“A key factor is to do training that is fun.”
Bill Toomey
Planking with a weighted pack? Sure, I got that!
I decided to kick my Ultra Beast training up a notch by doing some hiking with a weighted pack. I love being outside, and anything that adds getting sweaty or dirty (or even better- MUDDY!) is just a bonus. In other words: hiking + added difficulty= good times.
Getting out on the trail with the pack was actually the first time that I felt like I was actually training for the Ultra Beast. Caring the extra weight was definitely an added effort in the beginning, but I adjusted pretty quickly. Once my legs were warmed up, I was ready to go!!!
Instead of going to the trails around my house, we headed over to Sleeping Giant in Hamden (a few towns over) for some more difficult climbs and terrain. It definitely didn’t disappoint! Some of the more technical parts were a little tedious with the pack and extra weight, but they were still doable. My first time out we hiked for about 40 min because I was on a time crunch. I felt pretty good when we finished and didn’t feel too tired at all. The second time we went for over two and a half hours and I was DEFINITELY feeling it. (The pushups and planking during the breaks may have helped…) My shoulders felt life the were being pulling down toward my feet, and my back got pretty sore. Next time I’ll have to adjust the weight so it stays more centered in the pack to spare my muscles a little.
Overall, I’m looking forward to spending more time out on the trails getting my butt kick by my awesome new day pack!
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- Four Life Lessons From Hiking (rachaelruddick.wordpress.com)