pig-monkey.com - physical traininghttps://pig-monkey.com/2024-07-06T10:50:50-07:00Night Run2024-07-06T00:00:00-07:002024-07-06T10:50:50-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2024-07-06:/2024/07/night-run/<p>I began running at night last autumn. I referred to them as “night runs” but this phrase was mostly aspirational, as I would usually take off around 18:00, or shortly thereafter. But it was dark, and that was the point.</p>
<p>I found that I enjoyed running through the dark …</p><p>I began running at night last autumn. I referred to them as “night runs” but this phrase was mostly aspirational, as I would usually take off around 18:00, or shortly thereafter. But it was dark, and that was the point.</p>
<p>I found that I enjoyed running through the dark, sometimes through city streets, other times down wooded trails, solitary in my small <a href="https://www.zebralight.com/H600c-Mk-IV-18650-XHP502-4000K-High-CRI-Headlamp_p_235.html">forcefield of light</a>. I’ve seen all sorts of wildlife: raccoons, coyotes, Donald Trump’s motorcade. I once ran by a guy valiantly attempting to blow on a didgeridoo while playing death metal on his phone.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/53838313432/in/dateposted/" title="San Francisco Night"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53838313432_db83d56e0b_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="San Francisco Night"/></a></p>
<p>This year, as the days lengthened, my late afternoon runs started to become light enough to not require a headlamp. That was no fun, so in the spring I rescheduled my runs to start around 21:30 – sometimes as early as 21:00 if I’m heading up <a href="https://macwright.com/2018/10/15/twin-peaks">Twin Peaks</a> and want to catch the metropolitan alpenglow. Now they are actually night runs.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/53839646695/in/dateposted/" title="Golden Gate Night"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53839646695_bed2dc7671_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Golden Gate Night"/></a></p>Zensah Leg Compression2021-01-07T00:00:00-08:002021-01-07T18:09:38-08:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2021-01-07:/2021/01/zensah-leg-compression/<p>I purchased a pair of <a href="https://www.zensah.com/collections/compression-leg-sleeves/products/compression-leg-sleeves">Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves</a> in 2008 after <a href="http://www.militarymorons.com/gear/zensah.html">reading about them at MilitaryMorons</a>. This was when minimalist running was beginning to take off – <a href="https://www.chrismcdougall.com/born-to-run/">Born to Run</a> was published the following year – and I found that the sleeves ended up being a valuable part of my transition …</p><p>I purchased a pair of <a href="https://www.zensah.com/collections/compression-leg-sleeves/products/compression-leg-sleeves">Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves</a> in 2008 after <a href="http://www.militarymorons.com/gear/zensah.html">reading about them at MilitaryMorons</a>. This was when minimalist running was beginning to take off – <a href="https://www.chrismcdougall.com/born-to-run/">Born to Run</a> was published the following year – and I found that the sleeves ended up being a valuable part of my transition to less supportive footwear.</p>
<p>The story I was sold in various wilderness medicine courses was that compression aided recovery because it constricted the blood vessels, raising the percentage of oxygen delivered to the area, which in turn speeds muscle regrowth. I understand there is some debate about whether this explanation is accurate but, whatever the reason for it, there seems to be no debate <a href="https://www.tierthreetactical.com/compression-tights-enhance-functional-fitness-and-strength-performance-more-than-50/">that compression aids recovery and performance</a>.</p>
<p>I still use my 12 year old pair of Zensah sleeves. They’re not a piece of equipment I reach for frequently, but they’re invaluable when I do use them. If I’ve been pushing myself on runs – or, in the Before Times, if I had a hard training session at the boxing gym – there’s nothing better than the immediate comfort I get when sliding them on. Because I don’t use them often, sometimes I’ll forgot that they’re buried in the bottom of my sock drawer and I’ll go a couple days with discomfort in my calves that I can’t get out with a <a href="https://store-rumbleroller.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/rumbleroller-compact-12-original-textured-foam-roller">roller</a> or <a href="https://www.litesmith.com/cork-massage-balls/">massage ball</a>.</p>
<p>Prior to buying the Zensah sleeves, I would occasionally accomplish the same thing with <a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Vetrap-Bandaging-Tape-4-/?N=5002385+3294398427&rt=rud">3M Vetrap</a>. It works, and is worth having around for splinting (the self-adhesive property makes it superior to the classic ACE elastic bandage), but wrapping and getting the tension just-so is more of a hassle than just sliding on the sleeves. Vetrap is also not as comfortable as Zensah’s material, which is both breathable and moisture wicking.