Most recently updated January 17th, 2022
– – I started to get back in shape with my Refit Training last Sunday, well before The Guv decided we could tiptoe into the State Parks again.
That being the case, I started this 6 Week training with a Strength Building hike on one of the open approved trails in Lake Crabtree County Park.
I loaded 15 extra pounds in my pack and did a moderate 6-mile hike around the lake.
That trail is pretty flat and about half and half natural trails and paved trails, so no troubles.
And of course, I’ve been doing what I can on approved greenways and my own home gym all along.
That said, it was my first time with a weighted pack in a couple of months, though, and I did notice it 🙂
(Read more here about the trail and Lake Crabtree County Park.)
My other official weekly hike was a “long”one on the Loblolly Trail.
It was only 6.5 miles, but this time it was all natural trail, slightly hilly inside Umstead State Park.
Not a big deal from a length standpoint, but it was the first time I’d been able to hike that many miles on natural, slightly hilly, terrain since the State Parks were closed in March.
Even slightly hilly trails are very different than hiking on paved greenways.
We’re Baaack!
State Parks here are currently open on a “phased” basis, with restrictions in this first phase mainly around number of people in the park at once, and limited use of parking lots, shelters, picnic areas and restrooms.
They still want social distancing (which isn’t a problem on the trails) and groups of 10 or less people.
Masks or face coverings that you can breathe through are recommended if there are other people around.
You can see all of the park’s current restrictions here.
The next phase is supposed to start May 22, and hopefully we’ll be allowed to use more areas of the park then.
This week, I also kick-boxed a few times, ran on my treadmill, lifted some light weights and tried out some new Bodyweight Training exercises in my home gym.
BTW, in case you were wondering, burpees are just as horrible now as they were in Junior High…. 🙁
It feels great on be back on the trails again!
Even though I haven’t been completely idle over the past couple of months, I feel I’ve lost some ground while we’ve been shut out of the longer natural trails in State Parks.
Revisiting all of the trails will help keep me motivated – even though I know progress towards my fitness goals will take some time.
BTW, just in case you’re new around here, I’m spending the next 6 weeks getting back in shape and ready for another hiking adventure!
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.
Take a look at my 6 Week Training Plan post to see what other kinds of training I’m doing, and what other hikes I’ll have coming up.
Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ
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LJ has spent much of her free time as a single Mom – and now as an empty-nester – hiking in the US and around the world. She shares lessons learned from adventures both local and in exotic locations, and tips on how to be active with asthma, plus travel, gear, and hike planning advice for parents hiking with kids and beginners of all ages. Read more on the About page.