Volcanoes and mountains and bears, oh my!

Well maybe no bears. Still, the last week hiking in Mexico has been a huge confidence boost.

For a while now people have been asking “How’s your training for Everest going?” Before today I never knew how to answer. I mean, HOW do you train for the world’s highest marathon while living in the flat lands of Illinois? I’ve done everything I can think of: the altitude room at Well-fit Performance, endless amounts of treadmill time on an ever increasing incline, the stair climber, strength training, etc. But until this past week I had no idea if any of that would translate into the real world of high mountain trekking. Now I know.

Even before signing up for the Everest Marathon I knew if I did this, it would be imperative to spend at least a week at altitude in my hometown of Mexico City, hiking the mountain range and volcanoes that surround it. Not only would I get to visit family and train at home, I also had a built-in coach. One with a vested interest in not letting me fall off the side of a cliff: my cousin Juan, aka, crazy ultra runner, for whom running 100 miles through the mountains of Mexico, California, the Patagonia and Andorra, is an everyday endeavor.

Arriving on a Thursday, I said some quick hellos to family, then Juan and I skipped town early the next morning. Mexico City lies in a valley 7,350 ft above sea level (2,240 meters). But our sights for the weekend were set much higher than that. 

‘Xinantecatl’

A truly magical place, I’ve been to the Nevado de Toluca, or Xinantecatl, before. This time was different. Most people visiting will park their cars in a “lower” level area down the mountain. From there, they take paid transport vans to a spot pretty close to the top; then challenge themselves with a short, but steep hike to a view point that overlooks the lakes now nestled in the volcano’s craters. That’s NOT what we did.

Backpack loaded and brand new trekking poles at the ready, we set off from the parking lot, spending three hours on foot, climbing, just to get to where the paid vans drop visitors off. That was the easy part. By the end of the day, Juan and I had traversed 25 miles (40km), through gravel roads, rocky tracks and forested trails. Up and down we went for about eight hours. The next day, we backed it up with another 17 miles (27km). The distance was shorter, the terrain much harder, as we reached one of Xinantecatl’s peaks, located 13,246 ft (4,038 meters) above sea level. And while the elevation was challenging—heart bursting out of chest moments were plentiful—the toughest part was dealing with the steep gravel ascent. More than once, I was convinced I would just slip and roll down the mountainside. That I did not, is entirely thanks to my cousin’s lessons on the right way to safely get up and then down a steep mountain trail. 

Properly tired by then, and Sunday being a day of rest, we decided to take it “easy.” A 14-mile hike (23km) in the forest preserve I grew up riding past every day on my way to school, was just the ticket.   Elevation: a measly 7,300 feet (2,225 meters). 

El Ajusco

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After the monster weekend, quality family time (with someone other than my cousin) was mandated. And so it was that our final expedition came a couple of days later. This one, into the mountains that surround the Mexico City valley. The Ajusco mountain range is one I know well on a superficial level: childhood picnics, weekend getaways spent at an uncle’s home, simple, but memorable Sunday breakfasts. Never had I hiked this far into its forests however. It’s certainly not something I would have ever done alone. In terms of distance (13 miles/21km) and elevation (10,340 feet/3,150 meters), our hike, wasn’t nearly as difficult on paper. In reality however, this may have been the hardest day. It took two plus hours for me to go 3.5 miles ( just over 5km). My cousin, the mountain goat, just sauntered up as he’d been doing all week. It’s been a humbling experience. But also incredibly peaceful. I learned a lot. And prepared myself as best I could for the journey ahead. And for that, I’m grateful.

How hiking in Mexico helped me train for the Everest Marathon

-Finished breaking in my hiking boots and trail runners.

-Got plenty of experience hiking for several hours carrying a day pack loaded with all the essentials on my back. 

-Learned how hike using trekking poles.

-Learned how to properly hike up a climb. Do a duck walk. Heel strike first, hands on thighs for support. This will take the pressure off your calves and better distribute the load to your leg muscles. 

-How to fuel. You will dehydrate A LOT at altitude. Gels, electrolyte and salt tablets are all your friend. A built-in water reservoir (camelbak or similar) is imperative. It will make you drink a lot more. But have some real food on hand too.

-Diamox works. At least for me. No altitude sickness symptoms (tested up to 4,000 meters). It will however, make you pee, A LOT!!

-It’s also the first, and likely the last time, I’ve ever lost weight on a trip home!! 😂