Hiking for fitness

I love hiking and recently took to trail running. I live in CO, so I'm lucky enough to have trails right in my backyard. I've been adding plyometric strength training workouts (40 min - 4x a week) and yoga to improve my hiking and trail running; which seems to be really helping!

I love hiking! I hike mostly for the scenery and challenge, not for the fitness. However, it's pretty awesome to re-hike mountains that I struggled with and then fly up them the next time. I am blessed enough to live in New Hampshire, about an 1hour+ to the White Mountains. My profile picture is me atop Mount Monadnock which is supposedly, the most summited mountain in the US. Interestingly, here hikers are financially responsible for SAR efforts if they are unprepared, i.e, no headlamp, wearing flip flops, no water, ect., but we can purchase a NH Hike Safe Card for $50 to be sure that rescue is free if needed. We have a lot of unprepared hikers try to summit Mount Washington...the weather up there is ALWAYS unpredictable!

Feel free to add me! I try to hike a big one every weekend, and the smaller ones a couple of times a week. This year, I am hoping to do some winter hiking.

I love the outdoors and being outside. I've hiked, backpacked and camped most of my adult life. Had a medical emergency in early 2015 that led to major emergency back surgery, and have some nerve damage, minor paralysis and balance issues since then that have really set me back. Luckily we live rurally in Vermont and just need to step out the front door to be in the mountains and forests, so that does help keep my spirits up.

Anyway after nearly a year and a half of physical therapy, I'm starting to hike again. Have to use trekking poles now because my balance is no good, but it's like a compulsion to get back out there. I have a six year old daughter so we keep our hikes to 5 miles or less still, but that's worked for me since my spinal injury anyway.

I snowshoe, cross-country ski and dogsled in the winter too, and enjoy paddling and back country swimming during the warmer months as well.

I'm 42 now, have really slowed since my injury (and really, even before). I used to live and work immersed in nature 24/7 (I've been an outdoor educator, a park ranger and interpretive naturalist, and I owned and operated a dog sled touring and winter guide service biz when I was younger). After ten years of desk jobs and the sickness and injuries as a result of that, I'm changing my life again and trying to get back to a more active, outdoor lifestyle.

I would love to find outdoorsy friends on MFP.

sireenmalik2014 wrote: »

Acidique wrote: »

The seasons are changing here in Montana. Although autumn is going to make for some breathtaking hiking, I'll probably have to move indoors for winter. Boooo.

I was thinking the same way about the winters but a couple of discussions (one here on MFP infact) made me change my mind: I am going to get snow-shoes and a very-warm jacket

I made a mistake once in the Tetons of going up in late May. The snow that remained was very soft because it was melting... I ended up losing the trail in the snow and following the footprints from the last person who lost the trail. Except between when that person went through and when I did, the snow got even softer. I ended up post-holing in snow up to my shoulders... after struggling to climb out of a self-made hole in the snow, I would only get a few feet before falling through again. After doing this for a little while, I decided to start "walking" on my shins (i.e. crawling) in order to distribute my weight over a larger surface area just like snow-shoes. I made it back to the trail, but it was not an ideal situation.

It's starting.

This one is from last year:

PSA: Costco has 70 % merino wool socks, 4 pairs for $12.

http://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Men’s-Trail-Sock-4-Pair,-Black-and-Blue.product.100235832.html

I've paid more than that for 1 pair of wool socks. Haven't worn the Costco ones so I can't comment on fit or quality. But wool socks are among a hiker's best friends, especially in the PNW, and especially in winter.

sireenmalik2014 wrote: »

Acidique wrote: »

The seasons are changing here in Montana. Although autumn is going to make for some breathtaking hiking, I'll probably have to move indoors for winter. Boooo.

I was thinking the same way about the winters but a couple of discussions (one here on MFP infact) made me change my mind: I am going to get snow-shoes and a very-warm jacket

Layers for sure in winter, especially where you live with the higher humidity. When I asked seasoned winter folks how they dress, they told me to start out a little chilly, you'll warm up fast, then be sure to have a layer you can add once you stop or slow down.

CoachJen71 wrote: »

Not just layers, but vented layers with at least a half-zip front. I hate getting hot and needing to peel stuff over my head! LOL

Good point. I'm rebuilding my wardrobe and didn't realize how much it costs to replace all the awesome outdoorsy stuff I had in XL sizes. Luckily, there's no one in the woods to impress so I'll still use some of that ultra baggy stuff. The upside is I can put lots of layers on, the downside is I look like a little kid dressing up in my mommy's clothes.

sireenmalik2014 wrote: »

I would like to connect (with) folks who are into hiking. I moved to Seattle area a year ago, and started hiking a few months back. It has done wonders to my mental and physical health: I have lost weight; my energy level is up; sleep better; better focus; me-time helps me de-stress, ... the list goes on. I hit the trails every Saturday morning. During the weekdays spend some time in the gym to improve my fitness. Honestly, it is more mental strength right now than my fitness but I keep raising the bar every weekend - one little step at a time.

I would like other hikers to share their experiences, training programs, diet plans, motivational tips, tips on trail heads, .., or any other interesting insight.

I am certain this will motivate other people to take up this great outdoor activity.

Sam
Redmond, WA

sireenmalik2014 wrote: »

I would like to connect (with) folks who are into hiking. I moved to Seattle area a year ago, and started hiking a few months back. It has done wonders to my mental and physical health: I have lost weight; my energy level is up; sleep better; better focus; me-time helps me de-stress, ... the list goes on. I hit the trails every Saturday morning. During the weekdays spend some time in the gym to improve my fitness. Honestly, it is more mental strength right now than my fitness but I keep raising the bar every weekend - one little step at a time.

I would like other hikers to share their experiences, training programs, diet plans, motivational tips, tips on trail heads, .., or any other interesting insight.

I am certain this will motivate other people to take up this great outdoor activity.

Sam
Redmond, WA

My hubby and I live in northern CA and love hiking as well. Our goal is to do Mt. Kilimanjaro by the time we are 45. There is nothing like pushing yourself up trail or stopping for a PB&J by a creek with nothing but nature around you. I bet it is beautiful up there! We have Yosemite and Lake Tahoe around us so good hikes here too. Please add us to this group and anyone else like minded too!

sarahgruesome wrote: »

I'm from the midwest and love hiking! I post mainly on insta, if that's what you're looking for @greensandthings_

I also am in the midwest (hard to tell from my username, I know).

Amazing!!

@NorthCascades and @sireenmalik2014 Great photos, thanks for sharing. You guys have some awesome real estate to recreate in! I'm guessing you don't see a lot of people on your excursions????

I wanted to move this thread back to the front page. One of my favorite threads on this board. :-)