290 Marathons IN A ROW! HOW Does It Effect The Body? Body Transformation After 7400 Miles AT PCT CDT
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ธ.ค. 2023
- This is how my body changed after hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trails all in one year.
Follow for live updates on Instagram @Quadzillahikes at: / quadzillahikes
See my full thru-hiking gear list and gear review at www.couchtotrail.com/blog/cal...
The best way to get ahold of me is via messages on Instagram.
Check out my website for tons more fitness, nutrition, and gaming content: www.thehealthygamer.com
The gear I used on the hike, and what changed along the AT, PCT, and CDT. www.couchtotrail.com/blog/calendar-year-triple-crown-gear-list-and-reviewand-how-the-gear-changed-along-the-at-pct-and-cdt
Really cool journey! quick question, how do you make money to keep doing this?
@AdrianColumbus biggest thing is keep expenses low. I own very little I need to pay on, no rent, no mortgage, no car, no insurance, no student loans. When I'm hiking my biggest expense is just food. For income I make it through online businesses.
There's a guy on Strava, maybe 2, you'd be interested in who do century rides everyday, some for more then a year now. Impressive work on yourself!!
@PePethePedalPusher that kinda stuff where you're home and need to motivate yourself to go out everyday is impressive to me, being on trail I really don't have a choice but to keep going so that makes it easier in some respects
@PePethePedalPusher that kinda stuff where you're home and need to motivate yourself to go out everyday is impressive to me, being on trail I really don't have a choice but to keep going so that makes it easier in some respects
Inspiring. I was a wreck, because I didn't do any sport in years. Last year, in February, I started bouldering. At first I needed a week to recover from a session, then my fingers got injured, but I didn't stop really, I kept going, and now I can climb 3 even 4 times a week. I also feel generally better, even though I still have a long way to go. Also my mental health improved.
That's great to hear, keep it up!
Bouldering is tough man. But as someone who has been doing it for over a year and a half consistently and seriously, I've progressed a lot in terms of my body strenght and mental health. It really is a great feeling when you just keep pushing your limits every single time you try to climb something hard. In around 1 year I went from barely doing 6b to managing doing 7a in one session and flashing 6b/c every time. The harder you push, the more progress you get quicker.
@biomorphic Thats great bro,the human body is amazing and you will be shocked how it can improve and adapt,but you must keep your protein,fats and carbs in the correct ratio and make sure to rest enough,the guy in the video is very experienced and has honed his body and skills probably over years!.Keep that protein high and the best quality you can get,I also eat organ meats and the purest cod liver oil I can get with good multivitamins and Whey protein,trust me they work brother.Please don't over train bro give your body time to recover .
Incredible, I had no idea this sort of output was possible. Props to you man for living this out, and thank you for sharing your inspiring story.
You didn't know if it was possible to do something that hundreds of people do every year? Trust me, it's not that difficult. I've done it. I've run marathons. I've never felt like I ran a marathon the day before while doing the pct. This clown is trying to equate a day of thruhiking 25-35 miles to running a marathon. Ridiculous
Thank you! The body is crazy. Guy just set a new record this year doing this same hike in 232 days, like 2 full months faster than me, so wild
@@user-up2lm7kt7r well he won an ultramarathon, so hes prob better than you
@@icodestuff6241 I never claimed to be better at anything than him. I said thru hiking does not equate to running marathons. What does your comment even relate to?
@@user-up2lm7kt7r You're elevating your comparable achievements while calling him a clown. You're absolutely claiming to be better than him this way, without directly saying it.
Even if you have a good point deep down in that darkened soul of yours, this is not the best way of sharing it.
Those quads are absolutely insane
I think your weight, then muscle loss issues are unavoidable, given the speed and intensity you hike at. If you did shorter days, took rest days, you could keep up with calories and keep all the muscle and hormone health. You're just too good at hardcore hiking.
