Wasn't sure if I should put this in the Backcountry thread or here but felt is fit better here.
In my original thread about a backpack for inbound skinning:
https://www.pugski.com/threads/small-backpack-for-skinning-inbounds.16517/
There was a drift on the physical aspects of it and getting in shape for the event I’m going to do. I thought it would be better to pull it from the original and give it its own thread.
This was my post from that thread that started the drift.
“I started doing some rough math in my head last week on how long this is going to take based on reply posts in this thread and what type of shape I need to be in. Holy Sh!t!!! I have grossly underestimated the event and overestimated my abilities to "suck it up buttercup". In my naive little brain, as long as I did a cardio workout almost daily for about 30-45 minutes and lifted weights twice a week, add in eating better and always choosing the healthier way (stairs not elevator etc.), I should be fine. That and I keep forgetting I've been retired from the Marines for over 20 years and can't just suck it up, take some vitamin M (Motrin) and move on. WRONG!
If I don't stop moving the day I go to do this, except to pee and take a 30 minute lunch break, I'm looking at a 6-7 hour workout! Friday, I upped my workout to an hour of hard (for me) cardio keeping the HR between 130 and 140. Towards the end of the hour on the rower (30 bike, then 30 rower) I do a sprint for one minute and watch my recovery rate (so far so good). I also added in all types of lunges and do weighted leg pulls (same motion as skinning up) to build up my hips. Twice a week I'm lifting for a full hour. Each day I do some sort of yoga.
At the end of October I'm planning on the cardio to be at 2 hours and be able to do a two-minute sprint. I think as long as I hold that and every now and again do a three hour stretch, I'll be OK. The day of the event isn't a race so I can pace myself.
Well, at least I should end up in pretty good shape.
I can't believe how far off I was.”
@Promoz replied :
“I wouldn't count much on weight training to help with this. Running on other side would do tremendous help. No idea how much into running you are, but let's assume you can run normally. Hour of running, several days a week, would be pretty much enough to be in good enough shape. I wouldn't worry about adding interval training into this, as you won't be racing anyway, so just normal Z2 (65-83% of max HR) trail run will do just fine. Now if running is not your thing, and you were never doing it (much), going for 1h run pretty much mission impossible. Then I'm not really sure what would help
PS: If you manage to move a bit faster through transitions (I'm always slow in that and hardly ever make it under 10min, unless I really hurry, but I try not to, as normally it's super nice to be on top of mountain enjoying time alone there
) I still think you are more into 4-5h max then 6-7
”
My response is -
I agree on the weight training part but I’m leaving it in as part of my need to get healthier. My life needs weight/strength training in it and there are plenty of side benefits; better balance, bone strength and I think tendon and/or ligaments become healthier as well.
I used to be an avid runner when in the Marines. Long distance was my thing. After my first ACL surgery, I found that even after only running ¼ mile, my knee would swell; not hurt, just swell. This is even after getting in pretty good shape and it being a few years after the surgery. I’m considering giving it another try, but no until after I drop some weight. I want to give my knees the best chance for success.
Thanks for the thoughts on the transitions. That is something I can practice at home in my yard. I’m planning on practicing kick turns there as well.
@ LiquidFeet wrote:
“@L&AirC, you are training for a marathon on snow. Have you considered looking at marathon training strategies?”
My response is –
This is brilliant! I had always been an endurance athlete so some things I just think of in those terms, but it would be good for me to sit down and come up with a planned-out schedule. Plus, I haven’t done anything like this in over 20 years so getting new data and strategies would be good.
@cantunamunch wrote:
“I'm not going to advise you about workout specifics since I believe discipline is the biggest hurdle and you have that. Something that might help with the mental game in the long run tho: https://www.amazon.com/Brave-Athlete-Calm-Down-Occasion/dp/1937715736”
My response is –
It’s on my audible purchase list. I scanned what the book is about and if nothing else, it seems like it would help with coaching and since I tend to self-coach… Fairly mixed reviews though.
Though it might have come off that way in my “Holy Sh!t!!” post, I’m not anxious about it. More excited than anything. It’s actually motivated me to train harder, more often and for longer. Not do anything crazy like go to light beer, but I’m taking it way more serious.
@jmeb wrote:
“This probably goes without saying -- but the best training for skinning is skinning. The next best things are endurance cardio workouts where you increase your aerobic fitness. Like @Primoz says -- longer, less intense workouts. Trail running is great. Running, biking, even two straight hours watching a movie on an elliptical. No need to go for interval or anaerobic training unless you're looking to really push your speed.
If you can, I'd dedicate time beforehand to a steady build-up of skinning laps. Start with just 1 or maybe 2 laps. Then add a lap each time. If you get to a place where you can do 4,000ft without much issue, you'll be able to push it to 6,000' when you really want it.”
My response is –
Agreed. We’re still a couple months from having enough snow to do that though. I have reconstructed my work out currently to be more of the long and steady and trying to stay above 130 but below 150. From what I’ve read, even though I’ll be out of my fat burn zone, I’ll still burn more fat here because even though I’ll be burning a lower percentage of fat, I’ll be burning more total calories so it ends up being more total fat.
As with most folks my biggest challenges is not letting work or life encroach on the time I need to workout. At least my wife is understanding on me being a little selfish right now.
