[pct-l] Heat Acclimatization and Training

[chelin at teleport.com (Sharon & Chuck Chelin)]

Good evening,

The training recently recommended by Wayne and Chuckie is well reasoned,
based upon experience, and I agree with their comments, however, I would
like to add another good reason for consistent training.  In a physical
training environment, whether conducted prior to or during The Big Hike, the
soft tissues . meaning skeletal muscles and the entire cardiovascular
system . respond by developing very quickly.  In a matter of a few weeks,
and often within a few days, the increases in strength and endurance will be
noticeable or even impressive.  As has been mentioned in these recent posts,
that after about a month on the trail there is little apparent difference
between the performance of those who have trained rigorously before the
hike, and those who subscribe to the "train-as-you-go" theory.  If
"train-as-you-go" seems too simple, well yes, it probably is.

While the soft tissue responds quickly to the horsepower demands of
training, the hard tissue .the bones and joint surfaces . require a much
longer period of time to adapt to the associated load and impact stress.
The density . meaning strength . of an athlete's bones is greater than that
of a typical off-the-street marshmallow's body, and the athlete's joint
surfaces have evolved over time to resist training stress.  A
"train-as-you-go" hiker may demonstrate his/her newly developed strength by
jumping off a rock, shouldering a heavy load, or sprinting 100m, and when
nothing breaks believes that everything is ready, but distance hiking is a
game of resisting repetitive, low-level stress rather than surviving a big
overload test.  Without having what I term training "miles in the bank",
there is a risk of joint damage . with knees being particularly
susceptible . or bone damage in the form of stress fractures, either of
which can occur weeks or months up the trail.  If a problem does rear its
ugly head, it will probably develop slowly, and it will not likely be
associated with a single dumb or clumsy event.   Something hurts and there
is no apparent cause.  It's maddening. What then do you blame?  It's like
trying to punch a rain cloud for getting you wet.

Train all year ... every year, and while any exercise is better than no
exercise, load bearing, aerobic exercise is the best.

Steel-Eye