Muscle mass is overrated
Muscles are overrated
@@maxmustermann7807 Define overrated. Even if you do 0 exercise your muscles allow you to walk, talk, and even type your silly little message. Quadzilla is just saying he hikes a lot so he burned all his long-term energy stores AKA fat. Fun fact if you use muscles they tear apart and repair themselves stronger so while he burns his long-term energy he makes the mechanism with which he burns energy more efficient!
@@tvadict1000muscles are absolutely important
But they are rated over there purpose.
And a rating (overrating)
Is always dependent on other things that got a rating.
So I’m saying all we look at when it’s about body’s strength ore athletics ore sport is muscles.
So I think they are too much on priority.
@@tvadict1000oh I forgot something.
Muscle size or mass didn’t matter for athletic performance.
So the only reason you would be obsessed about not losing wait or muscle mass while performing is because of these numbers in your head, but in reality it doesn’t matter.
*weight
@@tvadict1000I didn’t wanted to dis someone :)
It was just a phrase came to my mind.
Sooo i just found out that real strength has to do a lot with fascia, and you can actually improve you muscles(not only in size) when you take care of your fascia
I did a 3 week section hike of the PCT, and while it made me realize that the logistics of hiking the PCT is a lot easier than I thought, the mental and physical challenge is a lot harder.
Can't even imagine doing all 3 in one year, absolutely insane/amazing.
In a lot of ways it gets easier after the first month as you get all your systems dialed and the body conditioned to it. After all that falls into place it's more like a job, just gotta show up everyday and keep going.
Planning a March 14 start. Did a 150 mile section previously. My biggest concerns are repetitive motion injuries and dealing with the Sierra Nevada weather and snow conditions. Hard to mimic the intensity of the actual trail in training.
@dangaspar1707 I hear ya, just take it easy in the beginning and err on the side of caution when small pains pop up. I think it's better to still hike but rest more, do shorter days, than to get off trail completely for small injuries, they heal better with movement.
@@QuadzillaHikes I had a major injury on the AT, took a month off, and finished. Had chronic pain for 2 years after, but fixed that too. No regrets
Last thing I'd ever want to do is view outdoor exploring and hiking like a job...@@QuadzillaHikes
I cannot express
enough my gratitude for you posting your experiences. A big thanks!!
This video was amazing and helped so much to describe my feelings. It helps explain both the NorCal/Virginia blues and post trail depression. I don’t know anyone that has talked about the hormone changes before or how to combat it. I continue to learn so much from you. Thank you.
Man much like you I was playing Guild Wars when it came out then I joined the Army in 2012, I remember watching your videos way back then. Now I'm out the Army and I'm jobless and I still play video games daily suffering from depression. I haven't been in shape since I got out in 2015. Seeing you post this video over 10 years since I originally watched you and seeing how you've aged and your journey out of the military is inspiring. Take care of yourself Jack. I loved hiking while I was still in. It's something I need to pursue now but I have limitations. God bless you man ! It's crazy I am still subscribed but I haven't seen your videos in nearly 7 years.
I appreciate your comment man. Keep on keeping on! Depression is really challenging, yeah with spring coming on if you can get some chances to go hike outside it certainly does wonders for my mental health
damn man are you me
Great info here! Lots of interesting takeaways- thanks for sharing 👍
Insane insight and discipline, very eye opening on what’s humanly possible
I never thought about the testosterone levels going down and this all makes sense to me now. Thank you for sharing this video. I hope many future thru hikers will see this and be better prepared.
This man needs more recognition!
You’re a beast of a man. Inspiring to the core
Great video packed with top tier information. Awesome stuff man. You're a different breed
This is so inspiring. I'm inspired to walk more. Thank you. 🙏
Your Lifestyle has been a huge inspiration for me thanks so much ❤
man, i absolutely love this story
This adventure was inspiring to follow for sure and makes me and others what to get out there for a better life.
I did the desert section of the PCT in -22, plan to try my best at a thru hike now in -24.