</p>It's been a while since I've regularly run with a weighted rucksack.2020-03-29T00:00:00-07:002020-03-29T18:29:55-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2020-03-29:/2020/03/weighted-rucksack-run/<p>In the past two weeks I’ve been getting back into the practice. To setup the bag, I remove the <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/control-panel-1/">Control Panel 1</a> and <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/transport-sleeve/">Transport Sleeve</a> that I normally EDC in my <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/fast-pack-litespeed/">FAST Pack Litespeed</a> and replace them with an internally mounted <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/fast-transporter-tail/">Transporter Tail</a>. This is used to secure a …</p><p>In the past two weeks I’ve been getting back into the practice. To setup the bag, I remove the <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/control-panel-1/">Control Panel 1</a> and <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/transport-sleeve/">Transport Sleeve</a> that I normally EDC in my <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/fast-pack-litespeed/">FAST Pack Litespeed</a> and replace them with an internally mounted <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/fast-transporter-tail/">Transporter Tail</a>. This is used to secure a <a href="https://hyperwear.com/product/steelbell/">30 lb Hyperwear Steelbell</a>. On the outside of the bag the only change I make from my normal setup is the addition of a prototype <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/fast-stability-belt/">FAST Stability Belt</a>. With the bag weighted down I <a href="/2019/03/cairn-slippage/">lash on my sandals</a>, fire up my <a href="/2015/08/gpx/">antisocial activity tracker</a>, and it’s almost like <a href="/2011/04/rucksack-run/">it’s 2011 again</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/49714152438/in/dateposted/" title="Rucksack Run Equipment"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49714152438_5916b29a0a_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Rucksack Run Equipment"></a></p>Tightening the Bedrock Cairn2019-03-02T00:00:00-08:002019-03-02T14:59:02-08:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2019-03-02:/2019/03/cairn-slippage/<p>I bought a pair of <a href="https://bedrocksandals.com/products/cairn-sandals">Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals</a> when they were released back in 2016. They are my favorite sandals. In addition to being great everyday and hiking footwear in the warmer months, the Cairns are my preferred running footwear year round.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/40296355543/in/dateposted/" title="Bedrock Cairn Running"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7905/40296355543_fa42c41e16_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Bedrock Cairn Running"></a></p>
<p>My only complaint with the Cairns was …</p><p>I bought a pair of <a href="https://bedrocksandals.com/products/cairn-sandals">Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals</a> when they were released back in 2016. They are my favorite sandals. In addition to being great everyday and hiking footwear in the warmer months, the Cairns are my preferred running footwear year round.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/40296355543/in/dateposted/" title="Bedrock Cairn Running"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7905/40296355543_fa42c41e16_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Bedrock Cairn Running"></a></p>
<p>My only complaint with the Cairns was that the adjustable strap would occasionally slip, loosening the sandal. The webbing would only slip a couple of millimeters over a handful of miles. If walking or pedaling I wouldn’t notice it, but when running this allowed just enough movement of my foot across the bed of the sandal that I would eventually develop a hot spot if I didn’t reach down to tighten the strap every 6 miles or so.</p>
<p>I mentioned this in one of Bedrock’s customer surveys. They reached out to me and suggested that when tightening the strap, rather than keeping the loose end of the webbing inline with the part connected to the wing, I kink the webbing slightly forward. This allows the buckle to get a bit more bite. The added friction from this adjustment has eliminated any loosening of the sandal on my runs.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/40296357103/in/dateposted/" title="Bedrock Cairn Webbing Angle"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7806/40296357103_11e68083c8_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Bedrock Cairn Webbing Angle"></a></p>Last month I mountain biked Cotopaxi.2018-11-15T00:00:00-08:002018-11-15T20:12:42-08:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2018-11-15:/2018/11/cotopaxi/<p>I mounted the saddle at 15,000 feet. Thin air for pushing pedals – everything feels like uphill, until it is, then it feels like something worse – but I like to think it might have prepared me somewhat for the oxygen deprivation of my recent <a href="/2018/11/respirator-considerations/">respirator trials</a>. Integrating some sort of …</p><p>I mounted the saddle at 15,000 feet. Thin air for pushing pedals – everything feels like uphill, until it is, then it feels like something worse – but I like to think it might have prepared me somewhat for the oxygen deprivation of my recent <a href="/2018/11/respirator-considerations/">respirator trials</a>. Integrating some sort of hypoxic training into a PT regime may be worth considering.