Sat May 30 -- who's on?

[zippetydude]

Mark! I knew I missed one of the crazy crew!

I had been thinking about what you said about your quads feeling burned out and got distracted... Sorry your legs were making you suffer...well, not really! Voluntary suffering is a wonderful thing.

You mentioned that perhaps your working out every day was counter-productive. Just the opposite. Short term suffering means long term gain in endurance.

For optimal performance, I find I need to take it short (not easy, just short) for about two weeks before putting out maximum effort. For a good Skyline, I think your hard workouts were probably very beneficial. If you get a chance before fall, try out what I'm saying. Better still, consult with Ellen (who knows much more than me) and lay out an actual taper program for your "race" effort. Most of the time, this really helps. Once in a while, it's a dud, but usually you feel fresh and springy, and get really good results.

Thanks for all the great humor. I never hike with you without laughing.

z

[Marknhj]

Mark! I knew I missed one of the crazy crew!

You mentioned that perhaps your working out every day was counter-productive. Just the opposite. Short term suffering means long term gain in endurance.
z

OK zip, was it the altitude or the beer

I said "not hiking" in the past week was a mistake! My usual program includes three hikes a week. For example: a long one like Skyline at the weekend; less elevation gain but longer and steadier on Tuesday; up the first section of Skyline on Thursday as fast as possible (to the warning sign). I go to the gym every other day.

However, last week I didn't do any hiking between San G and yesterday's Skyline. Definitely a mistake, as my quads were more knackered than usual. But thanks for your sage advice, I certainly listen to those who've been there and done it. I know what you mean about tapering, in my past life tapering a nine month training program was the most critical factor in peaking successfully. I've noticed that on Skyline, when we're doing it every weekend, it's the third in a series that tends to be my fastest...

The voluntary suffering element is one I didn't expect from hiking. Is that the reason for someone I know here concluding that a local ranger resembled a dominatrix?

[magikwalt]

Good Morning To All,

It was sure great to see old friends and greet new ones! I made great use of ideas from multiple sources to set a new PR Saturday. No hat (Jean & Ellen), no shirt (Zip & Perry) (These two items combined to keep me feeling very cool given the humidity.) No salt diet, thank you Doc, was almost the unraveling of my day.

I crossed flat rock at 3.5 hours and halfway through the manzanita picked up cramps in both thighs. Not the quads but whatever is on the very inside of the thigh. It took me 2 hours to go from flat rock to Grubb's Notch. Only the thought of ZippetyDude finding me laid out on the traverse kept me moving.

Flo's EMERGENCY cache is well placed.

Jean and I enjoyed the bar stop and lunch almost as much as the laughter and talking with friends. When Jean found out that Kathryn and Maria had been hiking less than a year she was excited. Sunday she made me go back up top and put in another six miles to start her towards an October trip.

In defense of Steve and his lack of taste for good beer:
The #1 selling beer at the Yardhouse is...Coors Lite! Give me a pint of McEwan's Export or Newcastle. Or if you want something a little lighter then Red Stripe with a BBQ Pork sandwich. But Steve doesn't carry an ounces of body fat on him. Now that 30 lbs backpack he totes is another matter. I thought for sure he had a pony keg in there!

Thanks again to all for a great day!

[bluerail]

Thanks everybody had a great time sat. Both on the trail and off. One thing I've noticed is that I always spend the next day or so wondering about some of the people I'd run across on the trail that were struggling or looking bad before 4300'. Hope they made it too.
You've got to wonder how a group of well equipt, fairly fit looking guys trudging up the mountain feel when they are passed in the dark by a fast moving train of women and then a dude looking for the waffle house.

Thats gotta hurt.

Zip, I am so jealous. I remember when my kids were at that age and they waited on me to get home . They were the most fun I've ever had when they were younger. I really miss that alot.
Now they just wait home for me if they need money.
Thanks for the hike buddy,it was lots of fun as usual. I'm gonna go out and get me a sissy pack just like you and Walt have. Don't know how I'll like it though cause that feeling of a monkey on my back goes so far back, it's kinda comforting.
Walt, it was great meeting you and Jean finally, lots of fun at the top as well as Las Casuelas. Just as funny as I thought you'd be.

