Spring flowers at Explore Park 4-25-05

Countdown: two days till our departure for Georgia and one of the biggest adventures of my life! 

I’ve finally recovered from the nasty stomach virus that zapped my energy the last six days (I know other folks around here who’ve had it, too.)  I suppose I needed the rest, but that was a tough way to get it.

I was unable to do my last long run on the AT, or even at Explore Park.

On Saturday while Jim ran David Horton’s tough Promise Land 50K, I did a hilly 5-mile walk on the course and was just exhausted. I was on my feet a lot, also helping at the start and finish for several hours, but on a normal day it wouldn’t have fazed me.

Sunday I felt better so I attempted a 30-mile/8-hour (whichever came first) run at Explore Park, but had to bag it after 19 miles. I felt reasonably good for 15 miles, given my weakened condition. Then I was toast and dragged the last four miles. Reason won out over determination. I decided it was better to be under-trained than just get more worn down.

After a deep massage and thorough chiropractic adjustment yesterday, I feel like a new woman today. The bloating and pain are gone, I can eat normally again, and my spirits are back up. I’m ready to go get ‘em!

FINE-TUNING MY ENERGY PLAN 

I’ve been experimenting with my energy plan in the six weeks since I wrote Prep9 about nutrition and hydration. Here is a summary of my current plan: 

·        Keep water only in my 100-oz. Camelbak bladder. Use it to wash down the Hammergel, Perpetuem, and Sustained Energy. 

·        Carry 3X strength Perp or SE mixed with water in a 20-oz. bottle I carry in my hand. Use water from bladder to wash it down. One bottle of concentrated mix will last me several hours, alternated with gel. If I need more, I can either carry some of the powder in a little baggie and mix it with water from the bladder or another source, or carry a 28-oz. bottle at 4X or 5X strength. 

·        Use Hammergel at rate of one flask per hour or two (alternate with electrolyte beverage I’m using that day). I’ve got six flavors of gel, so I shouldn’t tire of any one flavor. The caffeinated espresso will perk me up if I’m sluggish. 

·        Take Enduroltye electrolyte capsules as needed. On hot days, two per hour work best for me, on cool days, only one/hour. This will probably vary on the trek, depending on distance, weather, my condition, etc. 

·        Recoverite tastes good. I’ve used this recovery drink only once, so I’ll report back later re: how well it’s doing for me. We have two containers of Endurox 4 left over from last year. I’ll also be using it until it’s gone – unless the Recoverite is obviously superior. 

I’ve been consuming about 20 oz. of fluids per hour on warm days, less on cooler ones. With all the chatter on the ultra list recently about hyponatremia, I’m well aware of that problem.

Much of my adventure run is going to be in hot conditions in June and July during the middle part of the trek, so I’ll have to continue fine-tuning the water/electrolyte balance. Historically, dehydration has been a bigger problem  in the summer for thru-hikers than hyponatremia.

AWAY WE GO! 

We’ve barely begun packing the camper yet, but I’m not worried – I have a list!   

Jim and I have gone to so many races over the years that we have master lists for every mode of travel (car, plane, camper) and race distance (100-milers and sub-100s). It’s easy to make sure we have everything we need.  

Of course, there’s always something else we wish we had! The list keeps getting longer . . . 

The concept of packing what we need for four months along the Trail may sound overwhelming, but after our cross-country adventure in the camper last year, this is a piece of cake. 

In January of 2004, Jim retired and we sold our house in Billings, Montana. While we were showing the house and packing to move, there was over a foot of snow on the ground and the temps were frigid. Since we didn’t know where we were going to be moving (it was definitely going to be somewhere warmer!!), we put all of our belongings in storage. That was a lot of fun in sub-zero weather! 

You talk about lists – there were several:  what to sell, what to donate to charitable organizations, what to put in storage, and what to take in the camper for goodness-knows-how-long we’d be full-timing until we decided on which side of the country we were going to live. That was one stuffed camper for the four months we lived in it!  

So packing for this trip seems easy in comparison. The weather in Virginia has been nice and we don't need to take nearly as much "stuff." We also have an “out” – we’re returning home every two to four weeks for a day or two at a time, so we can always get what we need then.

Still, there’s a lot to get in that camper by tomorrow night, and I’d better get busy . . .

Happy trails,

Sue "Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, Cody, and Tater Previous       Next Send an e-mail message to Sue & Jim   © 2005 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil