<p>28 days. Four weeks. Yikes!!!
So yes, I’ve stepped up my workout…no more trudging along on the treadmill at a 12 degree incline. I do stairmaster some days, and a walk/jog combination on the treadmill other days. (I don’t think my knees are cut out for jogging, however.) I still get winded and it scares me a lot. I’ve added a few weight machines. It’s best on weekends when I can take my 13 year old with me…she’ll try any machine with delight: “Mom, try this one - it’s like a ride!!!” I did up my arm weights from 3 lbs to 5 and there is some progress there.</p>
<p>If anyone has any last minute suggestions, let me know! Thanks for all your help!</p>
<p>LOL. That will help…instead of imagining every minute that I’m going to fall off the treadmill, I’ll imagine that dogs are at my heels…this gets more and more pleasant every day!</p>
<p>You know, one thing that really bothers me about this “getting in shape for the Grand Canyon” thing is that after 5 months of regular workouts, it hasn’t become a habit and I still hate it. I had thought that I’d use the occasion to get in shape when I turned 50 and then I’d form good habits and then I’d stay in shape, but it hasn’t happened.</p>
<p>Have you considered the elliptical? I don’t remember if you’ve mentioned it in the previous discussion or not. If you do not have a “fear” of it, you may give that a try. You can speed up and slow down on it just like with the treadmill, but your feet are essentially planted so you would not have the pounding on the knees that you complain of with the treadmill…</p>
<p>Hydration-- can’t stress it enough. If you don’t hydrate properly, you won’t make it hiking the Grand Canyon. You have to arrive hydrated. That could also (maybe?) be a factor as to why you don’t feel like you are seeing much improvement…</p>
<p>See, that’s the kind of dire statement that has haunted me during the planning of this trip. So much “you won’t make it” and “it’s much harder than you could imagine.” I’ve never done anything about which folks make such drastic statements. (Of course, if you hear on the news on March 18th about a fatality in the GC, it will be good ol’ Missypie.)</p>
<p>Don 't know where you live or what the weather/terrain is like, but you might want to do some outside walking uphill. There’s a difference between working out on a treadmill and actually getting outside and walking on rough terrain. I think it would be helpful to do that. I’ve never done hiking like the GC, but I did do 150 miles of the Camino de Santiago (in Spain) with my daughter. We had lightweight backpacks–just our clothes. We didn’t need to carry food. if you’re going to carry a pack, you might want to go out with one and get used to carrying it. Good luck and enjoy your trip.</p>
<p>What is your actual plan? route, etc. You say “hike up the Grand Canyon” so are you going to be dropped off at the bottom and then hike out? (just kidding)… how many days? Camping? </p>
<p>A few years back we were at the Grand Canyon and I got about halfway down with my son before we turned around and hiked back out. A couple of rangers passed us on the way and warned us against trying to go all the way down and back in one day (with no gear). It was still a lot of fun and it remains a dream of mine to go back and hike all the way down and camp out along the river. </p>
<p>Of course a few mules passed us along the way.</p>
<p>I hiked twice to Plateau Point and back in one day with no training, so with training you should have no trouble climbing out in one day. Have fun!</p>
<p>MP- if the hike is tough, make sure your group is ready to acknowledge every one’s differences. I recall the first time I learned to ski which meant take her to the top of the mountain in Tahoe and let her find her way down;) The most difficult part, though, was that I was with a bunch of people 18-25 who were experienced skiers and they would ski ahead and wait for me in a group at points down the mountian. But as soon as I caught up, they all took off again, I never got to pause to catch my breath and I was working much harder than they were because I had not used those muscles and because I was not doing it right so I was working at it.</p>
<p>I could have used a breather, it would have made the whole week more fun if I had spoken up and asked for 60-90 seconds to catch my breath. If you need a breather, take it!</p>
<p>I am excited to hear about your trip afterwards!</p>
<p>That is precisely what happens to me every time we hike. My husband (who is a SAHD and works out 2 hours a day) is already saying things like, “If all of us can’t hike at the same speed, are some of us going to go ahead?”, implying of course, that I’m the weakest link and will be left behind. Maybe I won’t fight it. Maybe I’ll choose one of the kids to be my hiking buddy and tell the rest of the group to have a meal ordered and waiting for us at the top.</p>
<p>I have never understood the appeal of hiking to the bottom of the GC and then back up. The view is great from the top. If you want to take a great hike there are lots of scenic areas with hikes on more or less level ground. This is an event for young kids or very young adults who have more energy than sense.</p>
<p>I’ll get back to you in a month on that one! :)</p>
<p>We went to the GC a few years ago and said that we’d hike all the way down for Son’s last spring break. For me, the added motivation is that it will happen in my 50th year; I hadn’t worked out since the kids were tiny, so I knew the trip would make me get back into shape.</p>
<p>Missypie: I have been working out for ten years and I still hate the obligatory inside workout, although I do like how strong I feel and how long I can walk without feeling tired… but inside, on machines? Yeck.</p>
<p>I have come to LOVE daily walks with my dog, however. I sincerely hope that all of this training pays off for you in a relaxed and comfortable walk through the Grand Canyon, one you enjoy. Just remember to set your OWN pace. </p>
<p>And get rid of that word “hike”… it’s so macho. You’re just going for a walk in pretty scenery. A long walk that requires that you carry enough water–but let someone else carry it for you, while you relax and enjoy the walk. Maybe the someone else is your 18-year-old son, the one who needs a little something to keep him from running away from you?</p>
<p>That’s the funny thing - Husband was 21 years younger (and 40 lbs lighter) when he last hiked it. So he may not live up to his memory of breezing up this time. </p>
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<p>I love how you think!</p>
<p>My 18 year old son should be studied by neuroscientists. He has mild Asperger’s and gets the least exercise of any of us. But give him his iPod and he can walk up a mountain without stopping. We were in Germany last summer - lots of treks up steep trails to get to castles, etc. He’d just turn on his iPod and go…everyone else would be huffing, puffing, resting…he’d just walk steadily. I’m thinking it’s got something to do with the Aspie tendency to hyperfocus.</p>
<p>missy, back when I was in college I spent a summer working at GC and on one of my weekends off I did the hike to the bottom, and then back up the following day (it was an awesome experience!). Of course that was ages ago when I, too, was young and energetic but even back then I was not much of an athlete (eg, just as klutzy and lacking in muscle tone as my Aspie son was when he was younger). I was completely worn out when it was over but back to work early the next morning ;). </p>
<p>Given the workouts you are doing now, I think you will do fine if you are in general good health, and as long as you pace yourself, rest along the way and drink lots of water. You might want to also focus on some aerobic exercises since the altitude can effect some people.</p>