Tag: Resilience

Trekking Towards Rome: Reflections on the Via Francigena Pilgrimage

by Fitness Excel, posted in Uncategorized

The Via Francigena, also known as the Camino to Rome, is an ancient walking trail that takes pilgrims on an epic journey, The route can be split into sections. Part of my route starts in the hilltop town of San Miniato, famous for its artistic, cultural, and historical sights, and finishes in the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre of Siena.

As you stroll through the unforgettable Tuscan countryside you gain an insight into the unique history of the region’s Via Francigena, flora and fauna, and each Tuscan town that you pass through. This section of the Via Francigena, is in the heart of Tuscany, as you walk across beautiful rolling hills and woodland, stopping in gorgeous villages where you will enjoy a well-deserved rest. There are many beautiful sights on this section to see, including the tiny walled hilltop town of Monteriggioni and two impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the breathtaking town of San Gimignano with its medieval towers and magnificent Siena.

Undertaking any pilgrim route requires resilience, my first day of walking 17 miles in intense heat was a real test for physical endurance, but wearing the right gear is essential as well as having a good mind set. Mental resilience, Pilgrimage offers time for mindfulness and reflection which can help you keep focused on your journey. Emotional resilience is being able to adapt and change according to the weather or change in plan, connecting with other pilgrims, sharing experience, emotional support and camaraderie can help you stay strong. There are times when it can get challenging but finding the perserverance to push through when feeling tired or discouraged can help you continue on the path.

Sacred Steps on the Via Francigena Pilgrim Route

by Fitness Excel, posted in Uncategorized

I am off walking part of the St Francigena Pilgrim route this Saturday 9th starting in Italy, I hope the foot stays strong, after slipping whilst running on the hills, and suffering an ankle sprain to the right foot, 6 weeks ago. I have been working hard on Pilates exercises for strength, balance and flexibility and now feeling in a good place to start this exciting Camino. As well as the personal challenge, I will also be conducting research into the health and wellbeing of Pilgrims who walk this route as part of my MA Outdoor Education.

The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route that spans from Canterbury, England, to Rome, Italy. Similar to the more famous Camino de Santiago in Spain, the Via Francigena is a network of paths and roads that have been used for centuries by pilgrims traveling to Rome. Here is some brief information about the Via Francigena pilgrimage:

  1. Route: The route has evolved over the centuries and there are multiple variations, but the most common and well-marked path begins in Canterbury, England, and passes through France, Switzerland, and Italy, ending in Rome. The entire route covers a distance of approximately 1,200 miles (about 1,930 kilometers).
  2. Pilgrimage Experience: Like other long-distance pilgrimage routes, the Via Francigena offers a unique experience for those who undertake it. Pilgrims walk through picturesque countryside, historic towns, and villages. Along the way, they have the opportunity to meet fellow pilgrims, engage with local cultures, and visit significant religious and historical sites.
  3. Season: The best time to walk the Via Francigena depends on the specific section and your tolerance for different weather conditions. Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are generally considered the best times, as the weather is milder. Summers can be hot, and winters are often cold, especially in higher-altitude regions.
  4. Purpose: Pilgrims walk the Via Francigena for various reasons, including religious devotion, spiritual reflection, physical challenge, and cultural exploration. Some people also undertake it for historical or personal reasons.
  5. The Via Francigena offers a deeply enriching and transformative experience for those who undertake it, allowing pilgrims to connect with their faith, history, and the landscapes of Europe. It continues to be a popular pilgrimage route, attracting people from all over the world.

Building Resilience through Sport

by Fitness Excel, posted in Endurance, Performance, Resilience, well-being

What is Resilience?  Resilience is the ability to bounce back, know how to cope with setbacks, learn how to manage yourself and your resources, it is also the ability to function in times of stress, recover, adapt and change.  However, do we know what skills we need to pick ourselves back up.  Why do we need to develop resilience? Without this skill, it is easy to give up, this could apply to any area of life, study, career or sport.  One of the skills for developing resilience is perseverance, it is defined as the continued effort to keep going.    Where do we start?  You can start by building your mental resilience through enhancing your health and well-being.

