AT's AT Hiking Training Plan, Week Twenty-Seven, Twenty-Eight, and Twenty-Nine

Weeks: September 29 - October 19 (21 Days)
Miles Hiked (Total Period): 13.51
Miles Hiked (October): 13.51
Miked Hiked (October Goal): 30

Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 167.95

Pounds Lost: 1.8
Percentage to Next Milestone: 45.00%
Pounds Lost (Total):  19.6
Weekly Goal Met: No
Nights Camped (Weeks): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 5
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

Alright, it's been three weeks, I've done a bit of hiking, and one monster of a web site has been released, meaning things return to normal. Or at least as normal as it usually is. Considering the extra hours, and a weekend of being at work and on call, I'm surprised I was able to lose weight during the period at all.

AT's AT Hiking Training Plan, Week Twenty-Five

Weeks: September 16 - September 21 (6 Days)
Miles Hiked (Total Period): 4.13
Miles Hiked (September): 12.69
Miked Hiked (September Goal): 30

Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 149.44

Pounds Lost: 2.4
Percentage to Next Milestone: 47.00%
Pounds Lost (Total):  20.0
Weekly Goal Met: No
Nights Camped (Weeks): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 5
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

Another week, another steady move in the right direction. I got one good hike in, this time amid the pines and oaks of White Pines Forest State Park near Oregon, Illinois. Best of all, it included three evenings where I pushed past the dinner problem I frequently have. This was despite several days being long work days, and thus more challenging.

AT's AT Hiking Training Plan, Week Twenty-Four

Weeks: September 9 - September 15 (7 Days)
Miles Hiked (Total Period): 6.86
Miles Hiked (September): 8.56
Miked Hiked (September Goal): 30

Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 145.31

Pounds Lost: 3.8
Percentage to Next Milestone: 35.00%
Pounds Lost (Total):  17.6
Weekly Goal Met: Yes
Nights Camped (Weeks): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 5
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

After several weeks without more than a mile or two of hiking, I get someone back to form in week twenty-five with over six miles. And unlike some of my recent hikes I hiked the roller coaster of a trail at Indian Lake County Park in Dane County, Wisconsin. Other than a hike up Forest Glen's infamous Hawk Hill in July, it was by far the toughest hike I've done since I got back from the southern Appalachians.

AT's AT Hiking Training Plan, Week Twenty-Three

Weeks: September 3 - September 8 (6 Days)
Miles Hiked (Total Period): 1.7
Miles Hiked (September): 1.7
Miked Hiked (August Goal): 30

Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 138.45

Pounds Lost: 2.4
Percentage to Next Milestone: 16.00%
Pounds Lost (Total):  13.8
Weekly Goal Met: Yes
Nights Camped (Weeks): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 5
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

Week Twenty-Four was a rather ho-hum week. After a tough week of work, I took the weekend pretty easy, but did get out to hike Sunday afternoon. Although not a difficult hike, it was a pleasant hike at Schaumburg's Spring Valley Nature Preserve. Schaumburg and its residents should be proud of this park, as it is large for a city park, seems to be well kept, and has plenty of woods, prairies, and ponds to explore. My short hike only took me on a portion of the several trails available, and I'll definitely be going back there in the future. My plans for this weekend are still up in the air, but the weather looks like it will be a true fall weekend, with temperatures in the 60s during the day.

AT's AT Hiking Training Plan, Weeks Seventeen, Eighteen, and Nineteen

Weeks: July 21 - August 10 (21 Days)
Miles Hiked (Total Period): 21.25
Miles Hiked (July): 37.35
Miles Hiked, (July Goal): 40

Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 134.55

Pounds Lost: 3.2
Percentage to Next Milestone: 86.79%
Pounds Lost (Total):  9.2
Weekly Goal Met: Yes
Nights Camped (Weeks): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 5
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

I've got a new scale, so the training plan recaps are worth posting again. As you can see, the past three weeks were mostly a success. No, I didn't get to 40, but for the second consecutive month I set a personal monthly record, this time with over 37 miles in July. Although August has been a little light so far, I did hit 7.4 miles on one hike this past Sunday, which is one step closer to the elusive eight miles in one hike. And on top of all that, I am down 3.2 pounds.