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/45901807761/in/dateposted/" title="Cotopaxi"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4831/45901807761_634d54b656_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Cotopaxi"></a></p>Antisocial Activity Tracking2015-08-04T00:00:00-07:002019-11-04T19:03:06-08:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2015-08-04:/2015/08/gpx/<p>A GPS track provides useful a useful log of physical activities. Beyond simply recording a route, the series of coordinate and time mappings allow statistics like distance, speed, elevation, and time to be calculated. I recently decided that I wanted to start recording this information, but I was not interested …</p><p>A GPS track provides useful a useful log of physical activities. Beyond simply recording a route, the series of coordinate and time mappings allow statistics like distance, speed, elevation, and time to be calculated. I recently decided that I wanted to start recording this information, but I was not interested in any of the plethora of social, cloud-based services that are hip these days. A simple <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_eXchange_Format">GPX track</a> gives me all the information I care about, and I don’t have a strong desire to share them with a third party provider or a social network.</p>
<h2>Recording Tracks</h2>
<p>The discovery of <a href="http://code.mendhak.com/gpslogger/">GPSLogger</a> is what made me excited to start this project. A simple but powerful Android application, GPSLogger will log to a number of different formats and, when a track is complete, automatically distribute it. This can be done by uploading the file to a storage provider, emailing it, or posting it to a custom URL. It always logs in metric units but optionally displays in Imperial.</p>
<p>What makes GPSLogger really stand out are its performance features. It allows very fine-grained control over GPS use, which allows tracks to be recorded for extended periods of times (such as days) with a negligible impact on battery usage.</p>
<p>For activities like running, shorter hikes and bicycle rides I tend to err on the side of accuracy. I set GPSLogger to log a coordinate every 10 seconds, with a minimum distance of 5 meters between points and a minimum accuracy of 10 meters. It will try to get a fix for 120 seconds before timing out, and attempt to meet the accuracy requirement for 60 seconds before giving up.</p>
<p>For a longer day-hike, the time between points could be increased to something in the neighborhood of 60 seconds. For a multi-day backpacking trip, a setting of 10 minutes or more would still provide great enough accuracy to make for a useful record of the route. I’ve found that being able to control these settings really opens up a lot of tracking possibilities that I would otherwise not consider for fear of battery drain.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/20116407608/in/dateposted/" title="GPSLogger"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/549/20116407608_bafd5c9a3a_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="GPSLogger"></a></p>
<h2>Storing Tracks</h2>
<p>After a track has been recorded, I transfer it to my computer and store it with <a href="https://git-annex.branchable.com/">git-annex</a>.</p>
<p>Everything in my home directory that is not a temporary file is stored either in git or git-annex. By keeping my tracks in an annex rather than directly in git, I can take advantage of git-annex’s powerful <a href="https://git-annex.branchable.com/metadata/">metadata</a> support. GPSLogger automatically names tracks with a time stamp, but the annex for my tracks is also configured to <a href="https://git-annex.branchable.com/tips/automatically_adding_metadata/">automatically set the year and month when adding files</a>.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><code>$ <span class="nb">cd</span> ~/tracks
$ git config annex.genmetadata <span class="nb">true</span>
</code></pre></div>
<p>After moving a track into the annex, I’ll tag it with a custom <code>activity</code> field, with values like <code>run</code>, <code>hike</code>, or <code>bike</code>.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><code>$ git annex metadata --set <span class="nv">activity</span><span class="o">=</span>bike <span class="m">20150725110839</span>.gpx
</code></pre></div>
<p>I also find it useful to tag tracks with a gross location value so that I can get an idea of where they were recorded without loading them on a map. Counties tend to work well for this.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><code>$ git annex metadata --set <span class="nv">county</span><span class="o">=</span>sanfrancisco <span class="m">20150725110839</span>.gpx
</code></pre></div>
<p>Of course, a track may span multiple counties. This is easily handled by git-annex.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><code>$ git annex metadata --set <span class="nv">county</span><span class="o">+=</span>marin <span class="m">20150725110839</span>.gpx
</code></pre></div>
<p>One could also use fields to store location values such as National Park, National Forest or Wilderness Area.</p>
<h3>Metadata Views</h3>
<p>The reason for storing metadata is the ability to use <a href="https://git-annex.branchable.com/tips/metadata_driven_views/">metadata driven views</a>. This allows me to alter the directory structure of the annex based on the metadata. For instance, I can tell git-annex to show me all tracks grouped by year followed by activity.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><code>$ git annex view <span class="s2">"year=*"</span> <span class="s2">"activity=*"</span>
$ tree -d
.