Some simple steps to start with are:  to improve your physical health by eating well and exercising, develop your sleeping habits, incorporate meditation through mindfulness, celebrate your successes and achievements.  This is fine when everything is going well, but what about when something comes along to throw us off course?  Compare this to a gymnast balancing on a beam, how many times do they wobble and fall? It is only with determination through getting back on the beam, pushing through with persistence will they achieve their objectives and advance to perform a complex routine. 

Erasmus Seminar – Dublin – Guidance & Building Resilience

by Fitness Excel, posted in Uncategorized

This excellent seminar I attended enabled me to explore and gain more knowledge in the fields of ‘Guidance and Resilience’. Key speakers delivered lectures in the role of guidance in building resilience and promoting coping skills from an array of topics. Delegates from across Europe came together to discuss and share good practice as well as enhance their own professional development. What is Resilience? Resilience is the ability to bounce back, know how to cope with setbacks, how to manage yourself and your resources. What skills do we need to pick ourselves up? One of the skills for developing resilience is perseverance, this is defined as the continued effort to do or achieve something despite failures or difficulties.

Resilient people are able to control a situation and tackle problems, however this depends on your motivation and how much you are willing to do to overcome these obstacles. Some simple steps to start with are: to get control of your emotions, your reaction to the situation and find out what is causing the problem, learn to keep growing, stay strong and reward yourself for your achievements.

Psychology of Marathon Running

by Fitness Excel, posted in bone health, Endurance, fitness instruction, flow, health, Marathon Training, mental health, outdoors learning, Performance, Pilates, Resilience, running, strength training, Uncategorized

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Participants competing in long endurance events such as the Marathon has steadily risen over the years.  Data taken of both demographic and socio-economic groups from various studies has seen a rise in running becoming a popular sport.

The Marathon runner embarks on this challenge for many reasons and they must adapt their lifestyle and training far beyond the recreational exerciser to include high levels of demanding physiological and psychological adaptations to push beyond their current capabilities.  Furthermore, the rewards and positive benefits of this training will outweigh the negatives of marathon running.

The London Marathon is my third marathon, as a veteran runner I have improved with age, both on personal performance together with a faster post marathon recovery rate.  Training for a Marathon demands a consistent, disciplined, structured routine which will manifest into other areas of the runners life to include; personal goal achievement, better life management, psychological and emotional strategies for coping and better vitality and health.

Camino & Resilience

by Fitness Excel, posted in adventure education, camino, fitness for the camino, fitness walking, health, mental health, outdoors learning, pilgrim walk, Resilience, santiago, well-being

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The route continued to Palas De Rei. After leaving Portomarin, crossing the River Mino we continued uphill steadily through woodland, the rain continued and got heavier and heavier. Continuing through small hamlets, passing the Hospital de la Cruz. Arriving at Vendas de Naron to get a ‘pilgrim stamp’ the old Romanesque Chapel, then continuing along the paved path, arriving at Sierra de Ligonde which offered fantastic views over the valleys. Particular parts of the route were isolated and quiet, apart from a rather large dog. The fog was dense and we were soaked through.

Approaching A Calzada the weather was so bad, we took shelter under a tree. There were other walkers, one an Australian man, we had met further back in other towns.  After discussing the weather, our blisters, stories of one walker getting frostbite back in the Pyrenees, our conversation compared the weather to life and the Camino, there are good and bad times, but we must press forwards.

The Camino de Santiago builds resilience, both emotionally and physically, it enables us to develop a positive mind and can-do-attitude.  We can integrate resilience into our lives on a daily basis, by being more active, getting more sleep and eating well, forgiving ourselves and resolving conflict. These small steps can help us improve our mental health and to face everyday challenges.