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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 13, 2015 6:49:28 GMT -8
Part of my trip report will include fitness but I will say that I'm pleased that I've progressed in fitness but not happy that I wasn't as far along as I SHOULD have been. The trip had repeated very steep and long up and down's and the first day, an almost 10 miler, put a hurting on me. We don't have hills like that closer to me but I could have prepared more.
What can help?
- Base leg strength
- Drop some unnecessary body fat
- Long range fitness
Other things like work on pack weight but that's not fitness, that's something else.
I'm going to do this trip once a year around this time which will give me an indication of progress.
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Post by rwtb123 on Dec 13, 2015 15:57:46 GMT -8
Well,a flatlander heading for the mountains for the first time should expect to struggle on the first day.How were you doing by day 4?I can see by your posts your looking for overall fitness ,weight loss, and mountainous backpacking specific fitness.
I would start by looking at your body somnotype as to the best way to train for your goals.Based on your posts as well as skimming your trip report/video you are probably somewhere on the endomorph somnotype scale.Assuming this is true that means you tend to have a slow metabolism and be an easy gainer whether it be base muscle/strength or body fat.Diet would be a critical factor as you need to limit carbs as your metabolism won't burn them as fast as others with faster metabolisms.And any excess are stored as fat.Your training(aerobic and anaerobic) should be based on raising your metabolism and keeping it elevated.For specific training recommendation search "endomorph".But the short answer is clean up the diet,elevate the metabolism to burn off any excess fat and you will unlock your natural core muscle/strength.
Backpacking mountains you need to either train backpacking mountains or simulate it as best you can to strengthen the specific muscles involved and getting them used to working together along with your oxygen system.Uphill,downhill and level are all different as uphill uses more hamstrings...
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 13, 2015 18:11:51 GMT -8
rwtb123 you are quite correct. At my most fit playing weight I was at 240 lbs and could have gone higher if not for the fact it would have sapped some speed. I am currently coming down from over 300 lbs, which I allowed myself to get to by using my busy life as an excuse. I'm on a good path now but it's not as good as it could be. Your assessment of a flatlander heading into the mountains is accurate. I expected the struggles as I was raised in SE KY and know what mountain are but knowledge doesn't help reality of the situation, does it? Using this does of actual reality instead of imagined reality I'll be better prepared next time. First of all I'll be further along on my journey of fitness. Secondly I'll be focusing on some specifics as you mentioned. I have a nice set of outdoor stairs I hit some this past summer and will work in more. A few months ago I added weight training back into the mix and have been focusing on imbalances rather than the power movements I used to prefer. In about two more months I'll be able to add back in CERTAIN power movements but they will be there for a reason. To crank the metabolism even higher intervals on my bike, running every third trip up the stairs, and so on will help. The largest thing that has helped with the actual weight is the nutrition. I can always do better but I'm on a good path with that. Success is 80% in the kitchen (nutrition). Your post is right on target, and I thank you for the time you took to write it.
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