└── <span class="m">2015</span>
├── bike
├── hike
└── run
</code></pre></div>
<p>Or, I could ask to see all the runs I went on this July.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><code>$ git annex view <span class="nv">year</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="m">2015</span> <span class="nv">month</span><span class="o">=</span><span class="m">07</span> <span class="nv">activity</span><span class="o">=</span>run
</code></pre></div>
<p>I’ve found this to be a super powerful tool. It gives me the simplicity and flexibility of storing the tracks as plain-text on the filesystem, with some of the querying possibilities of a database. Its usefulness is only limited by the metadata stored.</p>
<h2>Viewing Tracks</h2>
<p>For simple statistics, I’ll use the <code>gpxinfo</code> command provided by <a href="https://github.com/tkrajina/gpxpy">gpxpy</a>. This gives me the basics of time, distance and speed, which is generally all I care about for something like a weekly run.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre><span></span><code>$ gpxinfo <span class="m">20150725110839</span>.gpx
File: <span class="m">20150725110839</span>.gpx
Length 2D: <span class="m">6</span>.081km
Length 3D: <span class="m">6</span>.123km
Moving time: <span class="m">00</span>:35:05
Stopped time: n/a
Max speed: <span class="m">3</span>.54m/s <span class="o">=</span> <span class="m">12</span>.74km/h
Total uphill: <span class="m">96</span>.50m
Total downhill: <span class="m">130</span>.50m
Started: <span class="m">2015</span>-07-25 <span class="m">18</span>:08:45
Ended: <span class="m">2015</span>-07-25 <span class="m">18</span>:43:50
Points: <span class="m">188</span>
Avg distance between points: <span class="m">32</span>.35m
Track <span class="c1">#0, Segment #0</span>
Length 2D: <span class="m">6</span>.081km
Length 3D: <span class="m">6</span>.123km
Moving time: <span class="m">00</span>:35:05
Stopped time: n/a
Max speed: <span class="m">3</span>.54m/s <span class="o">=</span> <span class="m">12</span>.74km/h
Total uphill: <span class="m">96</span>.50m
Total downhill: <span class="m">130</span>.50m
Started: <span class="m">2015</span>-07-25 <span class="m">18</span>:08:45
Ended: <span class="m">2015</span>-07-25 <span class="m">18</span>:43:50
Points: <span class="m">188</span>
Avg distance between points: <span class="m">32</span>.35m
</code></pre></div>
<p>For a more detailed inspection of the tracks, I opt for <a href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/viking/">Viking</a>. This allows me to load the tracks and view the route on a OpenStreetMap map (or any number of other map layers, such as USGS quads or Bing aerial photography). It includes all the detailed statistics you could care about extracting from a GPX track, including pretty charts of elevation, distance, time and speed.</p>
<p>If I want to view the track on my phone before I’ve transferred it to my computer, I’ll load it in either <a href="http://backcountrynavigator.com/">BackCountry Navigator</a> or <a href="http://osmand.net/">OsmAnd</a>, depending on what kind of map layers I am interested in seeing. For simply viewing the statistics of a track on the phone, I go with <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mendhak.gpsvisualizer">GPS Visualizer</a> (by the same author as GPSLogger).</p>Rucksack Run2011-04-30T00:00:00-07:002012-09-15T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2011-04-30:/2011/04/rucksack-run/<p>Yesterday I felt that I was becoming too complacent on my runs. I needed something to increase the challenge. So, this morning I tossed 20 lbs. into the FAST Pack and strapped it on. That made things interesting.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/5673296996/" title="Rucksack Run by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5673296996_8208d4d8bd_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Rucksack Run"/></a></p>
<p>Dry heaving is a measure of success.</p>Motivation2010-05-14T00:00:00-07:002012-09-15T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2010-05-14:/2010/05/motivation/<p>Occasionally I get asked what motivates me to run on a regular basis. For me, running is fun. I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t. During the run, I take pleasure in partaking in an activity that I believe <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=826HMLoiE_o">Homo sapien sapien was designed to do</a>, and after …</p><p>Occasionally I get asked what motivates me to run on a regular basis. For me, running is fun. I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t. During the run, I take pleasure in partaking in an activity that I believe <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=826HMLoiE_o">Homo sapien sapien was designed to do</a>, and after the run my body feels better.</p>
<p>If that’s not enough, try this: In his autobiography <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0340951834">Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know</a>, Sir <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranulph_Fiennes">Ranulph Fiennes</a> said that, now in his late sixties, the only way he can manage to keep up a decent level of fitness is to run at least 2 hours every other day. I’ll not be physically bested by an old man, even one such as Fiennes!</p>Mailbox Redux2010-02-21T00:00:00-08:002012-09-15T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2010-02-21:/2010/02/mailbox-redux/<p>Remember <a href="http://pig-monkey.com/2009/10/06/mailbox-peak/">Mailbox Peak</a>? The mountain that was supposed to provide one of the most difficult, thigh-burning day hikes in the region? When I climbed it last October my reaction was a cocky “Psch. That ain’t no challenge! Maybe will a full pack it’d cause some pain.” Yesterday, I …</p><p>Remember <a href="http://pig-monkey.com/2009/10/06/mailbox-peak/">Mailbox Peak</a>? The mountain that was supposed to provide one of the most difficult, thigh-burning day hikes in the region? When I climbed it last October my reaction was a cocky “Psch. That ain’t no challenge! Maybe will a full pack it’d cause some pain.” Yesterday, I climbed it again. This time with a 60lb rucksack on my back.</p>
<p>Reaching the summit took three exhausting, slow hours. I allowed myself only one 10 minute break each hour. For the last quarter of the hike I was just stumbling along, slowly plodding my way up higher and higher (thinking “Whose bright idea was this?”). The trail near the top was too covered with snow and ice to make it smart to attempt without some sort of traction device, so I opted for the neighboring boulder field. Scrambling up that required more leg power, balance, and mental facilities than I had left at the time, but I managed to make it.</p>
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<p>Upon reaching the summit, I immediately dropped my pack and sat down. I could only relax for a minute before realizing that I was freezing. And so I had to exert myself further by grabbing more layers from my pack and tossing them on.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4375936975/" title="View from Mailbox by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4375936975_81928c1351.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="View from Mailbox" /></a></p>
<p>I realized that I was dizzy, shaking, and – despite having been constantly sucking on my hydration hose on the way up – not sweating as much as I felt that I should have been, so I took a packet of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergen-C">Emergen-C</a> from my first aid kit, dumped it into one of the 1 liter water bottles I had been using for weights, and forced myself to drink it all down before starting my descent.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4375939181/" title="View from Mailbox by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4375939181_c938c0edf4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="View from Mailbox" /></a></p>
<p>I felt better after that and, munching on some granola, wandered around the summit, enjoying the view. It had been a spring-like day, with only a few clouds and temperatures around 50F at the bottom. Gazing at the other peaks with their light dustings of snow, I decided that the hike had been worth it.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4376688458/" title="Mailbox Peak by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4376688458_26a827670b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mailbox Peak" /></a></p>
<p>There was only one mailbox up there this time. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/3989084202/in/set-72157622532780282/">The black one</a> must have blown away.</p>
<p>I decided to head down. The boulder field was tricky going, but, afterward, it was just a slow and steady plodding down the mountain. Near the bottom I had to poo, but, upon assuming the position, discovered that I didn’t have the length strength left to squat.</p>
<p>Finally, I made it back to the trail head, around two and a half hours after leaving the top. That night I had energy only to shower and eat a double serving of oatmeal before crashing. Today, I am stiff, but not as sore as I thought I would be.</p>Goat Lake2010-02-01T00:00:00-08:002012-09-15T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2010-02-01:/2010/02/goat-lake/<p>I wandered into the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_M._Jackson_Wilderness">Henry M. Jackson Wilderness</a> this morning, taking a 10 mile walk with full pack to Goat Lake. The lake is a popular destination for day trippers in the summer, which has always caused me to avoid the place. I figured the warm winter might give me …</p><p>I wandered into the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_M._Jackson_Wilderness">Henry M. Jackson Wilderness</a> this morning, taking a 10 mile walk with full pack to Goat Lake. The lake is a popular destination for day trippers in the summer, which has always caused me to avoid the place. I figured the warm winter might give me a chance to enjoy the area with a few less bipeds around.</p>
<p>The trail was deserted, making it an enjoyable jaunt. As per usual for this unusual year, no snow nor ice was encountered. There was quite a bit of blow-down and a few land slides, most likely from this year’s storms, which caused me to misplace the trail now and again, but it was otherwise uneventful.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4323417531/" title="Hank's Country by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4323417531_bed4b8349d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Hank's Country" /></a></p>
