[Ptaylor]

Ptaylor on November 26, 2018 at 8:03 am · in reply to: kid sleeping bag #14679

I use an 20 degree down bag from one of the big out retailers for my 7 year old. It has a 600 fill and seems plenty warm for what you are describing. We haven’t been down to 0c probably like 8c, but I am confident it would be fine for my son at 0c ish. Bag is a little more than 2 lbs and packs down well.

[Ptaylor]

Ptaylor on November 19, 2018 at 3:27 pm · in reply to: 24 week plan tweaks for trail marathon #14528

Thanks Scott.

I suspected that might be the case and I am greatful to get your input as I am just getting going. I’m going to check out big vert plan now.

In any event, I think this will be better tailored to my plan of simply using this for conditioninng for next summer. Followed with an 8 week plan leading into the summer.

[Ptaylor]

Ptaylor on June 13, 2018 at 4:03 pm · in reply to: Training With No Imminent Objective #10311

I am happy to report all my hard work with a structured TFNA program really paid off on my climb this past weekend. Unfortunately, we were turned at 13,500 for weather officially. We were the only ones on the Ingraham Direct route, if you can believe that for a Saturday morning summitt attempt and were able to make the most of a slim weather window. Unofficially, I think too many people were struggling for the guides to feel confident when expecting weather on the way down.

I felt great for most of the way at the guides pace. I felt like i was cruzing in zone 2 for the most part only going into zone 3 maybe 4 when speeding up for short streches. Once we passed 12,400, i really started to feel the altitude and maybe was working more in zone 3 but still felt like i had more then enough in the tank the get to the summit and down with solid legs. Thanks for the amazing structure provided by TFNA! It made a world of difference compared to my last attempt.

FYI, my CTL peaked in the mid 70 about 3-4 weeks before climb after which I slowly tapered to around 65 immediately prior to the climb. So the mid 70 CTL I have seen cited here for a Rainier like objective seems to have been about right for me, although I can’t confirm that becuase I didn’t have an oppotunity to go to the top, only the absolute conviction that I would have summitted if we went for the top.

Next training cycle I’m going to gear towards ice climbing as I would like to develop those skills to try more interesting and moderate routes.

[Ptaylor]

Ptaylor on May 16, 2018 at 7:21 pm · in reply to: Training With No Imminent Objective #9907

Thank you Scott,

I very much appreciate your insight. Funny becuase my first inclination was to increase intensity, even with all I have read in TFNA. Thanks for reiterating that is a path I should avoid.

300 hours per year is really asperational, but based on what I have put in for Rainier. If I have significant enough objectives throuhout the year I should be able to reach that number each year.

I looking forward to see how I do on Rainier, considering two years ago I had to turn around at the top of the cleaver. I was stumbling up the cleaver and made the call that it just wasn’t safe enough for me to continue in the state I was in. I attribute 80% of that or more to lack of fitness and the rest to altitude, sleep and mental prepardeness. That is a beast of a mountain (for me anyways) and I can’t wait to test my newly earned fitness. I think I’m ready this time, just hope the weather cooperates.

I guess I’m going to have to firgure out what to do about putting in more time in the furture. It might be that I can tolerate more training physically becuase as I am going through this second training cycle my recovery times are getting better. It could be that as I progress through more training cycles I might be able to cut back on sleep and still be recovered. But I’m not really counting on that as an option becuase I’ve found sleep to be an important part of tolerating the training load.

Your suggestion of considering a coach is great advice and I thankfully know where to find the perfect coaches for the job. Funny becuase I feel like having a coach seems so strange for me as such an out of shape amature, but it will make much more sense as I’m getting closer becuase now I understand the committment it takes to succeed on these objectives.

Thanks again for your thoughts and I’ll report back here as to how Rainier goes in a month’s time.

[Ptaylor]

Ptaylor on April 6, 2018 at 7:23 pm · in reply to: Stairmaster? #9151

One year later and on my second cycle of tftna training and haven’t touched a stairmaster since. Doing ME on the weekend appears to be working for me, good to report, and have just started up with ME again and am feeling much stronger.

You really need to try the stairmaster to understand what you lose vs on a real hill. Don’t get me wrong it’s hard work on stairmaster but much better outside, for many reasons aside from the specificity of the workout.

I wish i had started with the 24 week plan (will the next time), but the free form plan i have been following had let me listen to me body closer and avoid getting sick as much as i did last year. Thanks so much for helping motivate me, drop like 20# and start getting me on the path to good health again! Still a few more years of building a base before i think I’ll be ready for denali, but thats the goal and if (make that when) i make it, it’s going to be huge.

[Ptaylor]

Ptaylor on April 6, 2018 at 7:20 pm · in reply to: Stairmaster? #9150

One year later and on my second cycle of tftna training and haven’t touched a stairmaster since. Doing ME on the weekend appears to be working for me good to report and have just started up with ME again and am feeling much stronger.

You really need to try the stairmaster to understand what you lose vs on a real hill. Don’t get me wrong it’s hard work on stairmaster but much better outside, for many reasons aside from the specificity of the workout.

I wish i had started with the 24 week plan (will the next time), but the free form plan i have been following had let me listen to me body closer and avoid getting sick as much as i did last year. Thanks so much for helping motivate me, drop like 20# and start getting me on the path to good health again! Still a few more years of building a base before i think I’ll be ready for denali, but thats the goal and if (make that when i make) it’s going to be huge.

[Ptaylor]

Ptaylor on March 29, 2017 at 5:01 pm · in reply to: Stairmaster? #4400

Scott, thank you, your response is indeed helpful. I was on the stairmaster today realizing that exact problem with the stair dropping out below and cutting down the effort required.

Mariner, thanks as well for your reply. I’m definitely still working hard on the stairmaster and it would definitely help my overall effort.

I’m thinking hitting my training hill is what I will try and do for the most part and fall back on the stairmaster when my schedule is too busy. Plus being outside is far nicer than being stuck in the gym watching those stairs roll by!