Walkin'

[christopher575]

The walking's become quite routine. The next major milestone I've wanted to achieve was a ten mile walk. The hard part has been plotting a walk that long that doesn't annoy me by zig-zagging around, and also goes near some bathrooms. The routes I'd plotted worked out to be 12 miles and I just didn't feel I should go quite that far yet.

Friday's walk was three full hours and ended up at 9.25 miles. I was bummed because I could tell that the way I thought about going would have been ten miles or close to it. When I got to Montlake, I chose to come up through Interlaken Park because it's steep and difficult, but the Arboretum and Madison would have given me the distance I wanted. Sure enough, I plotted it today and it was like 10.1 miles. Ha. I think I'll do it this Friday.

I'm so glad I found anti-blister socks that allow me to go this far without hurting myself. They're amazing. If you're thinking about walking long distances, I can't recommend these enough. 

Comments

[wring.livejournal.com]

srsly you're my hero.

[gldngrrl.livejournal.com]

You're rocking!

I did walk a 1/2 marathon- it was 13.1 miles. And we've done some >10 mile hikes.

As for the bathroom need, I went ahead and used the port-a-potty on the 1/2 marathon ONCE. and otherwise there were NO breaks, rests or stops. I also was very cautious about water use (only took water/gatorade at the water stations).

The long hikes- Rattlesnake end to end is a >10 miler, the potty issue of course is different, it's just somewhere off in the woods (and for the boys even easier). Of course I drink the whole way along on hikes, via the camelbak.

I can't imagine a URBAN 10 mile hike!

So rock on walker guy! I'm so impressed, and proud of your progress!

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

Aw thanks.

BTW the other day you asked if my calves were hella big. Suddenly they are. I was going to wear sock garters on Saturday night and I could barely pull my socks all the way up. I haven't noticed because I switched to short socks a while back. Anyway, this morning I also noticed that they're all wide and have this extra cut underneath that they didn't have before. CALFMAN.

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

Aw, you're sweet. And you rock, too!

I want to personally thank whoever thought to add the side urinals to portapotties. Using them used to be such a vile experience when I had to see the piles of stuff inside.

I should make a bathroom and portapotty map.

[meejies.livejournal.com]

the anti-blister socks are indeed amazing. switching to a barefoot style shoe helped my blisters a lot, too.

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

Several people have recommended them. What brand are yours?

aww, thanks!

[gldngrrl.livejournal.com]

HA I am so jealous when I see those! I always try to think of a way to use them, but as a girl, it's just safer and cleaner to pee in the pit.

Most hikes have a "pit toilet" or "privy" at the trailhead- they are usually maintained by the Forest Service. They are bigger than a portapotty, but can range from downright nauseatingly disgustion (WHY have your explosive diarrhea hit all the walls and the ceiling??!) to pristine and as fresh as a mountain breeze (rare...).

I have only avoided one or two, so far because they were so intensely gross. Most of the time it's always a better option than having to find a good tree on a level bit of ground to squat behind.

In other news, hiking and such has made me so much less modest, so I am willing to use the privy with the door slightly open so I can breathe and I am also getting better at the squatting without falling or peeing on my legs/ pants.

:P Must be a learned skill.

If only I could master peeing standing up, I'd be awesome.

Ah yes, the thrills of extended mileage treks!

[meejies.livejournal.com]

vivobarefoot. i look for deals on 6pm.com, sometimes at amazon too.

the terra plana store in NYC used to post past-season styles on ebay for cheap. i think vivobarefoot was spun off as a separate company last year, so they don't seem to be doing that anymore.

I agree.

[gldngrrl.livejournal.com]

I don't go full on zero drop barefoot for running, but I do find any shoe with less stuff on the upper is better- less padding, a thinner tongue, none of the fancy stitching/trim etc makes my feet happier.

Re: aww, thanks!

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

I saw a runner take a quick piss the other day at the I-5 Colonnade Park, but I could never get away with it until I find some tights that have a fly.

PS - I hate these assholes who design tights with a seam right up the middle in front.

Re: aww, thanks!

[gldngrrl.livejournal.com]

Yup- Some of Gordon's "hiking undies" are like that with no fly.

Re: aww, thanks!

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

When I stop to pee on a walk, it's really quite awkward. I have to stand with my legs way apart to keep my shorts from falling all the way down as I peel down my tights. A couple of times I've used the real bathroom at Montlake Playfield instead of the portapotty, and have been quite thankful nobody came in while I was standing at the trough.

Re: aww, thanks!

[gldngrrl.livejournal.com]

I love it.

First world ATHLETE problems! :P

[wring.livejournal.com]

sesssyyyy

[wring.livejournal.com]

ROFL CALFMAN!!!! are they rock hard too?

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

Firm.