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<p>I’ll say one thing about old Hank: he’s got some big cedars in his country. I mean, <em>big</em>. Some looked like they may almost match a sequoia. The going was slow, as every 10 feet or so I encountered another that required a pause, a bend of the neck, and a moment’s consideration. There was also evidence of past logging, such as <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4323414923/">Tree On a Stump</a>. A nice little “fuck you” to humans from the forest, I thought.</p>
<p>From one particularly aged and gnarly specimen, I cut a branch of needles. I planned to make tea later and perhaps infuse some of that 1,000 vitality into myself.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4324159142/" title="Goat Lake and Cadet Peak by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4324159142_f65749f10d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Goat Lake and Cadet Peak" /></a></p>
<p>The lake itself had no ice, but Cadet Peak above was topped with snow. It was difficult to tell where mountain ended and sky began, for all the white clouds in the afternoon sky.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4324161712/" title="Lunch at Goat Lake by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4324161712_317ea3de7b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lunch at Goat Lake" /></a></p>
<p>Lunch was intended to be couscous with a bit of curry, but ended up being curry with a bit of couscous. Afterward, I washed it down with warm cedar tea and a few chunks of dark chocolate – a combination most pleasing to my tongue.</p>
<p>Then: a walk back home as the sun set.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4324162714/" title="Sunset by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4324162714_cdfa12c7c4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Sunset" /></a></p>
<blockquote>I don't know what the answer is. In time man gets used to almost anything, but the problem seems to be that technology is advancing faster than he can adjust to it. I think it's time we started applying the brakes, slowing down our greed and slowing down the world.
I have found that some of the simplest things have given me the most pleasure. They didn't cost me a lot of money either. They just worked on my senses. Did you ever pick very large blueberries after a summer rain? Walk through a grove of cottonwoods, open like a park, and see the blue sky beyond the shimmering gold of the leaves? Pull on dry woolen socks after you've peeled off the wet ones? Come in out of the subzero and shiver yourself warm in front of a wood fire? The world is full of such things.
- Richard Proenneke, One Man's Wilderness</blockquote>Lake Twenty Two2010-01-29T00:00:00-08:002012-09-15T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2010-01-29:/2010/01/lake-twenty-two/<p>I tossed another 10lb weight in my pack and headed out to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pilchuck">Mount Pilchuck</a> area. I ended up walking out to (the creatively named) Lake Twenty Two at the base of Pilchuck and bushwhacked around the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_Natural_Area">research natural area</a> a bit.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4314406639/" title="Lake Twenty Two by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/4314406639_03833d2e12.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lake Twenty Two" /></a></p>
<p>There was very little snow. It’s going …</p><p>I tossed another 10lb weight in my pack and headed out to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pilchuck">Mount Pilchuck</a> area. I ended up walking out to (the creatively named) Lake Twenty Two at the base of Pilchuck and bushwhacked around the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_Natural_Area">research natural area</a> a bit.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4314406639/" title="Lake Twenty Two by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/4314406639_03833d2e12.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lake Twenty Two" /></a></p>
<p>There was very little snow. It’s going to be a dry summer.</p>Lake Serene2010-01-28T00:00:00-08:002012-09-15T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2010-01-28:/2010/01/lake-serene/<p>I’ve been doing a few training hikes lately: loading the old rucksack up with 55-60lb, walking through forests and scrambling up peaks. The winter has been unusually warm, which has allowed me to access places that are usually off-limits this time of year without technical equipment. Yesterday I ventured …</p><p>I’ve been doing a few training hikes lately: loading the old rucksack up with 55-60lb, walking through forests and scrambling up peaks. The winter has been unusually warm, which has allowed me to access places that are usually off-limits this time of year without technical equipment. Yesterday I ventured out to Lake Serene, at the base of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Index">Mt. Index</a> (just the other side of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4312119594/">Skykomish valley</a> from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/3953854733">Baring Mountain</a>).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4311384377/" title="Mt. Index by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4311384377_ddfd2faab0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mt. Index" /></a></p>
