Training for a trip

[Jenk00004]

I've always been active and reasonably healthy but my endurance is not very good. I want to fix this! I've signed up for an Outward Bound course backpacking in N.C. for 4 days. I leave in 8 weeks. I'm hitting the gym 4 to 5 times per week right now, splitting my 60 minute routine between jogging and lifting weights. My endurance with jogging is slooowly improving, I jogged for 15 minutes the other day (yes you can laugh, but it's an accomplishment for me!) but unfortunately it really irritates the muscle in my back by my right shoulder blade. It was so bad I had to sleep on a heating pad. Do you think this is because I didn't stretch or will this just go away in time as my body gets used to the routine?

Also, does anyone have any ideas as to how I can build my general endurance and strengthen my back? I'm only 5ft tall and weight 98lbs and I'll be carrying a backpack that's almost half my body weight for 4 days straight so I need all the advice I can get I know I can get there, I just want to train the best way possible.

Your help is so appreciated!

 

[ciarzy_boy]

I did a 4 day backpacking trek in Peru last year so I can only tell you my experience with that and maybe you can learn something

The simplest thing to do with regards to jog...and to get better at it is to jog. Lengthen it out every time you're in the gym or out running, play with different speeds, inclines or if you're doing it outside set yourself up to run some hills, just try and keep going! Get good shoes for this, I hear the Asics Cumulus 9's a great and are cheap enough.

If you're backpacking the best thing to do make sure you've got good boots(I got some North Face ones last year that were brilliant). Make sure they're 'worn in' and bring good thick socks and plasters and above all try keep them dry!

With regards to the weight, my girlfriends is quite similar(ie weighs nothing) and she really didnt have much trouble with it, make sure you get a well fitting one, if you go into any outdoor shop they'll know what you'll need!

Best of luck!

 

[Jenk00004]

Thanks

Thanks for the reply! I'll just keep working at it. I'm sure they won't make me carry the same weight as someone double my size. I'm So excited to go!!

-Jen