How can I stay in shape for swimming while working in the Egyptian desert? Help!
Former Member
Hi - I love reading the discussion forums, and have finally got up the nerve to join because I'm looking for suggestions on how to stay in shape when I can't swim.
I spend about three months of the year working on archaeological sites - while there I can't swim (no pool) or even walk or run, as apart from actual excavation we must stay in a small compound under military guard. I hate losing my conditioning for swimming while on these projects; not only do I desperately miss swimming while in the field, I hate coming back unable to keep up with my normal lane mates. But I haven't found anything good to do to maintain it. This year I thought about taking my jump rope - but then remembered that only the floors of the teeny shared bedrooms are solid, all the rest is sand. ANY desert "cross-training" suggestions at all would so appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Flots
Parents
Former Member
Hi All,
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who sent me suggestions on staying in swimming-shape while working in the desert. I jumped rope and did a kick-boxing dvd, and did pushups, etc. And it worked....for a few weeks. Then we started working from 6am to 9pm and I quit all the great rope jumping, etc., and started drinking giant 500ml beers instead. Now that I'm back I really miss Egypt, but I'm very happy to be swimming again. I'm out of shape, of course (and weigh more due to lack of swimming and abundance of beer), but I'm not nearly as out of shape as I'd be if I hadn't followed your suggestions for several weeks! Thanks a lot,
Flotsam
Hi All,
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who sent me suggestions on staying in swimming-shape while working in the desert. I jumped rope and did a kick-boxing dvd, and did pushups, etc. And it worked....for a few weeks. Then we started working from 6am to 9pm and I quit all the great rope jumping, etc., and started drinking giant 500ml beers instead. Now that I'm back I really miss Egypt, but I'm very happy to be swimming again. I'm out of shape, of course (and weigh more due to lack of swimming and abundance of beer), but I'm not nearly as out of shape as I'd be if I hadn't followed your suggestions for several weeks! Thanks a lot,
Flotsam
