» Fitness & Gear
  August 27th, 2006

  According to the nifty little web script I've added to this page, I will be departing for Nicaragua in 95 days. I was talking to my Dad over the weekend and he asked me if I have everything I need. Oddly enough, I do! In fact, if I needed to leave tomorrow, I'd be all set. I've got a backpack, tent, sleeping mat, water pump, first-aid kit, stove, rain gear - all the stuff necessary for trekking the "Ring of Fire" in December. My biggest concern right now is getting in shape and not over packing. For just about every backpacking trip I've gone on, I've brought more than I needed. For my first journey to Europe in 2001, my 4,250 cubic inch (70 litre) Jansport backpack tipped the airport scales at just over 50 pounds (23 kg). When I trekked through the Andes in 2004, I had items strapped to my back that I ended up only using once, if at all. On the same trip, I brought along the 944-page Quicksilver by Neil Stephenson, a book I read a total of three pages from during the entire two-week trip. Peso muerto!

  I have yet to find that magical balance between packing needs and packing wants, even after over six years of backpacking. Do I pack the entire contents of my outdoor first-aid kit or do I leave part of it at home? Do I really need that ankle brace just in case my trick ankle starts to bother me? Can I get through two weeks of trekking with just two pairs of pants? These are some of the hardest questions I face when preparing for an overnight backpacking trip, locally or internationally.

  I've learned some great tips to help cut down on the weight of my pack, none of which require extreme measures like cutting off the handle of my toothbrush. A couple nights before I leave for a trip, I lay everything out on the ground. I pick up each item and study it, asking myself, " do I really need to bring this?" and "Would I be in big trouble if I didn't bring this?" Sometimes one item can take the place of two. Cell phones can be used as alarm clocks. A pillow case stuffed with your clothes can become a comfy camping pillow. After going through all of my gear, I usually have a pile of stuff that was deemed unnecessary. For the rest, I organize it, pack it, and test the weight by taking a walk around my neighborhood. If I feel uncomfortable with the weight, I take everything out and repeat the process.

  Logic dictates that the better shape I'm in, the more I can carry, and the more I'll be able to enjoy my surroundings. My highest priority in preparing for this trip is to get back into shape. My current job has me working long hours at a desk, which isn't the healthiest environment. Yesterday, a friend and I competed in the Urban Dare Santa Monica, which had us running around SaMo for over four hours. It was a ton of fun, but it just showed me how out of shape I'm in. As I sit here, I'm suffering from blisters on my feet and shin splints, a type of overuse injury to the legs. But I'm determined to get back into shape. I've signed up to run the Nike Run Hit Remix late next month, a 5-mile race where live bands will be performing along the course. I just received word that Vanilla Ice will be performing, which I think is a brilliant addition. Imagine how motivational he'll be to runners...to run as fast as possible to get out of earshot.

As always, thanks for reading.
~K