TwoPuttTim

Since I’ve added a 30 lb pack to all of my training hikes and have been increasing the weekly mileage, I’ve been experiencing a more real world sense of what hiking 15 miles per day will be like. I’ve also recently started hiking with the local chapter of the Sierra Club here in Santa Cruz, and will look into a few others in the Bay Area that I hear are pretty hard core hikers.

Covering at least 6 miles per hike during the weekdays, and 12-15 milers on the weekend hikes, I’ve been learning what works and what doesn’t when you are really putting in serious mileages. I’ve also started a tough cardio exercise routine on the non-hiking days to push myself and to build better overall fitness.

I hope to make my formal proposal to my employer within the next month asking for support and financial sponsorship to make the walk across the country.

Been also getting in some hikes in the rain to test out how to layer and see which parts of my rain gear works and which don’t. Plus it’s pretty fun splashing in the puddles!!!

I’ll be back in touch soon with news!

Tim

Greetings to all and Happy Thanksgiving (Just around the corner),

Training is progressing nicely, working on building up my daily mileage to 6+ miles each day that I can. But with the recent time change, I just want to encourage everyone to keep your training going even when the sun sets. I’ve been having to carry a flashlight for some of the darker areas and streets. I’ve been carrying the flashlight so it shines mostly behind me, since that is what I am mostly worried about, since I can see well enough of what is coming towards me, it’s what I can’t see that is coming up from behind.

Try to dress in contrasting colors that will stand out even in low light, and keep your Spidey senses going to keep yourself safe. I think that one of the things that I am looking forward to the most is when the rain starts coming while I’m walking. My wife invested in some really good rain gear for me, so I won’t have to worry about getting drowned and not to let the weather discourage my outings.

I guess even at 50, I’m still kind of a kid at heart and want to play in the rain and puddles, but I will definately will have to stop short of any Gene Kelly imitations!!!

So keep on doing what you love, walkers & hikers. Invest in some good rain gear and hiking boots, and go out there and remember to have some fun. I sure will!!!!

All my best, friends!

Tim

Greeting from Santa Cruz, fellow trekkers!

Planning has been going along pretty well. I’ve been driving part of the route and been making sure of the areas that wont easily allow for hiking.

The training has been pretty steady, with the exception of a cold or two getting in the way a day or two, here and there, but pretty consistent. Saving the longer planned walks for the weekends. This past Saturday, I went for a good training hike of just a little more than 13 miles in just over 5 hours.

Not as fast as I would have liked, but I know that I need to keep moderation in mind too, since this will be a walk that is going to take some time and I just need to not get over excited and get worn out early.

I have been keeping an eye on the new gear that is coming out too, which will help me keep the pack at about 35 lbs.

I will have a training website coming along here pretty soon, and will be recording my training there on a daily blog.

I hope to report back soon on that being in place.

Take good care, my friends out there.

Tim