AT's AT Hiking Training Plan: Weeks Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, and Fifteen

Weeks: June 17 - July 14 (28 Days)
Miles Hiked (June 17-30): 15.25
Miles Hiked (June): 30.50
Miles Hiked, (June Goal): 40
Miles Hiked (July 1-14): 17.3
Miles Hiked (July): 17.30
Miles Hiked, (July Goal): 40

Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 105.30

Pounds Lost: 3.4
Percentage to Next Milestone: 56.60%
Pounds Lost (Total):  6.0
Weekly Goal Met: Yes
Nights Camped (Weeks): 3
Nights Camped (Total): 5
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

As you can see from the title of this post, I didn't keep up with my weekly recaps. This was due in large part to failing to do official weigh-ins on either Monday or Tuesday, preparing for a vacation in early July, and actually going on that vacation. However, that trip is finished, I'm back on a pretty regular schedule, and it's time to get these back on track. And things almost entirely to that vacation, things are looking pretty good.

AT's AT Hiking Training Plan, Week Nine

Week: May 26 - June 1 (7 Days)
Miles Hiked (Week): 4.10
Miles Hiked (May): 30.00
Miles Hiked, (May Goal): 30
Miles Hiked (June): 1.10
Miles Hiked, (June Goal): 40
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 58.60
Pounds Lost: 1.8
Percentage to Next Milestone: 18.87%
Pounds Lost (Total):  2.0
Weekly Goal Met: No
Nights Camped (Week): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 2
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

As much as I'd like to, I can't call this a second consecutive week of progress on the weight loss front. Sure, it's the second straight recorded period where I've lost weight. However, I did post an update for last week, despite not having an official weigh-in.

AT's AT Hiking Training Plan, Week Seven

Week: May 12 - May 18 (7 Days)
Miles Hiked (Week): 9.75
Miles Hiked (May): 21.25
Miles Hiked, (April Goal): 30
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 48.75
Pounds Lost: 2.4
Percentage to Next Milestone: 0%
Pounds Lost (Total):  0.2
Weekly Goal Met: Yes
Nights Camped (Week): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 2
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

There must be something about odd numbered weeks, as they go better than my even number weeks. A lot of the success for this weekend was courtesy of the good weekend I had hiking. Without going overboard on my meals during the two days, I hiked almost ten miles. This total is my highest for the year, and the highest since last October. Because I hit that number, I'm sitting in a comfortable place for hitting my monthly hiking goal with four potential hiking days left in the month.

AT's AT Hiking Training Plan, Week Five

Week: April 29 - May 5 (7 Days)
Miles Hiked (Week): 7.65
Miles Hiked (May): 7.65
Miles Hiked, (April Goal): 30
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 26.40
Pounds Lost: 2.8
Percentage to Next Milestone: 0%
Pounds Lost (Total):  0
Weekly Goal Met: No
Nights Camped (Week): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 2
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

Now that is better.

AT's AT 2015 Hiking Training Plan, Week Three

Skunk Cabbage at Forest Glen creating a blanket of green in a seep

Week: April 14 - April 21 (8 Days)
Miles Hiked (Week): 3.46
Miles Hiked (April): 12.66
Miles Hiked, (April Goal): 20
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 19.16
Pounds Lost (Weeks 2 and 3): 0.6
Percentage to Next Milestone: 11.11%
Pounds Lost (Total):  1.2
Weekly Goal Met: No
Nights Camped (Week): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 2
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

Well, I suppose this can be called a victory. I hiked almost 3.5 miles on a "Hiking the Lists" trail that I had planned on doing many times, but chickened out (or wasn't feeling fit enough to tackle). In addition, I lost some more weight, the second of two official weigh-ins in the new training plan period where I've gone down. Considering this came after Easter weekend, a time full of high calorie foods and riddled with candy, probably makes it better. Nevertheless, it's a small victory at best.

Hiking Training Plan 3.0 - Week Eight Recap

Week: March 7 - March 13
Miles Hiked (Week): 0
Miles Hiked (March): 0
Miles Hiked, (March Goal): 10
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 0
Minutes Walked: 70
Minutes Walked (Weekly Goal): 95 
Pounds Lost (Week): 2.8
Pounds Gained (Total):  2.0
Weekly Goal Met: Yes
Nights Camped (Week): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 0
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

After several weeks of trying to get back on track, I finally had a breakthrough of a week. By (mostly) keeping to my daily walking regimen and (mostly) keeping to my simple dinner plan, I was able to hit the elusive goal of not only breaking even, but actually losing weight. The fact that this came during another week of long nights at work and cold temperatures makes it that much sweeter.

