[ImpalaHoarder]

In about two and a half weeks I'll be starting a week long fencing camp which I have heard described as "a world of pain" by someone who was pretty in shape at the time. I would ideally like not to be in a world of pain.

Currently my plan is to step up the intensity of my running, at least every two days. At the moment I know I can run an hour at 5 mph and 15 minutes at 6 mph (on a good day, anyway), so my plan is to start running 3 minutes at 7 mph and walking 2 minutes at 4 mph until... well, until I can't do it any more, but I'm hoping for about eight to ten repetitions of this. I'll increase either the time or the portion of it spent running once every two days, and on alternate days do a longer, easier run.

Am I planning this right if I want to increase my endurance, though? Would it be more helpful if I aimed for more intensity and less time, or less intensity and more time than I have now? I honestly have no clue.

[yoyoma]

I don't fence, but my daughter does. Fencing is one of those sports that relies on some obscure muscle groups. I think your best bet to take the edge off might be to practice lunges and footwork along with your usual routines. Also, arm exercises for your fencing arm. My daughter's coach actually recommended that she work her arm muscles every time she drank a beverage -- hold the drink out at arm's length, lift and lower until you feel it every time you take a sip.

Good luck!