In the beginning the physical is pretty hard but manageable, the mental part however is the most difficult for me after about 6-8 weeks. Any issues you have just feels so much bigger when your in a tough mental space.
Thanks for the great videos and inspiring life goals.
Yes, without the myriad distractions we have in daily life our mental struggles can be amplified out there for sure.
This is remarkable, congrats on trail.
I am mind-blown what you have been through.
Such valuable journey, for mind and body.
Congrats once again!
Thank you!
Such a great video, really enjoyed it!
Great video and crazy effort, especially looking at the stuff you ate
I have never heard someone speak so humbly about doing such unbelievable things
Insanely inspiring video! Looking forward to seeing more of your videos
Thank you for watching!
Just discovered your channel through this video, I’m in awe in the discipline you have to achieve this feat. P.S beautiful shots you got!
Thank you so much!!
wow incredible video, gonna have to watch it a couple times to absorb all the info. feels like just yesterday running into you on Franconia Ridge. godspeed on your future endeavors.
Ah cool great to hear from you
I'm stunned by your accomplishments. Full stop.
Thanks you - very informative and interesting. I appreciate the advice on how to get back to normal after a long (4-6month) hike.
Also can’t wait to hear about your fight!
Glad it was helpful!
What a great video. Insightful and well produced!
Much appreciated!
Super Badass! Thanks so much for sharing. I would love to hear more about what inspired such a challenge and how you support yourself financially. I’ve run 50 mile Ultras but this seems like a whole other level. I guess the beautiful thing is is that it is a massive LHR training and you can get in shape on the trail and build a huge cardiovascular machine. Deep bow of respect to you!
I'd hiked other thru hikes, wanted a bigger challenge. I have a documentary of the year n my channel that goes into the why more. Financially most of it is keeping expenses very low, on trail expenses are just food and hotels so you can keep costs pretty low.
@@QuadzillaHikes ok but how did you make that money and can take a year off work?
@@kyle1376 like anyone else who saves money and then takes time off, there's no secret to it.
@@QuadzillaHikes I've never met anyone in my life who can afford to and has taken a year off work. so there's got to be some secret to it or everyone would be doing it. and almost no one is!
@kyle1376 it cost me 15k to hike the cytc. 15k isn't chump change but it isn't too difficult to save either. The problem isn't that most people you know CANT save 15k and take a year off. It's that they won't. They prioritize their mortgage and car and career and whatever else. It's not some crazy thing. It's just saving money and not having a bunch of expenses.
Great video, very informative
This is really cool. Love the honesty about the effects of long term cardio routines on the body and the benefits of diversity in lifestyle.
Love the channel name. That 365 squat was clean!
woah. This is insane but AWESOME!
EDIT: Got so hyped by your intro I went on a 4 mile walk by the lighthouse near me.
Props to you. You're a beast, good luck to whoever has to fight you.
Thank you :)
Hi Quadzilla,
I've now watched all of your videos about your calendar year triple crown. Very inspiring story. Also great storytelling.
You've got me interested in longer distance hikes again. I hike regularly, but have never attempted anything really long.
My shtick is bushcraft rather than thru hiking, but I love all things outdoor and also a good challenge.
Keep up the good work and all the best for you. Also, keep making videos, they are great!
Greetings from Germany
I appreciate the kind message! Yeah if you're interested I think you should definitely give thru hiking a try. There's a trail in Europe, the Hexatrek, that looks reallly beautiful and worth doing. Funny I was just thinking I want to get more into like try live in Alaska for 3 months and hunt and fish and all that as some next adventures.
Great vid. Awesome analysis.
Appreciate it!
Thanks Jack! 👊🏻👍🏻 Hope all is well my friend 🙏🏻Appreciate you!
Happy New Year 🎆
Happy new year!
Great information. Thanks for documening your entire journey of the CYTC. It's been really cool to get to experience it. I'm looking forward to trying it out myself one day. Thanks for the motivation. Clear skies 🤙🤙🤙
Go for it!!
