[Philmont] Conditioning

 From my perspective there were three things we needed to train for.

1) Aerobic conditioning. I observed that the boys who were on swim
team, track, etc. did not have any significant problems at altitude
in Colorado (Packard High Adventure Base) in 2005. So my training
program included running and fast walking to develop their cardio-
vascular fitness. We took group runs and fast hikes almost every
Saturday from January to June when we went to Philmont. Some of the
boys and two of the three leaders did runs during the week as well.
This was very effective. We had few problems with the altitude.

2) Strength conditioning. I knew we needed to train our backs and
legs to handle climbing with heavy packs. We had several shakedown
hikes with nearly full packs. We also made several trips to parking
garages and Rice University stadium for hill training (both with and
without packs). Houston and Sugar Land have few natural hills. This
was also effective for those who participated.

3) Team building. Two of our leaders became COPE instructors and we
did a COPE weekend at Camp Strake in Conroe, Texas. We also did
regular team building exercises on the shakedown hikes and Saturday
runs. I wanted to do more but scheduling became an issue in April and
May with the end of school and all. What we did was effective but I
wish we could have done more.

We had 3 mavericks, a leader and his 2 sons who participated in very
few of our activities. They trained on their own mostly by bicycling.
 From an aerobic and strength perspective this was fine for the boys
but insufficient for the leader. Our team spirit suffered greatly
from having these along and I will NEVER again allow anyone on a trek
who refuses to train with the group. We had a policy but this was the
first time our troop had ever gotten a trek. So, while I believed we
were in for trouble, I wasn't sure. I didn't have the guts to make
them stay home. I also didn't think I would get the support of the
committee. Lesson learned for me.

On Sep 8, 2006, at 2:07 PM, Stephen Readett wrote:

> Would anyone care to report on the success or failure of their
> preparations for Philmont.
>
> Specifically, should you have better prepared for the physical
> demands?
>
> Steve R.
> Preparing for '07.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
> Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
> Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
> List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
> List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
> -------------------------------------------------------
> To Unsubscribe send text email to:
>
> To: listserv@troop47.com
> Subject: unsubscribe
> Body: unsubscribe philmont@troop47.com
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
> As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
> Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
To Unsubscribe send text email to:

     To: listserv@troop47.com
     Subject: unsubscribe
     Body: unsubscribe philmont@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------

As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Sat Sep 9 12:59:26 2006