[astrobassman]

Hello, happy fourth of July everyone! I am a 44yo male, I live in Colorado. I have 7 years of structured training history, following the plan in the book. I have used it for success on un-guided climbs of Denali in 2019, Manaslu in 2021 (no summit), Aconcagua earlier this year, many winter 14ers and 50-100km races, etc. I have done my training plans on my own, except a call or two with Scott a few years ago (thanks so much for offering this service!). I have a very demanding job (50 hours per week on average) and a family with 3 young kids.

For 3 straight years I have planned expeditions in July to Central Asia for Snow Leopard peaks. For 3 straight years I got sick in June and ended up cancelling, fearing I lost too much fitness right before the expedition. I am confused and frustrated, I historically always get sick in the winter and then I am clear for the year, but recently every June it seems one of the kids brings something nasty home and I’m in my peak training phase and I get wrecked.

For this year, I am at a month now feeling ill. Prior to getting ill I averaged 14 hours a week of training for 24 weeks, which is less training than a few years ago when I went for Denali and an 8000m peak. I’ve been trying to nudge myself back with easy hikes and low volume and its not working. I tried my easy training hike this morning and had 20bpm above average, feeling tired and slow and still a bit ill, no better off than 2 weeks ago. I still struggle getting through the day without a nap. My flight to Tajikistan is in 2 weeks.

I had some very high stress at work and on the home front this last June before getting ill. I usually recover from illness within 2 weeks, but its not happening this time.

For reference, I did Aconcagua in Feb earlier this year while being sick for 2 weeks right before I left. It went well, felt rested and recovered, and very easy compared to training climbs around Christmas up tough winter 14er outings.

I had my blood tested recently nothing came back alarming. I hope to hear from the Doctor next week to take a second look given my fatigue symptoms.

My questions are:

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.

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?

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.

[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

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