Dog Community

Hiking Half Dome & running a marathon

Posted : 1/19/2007 5:39:04 PM

Yup, I'm doing both of these things this year! [

] I feel SO good about this year, I cannot even tell you. This is going to be my year! Two of my goals are to run a marathon and hike Half Dome in Yosemite Park. I registered for the American Stroke Association marathon last Wednesday! I can run the half (13.1 miles) or the full (26.2 miles). It's in San Francisco on July 29th. I have to raise $2500.00 and $625.00 of that I have to have by March 28th. I will definitely be posting asking you all if you would like to donate. So you'll be hearing from me! I have a fundraising appointment with the director this weekend to outline my fundraising plan. [

] I am SO excited. I am nowhere near the shape I need to be in, but I'm gonna do it anyways!

Half Dome is another one and I'm more scared of this than the marathon.

"The hike is somewhat long (about 17 miles round trip), somewhat steep (about 5000 feet of elevation gain), and somewhat high in altitude (summit is 8842 feet above sea level). Fit hikers usually take 7 to 10 hours for the round trip. Less fit hikers can take 12 hours or more. "

So yeah, I'm scared. [

] I've always wanted to do this though and I know that I can. Everybody thinks I'm crazy for attempting either of these things, much less both of them in the same year.

Has anybody hiked something of this scale and/or run a marathon? Even if you haven't, what about just hiking in general or long distance running? I could really use some advice on how to train, particularly for the hike because with the marathon I will be training with coaches. Any advice, thoughts or just support [

] would be greatly appreciated.

Wish me luck guys! I start training for the marathon tonight!

cakana

Posted : 1/19/2007 6:11:28 PM

Wow, that's awesome Sylvia. I truly admire you for setting goals and going after them. You are obviously feeling much better and that's great to hear. I love hiking, but Half Dome is more than I could muster. I did hike Glacier Peak in Yosemite and man, that was tough! It felt like we went straight up the side of that mountain and I sure felt it the next day [X(]. I hadn't prepared though, so that's the key. One of my favorite hikes nearby is Feather Falls by Lake Oroville. There are also lots of trails up around Tahoe. If you belong to a gym, you might try using the stair climber machine to get in shape. It's not the stairmaster or elliptical, but more like an escalator. My DH was told to train on that for the firefigher academy and it really helped him get in shape. Good luck to you! I can't wait to hear about your training and maybe it'll inspire me enough to do something similar [

]

ashland

Posted : 1/19/2007 6:20:29 PM

ORIGINAL: cakana

If you belong to a gym, you might try using the stair climber machine to get in shape. It's not the stairmaster or elliptical, but more like an escalator. My DH was told to train on that for the firefigher academy and it really helped him get in shape. Good luck to you! I can't wait to hear about your training and maybe it'll inspire me enough to do something similar []

Thanks Cathy! . . . . The machine you're talking about is known to me as the torture machine.[

] I used to do that machine and felt like I was sweating blood every single time. I try not to even look at it anymore when I pass it by. You're right though. I just had another friend recommend working out on that machine. I guess it's time to face the music. Oh my gosh . . . It's like it's been waiting for me. I can almost see that machine smirking at me. [

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cakana

Posted : 1/19/2007 6:28:40 PM

At the gym I go to during the week, there's one right next to the stairmaster I use. It's so deceiving because I'll be hopping along pretty fast and the people on the climber hardly look like they're moving, but having done it, I know how rough it is. I tried doing it with my husband and after 5 min's said "ummm, I'm going to go grab an elliptical" [

]

ashland

Posted : 1/19/2007 7:02:51 PM

It IS a deceiving machine. I see people on their all the time looking as calm as if they were doing a moderate walk. I'm not looking forward to it, but it has to be done I guess.

I just read that to train for a hike, I need to go on practice hikes and climb a LOT of stairs. I need to get used to climbing and they recommended climbing stairs two at a time. I wish I knew of a place around Sacramento where there were a lot of stairs. Like in the movie Rocky. [

] I have that theme song in my ipod! Hahahaha!

cakana

Posted : 1/19/2007 7:17:09 PM

Yeah, a place like in that movie would be very nice to train. My DH and his academy had to run up and down the 34 floors of the Wells Fargo building - TWICE!! The first time was with full gear on too. Yikes, I can't even imagine. The good news is that my DH wasn't a super athlete when he started the academy and struggled with the running, but with persistence and determination, he was able to make it thru. He's 43, so if he could do it, then I know you can too!! Training now, before it gets too warm, is a very wise idea.

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 1/19/2007 10:29:28 PM

these are two awesome goals. hopefully, you already run on a regular basis? i have never ran a marathon, but i have done the cycling equivalent (100+ mile rides).

for cycling, if you are comfortable with medium distance rides (50+ miles) then longer distances are easily doable. it isnt even necessary to do a 100 mile ride in training before the event.

i have done some running in the past. i use it mainly for cross training in the winter. for me running is very mind numbing, and once i build a base i can run (albeit slowly) almost indefinitely. water consumption is the hardest part (for me) when running.

i would find a couple of 5 or 10k running events and try them out before doing the marathon. no matter what i thought beforehand, cycling in an organized event is much different than going out riding with my buddies. i am sure running events would be similar.

i dont have any specific training tips for long distance hikes. i do think the stair climber idea is a good one.

good luck accomplishing your goals! [

]

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 1/21/2007 4:43:15 PM

Congrats on setting such an awesome goal. I compete in triathlons, and I run the occasional marathon as well. Just a little advice… Work up slowly & listen to what your body is telling you. Make sure that both of your events are at the minimum 3-4 months apart. You will be amazed at how long it takes your body to recover from a marathon! There are training groups in most cities that are very helpful with instituting a training regimen & finding a training buddy. (I take the dogs for a run, bike, or swim very regularly.) I am currently recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, & MCL repair, so no training for me currently [:'(] (except that I have fixed up the stationary bike so I can use it) [

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