This week, I did 8 miles each day except Wednesday. I walked half of each day and jogged the other half. I can jog 6 miles without stopping now. Starting small and easy, and gradually working up, is really the way to go.

One day, I spent 45 minutes hiking up and down trails in the only nature area around with steep parts. It's a 3-mile flat walk to the nature area, so I get 6 miles walking and 2 or 3 miles of hills in one trip. I plan to do this route each day next week. I'll probably jog there, hill hike, then walk home.

It will be very important to have uphill strength and downhill stability for the Arizona Trail hike next spring. You use muscles differently when flat walking compared to mountain walking and no matter how many flat miles you put in, they won't prepare your legs for the mountains.

Hike On