PCT Training Hikes Day 1 and 2

It is now less than 90 days before I start my Pacific Crest Trail 2650 mile hike on 03/21, my second attempt. I decided that this go round I should be in better shape than I was last year, and that the best way to do this would be to get out and hike. Duh! With a heavy pack. I thought that it would be best to have some variation day to day as I train since that is what you experience on the PCT. So... my plan is to try to hike at least one new trail each day between now and the time I head to California.

Yesterday was day 1 of the new training regime - I planned to start small and work my way up in terms of mileage and difficulty, the last thing I want to do is get an injury during training that ruins my chances of hiking the PCT. So, I found a short trail on alltrails.com that supposedly leads to a spring - a measly 1.3 mile trail, well off the beaten path. I left early in light rain and heavy fog, about 40 degrees F, and set off to find the trail head. I was where both Alltrails.com and Google said I should be... but there was no trail head, no trail, no signs, no blazes, nothing.

Day 2 was a short trail close to me in a conservation area - I decided to push it hard, which for me is about 3.5 miles an hour - and see how my backpack setup is working out, and test my new Keen insulated boots out. I am choosing to carry more weight during training than I will actually carry on the PCT in hopes that it makes the PCT a tad easier. Again today it was a light rain, very heavy fog in many places, and in the low 40's - an enjoyable first couple of hikes

The next couple of days it may get down below freezing and I may not care to try driving on the roads - but I can still train on the treadmill on full incline, and we have ten acres on a hill which is decent enough for training if need be.