Date: 2016-04-05
From: New Found Gap

To: Gatlinburg TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Today was a "zero" day. Spent 5 hours and 6 shuttles to get to Wal Mart in Seviersville to get my watchband replaced. Back in G'burg, updatying log, last minute resupply, dinner tonite and then early bed for tomorrow.physical fitness - My fitness for this hike was a major concern.   JSC has an outstanding OSH program and their dertailed fitness logs confirmed my fitness level was decreasing in an non-linear rate compared to age. I then joined a bootcamp invite from Hardcore and Sarge Shannon's mantra was along the lines that if you're not improving, you're losing. That has now evolved to an ad hoc group that meets 2x a week for exercises. i really credit this group for pushing my fitness level. i will admit to shutting it down when dizzyness is nearing, I'll take an occasional senior citized discount on some of the reps, I don't do many burpees these days, i doubt that I can run a mile and for sure I can't complete a tabata sprint workout. I have complained to my PCP and she has checked me out and her only diagnosis is TMBs. but I can hike me some AT mountains.So, let me suggest a workout to emulate a typical (hard) day hiking at Beak's Gym in the Gilruth. The scenario is a 10-12 mile hike with a typical 1500' (hard 3000') climb at the start. Now in the AT, my experience is that you will give back 50% of everything you climb, e.g., a 1500' (3000') climb is more likely to be 2250" (4500'). Using mountain math, 6 miles is 30000+ feet, divided into 1500 (3000) is a 5% (10%) incline. So, set the treadmill at 5% (10%), strap a 40# kettlebell to your back and punch out 6 miles. And since you probably had a good meal and night's sleep, and that you have an air conditioned building with a water fountain nearby (as well as AEDs and probably EMTs), andf the fact that you're not concerned at log steps, root hazard, rock hazard, ice hazard, or blowdowns... then you ought to knock out 6 miles in 2 (3) hours or so. Aftyer that, you can set treadmill back to 0 and complete another 4-6 miles in another couple of hours. That is my example of a typical day on the AT. And if you want a full experience, repeat above exercise another 210 days.toe to Head assesment: My feet are doing great! I really liked my Lowa boots. My replacement Vasque's didn't have the innersoles and my feet were beginning to feel a little mushy. but I got new innersoles and it should be fine. i do have 4 broken toe nails so far and a brief problem with a couple of lazy toes; which have been taken care of with my "toe socks". My calves are MOOING, really uncomfortable and keeping me up at night. Thighs are doing good. I haven't felt like I've gotten my trail legs yet (I hope?) BPH is an annoyance. no problems with hip rubs from backpack. Gut is doing good, probably lost 10 lbs of belly fat. no hiker appetite quite yet. RA is bothering my hands and is my most concerning item at this time. mornings are especially diffiicult and I hope warmer weather will put this to the back burner. Hearrt and lungs are getting a full workout. My rest breaks record steady 90% MHR. Occasional cramps in my shoulder [Aside: it was 2010 in G'burg when I had a cyst explode in my shoulder and I had a PA cut it out here without benefit of a local anesthesic(sp?) but he did give me great happy pills] Ears are still ringing. And for my head, I'm hiking much smarter tah last hike. I stop for rest, water, food, temp control much more purposeively now, as opposed to my usual pushing to the breaking point. and when i have Berk hiking with me, she is good about kkeeping me on my toes.All for nowLife is Good