CRAIG PRODUCTIONS LLC

Well, I'm back to the gym after nearly a months rest following Master's Nationals. Dan and I actually started back in last week, got through three nights of our workouts, took a night off and snored on the couch while we "pretended" to watch TV and then went hiking at Mt. Rainier last Friday. What's cool about planning for the hiking is that we get a killer leg workout and cardio in one workout all while taking some seriously spectacular scenery! Last year we hiked up on the mountain itself climbing to over 7,000 feet. Let me tell you...if you want to feel SERIOUS BURN in your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves - take a hike! Try the Alta Vista Trail up at Paradise. Climb to Panorama Point, and then continue your hike on the Upper Skyline Trail. It is a kickass workout, plus it gives you an excuse to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (on whole wheat!) once you get to the top. Of course our hikes have been during the off season, but we also carry protein bars (VPX Zero Impact Bars are INCREDIBLE!), trail mix, and lots of water! Getting back to last week's hike though...we decided to stay lower in the park this time as the mountain was socked in. As we entered the park and drove past Longmire, I noticed the temp drop to 53 degrees, and of course we're both in shorts and t-shirts...LOL!!! Well we did bring our hiking boots, thick warm socks, and jackets...so we were fine clothing wise. We decided we would check out the Comet Falls Trail at the recommendation of our chiropractor. It was a 1,400 ft climb in 1.8 miles from the trailhead. Needless to say...once again we had one heck of a good quad, hamstring, glute, calf, and LUNG workout! The trail gets a little rough...lots of roots and jagged rocks, but Comet Falls is absolutely worth the climb...even on a drizzly day! We got to what we thought were the falls (and what is quite beautiful) and stopped briefly to rest. Then Dan noticed a sign that said Comet Falls 200 feet with an arrow pointed uphill. Soooo...we decided to climb another 200 (plus) feet to see what we could see. IT WAS WORTH EVERY STEP! Because it was so socked in, we couldn't see where the water actually started to fall from the cliff (the falls are 300 feet), so it looked like the water was fallling from the sky. It was spectacular to say the least, and I can only imagine what it looks like on a beautiful, clear sunny day. We got as close to the falls as we could (about 20 feet away) and the wind coming off the falling water as it splashed into the shallow pool below created it's own blustery weather. We were both in awe of the sheer power of nature and the beauty we found at the top of that climb - we can't wait to go back!

I guess I have a point to make here - to all of us "hardcore gym rats" and that is - don't limit yourself and your training to just the gym, the treadmill, etc. Take a look around you and plan a "training/play" day to try something different. Experience nature and all of it's raw and powerful beauty. Let nature beat up your quads and your glutes, and add some cuts and tone to those hamstrings and calves. Trust me...it's a HARD workout, but one that brings some incredibly satisfying rewards - not just in terms of conditioning and fitness but also relaxation, peace, and scenery that takes your mind off the workout. Give it a try!

Tags: