FB reminded me that, five years ago, I started a training regimen that was part of my graduate work. The course work entailed 2 books, some team projects, climbing Mt Adams, and a final paper, connecting all the dots.
It was a 12-week training schedule to be physically fit for the technical climb. All I had to do was follow the schedule and I’d be good; at least, that is what I kept trying to convince myself. I had doubts. I have never done a technical climb before. I wasn’t sure of myself and I was secretly wishing I had not signed up for this course.
However, I committed to the training schedule. I was in great physical and mental shape to do this climb. I still had butterflies when I saw the mountain driving in and when I stood at the trailhead and again, at the section where the technical climb began. But I did it! The training paid off and I conquered that mountain.
Attached is my FB memory of week 1 of 12 for training for Mt. Adams. You could see my hesitation and doubt. These moments look different for everyone but are just as significant. Tell me of a time you told fear, “not today pal” and pushed through your comfort zone. Please share below! I would love to acknowledge you for placing fear and uncertainty aside and coming out of your challenge better for it!
~ Wing Woman
Day 1 12-week Fitness Plan: Week 1
Week 1:
Per Professor: Focus for this week is on building strength, balance, and a base. This will help prevent injury later. For strength training work on your techniques and motion. Ensure a good warm up and cool down to prevent injury.
Just coming off two 12-hour shifts in the ED Monday gave me a rocky start to the work out regimen. I did an hour of Mindful Body yoga and 1 set of 10 reps of the listed exercises. I worked an 8 hours shift, where I am on my feet the whole time, so I think that counts as a little bit of walking, right?
Day 2- This is technically a rest day, but I have some catching up to do. I download the Charity Miles App and make Operation Smile my receiving charity. Johnson&Johnson donate for every mile you clock. I completed a 3-mile run and 1 set of 10 reps of all of Mondays exercises.
Day 3- I walked to work, completed a 2-mile run, 3 sets of all exercises listed on Wednesday and attended a Yin Yoga session.
Day 4- I did 1hour yoga flow. Went to REI to get my hiking boots fitted for crampons and to see how much a liner would be for my sleeping bag (it’s going to be cold up there!). Turns out my boots aren’t crampon-compatible (how convenient) and new hiking boots were not in the budget! I stood in REI thinking about the things I WANTED to get for this trip: a new utility tool, a decent camera to document, a decent knife, a compass with declination adjustments, etc. But I NEED boots and crampons to hike this and I NEED to break these boots in long before I get to the base of that mountain. Grumble, Grumble… I bought new shoes. The salesman assured me, if taken proper care of, they would last for very, very, very long time. I’m holding you to that Kurt!
So, I finally got in on a hike with Meetup. I put 15 lbs. in my back pack and brought my new boots. It was a 5.5-mile hike with a moderate vertical, for me anyway. I wore the new boots on the way up. My feet were feeling pretty good, but I didn’t want to chance my luck. When we got to the top, I put on my old ones for the hike down. It was a beautiful hike. The locals were telling me it was a new trailhead we were on. The Washington Trail Association had done an amazing job!
Day 5- Now I’m starting to feel it a little bit. Could really go for a massage. I did a 30-minute jog before Mindful Body Yoga and got all the reps and exercises in for Friday. Wrapped up the workouts by 1pm. Time for a shower, a nap and study! Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl is the first read for this class. It’s a hard read on the heart. Glad exercise is parallel to this read; gives me a chance to work out the frustrations I have towards humanity and get a good cry on.
Day 6- Went straight to South Hill’s Bluff this morning for some vertical exposure. Hiked up and down for almost 4 miles. Time to stop complaining about having to buy new boots; the trails were very gravely and my footing was outstanding…. worth the investment. Side note, I am going to need to invest in some gators to keep all this gravel out of my boots. Took a little while to get to my car as I got a little turned around on the bluff
but made it to Ashtanga yoga in the nick of time. Now off to a 12-hr shift in the Emergency Department on a holiday weekend…wish me luck
Wing Woman 