To the fast moving train of girls....thank you so much for clearing the webs. I never thought it would be women doing that. I love you guys.

Tina congratulations on the trip. Glad you and John had a good trip. Doesn't sound as fun as hanging at the bar with everybody, but fun just the same.

Mark, what am I gonna say ?... Girls slap.

Thanks everybody, lots of fun.

[tinaballina]

i was bummed that i missed ALL of you by ten minutes.

thank god i ran into someone that planned on doing the full c2c as well so it worked out good.

C2C finally! Lets just say i now have that under my belt and i don't have to do it again anytime soon. I can wait til fall to do it again.
I now know why i do skyline so much, being at flatrock knowing you only have another 1hr. 20 min. to go is much more relieving than being at flat rock knowing you have another 5 hours and 20 min.

I have to admit, i on the way up i was getting a bit shakey, i had enough food and water with me, i just wasn't eating it or drinking it. once up at the top it was like being in a disneyland line to reach the marker. we got up there, congratulated each other then got the hell out of dodge. Got down in an hour and 40 minutes, we were hustling to get back to the tram station.

DougM. it was great to finally meet you, i hope we get a chance to do skyline sometime soon.

Steve-thanks for the gels, they helped me. (although you reach a point going for that long where you just need normal food and sugar)

Mark-wish you would have joined me, next time won't be until fall.

Lance- it was great to finally see you and give you a hug.

Walt-i am bummed i did not get to meet you.

Cy-wish i would have seen you to give you a hug hello.

Kathryn-glad you made good time.

Maria-too bad i didn't get to see you again.

Ellen-pain sister that was a bitch and a half.

Karen-i know you have been doing skyline, just not with me...

Doreen-seeing you and you telling me i only had another 45minutes to go was the best thing all day....aside from lances hug.

Zip-it was good seeing you for a hug, you were out like lightening.

I think i have covered everyone, if not, next time..........

[tinaballina]

BTW,

I would bet money that steve might be able to talk me into doing c2c in the near future, like June 20th.

[Kathryn]

Well, Saturday was another awesome day on Skyline! Ellen kindly gave Karin, Maria and I each a magic feather to hang on our packs. I was last in the line on the trail and I noticed a very large, shirtless man gaining on us! Mind you, this was before 4 am and it was hard to see well. I wasn't sure if it was a man or perhaps a bear! But, then he caught me and when he casually asked me if there was a "waffle house" on the trail I was relieved that he wasn't a bear, but concerned that he might be nuts! I acted quickly and asked him if he was on the message board and when he replied "Walt" I was greatly relieved and promply screamed for Ellen. After a brief chat, he flew by us and we never saw him again until Long Valley. Later on, after passing Flat Rock, we were delighted to run into Cy!
So, what's up with all the bacon talk? Hey, it's light, has protein and doesn't seem to go bad after being in a hot pack for a few hours. Besides I share it and don't end up eating too much of that artery clogging stuff- but some of you do!! Hey- your choice!
Congratulations Tina!!! You did it! We all just went to the bar, but it was a blast! That may be the best part of the hike! And I don't even drink...But, really Tina I am amazed. I don't think I will ever be able to do c2c and live to talk about it. Now I hear through the high-tech grapevine that you want to do it again!! I'm sure Steve will be happy to go with you. I'll be at the bar...
To all the rest of you Skyline junkies- Thanks for a fantastic day! Hope to see you all again really soon!

Kathryn

[bluerail]

BTW,

I would bet money that steve might be able to talk me into doing c2c in the near future, like June 20th.

OK girl...this is just a tad freaky...20 somethin hours ago you were sayin how you were glad you'd done it....but never again !!

" no, I don't ever need to do that again...ever "

what'd you do, eat a box of vanilla wafers and start feeling guilty ?

[Ken]

Ellen, I will not be able to attend your hike which has already happened, but I WILL see you on the 9th, you know where!

Ken

[tinaballina]

[what'd you do, eat a box of vanilla wafers and start feeling guilty ?[/quote]

looks like you know me a little to well. its like a drug, after the rush wares off i need another fix.
gotta love it.
so that is a yes on the 20th correct?