Alternatively, trekking poles - I totally love you and you so saved my ass!
Our hike on Saturday was in the Marin headlands, and it was .... GORGEOUS! (Even though the weather at the start was NOT.) Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge to get there, and pulling up next to the beach and I had this overwhelming feeling of, "Whoah! I *live* here!"
As we got ready to hike, the weather couldn't decide what it wanted to do. Cold, windy, sunshines for a few minutes, and then something akin to drizzle. We started off and went uphill. And then we went up. And then we went up some more. And then we went up a section so steep that there were stairs. And then we went uphill. This was, for me, the worst possible way to start out. From doing marathons, I know that my shins take a good, long while to warm up and that I can not push them at all during that time. No such luck today! We spent about 1.5 hours hiking uphill. The shins - they were not happy with me.
I did, however, get to practice using my trekking poles going uphill. I definitely have to work on that. The trekking poles earned my affection on the way downhill. If I hadn't had them, I would have eaten it more than a few times. Especially on the stairs - the poles really offer a lot of stability, not to mention taking stress off of your knees. I'm sold!
By the time we finished the hike, the sun was warm on our backs and I, at least, had a sense of accomplishment. I arm-twisted a few of the women in my buddy group to go for lunch after. It was a carb-loaded end to a great hike!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
3 the Hard Way
.... or the Trekking Pole Progress Report.
I kept my promise to myself and practiced with my trekking poles during my workouts during the week. Here's what I've learned:
... the title of the post is from this song. (Um, language warning.)
I kept my promise to myself and practiced with my trekking poles during my workouts during the week. Here's what I've learned:
- Experiment with the length of the poles. On fairly flat surfaces, I like them a little shorter than recommended. It just feels more natural
- They're not kidding about lengthening them on downhill portions! You can really feel your abs kick in to support you!
- Rubber tips - while absolutely wonderful for practicing in an urban environment - are an epic fail when trying to learn how to use trekking poles in uphill situations. Basically, as you try to angle the pole into the hill, the rubber tip keeps bouncing, you get no traction, you are frustrated (and you look ridiculous.)
... the title of the post is from this song. (Um, language warning.)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Training tool: Pedometer
When my little brother was here in January, he found this tool online to track how far he walked each day while exploring San Francisco. I've been using to track mileage, and get an idea of the elevation changes around my neighborhood. (Hills around Dolores Park - I shake my fist at you! But, really, you're good for me. I still don't have to like you.)
This pedometer takes a little getting used to. It basically calculates point-to-point. Enter your starting address, zoom in (I suggest zoom 15 or 16), and start recording. Double click your starting point, and then double click each time you make a turn. I like to use the Elevation Large link to make myself feel better about my hill work. :)
This pedometer takes a little getting used to. It basically calculates point-to-point. Enter your starting address, zoom in (I suggest zoom 15 or 16), and start recording. Double click your starting point, and then double click each time you make a turn. I like to use the Elevation Large link to make myself feel better about my hill work. :)
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Redwood Regional Park
I'm (fairly) new to the area, and I've found that whenever anyone mentions anything and I don't know where it is.... it's in the East Bay. This week, our team hike was in the East Bay and I welcomed the chance to get to know that region a little better.
We started off at the Trudeau Training Center for some clinics on strength training and first aid. Then, we headed out on to the trail for a 2.5 hour hike. I started off with my brand new trekking poles, and quickly abandoned them. I really need to learn how to use them! This weeks goal: watch the DVD, and start PRACTICING!
The hike was beautiful, although we didn't see much in the way of (non-domesticated) fauna. We say many, many dogs - all of whom looked beside themselves with joy to be running around, and to be petted by 50-odd people. This trail is also used by equestrians - so there were a handful of horses.
Our turnaround came after about 10 minutes of walking downhill. This, of course, means that we had to turn around and head straigh UPHILL. Oh, Hill - my nemesis - we meet again.
I was sore and kind of uncoordinated (even for me) yesterday, and moderately sore the next day. I cabbed it into the Mission this morning for brunch and took the long (FLAT) way home and feel a lot better.
Next week: Marin Headlands!
We started off at the Trudeau Training Center for some clinics on strength training and first aid. Then, we headed out on to the trail for a 2.5 hour hike. I started off with my brand new trekking poles, and quickly abandoned them. I really need to learn how to use them! This weeks goal: watch the DVD, and start PRACTICING!
The hike was beautiful, although we didn't see much in the way of (non-domesticated) fauna. We say many, many dogs - all of whom looked beside themselves with joy to be running around, and to be petted by 50-odd people. This trail is also used by equestrians - so there were a handful of horses.
Our turnaround came after about 10 minutes of walking downhill. This, of course, means that we had to turn around and head straigh UPHILL. Oh, Hill - my nemesis - we meet again.
I was sore and kind of uncoordinated (even for me) yesterday, and moderately sore the next day. I cabbed it into the Mission this morning for brunch and took the long (FLAT) way home and feel a lot better.
Next week: Marin Headlands!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Trekking Pole Clinic at Land's End
Yesterday was our trekking pole clinic. I've seen a few people using them on the trail before, and just sort of felt that they were more "hard core" than me.
Well, NO MORE! I'm the proud owner of new Leki trekking poles and I will be practicing my new skeelz ... in Noe Valley. My training route right takes me up and around Dolores Park. Trust me, trekking poles in an urban environment are NOT going to draw any attention!
.........
We arrived around 8:30 am and there were a bunch of teenage guys going through some kind of bootcamp-type ritual. Imagine our surprise about 20 minutes later when, in the middle of hearing about trekking poles, we suddenly heard .... tubas? The group of teenage guys? MARCHING BAND PRACTICE! I guess it's an ideal location - no neighbors to complain about John Phillip Sousa on a Saturday morning!
Well, NO MORE! I'm the proud owner of new Leki trekking poles and I will be practicing my new skeelz ... in Noe Valley. My training route right takes me up and around Dolores Park. Trust me, trekking poles in an urban environment are NOT going to draw any attention!
.........
We arrived around 8:30 am and there were a bunch of teenage guys going through some kind of bootcamp-type ritual. Imagine our surprise about 20 minutes later when, in the middle of hearing about trekking poles, we suddenly heard .... tubas? The group of teenage guys? MARCHING BAND PRACTICE! I guess it's an ideal location - no neighbors to complain about John Phillip Sousa on a Saturday morning!
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