A Good Base

One thing I have going for me is a fairly good base. It's really hard to gin up from scratch. That can take years if one has led a sedentary life with no background of training. I pretty much know what I have to do, and luckily my gym has installed a new piece of equipment which is invaluable....a real stair machine. Sure I'm going to hit the trail, which is the only way to train the downhill muscles. But I really need to concentrate on my climbing. Here's what I did yesterday for a trainer:

• 25 minutes weights, no break between rotating sets (no leg work)

• 5 mile run in 42 minutes

• 2 hours on the stair machine for 4200 feet

I've also been using a bike trainer and pumping for 2 hours 40 minutes to get in 50 miles. And today I just picked up my vintage mountain bike (1997 Gary Fisher HooKooEKoo) after a full tuneup and new, more road friendly tires. I'll be doing more biking outside but I like the gym workouts, which I consider harder than a regular bike on roads; no resting whatsoever and I throw in harder intervals to simulate climbing.

I think this base line will be great to work from over the next few months, slowly increasing the length and intensity of each workout. Ultimate goals for June?

• local trail runs that incorporate 8-10,000 feet of climb and descent

• biking 50-100 miles on roads

• run 12-14 miles in 2 hours

• ski skin laps incorporating 5-10,000 feet vertical (like 2X Paradise to Camp Muir)

I like to stay flexible in goal setting as sometimes life gets in the way, but I have a couple of thoughts on all day trainers.....

• bike from home to Ipsut Creek Campground (MRNP), about 75 miles. Camp. Bike home.

• bike from Longmire to Paradise, skin to Muir, ski down and bike back (I did this last year)

• bike from Puyallup (friends house) to Paradise, skin up and ski down (all equipment carried). On this one he would meet me for the skin/ski part and I would ride back to Puyallup.

More thoughts:

• climb/ski Mt. St. Helens

• climb/ski Mt. Baker

• Rainier ski runs (overnight): Fryingpan Glacier, Interglacier (did this last year also), Russell Glacier and environs, Nisqually Chutes to the bridge.

Most important part of training? Avoid/mitigate injury and rest. Now it's off to Kendo.

60+

Big milestone for me, turning 60 years old. Welcome to my understated, non advertised journal. I wanted to put down some thoughts on entering the twilight years and what I have in mind to celebrate. Maybe very difficult, kick ass trips and excursions that will test me like I haven't been tested since my 40s. An excellent excuse to pick up some new gear. Do a few things I've been thinking about for some time. Not gonna say right yet, but my training is concentrating on leg strength and endurance. Think I'll write about various topics like training, specific equipment targeting my goals, mental fitness and, eventually, exactly what I have in mind to propel me into the agony and glory of suffering towards these goals, 'cause we all need goals or eventually sink into the couch watching Netflix and sipping martinis thinking that the fire is cozy and I'll just put off going outside in the rain and cold or going to the gym when I'm stiff and shuffling in compensation, there's always tomorrow. Except when you turn 60, tomorrow is already behind you. Better get it in gear. All for now.