Hiking Training Plan 3.0: Week One

Week: January 17-23
Miles Hiked (Week): 0
Miles Hiked (January): 0
Miles Hiked, (January Goal): 0
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 0
Pounds Lost (Week): 3.2
Pounds Lost (Total):  3.2
Weekly Goal Met: Yes
Nights Camped (Week): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 0
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

The first week back at the hiking training plan went pretty well, as I lost 3.2 pounds over the course of the week.* This was in part due to the fact that I had hit my calorie total two of the days last week. In addition, I began my exercise regimen again, which currently is limited to about ten minutes of walking two-three times a week, some limited exercises with dumbbells, and twenty minutes sessions of WiiSit**.

Hiking Training Plan: Week #17 Recap

Week: October 8 - 14 (7 Days)
Miles Hiked (Week): 6.97
Miles Hiked (October): 8.80
Miles Hiked, (October Goal): 30
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 79.73
Pounds Lost (Week): 2.6
Pounds Lost (Total):  19.8
Weekly Goal Met: No
Nights Camped (Week): 1
Nights Camped (Total): 8
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 1

This week was a big week for my hiking training plan. Not because of the mileage, which wasn't enough to keep up pace for the monthly goal. It also wasn't because of the weight I lost, which was welcome after last week's setback, even if I didn't reach my perhaps overambitious goal. No, it was a big week because for the first time in over fourteen years I camped only with what I could carry on my back.

Granted, this backpacking trip wasn't exactly a backcountry climb into the mountains. It was a 1.6 mile hike over mostly flat ground at Newport State Park in Door County, Wisconsin. Still, the campsites were fairly primitive, and very private, with only the sounds of the wind and the waves from Lake Michigan. It was definitely a backcountry experience, even if the you really weren't that far from civilization.

As I said above, I didn't get as much hiking as I would have liked in during the weekend. On Saturday, I spent much of the time driving to the state park, getting there in the late afternoon as it was raining. Because of a lack of experience with the heavy pack, and being extra cautious because of the wet rocks and roots on the trail because of the rain, it was almost dark by the time I reached the camp site, so I only got the 1.6 miles in that day. The next day I had intended to do more, but the 1.9 miles I walked back*, plus the .6 mile walk through sand at the Newport State Park beach and the 2.86 mile hike through a boreal forest took its toll (and time). I had intended to walk part of the Ice Age Trail near its eastern terminus, but I didn't get to Potawatomi State Park until late in the afternoon. I did get a picture of the terminus marker, and walked up a 75' observation tower. to get a beautiful view of Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, and southern Door County. Unfortunately, the walk up and down the tower stairs was not enough to count as a hike.

All in all, it was a pretty good week. I'm hoping to get some miles in this weekend, and am hoping this week will be even better, even if it won't match the backpacking experience of this past week.

*I took a different route that extended the hike back to my car by about a third of a mile.

Hiking Training Plan: Week #15 Recap

Week: September 24 - 29 (6 Days)
Miles Hiked (Week): 6.49
Miles Hiked (September): 30.49
Miles Hiked, (September Goal): 20
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 70.93
Pounds Lost (Week): 5.8
Pounds Lost (Total):  22.0
Nights Camped (Week): 3
Nights Camped (Total): 7
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

After two weeks that weren't so great (at least as far as the weight loss portion of the plan goes), this past week effectively cancelled them out, as I am back to where I was on September 9. Now that I have negated those two weeks, I think I can move on and start a winning streak.

The biggest reason this was a successful week was almost certainly that 6.49 miles of hiking. That hike, which I did with my brother, my cousin, and five friends from high school, wasn't necessarily hard, but it was by far the fastest pace I've hiked, with only one real break. Those 6.49 miles is the farthest I've hiked in one session since I did the Lake Mingo trail last year. It was a beautiful day for a hike, part of what was mostly a great camping weekend. At least until the rain came Saturday evening*.

Beyond that, I'm a little surprised at how well I did. I did mostly OK during the week before the camping trip, and I suppose I didn't overdo it on food and beverages outside of a few meals. Also, I crashed pretty early on Sunday evening, thus skipping out on dinner and only having one real meal. In addition, I'm pretty convinced that my weight last Tuesday was an anomaly.

