Yesterday we did a 3 miles each way hike, with 1200 ft of altitude. Going down seems harder on our body than going up. A couple of pics
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Today we did well over 50 but not 60 miles on our bikes. We are riding in the Alps, but not UP the Alps. It’s mostly flat where we are.
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Going down is generally more difficult than going up in terms of skill and balance. Going up uses more strength and cardio.
Also, if you wear multifocal glasses, you may have reduced visual acuity going down because you may be looking through the reading part of your lenses.
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In our case it’s generally about our knees, but agree with what you’re saying.
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I have a similar type of experience. Going uphill is more cardiovascularly challenging. Going downhill is more stressful on muscles, joints, and feet. The latter tends to be more limiting for me, particularly in how much recovery time I need before repeating. Downhill is also generally more eccentrically stressful, leading to more muscle soreness over next few days.
As uscbalumnus notes, downhill also requires more balance/care on steep or technical trail. I hike with minimal gear – no poles and usually wearing comfortable slip-ons with subpar tread, rather than hiking shoes. I can walk uphill on almost anything without slipping, even snowy/icy areas. However, downhill is another story.
Timing is also relevant. Hikes are more often uphill at start when fresh and downhill at end when exhausted, such as when walking up/down a mountain. Obviously the Grand Canyon and similar is an exception.
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Went to the eye doctor today. I knew that I wasn’t going crazy … I have fast-growing cataracts!
We’ve been keeping an eye — no pun intended — on things to the point that I go every six months. This is the first time that cataracts actually showed up on the special scan. He says we aren’t there yet but likely will be when I go back next year. Both my mom and sister had cataract surgery and were so happy afterward. He also said that they can correct my lifelong astigmatism, too. Can’t wait!
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We are done with the cycling part of our Switzerland and France trip. I did all of the “normal” rides, and all of the recommended “independent” rides. The sunny days riding around lakes and along rivers were lovely. The last 2 days have been “eh.” We can’t really see the big mountains around where we are riding because it’s too cloudy. I’m not sorry we did this trip, but I would definitely pick another cycling trip in Italy instead of France. I do hope to make it to Paris at some point though.
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I just have to mention - the long hikes and bike trips posted here are sooo impressive!
I feel like I’m in somewhat decent shape (walk up 9 flights with backpack 3x a week, walk 5k steps 3x a week, weights 2x a week, yoga 1 x a week).
But these trips are so outside my current capacity (!) - it’s uber inspiring and makes me think I can keep getting stronger and more adventurous. Thanks for sharing!!
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@Jolynne_Smyth - I just read your post and think you are doing great! Just the 9 flights with a backpack is awesome.
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Thank you, FallGirl 
Today my wife and I completed the Lake Geneva Shore Path. It was more than 39k of steps 304 minutes of moderate activity and 160 of intense. NGL I hit a wall at mile 18 and really struggled for the last bit
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That is a very speedy hike!!!
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Today is our last day in France. We are in Lyon. We’ve walked a lot of miles in the last couple of days. Today we do a walking food tour. We actually did our own little tour yesterday, and I suspect we will see some of the same things. We like to just walk around European cities, in the busy parts and along rivers.
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That’s a lot of miles. I was celebrating close to 10 the other day.
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These two kids hiked around 9 miles around their old campus and found the spot where I proposed. Sadly they don’t let people on the island anymore. See gate.
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From the first moment of my fitness journey in my early 50’s I adopted the “it’s my game to play” mantra - little comparing to others, no timeline, choices are my own, victories are my own. Whether that was my first 5k race or a 2 mile walk that I managed to squeeze in.
There are definitely people who I am in awe of. But then I also think - at 66 - there are probably some people who are “in awe” of me!
Be proud of your own game - whatever it is. (And hiking up stairs with a heavy backpack it an exercise in working hard!)
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You just wrote the perfect post for me at this moment. Thank you so much for sharing your insights with the world. I just love your posts and threads!
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Awww you are so sweet - words are my love language and help me think out loud!
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That is a great attitude, @abasket! So true and effective at staying focused on your own journey/wins.
I will say, seeing folks on this thread who are on the “very long hike/bike/run” track hasn’t discouraged me too much - it’s rather given me a bit of hope that I can go a lot further (e.g., someday - hiking to the top of CO mountains with my kids!).
Since I started getting more serious about progressing with fitness in the past two years I’ve learned ignore the buff 20-something guys at the gym knocking out their 15 pull-ups with ease (while I’m still working on my first 
). I used to be jealous LOL 
.
But somehow seeing people of a similar age cohort doing (to me) wildly strenuous and adventuresome things is kind of inspiring!
And thanks again for sharing your very positive and useful outlook!
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It also helps that I am absolutely NOT competitive!
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