Training Update : Skyline to Sea hike

Yes, it's been a while since I wrote anything. 2010 had some overwhelming moments and when life goes into super drive, I sometimes just need to take it easy on what I can. However, I committed to training for the Skyline to Sea backpack trip and to run the San Jose half marathon. I completed both and surprised myself with the results.

Turns out, I love backpacking! I was totally afraid at first of carrying 25lbs on my back for 3 days, hiking 30 miles in total, but I was not going to back down! Hubby and I prepared the food for the team.

The car shuffle took a while longer than expected, so we got a late start and were only allowed to go 2.5 miles in at Castle Rock State Park to the first camp site. This now changes everything we planned. Instead of breaking up the mileage in descent sized chunks, we now needed to this:

Day 1: 2 miles
Day 2: 17 miles
Day 3: 10 miles

I thought it was going to be horrible. Especially doing 17 miles the 2nd day! That's about the same distance as Half Dome we did last year and I couldn't hardly walk the next day, let alone put a backpack on! I'm worried. Turns out I'm in much better shape than I was when we did Half Dome. Plus, this was a totally different hike. Don't be fooled: this hike is NOT all downhill.

The best part about the 17 miles is when you arrive at Big Basin. We are sweaty and disgusting and dirty. Everyone else just drove there and did a tiny day hike around. We did evil laughs and went into their amazing convenient store and got ice cream & beer!!!! I remember being so giddy after 1 beer. Hubby looked at me and said, "Oh hell no! You need to drink more water!"

Day 3 was easy! I was in "Mission Mode". I wanted to get my feet in that Pacific Ocean so fast our team mates actually called me a "Machine"! ME? I couldn't believe it. What was I so afraid of in the beginning? Whatever it was, those fears I no longer carry with me.