[pct-l] Question about training

[Paul Magnanti]

Rather than worry about 'training', think of the word 'fitness'.  Again,
how can anyone really argue against fitness?

I don't care what semantics we use, if you are out shape and not fit, the first part
of the hike is going to suck.  

You are committing 4+ months to hiking.  We discuss gear. We discuss resupply strategies. 
But we seldom discuss how basic fitness can insure a good hike in the crucial first few weeks. 

Just as having a lighter load and the correct equipment does not insure
a completed hike, neither will being fit necessarily I realize. 

However, no one advocates taking a full Dutch Oven, plastic mountaineering boots and climbing rope.
Yet, on all hiking forums, most people say  the equivalent of "Sit on the couch, eat Fritos and then go
hiking with 30 extra pounds on the mid-section. You'll get in shape on the trail!"  Why put
more stress and decrease your chances of finishing the hike when approx 2/3rd of the people
who attempt the PCT don't finish?


We'd laugh at the perceived extra weight of the gear I mentioned..but we really do say 
"Go from the couch to  Campo..no problem!".

  (And I realize you can be fit and a little overweight. I certainly
fall into that category unless I am careful. See below. A *lot* overweight though and (most importantly) coming straight from the  
couch without any exercise to the trail?)


>>And then it's going to come back after the PCT no matter what you do.
I now weigh what I did when I finished the PCT.  :)

Whole grains, veggies, lean meat and regular exercise. (Plus an indulgence day every now and then for the
just as important mental sanity.  If I am doing a big day hike, ski tour  or backpack, I deserve my greasy burger and beer! :D ).

Takes some work..but then so does walking 2700 miles from Mexico to Canada.  More work
than discussing what kind of stove to take in both cases. :D

To paraphrase was someone else said: if you aren't into playing outside before the hike, you may
find that the hike is not as fun. ;)

Anyway, I've rambled enough. It can't hurt to take a vigorous walk 3x a week with your pack on. Yet, the idea
if often poo-pooed.  I'd say that an overall *basic* level of fitness is just as important as what titanium whatchamahoosey
to bring. :)


 ************************************************************
The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust 
caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
http://www.pmags.com
http://www.redbubble.com/people/pmags/art