Duct Tape and Jewelry

The trepidation is back. 

I think that’s why I’ve had pizza, nachos, chocolate and Chipotle for the past four days. 

Side Note: I wrote this blog entry two weeks ago. But posting it, got lost in my To Do list:(

Moving on...
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Part of me says, you’re in good shape and everything will be fine. Stop stressing and get excited about this adventure. The other part of me says you’re less than 30 days out, last week’s 33-mile bike ride was more difficult than it should have been, and I’m crazy for signing up for this hike.

So… I had some nachos. And maybe a hard cider or two.

Last Side Note: I'm now less than three weeks out. Aaaagh!

But I got back on track yesterday. Did the stairs at the gym to the tune of the Hamilton soundtrack and got a good sweat on.  Yes, I'm the gal at LA Fitness doing the Stairmaster in hiking boots while dancing. Don't judge me. It felt right.

That’s all it takes sometimes. A reminder of how good I feel, post-workout. Plus, I had the Hamilton soundtrack? 

​Hello.

​AMAZING.

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The good folks at Wildland Trekking suggest starting out with hour-long hikes, three days per week, with a light day pack. Working up to 6-8 hour hikes with heavy weights. And lots of stairs. Up and down (the ‘negative’ training builds strength as well) with heavy weights.
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I haven’t tackled an 8-hour hike yet. And as challenging as the stairs at the Hollywood Bowl were, I did them sans weights. So I’m going hard, these next few weeks.

My friend Deb, the wonderful jewelry designer behind Twisted Silver, did the Rim2Rim in a single day. She cautioned me to begin hydrating several days in advance, pack duct tape and moleskin for imminent blisters and choose trail mix over candy for an energy boost. 

Got it.

I'll pack the Hamilton soundtrack, as well.

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