Impressive my guy. Some of these comments are hilarious. you did good and this was a well made and informative video. Cheers mate
SICK! Now you Inspired me and Make me want to do this thing when I grow up. Looks like a sick challenge and Kind of like a journey from some kind of movie. Good work, and keep healthy 👍💪
You can do it!
Cool video. I liked the information about hormones and muscles.
Another great video - thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
you're the man dude!
Thank you!
Thank you. Super inspirational 👏 🙌 and congratulations. Never give up - Never!
Always!
This is insane, Congrats
I just want to shake your hand, a true inspiration.
I really appreciate it
idk who you are but this showed in my recommendation. you seem like a really cool, down to earth and calm guy. goodluck on your next goal or journey whatever it is
Thank you!
Thanks for your health recap during your THs. Very few THers put on the miles you do, so I'm guessing results can vary depending on your pace and weather you do some core and upper body strength maintenance and stretching while hiking. Happy 2024 from CT USA. 🎉😊
Definitely little lower miles and stretching would go a long ways.
You're an animal man. Unreal accomplishment - congrats!
I appreciate that!
Hike to get swole and props to decide to do this, some people would say why but I would sat why not? Do something challenging! act upon it don't just talk or complain, props to you!
This is amazing. Thanks for sharing, it inspired me.
Glad it did!
This is amazing. I've always wanted to hike the AT in one go. I've been getting back into running the last few months. Did you stretch a lot on the trail? I love stretching before runs and weight training. And what was your exhaustion like?
Fascinating dude! So what if you just stop and rest when you are at your peek? Would that be better?
Incredibly interesting video, really amazing to see how capable of adapting the body is. To think that someone with your amount of muscle mass can become so proficient at cardio is also really cool. Sure, you start to lose it once you are to deep into one side, but then it seems you can even gain it all back within only a few months - really amazing.
The body really is super adaptable, especially for long endurance events
Thanks for this information. I am an older man who does some fairly long distance backpacking trips and I also eat a keto diet so I am much more lean than the average person. I am concerned with losing muscle mass, especially because I am older. So far things have worked out. I have found after a long time on the trial my mountain biking and skiing improves. I just feel much stronger. Thanks for sharing your vast experience. Take care and good luck with your fight.
I think if your trips are under 2 months then you don't need to worry too much about muscle loss. As long as you're eating enough calories. Great to hear that things have been working out for you.
@@QuadzillaHikes My trips are, I generally hike about. 500 miles or so. Thanks so much for all your information. Take care
Amazing video that was suggested to me by the algorithm. Subbed!
Thanks for the sub and thanks for watching!
This was cool! TY for this!
Really appreciate the video man, about to do a thru hike of the AT in Feb. I am an an avid resistance training person and was wondering how my body is going to respond to a long distance hike like this. Your videos have been so helpful overall , so thank you again.
Glad it was helpful!
Some serious dad lore, crazy trip dude really inspiring.
Incredible man and thanks for the breakdown of your experience. I just did the Tasmanian Overland Track (8 days / 100km for me) and I hiked through a fever on the third day and shed about 1.5kg over the week (much needed), but even that one week of backpacking made me so much more fit and I had such an amazing time in the mountains.
Your down to earth vlogs have actually inspired me to work towards doing Te Araroa as my first thru-hike (looking at 2026). I camped through Routeburn in 2018 and it was spectacular. NZ is an incredible country to do a thru-hike in.
Cheers from Australia.
Cheers!! Yes you should the TA is such an adventure!!
So much respect for you, Quad. 🙏 You are way more than an Elite athlete. Peace, Blessings and Happy Life Trails! 🕊🌈🌄
Appreciate you :)
Great video, quad
Thanks 👍
Hardcore man. This is one serious commitment to conditioning. Hats off to you sir.
Thank you!
