Training or rather NOT training

How to train for an approximate 350 mile trek through the Scottish Highlands.  

First the trekker needs to begin with daily local walks around TOTALLY FLAT Stevens Point wearing the socks and boots that will be worn for the Real Thing.

Use trekking poles always to help disperse the impact on hips, knees, ankles, keep the momentum going forward, and Never get Fat Sausage fingers 😀

Gradually add weight to a normal book bag size backpack.  Art History was my choice of lugging around material.  Once the book bulk and weight reached the limit of that backpack the items were transferred to a full size/luggage size pack with a waist belt (helps take weight off the shoulders).  

Keep walking. 

Training for this trek was thrown off kilter due to first deep snow and ice covered sidewalks.  

Then getting sick with some sort of something that was diagnosed as bronchitis/pneumonia but for insurance purposes was listed as - a cough.  3 weeks of none activity feeling totally worn out - coughing, coughing.   

Then a wonderful 2+ weeks in Philadelphia for the birth of my newest grandson - Lorenzo.  Great experience, but forget serious training walks.  

This hiker is now on the final weeks to preparing.  The Art History is now up to 30 pounds.  Feels HEAVY!

Definitely need to get much added distance into the daily walk, as so far, the mileage is far below what will soon be a daily endeavor.  

Definitely up and down walks on hilly terrain.  Rib Mountain needs to be visited by these feet!

My distance, off road on uneven trails, and Hills, are far behind where I would like to be at for this close to the Walk, especially compared to what went into training on the previous 3 long distance treks.  

Plan to focus on this ‘late-in-the-game’ training for next 2 weeks.  

Scotland is fast approaching on Lois’ calendar!

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