Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Get Stronger or Weaker as Trip Progresses?
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OBX2Kayak |
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TomT |
One of these years I want to do a trip with no trip planning, just an entry point. And then just do what I want to do for each day. This is a damn good idea. But tonight, I leave for Ely and have a kick butt itinerary to conquer. :) Here's to little wind, no bears, and lots of fish. Cheers. |
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bhouse46 |
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TomT |
But, there have been trips in the past where I'm just dragging the last 2 days and swear I'll never solo again. Any thoughts? |
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housty9 |
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NotSoFast |
quote bhouse46: " The recovery and overall getting stronger is reducing as I age. Just go slow and steady is my motto now. " Agreed. I think most middle-aged paddlers would wear down with day after day of continuous paddling and portaging. Even young, fit athletes follow training programs that rotate hard days, easy days, and rest days. |
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LindenTree3 |
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mastertangler |
I find pre trip training is the difference between a trip feeling like torture and having a good time. My motto is "do something every day"..........wether that something is biking, rowing machine or a workout video is effected by how much time I have. But even 20 minutes will add up over time. I have always gotten stronger as a trip goes on but last trip I noticed some tanking going on after 3 big days. ......on that 3rd big day at 5 p.m. I was like "wow, I'm smoked". Here's the deal.......you need to stay hydrated, period. And that means lots of water. And that can mean a bit of hassle if you don't have the right stuff. Stopping to pump water is a pain in the posterior and it's easy to put it off. I have a UV light water purifier that gives me 750 ml of water in 60 seconds, anytime I want it. Secondly, you need protein. That means fish or beans etc. stuff you have to cook. No good because it's to easy to blow off. I like the protein powder approach......vanilla flavored. Yummy and your muscles like it. And lastly is a really good nights sleep. I put a big emphasis on this and am sure that I am very comfortable. I depend on this to bounce back. |
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TomT |
quote mastertangler: " I'm doing something different for this trip. I bungee dealied a lexan sierra coffee mug to a thwart with a carabiner for a quick release. On travel days I will carry 1 liter of water for the portages but on the lakes I'll just dip and drink out in the middle and do it often. I use a steripen so can purify the 1 liter as I go. I get bad cramps and headaches if I don't drink enough. Also bringing the electrolyte replacement called "Nunn". Tastes like crap though. I'm usually way too gung ho on the first day. Gonna see if I can't turn the throttle down a little this time. I need a governor. |
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nctry |
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MacCamper |
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boonie |
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Alan Gage |
Just got back a couple days ago from a 42 day solo and while the trip wasn't as physically tough I still felt stronger as time went on. A lot stronger than when I started. I could paddle harder for longer and my cardio was greatly improved, was was leg strength. I generally don't take rest days unless forced to by the weather, which happened way too often on this last trip. But if the weather is good I'll paddle hard for 2 weeks and love it. To give myself a little break I might knock off early (4:00) or start late (10:00) but days off generally have me feeling antsy. I don't work out but I do enjoy paddling so I'm usually on the water a couple times/week as soon as the ice is gone and I like to walk too so it's not like I'm jumping from a sedentary life into hard physical activity. I'm in decent shape to start with so it's not a shock to the system. Alan |
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gkimball |
In recent years I have been doing 2-3 solo trips per year that are typically 5 nights/ 6 days using the following "model:" travel hard the first day followed by a base camp with day trips of variable challenge and one quiet day, work hard the last day coming out or if the route allows I may break the trip back out into 2 days. Even though I have been working at lightening packs I usually triple portage which adds significantly to the work. At age 65 I must be much more diligent than I used to about about hydration and eating energy-rich food adequate for the energy I expend based on the day's activity level. The quiet day in somewhere in the middle of the trip always renews energy and increases the feeling of relaxation and closeness to the environment. On warm days with significant exertion I mix some Gatorade and eat a good lunch with a big snack to avoid fatigue. |