I have several hiking/backpacking items already in my arsenal of items I'm thinking about bringing - which includes a really nice womens Osprey Atmos 50 backpack.
Until today - Everything has just been NUMBERS IN MY HEAD and WORDS FROM MY MOUTH.
I decided I needed to go see what I was made of because If I can't hack it in this flat terrain. . .I'm going to just die out there in the Mojave desert. . . Granted out west it is a different kind of heat - I just figured I would throw myself out into the worst conditions possible here in Florida and see how I do. . . .
Well. . .
Its a start.
12pm/August/Florida/ 91 degrees with 104 heat index/ No shade/ 8 miles.
This was the goal.
I started out pretty great!! - Loaded my pack up with exactly 20 lbs. . . of jeans and water. I put jeans in there because I haven't gotten my tent or sleeping bag or sleeping pad yet. I just wanted to see what 20 lbs feels like. Man that water is heavy - - and it was only a tiny camelbak bladder. Not EVEN NEAR the 4 litres I plan to lug through the desert where there are 30 mile stretches between water sources.. . .
Down the road I went - warming up but feeling strong!
The road stretched out ahead of me dusty and hot. There was no shade along this path other than the occasional blissful cloud to pass over the sun. Its funny, when I'm out west the idea of NOT A CLOUD IN THE SKY, is FANTASTIC!!!!!- Here in Florida it is MURDER.
My pack weight was evenly distributed along my back and hips, I was sipping water and listening to music. 4 miles roll around and its time for me to turn back!! YAY!!!
- I pulled off the trail for a moment to stand in the shade of a tree. By this time I am full on boiling- even feeling slightly nauseated because of the heat- and my lack of fitness the past few months.
One thing I always try to do is finish the distance I set out for-- just FINISH IT. If I were running, I would crawl home if I had to -but I HAD TO FINISH. . . . Today was not that way.
-at mile 5.76 with only a little ways back to the house and my glorious pool - I called Matt and asked him to come get me!~!
OHHHH am I such a WIMP!!! But I knew I went as far as I could go in this no shade 104 heat index August day!
Matty came and got me down the road and took me home as I was overheating and tallying all the changes I was going to make.
-There really is no better PREPPING for this hiking and backpacking thing other than getting out there and just doing it- making mistakes -- learning what works and what doesn't.
Upon arriving home from what I will call the Hot Jeans Incident, I literally dove into the pool with my dogs staring at me like a crazed overheating beast!
I drank plenty water along the way -but was no where near finishing my camelbak bladder- this makes me feel good about my hourly water consumption. As I was on task for my goal of 3 miles per hour. I will definitely change my attire. Though the drifit Nike capris were very comfy and have gotten me through many half marathons and 5k road races--- I need shorts.
Also better sunblock -and to REALLY scrutinize what I will bring on this adventure. . . . I know very well now what an added 20 lbs feels like and its hard going.
- Even though I didn't finish my goal of 8 miles today - tomorrow I will go out earlier in the day and try to see what I can do. This is my baseline in the worst heat Florida can hit me with.
Even when I got home- I still felt strong bodied - just a little crazed and over heating. I probably could have gone the full 8 miles but I learned what I came to learn. -- and that is packweight REALLY REALLY matters- also getting up early to hike.
If I can condition myself to handle this heat- I think I can handle Southern California alright- even if its dry heat - at least my body will be trained to go 20 miles a day.
I will let you know how it goes!! Tomorrow 6 mile aim.
Earlier start.
Until today - Everything has just been NUMBERS IN MY HEAD and WORDS FROM MY MOUTH.
I decided I needed to go see what I was made of because If I can't hack it in this flat terrain. . .I'm going to just die out there in the Mojave desert. . . Granted out west it is a different kind of heat - I just figured I would throw myself out into the worst conditions possible here in Florida and see how I do. . . .
Well. . .
Its a start.
12pm/August/Florida/ 91 degrees with 104 heat index/ No shade/ 8 miles.
This was the goal.
Down the road I went - warming up but feeling strong!
My pack weight was evenly distributed along my back and hips, I was sipping water and listening to music. 4 miles roll around and its time for me to turn back!! YAY!!!
- I pulled off the trail for a moment to stand in the shade of a tree. By this time I am full on boiling- even feeling slightly nauseated because of the heat- and my lack of fitness the past few months.
One thing I always try to do is finish the distance I set out for-- just FINISH IT. If I were running, I would crawl home if I had to -but I HAD TO FINISH. . . . Today was not that way.
-at mile 5.76 with only a little ways back to the house and my glorious pool - I called Matt and asked him to come get me!~!
OHHHH am I such a WIMP!!! But I knew I went as far as I could go in this no shade 104 heat index August day!
Matty came and got me down the road and took me home as I was overheating and tallying all the changes I was going to make.
-There really is no better PREPPING for this hiking and backpacking thing other than getting out there and just doing it- making mistakes -- learning what works and what doesn't.
I drank plenty water along the way -but was no where near finishing my camelbak bladder- this makes me feel good about my hourly water consumption. As I was on task for my goal of 3 miles per hour. I will definitely change my attire. Though the drifit Nike capris were very comfy and have gotten me through many half marathons and 5k road races--- I need shorts.
Also better sunblock -and to REALLY scrutinize what I will bring on this adventure. . . . I know very well now what an added 20 lbs feels like and its hard going.
- Even though I didn't finish my goal of 8 miles today - tomorrow I will go out earlier in the day and try to see what I can do. This is my baseline in the worst heat Florida can hit me with.
Even when I got home- I still felt strong bodied - just a little crazed and over heating. I probably could have gone the full 8 miles but I learned what I came to learn. -- and that is packweight REALLY REALLY matters- also getting up early to hike.
If I can condition myself to handle this heat- I think I can handle Southern California alright- even if its dry heat - at least my body will be trained to go 20 miles a day.
I will let you know how it goes!! Tomorrow 6 mile aim.
Earlier start.
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