WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Results 1 to 18 of 18
  1. #1
    Start date: March 13, 2012 Stats 2012's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-13-2011
    Location
    Newtown, PA
    Age
    55
    Posts
    92

    Default Any other 2012-ers hurting right now?

    I've been prepping for my 2012 thru for two years now. Until three months ago I was feeling great and growing stronger. Now everything is hurting. Feet, knees, hips, shoulders, ear lobes. I haven't done anything different or crazy.

    I'll continue to work through it, but was wondering if anyone else has experienced any such setbacks? (No fair for you current thru-hikers chiming in. )
    http://atstats.blogspot.com

    "There are many ways to hike the Trail. Your way will be best.” -- Carolyn Cunningham

  2. #2
    Registered User Storm's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-27-2009
    Location
    Massillon, Oh
    Age
    77
    Posts
    1,022
    Images
    123

    Default

    I was really doing great, had been training for a couple years also, walked over 1200 miles last year. Then in November I started to have back issues. After several tests, xray, mri, found that I had four deteriating discs and one herniated disc in my lower back. Went to therapy for 2 months with little or no relief. Then had two sets of epidural injections in my back. They didn't cure it but gave me enough relief that I could get back to normal activities. Over the winter I gained over 20 pounds and lost a lot of the strength I had gained. For an old guy it isn't easy to start over but I pushed through it. I have shed some of the weight and one day this past week walked for over ten miles with a pack. (only 15 lbs). I am still planning to be ready by April. My only hope is that I don't further injure my back so I am taking it slow and steady.
    "The difficult can be done immediately, the impossible takes a little longer"

  3. #3
    CDT - 2013, PCT - 2009, AT - 1300 miles done burger's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-03-2005
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,437

    Default

    Um, do you have Lyme disease?

  4. #4
    the dreamer stars in her eyes's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-24-2011
    Location
    wherever my pack lies
    Posts
    70
    Images
    8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stats on the AT View Post
    I've been prepping for my 2012 thru for two years now. Until three months ago I was feeling great and growing stronger. Now everything is hurting. Feet, knees, hips, shoulders, ear lobes. I haven't done anything different or crazy.

    I'll continue to work through it, but was wondering if anyone else has experienced any such setbacks? (No fair for you current thru-hikers chiming in. )
    Have you been tested for Lymes recently?

    Ah, just noticed someone else posted the same thing. Seriously though -- get thee to a doctor, stat.

  5. #5
    Flip flop, flip flopping' LASHin' 2000 miler
    Join Date
    12-18-2010
    Location
    Northern Michigan
    Age
    69
    Posts
    1,175
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    42

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by stars in her eyes View Post
    get thee to a doctor, stat.
    I gotta concur.
    L Dog
    AT 2000 Miler
    The Laughing Dog Blog
    https://lighterpack.com/r/38fgjt
    "The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir

  6. #6
    Start date: March 13, 2012 Stats 2012's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-13-2011
    Location
    Newtown, PA
    Age
    55
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Thanks for your concern and advice, but I'm pretty sure it's not Lyme. I'm not fatigued; no headaches, no fever, no chills, no stiff neck, no rash, no swollen glands. Just aching knees, sore feet, and stiff hips. I was joking about the ear lobes.

    I think I'm just over-doing it and was wondering if others were experiencing similar setbacks. I'll discuss it with my doc, nonetheless. Thanks!
    http://atstats.blogspot.com

    "There are many ways to hike the Trail. Your way will be best.” -- Carolyn Cunningham

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-29-2008
    Location
    West Palm Beach, Florida
    Age
    69
    Posts
    3,605

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stats on the AT View Post
    Just aching knees, sore feet, and stiff hips. I was joking about the ear lobes.
    I'm gonna ask that rude question a polite person would avoid asking. Are you in a "healthy" weight range for hiking?
    The trouble I have with campfires are the folks that carry a bottle in one hand and a Bible in the other.
    You never know which one is talking.

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-02-2009
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Age
    35
    Posts
    5

    Default

    The hardest part of a training regimen is rest. Everyone can go out and train and train and train, but to know how much you need to rest is the key to getting stronger. During the rest periods is when you get stronger. The training tears the muscles apart and then they are repaired and come back more robust after rest.

    You probably just need to take a little time off because you are overtrained, and then ease back into hiking again. You can also try some cross-training like swimming which is totally non-impact to increase your cardio.

  9. #9
    Registered User R00K's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-27-2011
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Posts
    32

    Default

    I started about two years ago also, since then I injured a tendon in my foot, reactivated my osgood-schlatter in my knees, injured my knee, and I think that's about it. What did I learn? Good hiking shoes/boots are absolutely crucial, and I have to suck it up and always pack knee supports of some kind (usually fine with lightweight stabalizers) on every trip. I also learned that backpacking is hard on the body and things are gonna strain, even if you know what you're doing - people trip up, pull something.

    To me a thu-hike is about getting from point A to point B and really finishing something you start.

    And now I think it might be more rewarding for the challanges you overcome than the scenic overlooks in the end.

  10. #10
    Registered User R00K's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-27-2011
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Posts
    32

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by R00K View Post
    To me a thu-hike is about getting from point A to point B and really finishing something you start.
    Oh - I almost forgot - see you out there!

  11. #11

    Default

    What's your basic workout regimen?

    Maybe you should do something different. Someone mentioned over-doing it. I know that problem since I have a tendency to over-do it. I've found that when I do that it's best to switch to something else for a while and take it easy. Whatever you do, don't STOP, just switch it up a little and take it easy.

