March 29, 2015
Yeah for a light training week!  Before work on Monday I completed my only strength session, followed later in the week by 7 hours of cardio divided between three workouts.  I capped it off today by hiking up and running down Chelan Butte one and a half times.  When my husband and I hike or run in eastern Washington, I always lead because he screams like a little girl when he thinks about snakes.  Sure enough, as I was running down, one slithered across the sunny trail in front of me.  I may have failed to mention it to Darrin for fear of slowing our progress.   

First leg of Chelan Butte trail
Photo:  Lisa White

I've officially started my part time job ... mountaineering trainee.  I struggled this week to fit in 10 hours of cardio plus four hours of strength training, among work meetings, doctors appointments, grocery shopping, and time with friends.  As usual, I compromised sleep in order to squeeze it all in.  But, I feel good.  Yesterday Darrin and I hiked up Mailbox peak - 4,000 feet of gain in less than 3 miles - decorated with slimy mud and slick tree roots.  Although my pack was light, I felt good - really good.  I made it to the top in less than two hours, despite the blowing snow that greeted me above the tree line.  Should have checked the weather ... and worn boots.

Spring snow at Mailbox Peak
Photo:  Lisa White

I jogged down the new Mailbox trail in order to keep my heart rate within the target range and was back at the car in less than four hours.  

Next week I'll cut my training time by about 25 percent to give my body a chance to recover, this means only one strength workout and only 6 hours of cardio.  

March 15, 2015

This week I started vary my cardio time, dividing it into one long session with my heart rate near my aerobic threshold, and shorter sessions with my heart rate 10 - 20 bpm lower. I was fortunate that the weather cooperated for one of my short cardio sessions - a trail run on a beautiful spring day with song birds and bugs that buzzed and crawled after ending their winter naps.  The rainy Seattle weather returned today; though, just in time for a hike up (and run down) popular Mt. Si.  Fortunately the bad weather kept away the normal crowds of people, but despite Gor-Tex, every part of me was soaked. 

I guess that today's hike should also give me some credit in the mental toughness category.  Which, was timely because I just finished Steve House and Scott Johnston's book Training for the New Alpinism.   The last chapter of which outlined the importance of mental discipline during the training process as a means for preparing for big climbs.  While hiking up Mt. Si on a cold, rainy, windy day is nothing compared to the conditions on Manaslu, it's still a good feeling - and important - to push through uncomfortable circumstances. 

It's going to take a while for my shoes to dry ... 

March 8, 2015

Trail miles run: 16
Sport routes climbed: 19
Pull ups completed: 48
Pounds of fudge eaten: 0.5
Miles hiked: 8
Elevation gained: 3,020

Another beautiful week in Seattle!  I am so thankful for brisk mornings and sunny afternoons.  Thanks to belated sunsets, I was able to do all of my cardio on trails instead of the treadmill ... yeah!  There's something about a quiet trail at the end of the day that blankets me with peacefulness.  

I'm still working on my nutrition, maybe that will be my focus next week :)

It was a busy week, but next week I will devote even more time to training when I increase my cardio time to 8 hours, I'm actually looking forward to it!  

March 1, 2015
This week was all about cardio.  Thanks to an annoying medical procedure, I was only able to do one hour of strength training this week.  While I feel incredibly guilty about not completing my planned workout, I have to keep things in perspective and accept that taking a couple of days off to let my body heal is more important.

So I focused on what I could safely do, which was cardio and hiking.  Rather than run, I logged six hours on an elevated treadmill, walking at about 3 mph, enough to keep my heart rate between 130 and 145 bpm.  And, again this weekend Seattleites were treated to spectacular late winter weather which I enjoyed by hiking up the old Mailbox peak trail in just over two hours with a light pack.

I also spent some time this week planning the next phase of my training plan, which will begin next week when I convert from the transition phase to the base phase.  During the base phase I will work on building the cardiovascular and strength base that I will need to successfully execute more climbing specific training later.  My base period will last about twelve weeks and each week I will focus on two upper and two lower body exercises and will complete 5 to thirteen hours of cardio.  I'm looking forward to this phase of training because it is more aerobic which I enjoy more that strength training.  I'm sad that I haven't practiced yoga for three weeks!  I can't remember the last time that happened, but I'm committed to making some time this week!