My aerobic base building block has been going well and I can feel my running-based conditioning coming back quickly, but winter snow has definitely hit earlier than expected this year with 3 snow storms hitting to date. Part of me never grew up and still loves to play in the snow so it’s been great to get out, strap some crampons on, and hit the snow-covered trails, such as some recent exploration of Minnewaska Park’s Lower Awosting Trail and Blueberry Run Footpath.
While I don’t mind training outside in the winter, the recent storms have had me make some modifications to my current training block. On the first of the stormy days where conditions meant it would have been unsafe to run, I replaced a run with some sport specific gym-based exercises in the form of high repetitions of step ups with a 30-pound rucking plate on my back. This workout came from Mountain Tactical Institute’s Mountaineering and Hiking Prep plan and additional snow storms led to my decision to stick with it. The plan contains two days of step ups, two total body strength days, and one running day. The step ups and circuit-based strength days still provide a great aerobic benefit and the running in the plan still allows me to continue to practice my form. I have made the weekly run a bit longer than the plan calls for though and have taken advantage of the 5 day a week layout of the plan to sneak an extra day of hiking or trail running in if I’m feeling up to it. The plan is a recommended entry point for their more advanced mountain running and hiking plans and I see myself following this plan up with one of them.
Surviving Ultra 