    Also I wouldn't worry so much about building cardio capacity, that is one aspect of your fitness that really is easy to build up during your hike. What isn't easy to build as you go is your skeletal system, especially the joints/tendons/legiments. That's why weight training is such a good thing. But also things like skipping rope...which will also build cardio, but that's just a consolation prize, it's all about the skeletal system.

  12. #12

    Default

    Don't forget to rest. If all you do is work yourself hard, you won't have the recovery part of working out. It's during recovery that you get stronger. Ease up on yourself, too. Some folks say that slow workouts can do even more for you than hard ones.
    Some knew me as Piper, others as just Diane.
    I hiked the PCT: Mexico to Mt. Shasta, 2008. Santa Barbara to Canada, 2009.

  13. #13
    Start date: March 13, 2012 Stats 2012's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-13-2011
    Location
    Newtown, PA
    Age
    55
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WingedMonkey View Post
    I'm gonna ask that rude question a polite person would avoid asking. Are you in a "healthy" weight range for hiking?
    Yes, I think so. In the past two years I've lost 60 pounds to get ready for my thru. I'm 190 lbs at 6' 0". The plan is to lose another 15 before March 13. Good question.
    http://atstats.blogspot.com

    "There are many ways to hike the Trail. Your way will be best.” -- Carolyn Cunningham

  14. #14
    Start date: March 13, 2012 Stats 2012's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-13-2011
    Location
    Newtown, PA
    Age
    55
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bikerhiker10 View Post
    The hardest part of a training regimen is rest. Everyone can go out and train and train and train, but to know how much you need to rest is the key to getting stronger. During the rest periods is when you get stronger. The training tears the muscles apart and then they are repaired and come back more robust after rest.

    You probably just need to take a little time off because you are overtrained, and then ease back into hiking again. You can also try some cross-training like swimming which is totally non-impact to increase your cardio.
    Yes, usually when I feel the strain of working out I take a day "off" and swim a couple miles. It has been very recuperative for me, but I am away from a pool this summer and I miss it.

    I'm not sure I'm overtraining. If anything, I seem to not want to push myself as much and I find my workouts are not as rigourous. While I am accustomed to working out every day, I've taken some days off and seem to feel better during my workouts.

    Thanks!
    http://atstats.blogspot.com

    "There are many ways to hike the Trail. Your way will be best.” -- Carolyn Cunningham

  15. #15
    Start date: March 13, 2012 Stats 2012's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-13-2011
    Location
    Newtown, PA
    Age
    55
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by R00K View Post
    I started about two years ago also, since then I injured a tendon in my foot, reactivated my osgood-schlatter in my knees, injured my knee, and I think that's about it. What did I learn? Good hiking shoes/boots are absolutely crucial, and I have to suck it up and always pack knee supports of some kind (usually fine with lightweight stabalizers) on every trip. I also learned that backpacking is hard on the body and things are gonna strain, even if you know what you're doing - people trip up, pull something.

    To me a thu-hike is about getting from point A to point B and really finishing something you start.

    And now I think it might be more rewarding for the challanges you overcome than the scenic overlooks in the end.
    I'm in the same boat. I love hiking, but it has always been hard work for me. Exhilarating, but difficult. I see some on the trail who hardly seem to notice the 3000' climb I'm on, and wonder if they are hurting, too or just to macho to show it.

    I find that I am drawn to what's just around the next bend or the next peak. I am definately out there for the scenery and adventure of it all.

    See you there, too! When will you hit the trail?
    http://atstats.blogspot.com

    "There are many ways to hike the Trail. Your way will be best.” -- Carolyn Cunningham

  16. #16
    AT 4000+, LT, FHT, ALT Blissful's Avatar
    Join Date
    07-14-2005
    Location
    Virginia, 10 miles from the AT near SNP
    Age
    61
    Posts
    10,470
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    171

    Default

    Best workout is to get out and hike every day. Which you will do soon enough on the trail.

    The first day going to Springer in '07 I had a thigh go out and a bad foot.

    I made it.

    You will too







    Hiking Blog
    AT NOBO and SOBO, LT, FHT, ALT
    Shenandoah NP Ridgerunner, Author, Speaker


  17. #17
    Start date: March 13, 2012 Stats 2012's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-13-2011
    Location
    Newtown, PA
    Age
    55
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by john gault View Post
    What's your basic workout regimen?
    For the past two years I've worked out every morning for two hours. My regimen has changed as I've lost weight and my departure date nears, but typically I'm on a cross-country trainer for an hour, inclined treadmill for an hour, swim for an hour, and lift weights for 1.5 hours. I mix up the above, usually doing two each day. (I've been doing less swimming as the hike nears.) I end each workout with stretching, but often it's never enough.

    The only thing I can't do is the real jarring stuff like running, jumping rope, basketball, tennis, etc. My knees can't take the impulse pounding. I am most concerned about my knees on the Trail. Two surgeries, arthritis, no cartlidge. It is likely to be my last hurrah before knee replacement surgery. I hope they hold out.
    http://atstats.blogspot.com

    "There are many ways to hike the Trail. Your way will be best.” -- Carolyn Cunningham

  18. #18
    Start date: March 13, 2012 Stats 2012's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-13-2011
    Location
    Newtown, PA
    Age
    55
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Blissful View Post
    Best workout is to get out and hike every day. Which you will do soon enough on the trail.

    The first day going to Springer in '07 I had a thigh go out and a bad foot.

    I made it.

    You will too
    Blissful, I really appreciate your words. The last two simple lines were quite powerful for me to read. Thanks!
    http://atstats.blogspot.com

    "There are many ways to hike the Trail. Your way will be best.” -- Carolyn Cunningham

++ New Posts ++

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •