The Shugyo Project

The Shugyō Project: The Matterhorn. 5 Months to Go.

Two weeks combined (23rd Feb – 8th Mar) since I’m posting today. Settling back into routine after the Lakes, introducing fasting, and adding a key piece of kit.

Fitness snapshot (as of today):

Weight: lost another 1.5kg over the two weeks (slow and controlled).

Power-to-weight ratio: noticeably improving with the weight drop.

VO2 max focus: building steadily through mixed cardio (runs, walks, bodyweight).

Weekly volume (combined): 3 swims (2500–3000m each), 4 runs (easy pace, 5–8km range), 2 weight sessions (bodyweight circuits in the living room due to flooded cellar). No missed days—consistent execution.

Achilles status: quiet across all efforts, no flare-ups.

Overall: positive momentum, body responding well to the changes.

Garmin is saying I’m overreaching! Too much trying to catch up with the perceived missed month.

New fasting regime

Introduced alternate-day fasting: 500cal days followed by 2000cal days. Controlled, sustainable, and the 1.5kg loss over two weeks shows it’s working. No crashes, energy levels stable during training.

Training details

Light but consistent:

3 swims

4 runs (easy pace, 5–8km range)

2 weight sessions (bodyweight circuits in the living room—push-ups, planks, pistol squats, etc.)

Several 5–7 km dog walks

Cellar still flooded—no weights possible, but adapting without issue.

New climbing rucksack: Black Diamond Speed 30 Backpack (Sulphur)

Bought the Black Diamond Speed 30 in Sulphur. I have several backpacks but they are too large for alpine climbing. This one is perfect: 30L capacity, lightweight, streamlined for scrambling and ridge work, good harness/hipbelt for load transfer, ice axe carry, helmet attachment, and enough room for summit-day essentials without excess bulk. Ideal for the Hörnli Ridge—minimalist, fast-moving style. Will test it on day hikes and eventually the Arête des Cosmiques at Easter.

New boots arrived

The replacement boots arrived this week. Fit perfectly—did a 5k dog walk straight out of the box with no issues. Comfortable, no rubbing, Achilles quiet, good grip and support. Early verdict: much better than the old stiff pair for walking. Will test them more on longer efforts and confirm crampon fit soon.

Dent du Géant – the funny-terrifying training highlight

One slightly funny and terrifying aspect of my training is on my Matterhorn climbing week I have to climb the Dent du Géant, look it up on YouTube!! It’s this absurd, needle-like 4,013m spire sticking out of the glacier above Chamonix, nicknamed the “Giant’s Tooth” for obvious reasons. The normal route (SW face, AD+/IV-V) starts with a glacier approach, then a steep rock couloir, followed by a sharp, exposed ridge traverse to the summit block. Fixed ropes help on the hardest bits, but the exposure is relentless: narrow granite arête with huge drops on both sides, loose rock, ice patches, and that constant “one slip and you’re gone” feeling. Helmet-cam videos make it look even more insane due to the wide-angle distortion, but even in person it’s a proper test of head for heights, scrambling technique, rope work, and fatigue management at altitude. Funny because it looks like a cartoon spike; terrifying because it’s one of the most exposed 4000ers in the Alps with real fall consequences. Perfect prep for the Hörnli Ridge though—same kind of sustained commitment, mental toughness, and technical movement when tired. Booked with a guide for safety, and it’ll be a big confidence boost if weather cooperates. Fingers crossed for clear skies and no rockfall.

The overriding feeling: keep stacking consistent days. Garmin warning me I’m overreaching is a reminder to ease off the gas a bit. I was trying to make up for the perceived missed month but the body needs recovery too. Fasting regime and the new pack are small adjustments for big long-term gains. Fitness is building steadily. That’s the engine for up and down the ridge safely.

This two-week grind is still nothing next to what Aspire supports people through every day, spinal cord injuries, practical rebuilding with accessible housing, grants, equipment. Your donation means far more than any fasting day, flooded cellar, new pack, Garmin warning or Dent du Géant terror ever will.

JustGiving link below.

Next post (Sunday 15th Mar): more runs/bodyweight, any new kit tests, and boot replacement search continues.

Countdown continues.

Nick