Part 2 : How I Trained for Kinabalu - My Journey to the Summit






Preparing for Mount Kinabalu was a journey that required consistency, planning, and understanding my body’s limits. Here's a detailed breakdown of my training routine and strategies that helped me reached the peak and came down safely.

1. Building a Base with Weekly Hikes

For a year leading up to the climb, I made it a point to hike once a week. These hikes ranged between 7 to 10 kilometers, focusing on building endurance and getting my body accustomed to long-distance trekking. Consistency was key, as it laid a solid foundation for more intensive training closer to the climb.

2. Intensifying Training Two Months Before

Two months prior to my Kinabalu climb, I started stair training to mimic the steep ascent of the mountain. I used the staircase in my building, climbing up and down seven flights of stairs for 30 rounds. This session took about 1.5 hours and was a true test of both my stamina and mental strength. It was exhausting at first, but over time, I noticed my legs growing stronger and my endurance improving significantly.

3. Fueling My Body During the Hike

Proper nutrition played a huge role in my success. I prepared snacks to eat during hourly breaks to replenish the calories burned. My go-to snacks included granola bars, chocolate, and raisins, compact, energy-dense options that kept me going without weighing me down.

4. Preventing Cramping with Electrolyte Replenishment

Staying hydrated was essential, but I also paid close attention to my electrolyte levels. I brought along LMNT electrolyte mixes, which worked wonders in keeping cramps at bay and ensuring my body recovered quickly after long stretches of effort.

5. Training for Early-Morning Hiking

Knowing that the summit push would begin at 2-3 a.m., I adapted my body to this schedule. A week before the climb, I started waking up at 2 a.m. to train. This helped me adjust to moving at a time when my body would usually be in deep sleep. By the time I stood on Kinabalu’s trails in the early hours of the morning, my body was ready, and I avoided the usual sluggishness that comes with early starts.

Lessons Learned

I went into the climb with the mindset that my body was ready and had been conditioned for this challenge. But there were moments, especially during the summit push, when the thin air made it hard to breathe, and I felt my energy wane. In those times, I reminded myself to focus on the basics - just one step in front of the other, moving slowly but steadily.

What truly kept me going was my why. I needed to prove to myself that I was capable, no matter how much self-doubt tried to creep in. This climb wasn’t just about reaching the peak; it was about pushing past my limits and showing myself that I could rise above any challenge.

Much like in life, when you’ve exhausted everything else, your why becomes your driving force. For me, this experience was a powerful reminder that I am stronger than I often believe. 

And if I can do this, I can overcome anything. that is one powerful lesson that i take in from my Kinabalu hike. 

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