This week begins a new month, and a new commitment. In addition to keeping up my monthly hiking goals (which jumps to a ambitious 30 miles this month), I'm also going to add weight goals. These won't always be the same amount, as I will adjust up or down depending for circumstances. For example, if it is a week where I plan on hiking both Saturday and Sunday, I might adjust it up to 4 pounds. On the other hand, for Thanksgiving week, I might be content breaking even. Most weeks it will be about 2 pounds.

*Stay tuned for a subsequent post about the camping trip, as well as a "Hiking the Lists" entry for part of the hike we did on Saturday.

Hiking Training Plan: Week 12 Recap

Week: September 3 - 9 (6 days)
Miles Hiked (Week): 4.30
Miles Hiked (September): 8.49
Miles Hiked, (September Goal): 20
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 48.93
Pounds Lost (Week): 4.6
Pounds Lost (Total): 22.0
Nights Camped (Week): 0
Nights Camped (Total): 4
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

Week 12 was a course correction, getting back on track after the disruption of Labor Day weekend. I didn't get as many hiking miles in, but I did do a better job of watching what I ate. All in all, it was a good week.

I ended up getting only one hike in, but it was a good length. It was a hike at the University of Wisconsin Madison's Arboretum. I'll have more about this hike when it's time comes up in the "Hiking the Lists" feature, but the short story is that it it's a pleasant hike through some beautiful trees, over a big spring, and around a historical tall grass prairie.

We'll see how much walking I'll get in this week. I have another trip coming up this weekend, this time returning to Munising and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with my parents. It won't be a complete weekend of hiking, but I hope I'll get some of it in this weekend.

Hiking Training Plan, Week #8 Recap

Week: August 5 - August 12 (8 days)
Miles Hiked (Week): 7.25
Miles Hiked (Month): 8.25
Miles Hiked, (Month Goal): 15
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 33.30
Pounds Lost (Week): 2.6
Pounds Lost (Total): 20.2
Nights Camped (Week): 1
Nights Camped (Total): 3
Nights Camped (Backpacking): 0

So after a down weekend last week, I got back on track with a fun weekend in the St. Francois Mountains southwest of St. Louis with Erin. None of the hikes were too strenuous (I bowed out on the Mina Sauk Falls trail once it started getting too rocky), although there were a few climbs. It was interesting how much better I took those inclines than I would have two months ago. It appears the daily uphill walks up the ramps at the parking garage at work have paid off. The picture above is one of the rocks that give Elephant Rocks its name.

Because I didn't get back from the trip until mid-morning on Monday, this week was one day longer than normal. Having eaten breakfast and a couple snacks before getting back up to my apartment, it didn't make sense to weigh in then. As such, the upcoming week will be one day shorter. I'm going to try to keep up the progress, but this upcoming weekend may cause a temporary setback, seeing as I'm taking a trip for my birthday that will involve very little hiking. As long as I get back to it next Monday, I'm not too worried.

As you can see, I've added some additional statistics. This includes the number of nights I've camped out since starting my hiking training plan. Counting this past Saturday at Silver Mines Campground in Mark Twain National Forest, that brings it up to three nights for the year. I've yet to do a backpacking hike, but my goal is at least one or two nights before winter. Stay tuned for more details about that trip, when it happens.

Hiking Training Plan: Week 6 Recap

Week: July 15 - July 21
Miles Hiked (Week): 8.02
Miles Hiked (Month): 17.51
Miles Hiked, (Month Goal): 10
Miles Hiked (Yearly Total): 25.05
Pounds Lost (Week): 5.2
Pounds Lost (Total): 15.4

Week 6 was a good week. I hit my monthly hiking goal, lost weight, and save for dinner on Friday and Sunday did pretty good overall. I hope to have more weeks like this one than the previous week.

The biggest part of that hiking was done on Saturday. I walked at two different places in Wisconsin, the loop around the John Muir Memorial State Natural Area and three loops of varying sizes at Horicon NWR*. Neither were too bad as far as terrain or footing goes, and it was a perfect day for hiking. I capped off the weekend with an easy 1.5 mile walk to and from the Fox River at Chain-O-Lakes State Park in northern Illinois.

Because of my hiking, and because of an overall moderation of food, I actually lost a small amount of weight over the weekend. Hopefully I will be able to make it two weeks in a row. This will be the last weekend in a while I won't be going somewhere or doing something, so I need to be careful that I don't wreck it with junk food and sitting still. There are plenty of places close to Schaumburg I can go to hike, so I'm not too worried.

*Both will be featured in their own posts as part of Wetlands Week.