I started my Hike Training on my birthday week, with a moderate 5-mile hike, which was pretty flat and with just a little 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 baseline - and also an end time and goal - so you know when you're done!

Week 1: Training Went … Meh

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 2.3 minutes

– – I started the Awesome Training Again  this past week, with a moderate 6-mile hike on Umstead State Park’s Company Mill Trail, which is a little bit hilly.

I also had an extra 10 lbs of weight in my pack.

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!

But it didn’t seem like a big deal, since I had some great hikers come along with me 🙂

My second posted hike was also in Umstead State Park, but this time it was the Loblolly Trail.

That hike was a bit longer, also with extra weight – and it was my birthday!

No cake for me...
No cake for me…

So, hiking with a good group of hikers, but no cake. 

In other words just another great day for me, but on paper, another year older  🙂

I posted a third hike this week, around 6 miles on the Mountains to Sea Trail on the Eno River, to take advantage of some great weather!

The white blaze of the MST trail can be found along trails in many of the State Parks.
The white blaze of the MST trail can be found along trails in many of the State Parks.

I was supposed to go on a fourth hike (led by another Leader), too, but just ran out of time, so I had to cancel.

Because apparently sometimes there are things you have to tend to outside of the woods 😉

Hiking in Umstead State Park.
Hiking in Umstead State Park.

I was – and am – impatient with anything that keeps me from my training goals, be it bad weather, other commitments, or even an injury.

This week, I also kick-boxed a couple of times, hiked on my treadmill with a heavy pack, did some arm weights, and did yoga every day.

And now at the end of the week…… I’m pretty much the same.   Hmmphh.

I hiked the Triple Crown this summer! It's a group of three hikes - Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs - that can be done individually or tackled all together as a backpacking trip. This 35 mile loop contains some of the best hiking in the Roanoke Valley and some of the best overlooks in the entire state of Virginia! I'll tell you what I found on this bucket-list-worthy portion of the Appalachian Trail, and how you can do it too :-) #Idratherwalk #KidsOutdoors #Hiking
Most of us just can’t hike McAfee Knob every day.

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

But I feel like I should be able to decide something and it  instantly happens like magic!

Here’s the thing though: you have to do the work every day.

Even if it’s boring, or painful, or both.  It’s just going to take a while.

So, on to the next hike – which is tomorrow morning 🙂

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

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Related posts:

Week 4: We're Halfway There
Week 8: Don't Be a Lame Duck!
ReFit Week 6: It's Never Over
Grow Your Vacation Saving Account - 4 Simple Steps

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LJ

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.