Inspirational Training Walks...

Okay... so the idea of a training walk from LA to San Fran is great... but really, is it what I want to do??? Is it realistic? Not really. I mapped it out a bit the other night, and well.... although some of the stretches are beautiful and really wonderful, most of the stretches are well..... not that exciting... I know there will be plenty of that going across the country, so I'd rather save those for the big event in a few years....

As a compromise and a better sense of reality I'll do what I'm going to call....

"Inspirational Training Walks"... varying in length and miles... from a 10k (6.2 miles)... to 26 miles (a marathon)..... and perhaps I'll participated in a 3 day walk for charity as a means of getting some endurance training.
But up and down the state of California are a lot of great areas I'd love to walk, a variety of terrains... from Flat along the beaches, to up and down the hills and mountains of Sequoia. I'd like to do so many that are not neccessarily in a straight line between here and San Fran that a "one walk" of 450 miles is not that exciting.

In No Specific Order.... here are some of the Inspirational Training Walks that I'm considering.

1: From My mom's house to the Point Vicente - Whale Watch Station... this takes me around the PV Peninsula to the whale watching point... it's 10 miles, up and down, with some beach walking along the way. I want to do this one during November... this year.

2: Hiking around Griffith Park

3: Day Hikes at Big Bear - this will help me condition for rougher terrain with some overnight camping. Familiarize with the elements...

4: Early Morning Walk along the beach to Malibu.... I believe that along some of the routes it would be smart to start really early - 5 a.m. and walk for several hours before the heat of mid-day hits... then take a rest for a few hours / at a hotel (or camp site), go swimming, sleep / and then towards the evening head off for about 3 more hours of walking..... I figure if I walk 12 miles on a schedule like that or even 20 I'd be making good mileage and successfully complete the long journey...

5: Walk Big Sur - a series of shorter day walks with the kids - I need to keep the family involved.
6: Walk Sequoia - again, walking with the family as often as possible
7: Walk Las Vegas? What??? Yes... I am aware of the extreme heat conditions around the country.... so Las Vegas is a great area to get some real perspective of the air, and dryness that is sure to be a challenge along the route. Anyone been to Arizona and Colorado in the summer? I have.... I love it.... (but I won't walk between 11 and 2 unless I'm under tree cover)....
8: Blythe: I will have several opportunities to walk when we head to the river.... and what better training conditions. I'll be getting up early, before the sun gets up, and walk a 5 mile route... see how far I can go... what speed am I walking, and learn about my own walking needs and habits.

9: Country Walks in England.... in October I will be going to England with my family, To attend Georgina's wedding. I will make some time to walk.... and enjoy the country side. Nothing too rigorous as I will have Fiona with me... Once John joins with the boys, then I'll get up early one morning and put in some miles.

10: Golden Gate Walking - We are planning a trip to San Fran with the kids.... Go up to Sequoia, up through gold country, and end up in San Francisco.... taking the coast home. When we get to San Fran... I'll get up early and walk... cross the Golden Gate Bridge to the State Park where there are a lot of lovely trails. Have John and the kids drive across and find a place to meet me.... perhaps 8 or 10 miles (route to be determined)...

Thoughts are down...
Happy thoughts...
Happy Feet!!!