[pct-l] Heat Acclimatization and Training

[rubberchuckie at yahoo.com (Chuckie V)]

I've been afraid to enter this discussion but feel it's worth adding my 2 cents worth, which is more than I can afford right now, so if anyone can help a hiker with a loan...
 
All my adult life, I've been a professional athlete, first as a cyclist competing throughout the US and Europe and then as a triathlete. In 2002, I followed my heart and quit competing for a year to hike the PCT. Here's where my troubles began!
 
The athlete in me (read=ego) told me that walking would be a piece of cake; that my base of running and cycling volume (etc) over the years would prepare me well. I arrived in Campo as fit as if I were doing another Ironman. I hoisted my pack and began the journey. But by the end of that day, I came to the realization that I was seriously under-prepared. Sure, I had all the fancy gear and completely loved what I was doing, but I was blistered and my ego was bruised. The rain wasn't what I expected either...it was supposed to be sunny and hot! 
 
For the next month, my preparation had begun! Trial by fire...trail by fire. "Training", in a nutshell, is all about specificity. You cannot train for an Ironman by riding Le Tour, and vice-versa. (Actually, you can, but good luck to you!)
 
The point is that only one thing can truly prepare you for thru-hiking. But if you're tough (as Suge so wisely mentions) and you're driven (internally; sorry, not by a car), you'll be more prepared to do a thru-hike than you may think. The specifics (to which there are so many while thru-hiking, as someone else so wisely mentioned) are important, for sure, but you better be tough---first and foremost. The thing is, it's surprisingly easy to do when you absolutely love what you're doing. Funny how that works.
 
The human body is remarkably adaptive to extreme environments but as I ready myself for more thru-hiking endeavors I now know a little more about what it takes:
 
Insanity: 
I won't go here right now.
 
 
Heat Acclimation: 
Comments on this board are generally spot on with the exception of cooling yourself by pouring water on you or your clothing. In most cases, the liquids will almost always work better in your belly. The water is likely to be warm anyhow and have little cooling effect. But if it were cold water you're pouring on yourself, it is actually detrimental. Cold water closes skin pores, and as a response the body increases its internal core temperature. Still, this is pretty trivial unless you're in deep trouble to begin with. Sports drinks like Gatorade are almost always better than water. Most studies done (many of which I've been a subject in; don't ask where they poke you) prove this time and again. The electrolytes help absorb the water more easily and quicker. In addition, most athletes (and thru-hikers are athletes!) find that they drink more when they like the taste of what they're drinking. Anything more concentrated than a 7-8% carbohydrate solution (7-8g/100ml) should be avoided in
 extreme heat...it becomes difficult to empty the fluids into the small intestine (where fluids are absorbed into the bloodstream) from the stomach. In such extreme heat (read=Mojave) an overly sugary drink can be more like a steak than liquid!
 
 
Running for Thru-Hiking Prep: 
Aerobically, thru-hiking doesn't place too much demand on your system, if you're in reasonably good shape (by the way, most Americans, technically known as "fat people" are NOT in reasonably good shape). Of course, this isn't always the case lugging thirty or more pounds up a steep trail at altitude in severe heat. While it ain't running, it is as difficult or more so aerobically (and hopefully not anaerobically). Thus, running is probably worthwhile for part of one's preparation. The real benefit of running for thru-hiking is not so much cardiovascular, but structural. Every hiker I've met who ran before their hike was generally pain-free (not including me) when it came to tendons and ligaments. It's worth considering. (I always think of the astronauts who lack joint strength when they return to Earth.)  
 
Blisters:
This one, I'm clueless about! (Just like the insanity one...)
 
 
-Chuckie 
 
   


 
>>>>Chris Willett <CWillett@pierce.ctc.edu> wrote: Personally, I think the best training you can do before the hike, other than being comfortable in the outdoors for extended periods of time, is to toughen the body. Cardio and leg strength will come. But, if your feet and joints are not tough from the get go, you might have some problems with blisters and aches that Vitamin I can't help. Running has worked for me in the past. Not fast or long (10k, 4 times a week). When I moved to Washington recently, the more urban setting and all the rain have forced me onto an inclined treadmill. While my endurance and leg strength are as good as they've ever been, I've started to blister again, which is unpleasant.

Suge