Get the preparation started...

They say "good news never come alone". I won't be able to refute that... The Balmhorn lucky mountaineers are being equipped by Gore-tex products from Arc'teryx, Haglöfs, Mammut, Millet, Norrona, Scarpa, etc. Yep! Not only will we live a special moment but where are also going to walk down the Spring-Summer '15 catwalk!!!

I have been invited to go to my Vertic shop to check my pants, jacket and shoes number. As always, I feel I am in Ali Baba's cave (all the most desired treasures I could possibly dream of). As always, I am received as a guest (thank you Isaac). As always, I leave Vertic with a large wish list in mind.

My pack will take time to arrive, but take a look at the (wow)clothes my colleagues received:

Now that I know this is for real, I'd better get prepared. I have been focused on other professional objectives lately, meaning I am far from my best physical condition. And there are only 2 months left, what a stressssssssss!

I need an action plan:

1. Food: I am not ready to follow a friend of mine who is taking "miso soup" for breakfast but I should try to take better care of what I eat. Not that I am a junk food addict, quite the opposite, but I am a bit lazy when it comes to cooking.

Healthy breakfast is the best start for the day, and I read porridge is the best option. Given that it always seemed to me disgusting, I don't know if I'll be able to try and change my mind. I choose to submerge the porridge under tons of dried fruits and nuts (see photo). And the truth is that it is eatable! I nearly enjoy it. But after one week it comes to my mind, I could make it even more eatable: with the same ingredients (right, plus butter and flour), I prepare "porridge cookies". That's it! good breakfast and no guilt feeling...

Ok breakfast done. What about lunch and dinner...?!

2. Sleep: if you don't live in Spain, you don't know how difficult it is to go to bed early in that country made for short sleepers. But I'm not (short sleeper). To complete an 8 hours night I should fall asleep at 11pm... First week I don't manage to turn off the light before midnight. Second week I go to bed at 11.30pm twice. And on Saturday, go out dancing with friends until 6am.

Ok this might not be that easy. Try again...

3. Sports: no time for a proper preparation like I did before Kilimanjaro and Nepal. And I have been quite low of energy in the last months. It turns out complicated to reach self-motivation.

I take the chance and decide to go one week off-piste snowboarding in Argentière. Could be the starting line of a 2 months training plan. It's late March, spring snow, rainfalls and occasional fresh snow rise the avalanche risk at 4 on 5. We struggle against scarce visibility, gusts of wind, freezing ski goggles and get back to the hotel absolutely drenched.

I am so tired I am in bed at 22.30pm (point 2. achieved!). Authentic sporty holidays! On Friday we are lucky enough to get a sunny day and a spectacular view of the Mont Blanc and Chamonix valley from the Aiguille Verte.

Ok, fun time's over. Got to train for real now...

Hmmm, this action plan could be a total failure. Gosh, give me willpower!!!