Training Archives - Page 5 of 5

The Road to Awesome So Far….

Most recently updated January 17th, 2022

– – Apparently Fig Newtons are my kryptonite.

This is really surprising because I’ve always thought my weakness was jellybeans. And cheese.

So, just in case you’re new around here, I’m spending the next 8 weeks training for an awesome hiking trip to New Zealand.

It’s been more difficult than I thought it would be to go back to my usually pretty Spartan eating habits and disciplined training routine.

Over the past couple of weeks, along with more focused and increased physical training, I’ve also been trying to clean up my diet.

Specifically, now that the socially condoned – almost required! – Holiday eating extravagance is behind us, I’m working on getting back to my normal (pretty healthy) eating habits before Super Bowl Sunday.

Because of my asthma, I’ve adopted a “clean” diet ( you can read about my Anti-Asthma Diet here ) that focuses more on protein and veggies, and less on dairy and grains.

I think my increased activity (and the colder weather) has me craving carbs.

Newtons will always be "fig" to me. — Newtons will always be “fig” to me.

I used to be able to get a package of fig cookies and not touch them for a week, and then only have 3-4 cookies, but now I’m snarfing down a whole sleeve in a single sitting!!

(And, BTW, this whole “fruit” Newtons thing is just bogus. It’s fig or nothing, baby!)

At least I’m eating cookies INSTEAD of dinner, not in addition to dinner.

Jellybeans are so small... — Jellybeans are so small…

Clearly, I can’t be trusted, so no more fig cookie dinners for me.

I won’t even bring them in the house.

But perhaps just a few jellybeans…they’re so small, right?

TAKEAWAY LESSON: Any diet begins in the grocery store!!

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

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Training Log – 8 Weeks to Awesome

Most recently updated January 6th, 2024

I first used this 8-week training plan in early 2020 to get ready for an amazing hiking trip to New Zealand, which I’m thankful I was able to do before travel was cut off due to the pandemic.

Then I used it get ready for a postponed hiking trip to Kauai that never happened in 2021 (or 2022 or 2023).

In 2022, I kept it closer to home and did some great multi-day trips to hikes on the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains – including the amazing hike to the summit of Old Rag, which was probably one of my most uniquely challenging day hikes of the year.

Finally, in 2023, I used the 8 Weeks plan to get ready for an epic 2-day hike on Mt Olympus in Greece – a trip I’d had to postpone for 4 years due to Covid travel restrictions. (The link goes to my training post from 2023, when I decided what my goal hike for training was.)

If you’re training for a specific bucket list hike or even if you’re just training to get in better shape – and maybe lose a few pounds before the Spring – my 8 week plan could work for you, too .

Spring flowers line a trail in Shenandoah National Park.

This year, I’m hoping to make it to more of my exotic Bucket List hikes, but I haven’t chosen my exotic destination yet, so for the moment I’m focusing my “8 Weeks to Awesome” training goals on hikes that I can drive to from home!

Get The FREE PDF!

Everything that you need to start your 8 Week training is included in this post.

But it’s a long read and may be inconvenient to refer to while you’re training.

For your convenience, you can click here to sign up and download your FREE “8 Weeks to Awesome” PDF file.

You might find some encouragement in training notes and videos from previous years’ 8 week training journey.

Keep an eye peeled for the new log entries I’ll be adding each week as the 2024 training is completed 🙂

2024 Training notes:

Week 5: Hikes and Days Are Getting Longer

Most recently updated February 29th, 2024Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes – – Training Week 5 started with another nice day, and leading another great group...

It's Training Week 4! Since this is an 8-week plan, and we're halfway through, should we be seeing some improvements? Well, that depends. What goals did you set? The fact is, you can't measure progress towards a goal if you have not yet defined it. You'll also never know when you're done! So if you haven't done it yet, let's set some goals. #hiketraining #setgoals #awesometraining

Week 4: Are We Awesome Yet? Let’s Set Some Goals

Most recently updated February 18th, 2024Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes – – It’s Training Week 4! That means that at the end of the week...

If the weather is rainy, use it as an opportunity to test your gear! Don't let bad weather keep you from your workout! Find a way to get some exercise anyway, and I guarantee you'll feel better about everything when you're done!

Week 3: Time to Test Your Rain Gear!

Most recently updated February 6th, 2024Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes – – Awesome Training Week 3 got off to a frozen start with a very...

