even two hours on the cross trainer. I vary my workouts to avoid boredom.
Foodwise I believe that if you are training and physically fit, then you are entitled to eat normally. I naturally have a relatively healthy diet – fish, chicken, salad, pasta - and my wife is an excellent cook. My vices are white wine and coffee though, but not together.
*Ben Fogle is currently working with Nature Valley Snack Bars to encourage people to get outdoors and take some ‘green time’ during their busy days. To find green retreats close to you visit
www.secretspots.co.uk
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