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epic hike

Epic Day Hike Training Program

BEST FOR: Anybody who is looking to do an epic day hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome, a Colorado 14’er (or 13’er!), The Enchantments, or a similar challenge.
PREREQS: A regular exercise routine: you workout at least 4 times a week for 30-45 minutes.
NUMBER OF WEEKS: 20

Taking a day to head deep into Ma Nature–and away from the crowds—is always a day well spent.

This 20-week program is built to so you can feel strong and capable on a day-long epic hike. In other words, on your target hike, you’ll be so prepared, all you have to focus on is taking in the scenery and taking in calories regularly. The program’s focus is not on speed, but rather on the endurance and strength necessary for day when you are out on a trail for 8-12 hours (or longer!). We’ve designed this program to work for all kinds of hikes from Yosemite’s Half Dome to a Colorado 14’er to The Enchantments. In addition to plenty of climbing to build lower body strength + endurance during the weekdays, your longest training days will be a percentage of the elevation and mileage you’ll cover on your epic hike day.

$70.00

  • *Race Date

    Step One: Select your race date:

    If you don’t know your race date yet, please select a date that you estimate will be close to your race date. When you solidify it, let us know and we can change it.

     
    Training Date

    Step Two: Your training will begin on:

    Mark this date in your calendar as your official start date! (If your program has already started, no worries; email us and we’ll help you jump in.)

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The Details

The Epic Day Hike program, mixes up a variety of workouts, including easy runs/brisk walks; stairs (either outside or at the gym); hill repeats (both outside and on a treadmill); strength circuits; and long, hilly hikes on the weekend. You do not have to run to complete this program; the on-the-road-or-trail workouts can be done walking or hiking.

Over twenty weeks, you’ll increase your endurance and strength—and learn best nutrition and hydration habits—so that all you have to worry about on your epic hike is two things: taking in the scenery and taking in plenty of calories.

BIGGEST WEEK OF TRAINING: 3 x 60 min. workouts; 1 x 50 min. workout; 1 x :20 min. workout; 3 short strength sessions; 3:30 hike; two rest days.

LONGEST HIKE DISTANCES: One 4-5 hour hike (that ideally includes 60% of your total epic hike elevation + distance); one 5-6 hour hike (that ideally includes 60% of your total epic hike elevation + distance).

WORKOUT OVERVIEW:  The workouts are a blend of brisk walks/easy runs; climbing workouts (done on stairs, at a stadium, or on a Stepmill at the gym); hill repeats (done outside or on a treadmill); easy cross-training sessions; strength circuits; and long, hilly hikes on the weekends. You do not have to run any of the workouts; you can walk or hike all of them. Most weeks have two rest days, and you can move the workouts around to fit your schedule.

FITNESS EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS: The workouts utilize a stair machine or stadium/set of stairs; a treadmill; and a stationary bike. There are only two workouts with a stationary bike, so if you don’t have a bike, you can easily substitute something else, but the climbing workouts are mandatory.

You definitely need to have access to either a long set of stairs, a stadium, or a Stepmill (the climbing machine where you pick up your feet with each step). A Stairmaster (the machine where your feet stay on the pedals the whole time) can suffice, but we recommend one of the other three options.

WEEKLY OVERVIEW OF HIKE TRAINING PROGRAM: (workouts are explained fully in the program)

As you train for your epic day hike, you’re supported step by step with the following:

  • A 14-page comprehensive hike training program. In addition to detailed, engaging workouts, the program covers the gear you’ll need for your hike as well as best nutrition + hydration practices.
  • Daily workouts in a Training Peaks Account. This free training tool will help you chart the nearly daily growth of your endurance base. It also sends you a daily email with your workouts for today and tomorrow so you can plan accordingly.
  • The ability to ask questions anytime. You can drop us an email to ask a question about your training or other issues, and we’ll respond within 48 hours.

Upon registration, you will receive a package stocked with training essentials, including GU Roctane Drink Mix, two GU Energy items (an Energy Gel and GU Chews); a pair of blister-banishing Wrightsock running socks; a 2-oz. bottle of Sweat X Odor Eliminator spray; and an AMR sticker for your water bottle or laptop. Over $25 worth of swag!

(Domestic shipping is FREE for all merchandise and training swag packages. International shipping is not currently available but we invite you to participate in any of our online programs! Just email us at tlamclub@anothermotherrunner.com and we will help you bypass the shipping at checkout.)

QUESTIONS + ANSWERS

This 20-week program starts based on your target adventure date. On the front page, put in your expected race date, and it will give your start date, 20 weeks prior. You can sign up for for the program anytime.

If you’ve got a day-long hike on your schedule (7-12 hours) and want to train for it appropriately so you can feel strong and capable, this is your program. Ideally, before beginning, you have a regular workout habit: 3-4 times a week of 30-45 minutes.

Absolutely. You’ll just turn all the brisk walk/easy run; treadmill; and Saturday hiking workouts into running workouts. (And run as much as possible in them; sometimes hiking quickly is a better call, energy-wise!)

Definitely. You can adjust the longer Saturday hikes to your itinerary. Instead of carrying a day pack, you’ll want to carry a load similar to what you’ll carry during your hike.

The workouts utilize a stair machine or stadium/set of stairs; a treadmill; and a stationary bike. There are only two workouts with a stationary bike, so if you don’t have a bike, you can easily substitute something else, but the climbing workouts are mandatory.

You definitely need to have access to either a long set of stairs, a stadium, or a Stepmill (the climbing machine where you pick up your feet with each step).

In the program, we provide a list of everything a hiker needs for a summer hike. Two strong recommendations from us: a pack with a hydration bladder and a set of hiking poles.

You can definitely still train for a hike that has serious elevation, but you’ll need to get inventive on your workouts and hikes. You may end up doing hill repeats on your hikes to get elevation; you may spend some time in a hotel stairwell for hill repeats. Investigate what trails are near you and think about how to best use them; for instance, athletes in Minnesota used a ski hill for their long hikes.

Within a few weeks of registration, every participant in a Train Like a Mother program receives a stocked swag package with some of our favorite training essentials. Domestic shipping is now FREE for all merchandise and training swag packages.

International shipping is not currently available but we invite you to participate in any of our online programs! Just email us at tlamclub@anothermotherrunner.com and we will help you bypass the shipping at checkout.

We definitely want this to work into your life and your active lifestyle. You can email us within 2 weeks of starting the program and we will set you up with another plan or a partial credit for an upcoming challenge. We will not be able to issue a straight-up refund.

With a smart training plan, doable strength training, and advice on foam rolling and other self-care, we’re going to do our best to keep you injury-free. That said, if you have an injury or illness that totally slays your training, let us know within two weeks. We’ll work with you to get you a partial credit for an upcoming program.

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