Even during a cold snap, try to seize the moment and take exercise outside. Dress for the weather and know when bad weather really is too bad for a workout. Bundle up, get outside, and make your workouts fun! #Idratherwalk #hiketrainingplan

Week 2: What to Do in a Cold Snap

Most recently updated January 27th, 2024Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes – – I began this year’s second week of training on Sunday 1/14, leading another...

I started the Awesome hike training again this first Sunday, despite lingering illness, with a 30 minute Yoga/Pilates routine followed by a short 5.5mile hike in Umstead State Park. My New Year's resolution goals are on track, with more training every day. #resolutions #hiketraining

Week 1: Fun with Pilates and Rain?

Most recently updated January 21st, 2024Estimated Reading Time: 2.3 minutes – – I started the Awesome hike training again this first Sunday, with a 30...

2023 Training notes:

Week 9 Training is a bonus! Why? Because I don't feel like we're done yet. In Week 8, I was trying to work in more vertical-gain training. The uphill hiking nearby is limited, so I took a daytrip to Hanging Rock State Park to hike some real hills! Read about how I did here. .#Idratherwalk #HikeTrainingPlan #GetInShape

Week 9: It’s Not Over Yet

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes This Week 9 Training Log is a bonus extra week of sharing my daily adventures in sweat! Why? Because I...

Training Week 8 started with some yoga and a session on my vertical climber. Most of the hikes this week had some vertical gain, and we're going to just keep looking up! The planned 8-week training is over, but I'll be doing more training posts until my bucket list trip! See you next time...

Week 8: Things Are Looking Up

– – Training Week 8 started Monday with some yoga, and I FINALLY had a chance to get back on my new Vertical Climber for...

Training Week 7 began with a quick kickboxing and upper body weights session before loading the car and heading for the beach! Wile I was there, I had 2 long beach hikes, and made up for it with some extra pack weight on hikes after I got home. Read about how I worked a beach trip into my training - you can do it too!

Week 7: It’s the Week 7 Stretch!

– – Training Week 7 began on Monday with a quick kickboxing and upper body weights session before loading the car and heading for the...

Week 6: Are We There Yet?

Most recently updated February 25th, 2023– It’s Week 6 of our training! Are we there yet? If you’re like me, you’re getting tired of this...

Training Week 5 started with another nice day, but I decided to give my hiking boots a break and do kickboxing and upper body weights in my home gym. The rest of the week was pretty rainy, so I had to get creative with m workouts. The weather can have a big impact on your workout plans - so even though the forecast is wrong A LOT, always check it out before you get on the trail :-)

Week 5: Sun, Rain and a Legacy of Daffodils

Most recently updated February 17th, 2023– – Training Week 5 started with another nice day, but I decided to give my hiking boots a break...

2022 Training notes:

Week 9 Training is a bonus! In an effort to do something fun, use some expiring hotel points - and still avoid hurting myself - I went down the Coast to Myrtle Beach for a few days. In Winter, it's less crowded and you can walk the beach for miles without suffering heat stroke. I also stopped to find the Kindred Spirit Mailbox along the way. #Idratherwalk #HikeTrainingPlan #GetInShape

Week 9: Bonus! (A.K.A. Training Never Stops)

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes Week 9 Training is a bonus! Mostly because when we last left our training in Week 8, I was trying...

Training Week 8 started with some long yoga flow, and an exploratory hike in Duke Forest, along with some Infrared Sauna and Chromatherapy sessions, and a visit with a physical therapist. The planned 8-week training is over, but I'm adding on a Bonus Week! See you next time...

Week 8: Don’t Be a Lame Duck!

– – Training Week 8 started Saturday with a 45 minute yoga flow session. I also tried out a short hike in the afternoon at...

Training Week 7 began with our first bike ride of the season on the American Tobacco Trail, not too shabby at 25 miles. A shorter strength training hike, a long MST hike, an ankle injury and the discovery of Infrared sauna technology all added to this week's Awesome training.

Week 7: But Wait – There’s More!

Most recently updated February 26th, 2022– – Training Week 7 began with That Man and I taking advantage of the last forecast day of mild...

Week 6 training was a LOT of hiking on different local sections of the MST. We took advantage of the gorgeous Spring-like weather to hike 51 miles this week, but still worked in a couple of treadmill and kickboxing workouts. Okay, at this point my legs hurt, but we've only got a couple of weeks left. Don't stop now!!

