RE: [Philmont]: Physical Condition

Hi Mel,

I'm pushing 50 and knew I'd need to be in better shape to keep up with a
very fit crew (15, 16 & 17 yo) so I started about a year ahead of time. I
needed a program that with a minimal time investment, but realized that
exercising 3 to 4 times per week was essential. I chose exercises I could do
at home or in my neighborhood to keep the time to a minimum.

My choices for exercises were: running, biking, squats and pushups. I did
the squats as a part of my stretching prior to running/biking. I did the
pushups before showering after waking up each morning.

By the time we hit Philmont I could run/jog for an hour (<10 minute miles),
ride a bike at a fairly brisk pace for an hour and do a set of 25 'perfect
form' pushups. For biking and running I included the biggest, steepest hills
I could find and attacked them with as much energy as I could muster each
time.

In addition, after our Spring Break trek in the Ouchita Mountains, I jumped
into the South Beach Diet and lost about 15 lbs before our Philmont trek.

Our trek was 'very strenuous' and included backpacking over Phillips (in the
hail and with 3 days of food) as our toughest physical test. I could keep up
with every Scout.... I couldn't have passed them, but we never needed to
stop and rest for me.

Since returning, I've kept up the running and biking but have slacked off on
the pushups/squats and dropped the diet. I've not regained the weight
(fingers crossed) and try to be selective in my eating. I'm buying new pants
(back to my collegiate weight!).

Coop's book has some good ideas on exercises as well.

Congratualtions on thinking about your impact on the crew early, while there
is still time to make changes.

Happy Trails,
CR

CR Thomas
crthomas99@hotmail.com

----Original Message Follows----
From: MelMetz@aol.com
Reply-To: philmont@troop47.com
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont <philmont@troop47.com>
Subject: [Philmont]: Physical Condition
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 08:42:03 EDT

With 2004 Philmont season drawing to an end. Would like to hear from adults,
especially those over 40, on how you prepared yourself for Philmont. Just
hiking with the scouts does not make it happen and some of you found out the
hard
way.

Mel Metzler T320
Dayton, OH

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Received on Wed Aug 4 15:03:17 2004