Today we set out to do some specific training on hills. Although we did some hill work while we were in the Galena territory in northern Illinois - we have not had a chance to do much hill training since. Today we finally found time to visit the Harris Forest Preserve in Yorkville. It was a very nice day - not very hot - mostly sunny. Using a ap on my iPhone called Theodolite - I was able to determine the slope of the sledding hill to be anywhere from a 12 to 15 degree elevation.
Hill training not only involved the basic trekking up and down the hill - but how to do that. It is not just learning how to walk - smaller strides - but also using your trekking poles. On a small slope such as this we left our poles normal length - but for the downhills we lengthened the poles to help control our descent. Different people have different ideas which way is best - the truth is - you go with what works best for you. The most direct way is to walk straight up or down a hill. Others would walk on diagonals - going left and right - more steps involved but easier - especially on the down slope. We did this section - about 1 kilometer - both ways three times before heading out for some trail walking.
Discovering some wooded trails for trekkers and horses - we decided to walk a lollipop loop - carefully avoiding tree roots - ground branches and road apples.
It was a nice walk - no mosquitoes - and finally came back to the sledding hill where we did one more walk up and down the hill to call it a day. Pleasant surroundings for an afternoon trek - made for a fun and productive afternoon.
Hill training not only involved the basic trekking up and down the hill - but how to do that. It is not just learning how to walk - smaller strides - but also using your trekking poles. On a small slope such as this we left our poles normal length - but for the downhills we lengthened the poles to help control our descent. Different people have different ideas which way is best - the truth is - you go with what works best for you. The most direct way is to walk straight up or down a hill. Others would walk on diagonals - going left and right - more steps involved but easier - especially on the down slope. We did this section - about 1 kilometer - both ways three times before heading out for some trail walking.
Discovering some wooded trails for trekkers and horses - we decided to walk a lollipop loop - carefully avoiding tree roots - ground branches and road apples.
Final distance today we estimate at maybe 8 kilometers or 5 miles. Time is running short and our training days are coming to an end. Eleven days to departure and the real thing!
Buen Camino
Dale and Arlene
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