Name: Mt. Thom Cardio Workout
Start: 2011-12-19T18:45:00-08:00
End: 2011-12-19T21:45:00-08:00
Location: Brand Art & Music Library

Join me for a great evening workout to Mt. Thom in the Verdigo Mountains starting from the Brand Library & Art Center in Glendale. This hike is short but has several very steep sections. The views of the city lights are great and it sure beats a boring gym. Chances are you'll get a much better workout too. Training Concept: This will essentially be a form of interval training, which is actually quite effective for increasing your cardio capacity/fitness level. Since we are all at different fitness levels some of us will likely keep a faster pace than others. We'll all try to push ourselves a bit to get our heart rate up and then catch our breath and re-group at the top of hills and at junctions. Difficulty: 8/10 (advanced) You need to be well conditioned for this workout. Although the distance is short this is a high intensity workout and several sections are very steep. This is not a slow paced "social hike". We'll keep a fast pace power-walking or jogging to get our heart rate up to improve our conditioning. The Plan: We'll meet by the bench outside the music studio (photo below) at the north end of the Brand Library building at about 6:45 PM, do some optional stretching etc. and get started at 7:00PM sharp. If you're late, you'll get an extra workout trying to catch up to us. http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/1/2/4/highres_19545348.jpeg North of the building there are two trail heads (both with signs) one on the left behind the statue and one further up the road on the right. We'll head up the right trail and come down the left trail. The trail is almost like a "staircase" of sorts with several plateaus but with steep trail sections in between. We'll take breaks at each plateau and enjoy the views while waiting for the last person. Near the top there is one short scrambling section but you may take the fire road from there to the top instead if you are not comfortable with it. We'll take a little break at the top while enjoying the great city view before heading down again. Please make sure you have shoes with lots of traction as you're likely to slide going down otherwise, especially on the steepest hill near the top (photo below). http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/1/2/3/highres_19545347.jpeg About 2/3 of the way down, we'll make a right turn and take a different trail back to the Brand Library exiting behind the statue. Trail Route: Click here for trail route plan. Distance & Elevation Gain: 3.3 miles and about 1710 ft cumulative elevation gain/loss. Time Required: About 2 - 2.5 hours or so. What To Bring: - Headlamp (best) or flashlight and spare batteries (important) - Trail running shoes with plenty of traction (important) - Hydration system (best) or bottle with water or Gatorade etc. - Light wind breaker jacket as it is getting chilly at night (important) - Directions: Click here for Google directions to the meeting spot. Parking: Park at the Brand Library (until 10 PM). There should be plenty of (free) parking available. IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you are in good health before participating in a high intensity activity like this one. If you are in doubt please get a check-up with a physician. As an event organizer I assume absolutely no responsibility for you. I am simply a "training buddy", nothing more. If you choose to participate, you assume all responsibility for yourself and agree not to hold me or our Meetup group liable in any way.

Mark (ex-weekend_sailor)

Los Angeles Hiking Group

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Mt. Thom Cardio Workout

Brand Art & Music Library

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Los Angeles Hiking Group

Mt. Thom Cardio Workout

Los Angeles Hiking Group

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