April 18, 2026
First training walk in preparation for the West Highland Way (100 miles) this year and the Camino de Santiago (500 miles) next year. 8.2 miles, 909 ft. elevation gain. 59 degrees and sunny. 10 lbs. in my 22L Osprey Tempest pack. My Darn Tough hiking socks were perfect with my Altra Olympus 6 shoes, though it took me 3 tries to get the right shoe size (quite a collection of shoes in my garage now). I look like I have giant boats at bottom of my legs, but they work well.
I’ve been very confident that we can do this. I work out and my joints have been cooperating of late. But after the first couple of miles uphill, I started to have doubts. In spite of all the box step ups, rowing, rowing, and weightlifting at Littelton Crossfit, I was huffing and puffing and cursing my way up the hill (most of the 900′ of elevation gain was between miles 2 and 4). I probably do that during a workout, too, so at least I’m consistent.
April 27, 2026
Camino/WHW training walk number was 11.2 miles with 755 ft. elevation gain. It was 60 degrees when we started, 68 when we finished. Part of this walk is one that we used to do when we stayed at the local campground before we built a house here. We stopped at the top (the turnaround point) and had lunch before heading back down.
I added more weight to the pack this time and had no trouble with it. Still huffing and puffing and cursing, sometimes out loud.
May 7, 2026
When we started training hike number 3, it was raining, but cleared up shortly after we started. This one was 9.4 miles with 978 ft. elevation gain. We celebrated with lunch at one of our favorite spots, Maia Papaya.
We are so lucky to be able train (and simply live) in a place with beautiful views.
May 16, 2026
Training walk number 4 was 8.5 miles with 955 ft. elevation gain. Tested out my 34L Osprey Sirrus backpack (the link shows the color Purple Dusk, mine is Mulberry) and REI Flash Carbon Trekking Poles. At the end, we treated ourselves again to lunch at Maia Papaya and picked up a couple of pints at Super Secret Ice Cream to celebrate with.
June 1, 2026
Training walk number 5 was 9.2 miles with 1089 feet elevation gain. I had 16 lbs. in my pack which is about what I intend to carry on the West Highland Way. Tested my Injinji toe socks. At this point all our gear has gotten a trial run so we’re as ready as we can be for the West Highland Way.
Today’s treat was a very late breakfast at Polly’s Pancake Parlor, about 6.5 miles into the walk. Thinking about my favorite buckwheat pancakes with blueberries kept me going for most of those miles.
