“At first an ordeal and then an accomplishment, the daily run becomes a staple, like bread, or wine, a fine marriage, or air. It is also a free pass to friendship.”
~ Benjamin Cheever, Strides

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Rainier Training: In the Beginning

A couple of weeks ago, I found this in my inbox.
And, promptly had a moment of "Oh ****, I'm really doing this."  In the email, the RMI guide gives several gentle reminders about training to climb Mt. Rainier....summarized in one of the opening sentences "To effectively train for the mountains, strive to develop strong back, leg, and core muscles and simulate the terrain encountered during the climb.  This means climbing up and down steep slopes while carrying heavy packs in addition to using the gym."


So, my first goal was to acquire the necessary pack and boots for the climb in order to train with them pre-climb.
Boots - check!
Pack - check!
Gaiters and glasses bonus!
With my Dad's help, goal #1 is complete.  He even threw in some gators gaiters and glasses as a bonus.


Goal #2 - make sure the darn things fit!  HA!  After one return, success on that account as well.
I'm braced to climb the Mountain in ...my backyard?
Goal #3 - Get in good enough shape to truly begin hard-core training.  I need to get back under 200 lbs and then some. (that lofty weight achieved during pregnancy). 


To that end - I have started semi-easy three-a-days.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I start the day with a strength-training session with my trainer Adam.  In the late morning/early afternoon, I go on a 3-4 mile walk with my Mommy Milers group pushing Avery in the heavy stroller.  In the evenings, I do my scheduled run/mileage for NOBO.   In a few weeks when my contract ends with my trainer at the gym and I move to off-site training, this may change the schedule.  Nonetheless, I will also start posting training updates once a week to keep me honest.


Larger goals:
1) Lose 65 lbs before the climb.  This will require me to lose the lingering baby fat plus 30 pounds of the excess I was carrying pre-pregnancy
2) Run Knoxville Half Marathon on April 1st in sub-2:30, which would be a PR.
3) Gradual diet change to exclude refined sugars and incorporate more whole grains and veggies.


Do step-ups on the dog count?
Another new goal that's recently come into the picture - Relay Around Columbus.  My friends and I are putting a 6-person team together for this 107 mile race - how cool is that?


Now to begin training...and to read "Into Thin Air," because why not psyche yourself out a bit???  I will leave you with one last sexy picture...
Climbing boot strip-tease!
Have you ever climbed a mountain???

What's the biggest training goal you've ever set for yourself?



Anyone want to do hill workouts with me?  LOL!

11 comments:

  1. I think that's an awesome goal!! Scott and I hike some 4,000 footers in the White Mountains of NH - not sure how high Rainier is? Just think of how you'll feel when you OWN that mountain. I'm excited for you!!!!

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  2. Lisa - That's awesome! I wish I had some mountains like that nearby! The official measurement of Mt. Rainier is 14,410 ft. above sea level - according to their website. YIKES!

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  3. Ha! That is a sexy picture if I ever saw one! I am excited for you, and I think your goals are fantastic. I can't wait to follow your progress!!

    My largest training goal is running the Goofy - and you can see how well THAT is going!

    I would love to climb a mountain someday and I hope to! You would be my inspiration and source of wisdom for that!!

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  4. I'm so excited for you, Mandy! :) I will totally do hill workouts with you! I've never climbed a mountain...I'll live vicariously through you right now. My big dream (someday) would be to do an Ironman. I don't know if that could ever be a reality, but...defintely a marathon in 2013. What are gators??

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  5. Sara - The Goofy is a huge goal!

    Amy - Ironman's sound tough!!! I'm in on the marathon goal!

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  6. Gaiters (It might help if I spelled it correctly) loop onto your boot and over your pants - it's essentially a water shield for your feet. It keeps snow, ice and water from seeping through the laces onto the feet. I think I should do my winter training runs in them! HA! :D

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  7. Wow! You go girl! That is a huge and very neat goal!!!!

    Come run the Louisville half marathon in April this coming year too! : )

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  8. A mountain? Awesome! What made you interested in that? I wish you all the success - sounds like an awesome challenge!! Can't wait to hear more.

    Did you really just say its 107 miles for RAC? What the f are we thinking? I think that's 18 miles each of us.......we can totally do it! I am excited to be a part of your team!! You'll lead us well.

    Love the pictures!

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  9. Laurie - My Dad attempted it a couple of summers ago...and my brother summitted last summer. The pictures from the summit were AMAZING.

    And your 107 miles comment made me giggle!

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  10. Ha! Obviously, I haven't done this before. The main reason for Gaitors as stated on my climb guide's site: This will protect you from catching your crampons on loose clothing.

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  11. That's awesome and I LOVE the pictures!! xo

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