I like how he showed us him going back to pick up his camera at the end, that was comical. liked and subscribed
Every freaking time 🤣
You're animal bro. Well done on everything youre doing 💪
I appreciate that!
Very useful info thanks I'm glad this popped up for me! Longest run/walk I've done was about a month, quite a few times, and since it's my favourite thing to do I've been making some changes in my life, already quit work and now as soon as I sell my house I'll be setting off travelling basically indefinitely with a big focus on long distance running and hiking, with some climbing and mountaineering. Already planned it but your account makes me think even more that it will be important to have a good few weeks off the long days every now and then to rebuild strength and let my body recover. Gonna have to work my way through your videos now!
If you want to do long hikes definitely go hike some of the long trails, Appalachian, Pacific Crest, Colorado, Arizona trails
@@QuadzillaHikes maybe one day but I live in UK now and will be basing myself in Asia, mostly the Himalayas but plenty other places too. Looking forward to creating my own path 😁
Awesome video! So cool to see how the body adapts to different physical demands. Ive experimented with nutrition quite a bit with regards to training and have even dipped a toe into some bodybuilding nutrition concepts. Simply being in a caloric deficit for an extended period of time destroys test levels. I would argue this was the primary driver of your test levels crashing. Sleep obviously a significant component as well.
Would be really interesting to see the results of getting a DEXA scan before and after such endeavors to track changes in muscle mass, fat and bone density. Without continued resistance training and very precise nutrition I just cant imagine avoiding the muscle loss aspect. Not sure you can physically eat enough on the daily to compensate for such levels of activity.
Cheers
I am most curious on the bone density question. To date now I've hiked about 14,000 miles and have been able to jump into really long-distance things like running a 100 miler with no prep and not get injured, which leads me to believe that enduring adaptations in bone density/joint strength has happened through these hikes.
I think in addition to the caloric restriction the long term hiking elevates cortisol and inflammatory markers which also negatively impact hormones.
Every hike I'm surprised that I haven't lost more muscle. In total it seems to be roughly a 50/50 split of muscle loss to fat loss, with more fat loss up front and then more muscle loss in the latter months. Seems like the body is good at holding onto muscle for 2-3 months and then it starts to switch over to burning muscle and storing fat.
When my hikes extend past 5 months I end up seeing noticeable fat gain at the end actually, I think that must be a mixture of insulin resistance building up from all the junk food/sugar, the enduring elevated cortisol, and the body adapting to the long slow activity.
You should try the North Country Trail! It is one of the longest trails in the world.
Man I am so happy the TH-cam Algo exposed me to you. Great info.
Thanks for watching!
Very insightful information in here I think this could be some of the best fitness advice I've ever heard. Also an eye opener that you would qualify for "replacement". Alot of young men associate testosterone with manliness and if they heard that they would probably opt for "treatment". You sir are a prime example of a man.
I appreciate your comment!
This is Phenomenal!
First time viewer, gotta say wow man you’re awesome
Thanks and welcome
you the man bro
Thank you!
That was cool meeting you on trail man. CDT in the Bob Marshall wilderness. Milkman 22'
Great meeting you too!
Bravo sir. Subscribed.
Thanks and welcome
What an amazing lifestyle, I love hearing the highs and lows your body experienced, this seems like something I would want to do if I wasn’t planning to go into Engineering
Lots of people take a summer or a year off and do a thru hike.
@@QuadzillaHikesoh, that’s awesome! Do you have a regular job outside of this?
@@8bitgdhaxz Nope I can make a living from doing this now.
Yes, to your comments on wrecked post hike hormones AND jumping rope barefoot! I have decided to do short hikes (
That's a great hiking period, enough to get out and relax without the body falling apart :) I think from now on I'll do mostly shorter sections, for the same reasons, I want to feel good at the end of a hike and not have to spend months recovering.
