[Scott Johnston]

So sorry we missed your forum post.  This is all too late for you now but it sounds like this an on-going problem that may re-occur in the future.

1.) Am I crazy still holding out hope for my expedition in 2 weeks, given a month of being ill with sub-optimal training (no ME), and not improving? I am thinking of one last ditch effort to rest completely for 4-7 days, and then try to nudge fitness back together in the last week.  I don’t think going on an expedition after a lengthy illness with no training will be a great move.  The total rest is a good idea but should be done when you first get ill.

2.) I am afraid if I stop my easy hikes I’ll lose all my fitness. Or alternatively, at this point should I just go all-in and rest completely? Illness that lasts for a month or more is unusual but it definitely requires that you put the brakes on training.  At that time your body is telling you it can’t handle the stress it is dealing with.  Piling more stress on just because you have trip planned and are afraid of losing fitness is not going to get you well.

If I cancel my Tajikistan expedition I have hope for Nepal in the Fall. 2025 is THE year for me to take a month off from work and family obligations – I am getting older, not sure I’ll get this window again so I am very motivated to kick this and do something big.  It is great that you are motivated but health is the base upon which fitness is built.  You must get healthy first and then gradually begin to layer on training stress.  With your training history you will be surprised at how quickly your fitness returns.

Good luck,
Scott