Ken
In my original thread about a backpack for inbound skinning:
https://www.pugski.com/threads/small-backpack-for-skinning-inbounds.16517/
There was a drift on the physical aspects of it and getting in shape for the event I’m going to do. I thought it would be better to pull it from the original and give it its own thread.
This was my post from that thread that started the drift.
“I started doing some rough math in my head last week on how long this is going to take based on reply posts in this thread and what type of shape I need to be in. Holy Sh!t!!! I have grossly underestimated the event and overestimated my abilities to "suck it up buttercup". In my naive little brain, as long as I did a cardio workout almost daily for about 30-45 minutes and lifted weights twice a week, add in eating better and always choosing the healthier way (stairs not elevator etc.), I should be fine. That and I keep forgetting I've been retired from the Marines for over 20 years and can't just suck it up, take some vitamin M (Motrin) and move on. WRONG!
If I don't stop moving the day I go to do this, except to pee and take a 30 minute lunch break, I'm looking at a 6-7 hour workout! Friday, I upped my workout to an hour of hard (for me) cardio keeping the HR between 130 and 140. Towards the end of the hour on the rower (30 bike, then 30 rower) I do a sprint for one minute and watch my recovery rate (so far so good). I also added in all types of lunges and do weighted leg pulls (same motion as skinning up) to build up my hips. Twice a week I'm lifting for a full hour. Each day I do some sort of yoga.
At the end of October I'm planning on the cardio to be at 2 hours and be able to do a two-minute sprint. I think as long as I hold that and every now and again do a three hour stretch, I'll be OK. The day of the event isn't a race so I can pace myself.
Well, at least I should end up in pretty good shape.
I can't believe how far off I was.”
@Promoz replied :
“I wouldn't count much on weight training to help with this. Running on other side would do tremendous help. No idea how much into running you are, but let's assume you can run normally. Hour of running, several days a week, would be pretty much enough to be in good enough shape. I wouldn't worry about adding interval training into this, as you won't be racing anyway, so just normal Z2 (65-83% of max HR) trail run will do just fine. Now if running is not your thing, and you were never doing it (much), going for 1h run pretty much mission impossible. Then I'm not really sure what would help
PS: If you manage to move a bit faster through transitions (I'm always slow in that and hardly ever make it under 10min, unless I really hurry, but I try not to, as normally it's super nice to be on top of mountain enjoying time alone there
My response is -
I agree on the weight training part but I’m leaving it in as part of my need to get healthier. My life needs weight/strength training in it and there are plenty of side benefits; better balance, bone strength and I think tendon and/or ligaments become healthier as well.
I used to be an avid runner when in the Marines. Long distance was my thing. After my first ACL surgery, I found that even after only running ¼ mile, my knee would swell; not hurt, just swell. This is even after getting in pretty good shape and it being a few years after the surgery. I’m considering giving it another try, but no until after I drop some weight. I want to give my knees the best chance for success.
Thanks for the thoughts on the transitions. That is something I can practice at home in my yard. I’m planning on practicing kick turns there as well.
@ LiquidFeet wrote:
“@L&AirC, you are training for a marathon on snow. Have you considered looking at marathon training strategies?”
My response is –
This is brilliant! I had always been an endurance athlete so some things I just think of in those terms, but it would be good for me to sit down and come up with a planned-out schedule. Plus, I haven’t done anything like this in over 20 years so getting new data and strategies would be good.
@cantunamunch wrote:
“I'm not going to advise you about workout specifics since I believe discipline is the biggest hurdle and you have that. Something that might help with the mental game in the long run tho: https://www.amazon.com/Brave-Athlete-Calm-Down-Occasion/dp/1937715736”
My response is –
It’s on my audible purchase list. I scanned what the book is about and if nothing else, it seems like it would help with coaching and since I tend to self-coach… Fairly mixed reviews though.
Though it might have come off that way in my “Holy Sh!t!!” post, I’m not anxious about it. More excited than anything. It’s actually motivated me to train harder, more often and for longer. Not do anything crazy like go to light beer, but I’m taking it way more serious.
@jmeb wrote:
“This probably goes without saying -- but the best training for skinning is skinning. The next best things are endurance cardio workouts where you increase your aerobic fitness. Like @Primoz says -- longer, less intense workouts. Trail running is great. Running, biking, even two straight hours watching a movie on an elliptical. No need to go for interval or anaerobic training unless you're looking to really push your speed.
If you can, I'd dedicate time beforehand to a steady build-up of skinning laps. Start with just 1 or maybe 2 laps. Then add a lap each time. If you get to a place where you can do 4,000ft without much issue, you'll be able to push it to 6,000' when you really want it.”
My response is –
Agreed. We’re still a couple months from having enough snow to do that though. I have reconstructed my work out currently to be more of the long and steady and trying to stay above 130 but below 150. From what I’ve read, even though I’ll be out of my fat burn zone, I’ll still burn more fat here because even though I’ll be burning a lower percentage of fat, I’ll be burning more total calories so it ends up being more total fat.
As with most folks my biggest challenges is not letting work or life encroach on the time I need to workout. At least my wife is understanding on me being a little selfish right now.
Ken