Amazing video
1:14 this is such an ethereal shot, very cool
hiking is a dream of mine and the aspect of exploration as well as the nature overall is something im missing in life. im only 18 and hopefully soon enough i can slowly start
It's an amazing adventure, get some gear save up some money and get out as much as you can
Fascinating video, as an Ultra Marathon runner really appreciated your sharing on the body transformation with long term endurance style training, great stuff. Have you thought about hiking outside of the USA and doing something like hiking the length of NEW ZEALAND?
Funny you ask, I'm actually headed to New Zealand this week to hike the south island.
@@QuadzillaHikesthe whole South Island? I’ve been doing the country for 20 years but never connected it all together in a single shot so would be interested to hear what you think!
@willprosor8962 yeah the TA track of the south island, looks like it'll be really gorgeous
@@QuadzillaHikeshave fun! I'm from nz and the south island is so beautiful you'll love it
What an experience!
Immediately subbed after seeing that you train muay thai and have a fight coming soon. Nice to see someone share the love for endurance training + muay thai. When is the fight?
Thanks! I ended up getting Covid and that killed my training and cardio for a few months. I am finally feeling back to 100% like 4 months post Covid. I hope to get back to Thailand and do another fight camp, thinking maybe spend 3 months just up in the mountains in Pai training and running the mountains.
Wow! Just Wow!
Very impressive story. Most people do not realize that there is a limit to the extent the body can adapt. After a while it starts breaking down.
100%
You are a warrior and a inspiration to us all jack🦾keep up the great work my friend and iam wishing you a wonderful New year and 2024 from london uk..🙌🙌
Happy new year!
I just subbed your channel and thanks for your content.
Thanks for the sub! Slava ukraine!
Interesting you had issues with hormones. I used to do long distance cycling (8+ hours per day) every day and never had that problem. The main issue was nearly always fatigue and sore "areas".
Thanks for the video. Enjoyed it!
@8:36 I definitely don't EVER want anybody with legs like yours to kick me. Another great video. Thanks Quadzilla.
Haha, thanks for watching!
Absolutely insane, your resilience is absolutely incredible!! Can I ask how you managed your budget during the hike/hikes tho? Did you save money before the hike or did you work part times jobs or smth during it? Sorry if you already mentioned it and I just missed it lol
Saved money and then I make income online as well. Costs about 1-1.5k/month for these trips, mostly food occasional hotel in town, flights to get to the start/finish
This is fascinating and quite the achievement
I appreciate it!
Excellent video. I agree that long stints of cardio is life changing, I went from 376lbs in June of 2022 down to 190 lbs in June 2023. 11 months of a mostly carnivore diet plus a walking routine and light weight lifting. I started by walking about a 5k a day, 6 days a week, eventually that turned into me jogging a 10k each day. I've never been in better shape. Fitness and whole food are life changing.
Amazing transformation! The body is really capable of crazy long endurance.
@HappyJacksChannel thank you very much :)
legend. im so jealous of your free time
I just put up a video last week talking about how I've managed to fund these trips, it's possible if travel and free time is a priority.
I did not suspect such a savage from the channel name! What an achievement!
Really interesting stuff from someone who has actually done this! I liked the objective meaures too, like the strength and hormone monitoring
absolute badass
thats bloody impressive, whats your thoughts on what russ cook is doing?
Haven't really been following, but looks tough!
Cool video. I’ve been really missing hiking after moving to Thailand 8 years ago. I don’t really enjoy it as much with the heat. Do you do any hiking at all here?
And do you happen to be in Chiang Mai? I feel like I’ve seen you around
I don't like hiking much in thailand either lol, too hot and humid. I was in CM, old city, hope to go back again soon.
Amazing
When you set out to do your triple crown, how old were you out of curiosity? We are a similar build & this seems just like an absolutely exhilerating feat. Awesome accomplishment man! I met my partner, "Fal" back on the AT during on 2018 thru-hike. Thanks for the inspo to hike some more trails!!
36 when I did this