Out of shape hikers unite!

azphotofx · Post by **azphotofx** » Dec 24 2002 5:10 am

Looking for other out of shape folks who want to hike and get in shape......Although I am 39 and look athletic, I have astma and tire easily....I want to work myself up to a higher level, but hate dragging others down. So, if you are a beginer, or out of shape and desire to go slow.....drop me a line and lets get organized. Don't be intimidated by others, if you enjoy hiking do it at the level that works for you....even if it is a mile!!! Adrienne

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Dec 24 2002 6:28 am

Good for you! You're absolutely right, everyone is not a power hiker and should not be put off by the great feats of masochism posted here by those who are!

Pellegrino · Post by **Pellegrino** » Dec 24 2002 8:01 am

Hey AZ,

What a wonderful wonderful suggestion! I'm so glad you brought this up after the last few topics around here I don't think I ever would have started hiking if I had read "What do you call hiking" due to the intimidation factor. The fact of the matter is it doesn't matter one iota how fast/far you hike. Another fact is that we live in one of the most awesome places in the world to start hiking. Plenty of beginner trails. Then, before you know it your scaling Flatiron. Not much to some, K2 to me.

While "sometimes" its fun to go with the hardcore group and challenge yourself in front of others, I much prefer to challenge myself with just myself. I really prefer to hike alone but don't think that's very smart yet, like you, hate holding people back. All I end up doing is holding myself back by belittling my abilities. I wouldn't want to do without the hardcore groups knowledge and experience but I wouldn't want their abilities to stop my desire to get out there and DO IT! Its just too beautiful out there not to go.

Some helpful hints I would suggest for beginners..........take water, water, water, clip your toe nails, get some good shoes either tennis type or hiking boots, get a hiking stick, log on here to pick a trail, go as early as possible to be able to take as long as you want, take a break when your tired, then continue on.

Kelly

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Dec 24 2002 8:45 am

Azscrapper wrote: Some helpful hints I would suggest for beginners..........take water, water, water, clip your toe nails, get some good shoes either tennis type or hiking boots, get a hiking stick, log on here to pick a trail, go as early as possible to be able to take as long as you want, take a break when your tired, then continue on.

Kelly

And be sure to take WATER. A couple of power bars are great to have along. The wild berry flavor is best, the others are disgusting. But they sure will perk you up when you're tired!
Around here, I think you'll end up a lot happier if you go with nice comfy boots.
And don't forget to take plenty of WATER!

Did I mention WATER?

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Dec 24 2002 10:10 am

Hi and welcome to the HAZ azphotofx. It is a great site and one with a vast wealth of knowledge and experience; although, we do get a bit extreme on occassions with certain subject matters. However, should you ever visit the Prescott area there are a couple of trails less than two miles that are great. Well, they are my favorites for short trails. The Lynx lake trail @ two miles, which basically goes around Lynx Lake, very calming, pretty much level. The other is the Lynx Creek Ruin trail @ a mile and a half round trip. It is a self guided trail describing the plants and a basic on the early native americans in the area. Hiking up to the ruins you will have about a 200 feet gain as the ruins rest on top of a small hill. Excellent view all around, nice, calming and a great trip for kids as well. Both trails are above the five thousand feet elevation and this time of year is cold. Especially now with our recent light snow. Both of these have a write up you can review on this sight.
I do like to hike by myself, but only because I like to hike by myself. But I would suggest partnering up with somebody and should you come up this way, let me know when and I'll see if I can partner up with you for these two trails.
In closing, azscrapper made good suggestions as well as the "wiz". Good luck and have fun with HAZ.
MERRY CHIRSTMAS TO ALL.

ellehcim · Post by **ellehcim** » Dec 24 2002 11:30 am

Some of the people here are a little extreme ;]

I moved here from Illinois just about 2 months ago and did very little exercise there. There are alot of trails here that are great for beginners. I myself average 1.5 - 2.5 miles per hour depending on the trail... Alot of people are in that range.

Since I am not into setting records, you are welcome to join me hiking. Oh and.... Carry ALOT of water... That cannot be said enough

in_d_edge · Post by **in_d_edge** » Dec 24 2002 2:30 pm

I'm happy to read your posts.
We are all learning every day and from one another.

I hike to discover and enjoy the outdoors. Getting in shape comes as a result of this. :GB:

Sign me up for your next adventure.
I have a tight schedule, but if I'm available I will definitelly join.

KH · Post by KH » Dec 24 2002 4:07 pm

I'd go.

morrisl · Post by **morrisl** » Dec 25 2002 6:42 pm

I just finished 6 months of chemotherapy and hiked thru most of it (and worked too unfortunately).I'd been pretty hard core prior to my cancer but have learned to slow down and smell the roses so to speak. Enjoy your chosen trail no matter what your level. You don't always have to get to the top. You night surprise yourself. I did a overnighter in Coyote Gulch in utah 5 days after my 2nd cycle of chemo. My doctor thought I was crazy, but a good friend and I did it and I didn't even get tired!! Being outside in the beauty was the best medicine for me. Now I do what I can until I get stronger. Camping out is great because I don't have any hair to wash!!!

