Fitness Files: Preparation pays off in endurance events

“I’m planning to walk 60 miles in three days. What do you think?” Carl asked.

I’m flattered when anyone calls for advice, but when it’s Carl, I’m “all over it,” as my kids say.

Carl moves mountains. He’s transformed businesses from the brink to profitable. He took up classical guitar and sounds almost like Segovia. His laser-like focus, willingness to learn and positive energy turn projects into master strokes.

“My brother’s celebrating his 60th birthday by walking 60 miles in three days,” Carl continued. “Friends planned to walk with him, but they dropped out. I’ve been busy, didn’t train, but Saturday and Sunday I walked the Back Bay 10-mile loop. I’m pretty confident.”

“Carl,” I said, “I’ve run/hiked 44 miles this week. Every week I put in miles on the road. But I’m not prepared to walk 20 miles for three days in a row. Don’t do it.”

“Prepared” is the key word. Carl’s iron may push him through. But without weeks of steady workout, Carl would likely be injured, or feel so dreadful by mile 60 that he’d give up walking for good.

Ignoring my admonition, Carl went on. “My brother’s trained all year. He’s taking a week off now. That’s strange, isn’t it? I’m gearing up this week.”

“Your brother’s smart, Carl.” I said. “He’s done the work — a year accumulating the distance. Now he’s resting. Excellent planning for an endurance event. There’s nothing you can do in the last week to make up for the year you missed. You’ll wear yourself out and begin at a deficit.”

From my marathon experience, I know that everyone “hits the wall.” Runners who prepared feel miserable, push through and are elated at Mile 26.2. Participants who are unprepared stay miserable, hate the experience, or worse — end up in the medical tent.

Benefits of regular aerobic and weight bearing exercise, for adults from age 20 through their 90s, include mood elevation, weight control, muscle tone, and improved immune response and energy level. The human body is a learning machine, ready for an uptick in activity. But the body breaks down when overused, strained, unprepared.

Never one to capitulate, Carl said, “I want to support my brother.”

“Start the first 10 miles with him, then meet him on the third day when he’s had it, and walk the last 12. The final miles are punishing even if you’re prepared. You brother will be grateful if you pace him to the finish.

“And, Carl, the greatest take-away for you is to continue the 10-mile Bay walks about three times a week. Regular aerobic exercise like that adds to you chances for life-long health.”

“Well, yeah, I could do the last 12 to15. We’d finish together,” Carl says thoughtfully. “You’re right about continuing regular aerobic workouts. …Wonder if I could do the last 20…”

“Keep up your workouts this year,” I said, “Set a reunion date in 2015. Then, walk 20.”

“Hey!…” said Carl, with measured enthusiasm.

I left him thinking.

Newport Beach resident CARRIE LUGER SLAYBACK is a retired teacher who ran the Los Angeles Marathon at age 70, winning first place in her age group. Her blog is lazyracer@blogspot.com.