Conditioning for Picketts Mill

[Terry Sorchy]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

One thing I learned many years ago. If your a cigerette smoker this is a good time to stop. Let your lungs heal up. You wont believe how much farther you can go when your not sucking for air. Also when you breath, breath from the diaphram, it allows more of your lungs to be worked. But walk, walk, walk. Or ride a bike whichever you prefer.
Just think if your in shape for Picketts then when you go for a full week at Into The Piney Woods in 09 you will have an advantage.
Cheers:D
Terry Sorchy

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

-I started drinking water yesterday.

-Low Fat Rouxbarb Diet.

-Really, drop ten pounds, weight lifting, elliptacal x 2miles a day.

[M_Kupsch]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

Also, for those that have never experienced the environs of Pickett's Mill, let me say it is extremely hilly, and humid at that time of the year. Walking flat trails or sidewalks around home will certainly help get you in shape, but remember you are going to be going up and down (and it will seem like you are going up more often than not) some fairly steep hills, wearing period clothing and equipment, and in a humid environment. That puts a whole different slant on power walking around the neighborhood to get ready for this event.

Try and acclimate yourself to the heat before attending the event. Start a forced hydration program well in advance, and of course, do physical conditioning..to include walking up and down hills. Reminds me of a saying I was told many times in the Army," The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in combat." Apply that mentality to preparing for Pickett's Mill and you should be fine.

[hpotter]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

Michael's right. As most here in the south will tell you, it's the humidity that will get you. You can simply walk and start the massive amounts of sweating. Keeping the heartrate low by conditioning will help out A LOT!! Conditioning decreases the need for oxygen that feed the heart's blood for the muscles. This equals less strain and less water needed. Got to love those North Georgia hills.

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

I get pretty good conditioning due to the fact that I deliver cabinets in Georgia for a living. I even deliver and install out in the vicinity of the Mill. Carrying 50 cabinets into a 2 story house with a basement in the May/ June/ July months, going up and down stairs, and doing all of this with cabinets on you back and shoulder (some of which get up to 200 lbs.) will get you into shape pretty quick. At the end of last winter (07), I was tipping the scales at 255 lbs. I weighed in last week at 230 lbs. I'm going to see how much more I can drop before P.Mill.

P.S. My water intake for a regular delivery day is between 1 and 2 gallons. Believe me- by days end, it's all been perspired back out again.

[Ken Cornett]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

It's amazing how much your legs and respitory system rely on each other at this type of event. I still maintain my military PT level that I was at when I retired in 2005. It's at least a personal goal for me. I was ready for the last one, and I will be for this one.

Hey Sorch, you're still kickin'?

[Coatsy]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

I don't know what any of you people are talking about. The terrain around the Mill is flat with a few gentle rolling hills.


And in reality Pickett's Mill = be in good shape.

[Steve Acker]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

Chris,
We are near the weight, 235.Up for a challenge?

Whoever loses the most buys BBQ on Sunday.

Steve Acker
Fed guy

[Strawfoot]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

I didn't mind the hills and rough terrain as much as the foliage. While it DID keep the sun off our backs, it also acted as a barrier for any potential breeze as well.

It was downright suffocating in there... Especially once it started raining on the approach march.


Mike Phineas
Arlington, TX

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

Chris,
We are near the weight, 235.Up for a challenge?

Whoever loses the most buys BBQ on Sunday.

Steve Acker
Fed guy

Wait a second..... is this a trick question???

[Steve Acker]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

For those thinking of attending Picketts, the stories of heat and hills are valid. Yes, the event has both but I promise we will take enough breaks, have enough water and always be aware of the conditions.

For me, the event is still on of the best I ever attended (2004) for it gave a me a feel of realism that a lot of events just can't. Did I sweat, Yup. Did we make it fine, Yup. I think only two or three guys turned back on the fed side and they returned safely to the park building. The experience of the event far outweighed the effort.

Getting in shape will make your experience that much better. Noone wants to spend the weekend watching their feet because they are too tired to enjoy the what the event has to offer. And we do have a lot to offer this year. As always the organizers have put together something special, the fed battalion will be led by excellent company officers and the site is perfect.


So, sign up, get walking and we'll see ya in Georgia.

Steve Acker
Fed Guy

Chris,no trick question, just wondering if you were up for a challenge.

[Coon Dawg]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

With all of this talk of hot and humid, it went to the trusty Farmer's Almanac for information about what the temperature was last year and the year before.

2007 temperature min = 69, mean = 80 & max = 88
2006 temperature min = 71, mean = 85 & max = 93

You just never know, it could be really nice.

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

Steve,
I'm always up for a challenge. Heck, I'm itching for some good pulled pork right now!

[Terry Sorchy]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

Hey Ken,
Yup still kickin brother. Going to Pea Ridge this week and totally sick of snow. Its really icey where I live but my occupation helps me stay in shape. I wind and repair electric motors from fractional up to 5000 h.p. by hand. So I do a LOT of lifting, pulling, pushing, etc... for eight hours a day five days a week every week.
I just want the weather to get better so I can take my new bike out and do some CC with it.
I am stoked about this year and am itching to get out.
Cheers
Terry Sorchy

[theknapsack]

Re: Conditioning for Picketts Mill

Hey Ken,
Yup still kickin brother.
Terry Sorchy

Dang it, I thought we got rid of you?