Training for the Past Months

My training philosophy mid-March:

When it comes to being completely prepared for hiking 22 miles per day, 6 days a week, for 4.5 months, I don't know if it's truly possible. It is just not possible for the average 'thru-hiker in training' to walk for over 20 miles per day, multiple days a week.

The view of Green Mountain from the top of Bear Mountain, with Boulder, CO below.
I summited both peaks this day along with South Boulder Peak. It was a fantastic training hike.

That being said, my goal for training is to build my endurance as much as possible. I decided the best way for me to do this with my limited free time would be to run. Now I can cram in a 6 mile run after work and before I catch my bus. That combined with a 5 mile (round trip) walk to the bus stop allows me to move about 11 miles a day. This combination usually totals to between 6-11 miles of motion, 5 days a week.

My running schedule started on October 1st and continues to gradually build every week. This past weekend I made it through a half marathon (13.1) for my long Sunday run. I survived, and actually really enjoyed myself! This was my third half marathon of my life,  with my slowest time of 2:20 minutes, but it was by far the most difficult terrain yet. It was over tons of slanted rock on the Devils Backbone trail in Loveland,CO, which I do not recommend if you are prone to twisting an ankle!

The Devil's Backbone, Loveland, CO.

I am hoping to continually build my weekly running mileage, to see if it will be possible to run a marathon the weekend before I start hiking.  Since I've never run over a half marathon, I'm not sure I will have enough training time to build up to 26.2 miles by May 1st.

My training Philosophy since mid-March:

The week after I wrote the above post, I increased my total weekly mileage to about 45 miles, with the intention of running a 15 miler that weekend.  I found that this was too much too fast. 

 I started to get shin-splints, then my knee started to ache.  This was really nerve racking; the thought of injuring myself before I even start the trail! So I backed off on running, and started focusing on more hiking specific training: walking! More specifically, walking with a heavy backpack.  

I think that my backpack weight will be heaviest with a weeks worth of food on a stretch with no water for thirty miles, because I'll be carrying about 2-2.5 pounds of food a day and 8 liters of water, totaling about 50 lbs.  To make this weight less difficult on the trail, I've been hiking with this 'worst case scenario' 50 lbs on every training hike.

Me backpacking through the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

At first the weight felt extreme, but after a few hikes my body seems to have gotten used to it. On my most recent hike, we walked 16 miles in 6 hours and I felt like I could have easily gone much further.  The best part of that is I had no pain in my shins or knees, and I wasn't the least bit sore afterwards!  This is incredibly reassuring, as my only real fear about this summer is an injury holding me back.  

I also train by doing other activities like mountain biking, slack-lining, and going to the gym. My amazing girlfriend Michelle, and I recently went on an amazing 100 mile mountain bike-packing trip through Canyonlands National Park's White Rim Trail. In that same trip we also went backpacking through the Needles District of the Park. I'll try to post on that adventure soon!

Me and Michelle hiking through a slot
 canyon in the Needles District.