Training for the Three Peak Challenge
Video by Nick Hawkes & Holden Rethwill
On October 5th, we will be embarking on the Three Peak Challenge. This journey involves summiting three of Southern California’s tallest peaks all within the same 24-hour period. Two of our passions in life are fitness and the outdoors, so what better way to celebrate both than to combine the two of them together in a huge test of both physical and mental stamina.
Our “Why” & Motivation for the Three Peak Challenge
When discussing our true “why” behind what will get us through the tough times of this challenge, we both decided upon something that is close to both our hearts. Parkinson’s disease has taken the life of Holden’s grandfather and is currently affecting Nick’s mother.
For those of you who don’t know about Parkinson’s, in the simplest of terms, it is a disease that takes away our ability to move freely. It makes simple tasks that we all take for granted, like signing a birthday card, extremely difficult. This is why we have teamed up with the Michael J Fox Foundation. We want to celebrate our ability to move and do so in a way that gives back to those who have had it taken away from them.
The Three Peak Challenge is no easy feat, we know, but we also know we can go in as prepared as possible by adjusting our training to incorporate these things. We encourage you to give some of these a try if you’re planning a trek, to incorporate more low to medium exertion workouts in your program, or even just to spruce up your routine a bit with some new ideas.
Get outside and hike! We like to use a weighted vest as much as possible and also train at elevation so we can get used to the altitude and breathing.
When we can’t get to a mountain, we like to use sled drags to get used to the slog that hiking can be. Go outside and drag it around the block a few times, even up to two miles. It should be set at a weight that you can do so without really stopping.
Box step-ups are an obvious choice. Adjust the height, hold weight, wear a weight vest, do lateral step-ups. Get really strong going up.
Since lunges are the key to the universe, it makes sense to incorporate them into training for a monstrous challenge like this one. Mix it up with different types of lunges – walking, alternating reverse, lateral, bowler, jumping, weighted, etc.
Our goal is to raise $3000 and donate it to the Michael J Fox Foundation’s research for Parkinson’s Disease. Please click here to donate.
If you are interested in joining us in our training or on our journey – please send us your videos or email, questions or comments to Holden or Nick.
Get more info on the day of the event and how you can participate.
We hope that this resonates with you, and every dollar can help the research foundation!
Thank you!
Holden and Nick