Week 6: Don’t Stop Now!

– – Training Week 6 started with a cold Saturday morning 9 mile hike on the MST at Falls Lake. This hike is one of...

Training Week 5 started with another snowy, icy Saturday morning - so it was treadmill training for me! The forecast was for snow and rain most of the week, but I still got in 6 hikes - 2 on the same day! The weather can have a big impact on your workout plans - so even though the forecast is wrong A LOT, always check it out before you get on the trail :-)

Week 5: Ice and Rain

– – Training Week 5 started with another snowy, icy Saturday morning – so it was treadmill training for me! But Sunday the roads were...

For more info to help you get fit, eat a healthy diet, and promote wellness in your life, click on the heading below:

Fitness & WellneSS

Hiking along the Coast at Cannon's Point Preserve on St Simon's Island, SC — Hiking along the Coast at Cannon’s Point Preserve on St Simon’s Island, SC

I hope these training posts will inspire you to keep going and achieve your personal goals, whatever they are! 🙂

Remember – progress happens every day, a little bit at a time. See you next time! – LJ

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Week 2: Training Gets Real

Most recently updated February 14th, 2020

– – The second week of training started with a great 6 mile hike on the Loblolly trail in Umstead State Park.

Loblolly trail has a little bit of elevation, but it’s generally pretty flat and I still hiked with no extra weight in my pack.

What I did have was some great hikers on the trail with me! 🙂

I know 6 miles with no weight seems kind of wimpy, but I’m still trying to get back to my normal self after a prolonged illness.

I’ve learned that it’s far better to level up your training slowly than to go too fast and injure yourself. An injury could cause you to miss your hiking trip altogether.

I’d rather build up strength and endurance slowly and live to hike another day!

(BTW, if you’re new around here, I’m spending the next 8 weeks training for an awesome hiking trip to New Zealand.)

Speaking of strength training, I also did another outdoor strength-building hike this week, adding an extra 10 lbs to my pack. This hike was solo.

I hike both solo and with a group – and I’m good either way. Hiking is an activity that’s good for introverts and party animals as well 🙂 Whatever gets you moving is your best option!

On the other days I kick-boxed, hiked on my treadmill with a heavy pack, and climbed the stairs to nowhere at the gym again. I also got out for a long bike ride to cross-train a bit.

Cross-training helps keep me from getting bored, and also keeps me from working the same muscles every day while neglecting others.

This will improve my overall strength and help me avoid injury, too.

So much of my training is more fun outdoors, I try to seize the moment and take it outside whenever the weather is good.

TAKEAWAY LESSON: The right workout is one that you will do – so be ready to seize the opportunity to make your workouts fun!

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

Week 1: Training Went Pretty Well

Most recently updated February 14th, 2020

– – I started this Awesome Training on my birthday, with a moderate 6-mile hike around Lake Crabtree, which was pretty flat and with no extra weight in my pack.

And no cake. In other words just another day for me 🙂

But when you’re training, it’s good to set an official starting place – even if it’s arbitrary.

And you also need a defined end time and goal – so you know when you’re done!

My other posted weekly hike, a Strength Building Hike, was another shorter one – only 5 miles – but I added an extra 10 lbs to my pack.

Not a big deal from a length standpoint, but you’d be surprised how heavy that extra 10 lbs in your pack gets by the time you’re climbing the hill back to the trailhead!

This week, I also kick-boxed a couple of times, hiked on my treadmill with a heavy pack, and climbed the stairs to nowhere at the gym.

Since I’m still recovering from the respiratory problems I had over the Holidays, I’m starting off pretty slowly.

And I’m also trying to stop eating like it’s still a Holiday!!

Even so, seeing any progress or feeling like some of the workouts are easier will take some time.

Logically, I know it will take longer than a week to see or feel any difference.

BTW, just in case you’re new around here, I’m spending the next 8 weeks training for an awesome hiking trip to New Zealand.

I’m trying to be patient with myself, and avoid looking in mirrors for a while….

TAKEAWAY LESSON: Patience is required for training, and instant gratification isn’t fast enough!!

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.

You could also take a look at my 8 Weeks to Awesome Training Plan post, if you want to see what kind of training I’m doing.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