In Praise of Mountain Hiking

by Jim Cathcart

Since 2001 I have lived in the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu and Thousand Oaks, California. As a lifelong fitness enthusiast I was drawn to mountain hiking by a local group called "The Heartbreak Hiking Fools." This good natured group took its name from one of its trails known affectionately, and accurately, as "Heartbreak" trail. They even have their own logo wear due to the generosity of one hiker who is in the uniform business.


I first got fit in my 30s while I lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a young adult I had always been overweight, in fact at one point in 1975 I weighed 199.5 lbs. On a 5'9" frame that's a lot of weight! Well, 200 lbs was a point I was unwilling to reach so I went on a diet and exercise regimen that removed 52 lbs and many inches from my girth. Mostly I became a jogger and continued to run and do floor exercises for my second 30 years. My weight fluctuated between a low of 148 and a high of 173, a 25 lb range, not bad for three decades.

But in 2001 I had gotten out of shape a bit and so the mountain hiking seemed a good beginning for my fitness plan. Little did I know what "hiking" could become. It seems that the Heartbreak Hikers (HHF) are no ordinary group. Their ages range from the 40s to the high 70s. Most are professionals and many are retired. But when they hit the trails they don't even pause. Note, I did not say rest, I said 'pause'. Their hikes are more like forced marches...uphill.



When the group departs for the Wednesday and Sunday morning hikes (at EXACTLY 7am!) they have two hiking poles each and a timer watch. Every hiker is on a quest to beat their own best time for that day's trail and they literally don't even pause on the three mile uphill trek to the peak. Once they get there all is cordial. There's plenty of humor and they wait for the slower or newer members to arrive. Then the return hike is filled with stories and fun, and even an occasional pause to glance at the beautiful scenery.



During the week many members workout at the gym and some do spinning, pilates, and even triathons. But our real workouts are the hikes. Twice each week they push themselves through all kinds of weather, well OK, California weather, and their fitness levels are truly impressive. (2 hikes a week x 52 weeks x 6 miles roundtrip = 624 miles a year.) The number of infirmities and time off for illness among the group is very low despite most of them being beyond what would normally be considered their "fitness" years.



Here is what I have found about the value of hiking vs other forms of exercise.
1. The trail is always tougher than you are so there is no limit to how strenuous you can make the workout. You can always strive to beat your last "personal best".
2. Hiking uses all the muscles and tendons more than running. The uneven trails, rocks, hills, tree roots, sand, and occasional mud cause you to use every angle your feet, knees, hips and ankles are capable of. The more you use, the stronger and more injury resistant you become. Even your upper body gets a workout by using the two hiking poles.
3. Your balance and hand/foot/eye coordination are improved and tested constantly.
4. The aerobic value of strenuous uphill trail running is enormous.
5. The ability to be outdoors and, with proper clothing, to continue to hike in light rain, wind, cold and heat...causes you to feel truly alive. The beauty of the trails and views is really worth it.
6. The friendships with my fellow hikers has become vitally important to me.



Here are the rules we follow in the Heartbreak Hiking Fools, you might want to form your own group;
1. Everyone is responsible for him or herself. If you don't show up, nobody is going to call you. Nor will we send you a reminder or wake up call.
2. No whining. If you want to complain about something, find another group. We are here to have fun and stay fit.
3. We leave EXACTLY on time. If you arrive at 7am we won't be there. That's when we left for the hike. So meet at the trailhead by 6:59am or hike alone.
4. If you don't want to compete you don't have to. Some just come for the hike and don't really push it, but others are all out for a "win." Hike at your own pace and don't expect others to join you unless they want to.
5. If you bring a guest (and guests are always welcome) then you are responsible for your guest. If they get lost, you go find them. We'll see you at the coffee shop later.
6. Don't expect to impress us. The group is already pretty amazing, so just join in.
(We have rocket scientists, authors, business owners, politicians, marketing consultants, motivational speakers, physicists, sculptors, dentists, accountants, lawyers, pathologists, real estate developers, psychiatrists and financial advisers.)
7. Come to the coffee shop after the hike and celebrate your hike. No reservations, no agendas, no complaints just good clean strenuous fun.

I know, this seems too blunt and uncaring for some folks. That's understood, but it's kind of like The Marines, if you don't want that kind of culture, don't join. Just find a culture that works for your values.



By the way, if you haven't yet read Younger Next Year, by Chris Crowley and Dr. Henry Lodge, then get a copy today. It tells the truth about fitness like no book I've ever read.

I hope to see you on the trails!
In the Spirit of Fitness,
Jim