<p>At a little over 7 miles (round trip) and only 2,000 feet elevation gain, this was a relaxing walk; a bit of an award to myself for completing the other, more difficult climbs.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4312130176/" title="Lake Serene by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4312130176_738ed06ca3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lake Serene" /></a></p>
<p>The trail was snow free till about a mile or so before the lake. After that, there was a dusting of crusty snow – no more than an inch – and quite a bit of ice.</p>
<p>I ate lunch at the frozen lake, watched an avalanche on Index’s north peak, and raced the sun back home.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/4311389661/" title="Lake Serene and Mt. Index by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4311389661_03393f6850.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Lake Serene and Mt. Index" /></a></p>Mailbox Peak2009-10-06T00:00:00-07:002012-09-15T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2009-10-06:/2009/10/mailbox-peak/<p>I hiked to the top of Mailbox Peak today, near Snoqualmie Pass. The trail has a reputation of being one of the toughest short day hikes in the Cascades: it’s only about 3 miles one way, but you gain 4,100 feet. That makes it a bit steep. <a href="http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mailbox-peak">The …</a></p><p>I hiked to the top of Mailbox Peak today, near Snoqualmie Pass. The trail has a reputation of being one of the toughest short day hikes in the Cascades: it’s only about 3 miles one way, but you gain 4,100 feet. That makes it a bit steep. <a href="http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mailbox-peak">The Mountaineers and the Washington Trail Association has this to say</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
Wimpy hikers, turn the page. This trail offers nothing for you but pain and heartbreak. If you think you've got the goods to scramble up more than 1000 feet per mile, read on. Mailbox Peak brings a serious burn to the thighs of even the best-conditioned athletes, but the rewards make it all worthwhile.
</blockquote>
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<p>The <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/3989087066/in/set-72157622532780282/">sign at the trail head warns</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
Mailbox Peak Trail is a very steep, wet, unmaintained, difficult, challenging trail.
It is 2.5 miles one way to the top and gains 4,00 feet in elevation.
Search and rescue teams are frequently called to this trail to assist distressed hikers.
Please respect your own ability.
</blockquote>
<p>I figured it was all just a bunch of hype. It didn’t look that bad, standing at the bottom.</p>
<p>The trail starts out on an agreeably shallow grade for the first 100 meters or so. Then it gets steep. Then steeper. Then a bit steeper yet. Still, it’s not the challenge it’s made out to be. It may separate the obese, McDonald’s eating, TV watching, weekend warrior (1 in 4 people in the state, last I heard) from anyone who’s ever climbed a mountain before, but it certainly isn’t going to “bring a serious burn to the thighs of even the best-conditioned athletes”.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/3988327737/" title="Mailbox Peak by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3988327737_b3e16dc708.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mailbox Peak" /></a></p>
<p>The view from the top, in contrast to the hike up, was not over-hyped. Today was a crisp, clear Autumn day and one could see for miles in all directions. Mount Si, Glacier Peak, and Mt. Rainier were all visible. And at the top, there is not one but two mailboxes. (I vote we change the name to Mailboxes Peak.) One contained something called a <a href="http://www.terracaching.com/">TerraCache</a>, which is some sort of alternative to geocaching. The other held the log book and a number of odds-and-ends that people had left behind. At the base of one of the mailboxes was a firefighting helmet. The state’s <a href="http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/fireacad.htm">Fire Training Academy</a> sits just at the base of the peak and they often use the trail as part of their physical training. (I’m told that they once hauled a fire hydrant up the peak. That is quite a feat.)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/3989084202/" title="Mailbox Peak by Pig Monkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3989084202_a193184c27.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mailbox Peak" /></a></p>
