6. Start Training NOW!
How Is Preparing For iConquer Like Building A House?
Both Take A Strong Foundation.
As you prepare for your Honolulu Hike, what kind of foundation will you build?
Here is a motivational gem!
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his family. He would miss the paycheck, but he wanted to retire. After all, they could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career. When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the
contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you.”
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have
done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the house he had built none too well.
So it is with us. If we prepare for our hike in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to
put up less than the best…if at important points we do not give the job our best effort…then we too
will look in shock at the situation we have created for ourselves. We will find that we are now living in
the house we have built.
Had this fellow known he was building his own house from the beginning, he would have done it quite
differently. Will you? As you train, remember the carpenter. Like him, the foundation you are building
with your training will serve you well for the adventure of a lifetime, and a lifetime of adventures.
As you walk or hike you will be enjoying one of the most beautiful and significant places in the world. With a solid foundation you will master the mental and physical challenges of the hike. You will have the confidence to know what your capabilities and limits are…have the knowledge of how to enjoy yourself safely…and will be prepared to absorb all of the magnificence and majesty the Grand Canyon can give.
Your Personal Journey
As a Conquer The Canyon team member, you have joined for your own personal reasons. Waimea Canyon is an amazing place for the culmination of your achievement. A fulfilling experience while you are on the trail is the ultimate goal, including returning safely. So setting your training goals is the single most important point once you have enlisted in the program.
TOO MUCH -- TOO SOON!
There is no doubt that when you look at the pictures of where we are hiking, they can be intimidating. We assure you that there are no pictures, movies or videos that truly capture its awesome vastness or the adrenalin rush and excitement you feel as you look at your future undertaking from the the trailhead. Start your program off with small steps. As with any exercise regimen, you should check with your doctor first to make sure it's appropriate for you. Be smart and don’t try too much at one time. Rather build slowly and focus on consistency. Many people have started an exercise program at one time, only to start off too fast making them too sore and discouraged to keep it up. Don't let this happen to you! Stay on the right track! Your muscles will thank you in the end.
GOING FOR IT!
For some of you, just walking on a consistent basis will be a major lifestyle change. Select goals that are obtainable yet challenge you to do more than you were doing before you signed up for Conquer The Canyon. Stay on track and build on short-term successes. In the beginning, consistency is more important than distance or the amount of time spent walking or hiking.If you are an advanced hiker or endurance walker you may want the physical challenge to go above and beyond what you have been doing in the past. Setting and accomplishing fitness goals will be something you are used to doing, and you may be using this adventure to get to your next level. You will need to be more precise in determining your current level and capabilities, and work to set a more aggressive, longer-term goal.
PERSONAL JOURNEY
You will want to log your progress in whatever format that works best for you. So whether it is an app, notebook, journal, computer or phone, record your times, distance walked, and attitudes. Keep a record of general information about each walk, such as weather conditions, walk location, etc. Make it a scrapbook filled with memories of your personal journey -- a journey that may lead to a positive change in your life forever. Keep it current. The more consistent you are about recording your experience, the more likely you will be to accomplish your goals and the more rewarding they will become when you do.
FINDING THE TIME
Finding the time is usually one of the biggest factors in deciding whether or not you are able to maintain any physical training program. To help keep you going and eliminate some of the time barriers of a busy schedule, you can break your walking time into segments that better fit your schedule. A 15-minute walk in the morning, one during lunch, and one in the evening will quickly add up to two or three miles per day. This will help keep you on target to meet your goals without taking large blocks of time out of your day. Schedule longer hikes in advance. If you wait until you have a few hours to spare it probably won’t happen. By planning days or weeks ahead you can ensure that your fitness plans are a priority.
PERSONAL REWARDS
Personal rewards are very important. Think of ways you can reward yourself for accomplishing your short-term goals along the way, and your long-term goal at the end of the program. We recommend things such as getting a therapeutic massage, going to a show, playing golf, shopping or a weekend getaway. These are just a few suggestions that do not involve food. There are many more!