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!