Angela · Post by **Angela** » Dec 25 2002 8:22 pm

HI all!
I'm so glad that someone mentioned out of shape hikers! We primarily have desk jobs and don't get out there as much as we'd like to. We do our best to get excersize and watch what we eat alhough it is tough working 55 hours or more a week. We are leaving tomorrow morning for the Reavis Gap trail #117 for a few days. All of us are in our group are over 35! Yes. water. water. water is the key. Besides smart thinking to stay warm! (a little bit of chocolate also helps out big time!) I plan on doing this trail at my own pace and when I get to the top, then I made it on my own! Young thinking is a plus as none of us think that we are too old to do anything! p.s. I still get carded!

No matter how slow or tired you may think you may be, just being out there is the best reward! Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Dec 26 2002 5:58 am

morrisl wrote: Camping out is great because I don't have any hair to wash!!!

I think that should be on a positive-thinking poster - I don't think I've ever seen a better example of looking on the bright side! Morrisl, my friend, my scruffy hat is off to you.

Sande J · Post by **Sande J** » Dec 26 2002 8:43 am

Being a personal fitness trainer who helps many out of shape people get back on track I felt inclined to offer some input as well....let your body acclimate gradually to its 'new' activity. Set some small goals that are reasonable to acheive and you will work your way up without being too sore and stiff or worse yet (injured). Hiking is probably the best interval training I know and can be extremely diverse due to length, elevation and terrain....so stay low and under 4 miles round trip for starters. Cardio activity needs attention, you need to stay on a fairly disciplined regime to reap the benefits. In other words, if you don't use it, you lose it. Recovery is important too, I am a huge promoter of stretching and flexibility training...so adapt some type of stretching program to offset the workload effects of hiking. (yoga or pilates rock!) On longer treks I highly recommend sufficient fuel....always take enough to eat! Salty snacks (i.e. crackers, pretzels, peanut butter) replace valuable electrolytes...very important for keeping hydration levels stable.
HIKE ON! Physical activity is the key to balance in life

Sande J

Cakewalk · Post by **Cakewalk** » Dec 26 2002 5:08 pm

Welcome aboard and dont forget to take water!

shy · Post by **shy** » Dec 27 2002 9:23 am

The older I get the more important it is to do little things between my hikes. And I mean little things...like when I heat my tea in the microwave I lift up and down on my toes without touching my heel to the ground for the time it takes the water to heat. Don't laugh. Get a empty gallon jug, fill with water and sit it on a towel. Drag back and forth with sideways motion of your foot to develop ankle strength. Works to limit injury. Little thing make a difference for ANY hiker. Most of the "hard Core" hikers started somewhere, and also need to to things to keep themselves on some functional level.

desertgirl · Post by **desertgirl** » Dec 27 2002 12:02 pm

How about a moderate hike in mid-Jan....at a slower pace!

Do you folks have any trails you'd like to do ?

eric53 · Post by **eric53** » Feb 09 2003 12:06 pm

I'm 49 yrs old, and emerging from a prolonged period of indolence and overweight. When my bloodpressure went sky high, my doctor strongly suggested that I start exercising. Years ago, I used to go on hikes in the Santa Rita and Rincon mountains, and found the experience exhilirating. Now that I've shed 35 pounds (more to go!), and begun a regimen of moderate exercise, I'd like to include hiking as part of it. My long-term objective is to become fit enough to take on any trail. I realize this will take awhile, but I'm patient. I'd be interested in contacting others with similar objectives.

montezumawell · Post by **montezumawell** » Feb 09 2003 6:23 pm

What a wonderful post! Congratulations! It is heart-warming to read such words. Keep up the great work and don't ever give up! HIKE ON!

J&S

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » Feb 10 2003 1:33 pm

Out of shape hikers know their limits, the unprepared are the ones who get in trouble.

plummer150 · Post by **plummer150** » Feb 10 2003 3:04 pm

I might think I'm out of shape just because I haven't hiked in quite sometime, however, I'm not called the IRONMAN for no reason!

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Feb 10 2003 5:28 pm

Yeah, thats why I carry a heavy pack. I know that I travel slow, and if things take too long, I want to be prepared for a bivoac. So I always ask myself, if things go wrong, and then they get worse, could I survive the night out with minimal damage?

The originator of this thread mentioned the Santa Ritas....Back in the early/late? sixties, several Boy Scouts perished on the Wrightson summit trail. A storm rolled in, they didn't see it till too late, they were drenched, wind chilled, hypothermic and ultimately dead only about 4 1/2 miles from the traihead, less than an hour from downtown Tucson. It probably did not drop below 30 that day. It doesn't take 50 below. Forty degrees, wet and windy will do it. No Goretex, no Windblocker Fleece, no Polarguard HV, probably, not even wool....Cotton-the fabric of death-makes a great shroud. Once the wind starts the evaporative process, the extremities start to get cold, heat retreats in a vain attempt to keep the core alive, and the cognitive processes start to get fuzzy.

Knowing your limits, and being totally prepared for the worst, is good insurance. -R

Out of shape hikers unite!

Out of shape hikers unite!

Hiking

Out-of-shape hikers

Congratulations!

re:

outa shapers