<p>I’d like to return to the trail with a fully loaded rucksack on my back. That would be some thigh burning!</p>Spring Training2009-02-08T00:00:00-08:002012-09-15T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2009-02-08:/2009/02/spring-training/<p>Last February I began a training ritual in preparation for my anticipated <a href="http://pig-monkey.com/2008/06/17/departure/">journey to Spain</a>. Every weekend that I could, up to the very time of my departure, I would load up <a href="http://pig-monkey.com/2008/02/24/i-live-here/">my Kifaru ZXR</a> with the heaviest books I owned till it reached something in the range of 70-80 …</p><p>Last February I began a training ritual in preparation for my anticipated <a href="http://pig-monkey.com/2008/06/17/departure/">journey to Spain</a>. Every weekend that I could, up to the very time of my departure, I would load up <a href="http://pig-monkey.com/2008/02/24/i-live-here/">my Kifaru ZXR</a> with the heaviest books I owned till it reached something in the range of 70-80 lbs, then head out the door and hike 15-20 miles. In reality, this is far more weight than I usually carry while traveling and I tend not to walk much more than 15 miles a day. But by pushing my body and mind further than where I actually require it to go, the pleasure, serenity, and ease of travel is heightened.</p>
<p>I find that no amount of running, biking, or light-weight day hiking adequately prepares the body for the weight of the ruck and life on The Road. So, this year, I’m continuing the training. Yesterday was day one. I hadn’t walked under my heavy rucksack for a couple of months, so I started out with something probably closer to 50 lbs and did a 15 mile trip that lacked much elevation change.</p>
<p>It felt good to dust off the rucksack and move around some. At the end of the day, I could feel the strain in my gluteal muscles. Today I’m only a little bit sore. The exercise works and I’m glad of my starting weight and mileage.</p>
<p>In the coming weeks, I’ll increase the weight and mileage until I reach stability. At that point, I’ll keep things interesting by using my GPS to clock my speed and see what I can do about cutting down on time.</p>
<blockquote>I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least -- and it is commonly more than that -- sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements. You may safely say, A penny for your thoughts, or a thousand pounds. When sometimes I am reminded that the mechanics and shopkeepers stay in their shops not only all the forenoon, but all the afternoon too, sitting with crossed legs, so many of them -- as if the legs were made to sit upon, and not to stand or walk upon -- I think that they deserve some credit for not having all committed suicide long ago.
Henry David Thoreau
</blockquote>My Morning Triathlon2009-01-13T00:00:00-08:002012-09-30T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2009-01-13:/2009/01/my-morning-triathlon/<p>I always run on Saturday morning. When my schedule allows it, I try to get in at least one additional run at some point during the week. The past few months, this didn’t happen very often. Since the new year, my schedule now allows me to run on both …</p><p>I always run on Saturday morning. When my schedule allows it, I try to get in at least one additional run at some point during the week. The past few months, this didn’t happen very often. Since the new year, my schedule now allows me to run on both Tuesday and Thursday mornings, in addition to the usual Saturdays.</p>
<p>This morning was the first run I had taken in close to a month where it wasn’t raining (or <a href="http://pig-monkey.com/2008/12/20/i-find-running-more-satisfying-in-the-winter/">snowing</a>). It was so enjoyable that I decided to add something extra: at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmonkey/1991696592/in/set-72157607433063482/">the park</a> that marks my half-way point, I stopped and did 45 elevated push-ups off one of the benches before continuing on home. When I first started running again, it actually felt a little easier, since my legs and lungs had gotten about a minute break from the running, but soon after I discovered that my abdominal muscles weren’t too happy with me.</p>
<p>After running on weekdays, I only have about a 20 minute break to take a shower and break-fast before jumping on my bike and pedaling off to work. My morning commute is all up a hill that gets progressively steeper as one gets higher. Over the winter holidays, my office was moved about another half mile up the hill. Rather than riding my bike all the way up, I’ve taken to going up only about halfway, then walking up 55 stairs with the bike on my shoulder.</p>I find running more satisfying in the winter2008-12-20T00:00:00-08:002012-09-15T00:00:00-07:00Pig Monkeytag:pig-monkey.com,2008-12-20:/2008/12/i-find-running-more-satisfying-in-the-winter/<p>There’s still 6” of snow on the ground (more predicted for tonight) and temperatures are hovering around 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit. The only runners on the trail this morning were myself, two women, and a fellow who looked to be in his 70s.</p>
<p>Two days ago (when the powder was …</p><p>There’s still 6” of snow on the ground (more predicted for tonight) and temperatures are hovering around 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit. The only runners on the trail this morning were myself, two women, and a fellow who looked to be in his 70s.</p>
<p>Two days ago (when the powder was fresh and the snow still falling), it was only me and a couple folks on skis.</p>
<p>What’s with that? Why retreat to central heating when you can generate your own warmth, achieve the satisfying feeling of beating up your body, and be <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cYWfq--Nw">harder, better, faster, stronger</a> the next day?</p>
<p>(Rinse, repeat.)</p>