- Karen Huss Conquers Machu Picchu
Every month we will feature a Reckless Runner of the Month; someone that inspires and motivates; someone that refuses to take shortcuts; someone that abandons fear, trepidation, and fatigue; someone that pushes the limits of who they are and what they want to achieve.
Meet Karen Huss who just hiked the 4 day, 45km Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (yes, she is wearing one of our shirts so that makes it even cooler). No shortcuts here.
RR: Tell us a little about yourself?
KH: I’m from St. Louis, Missouri. I work in Information Technology and essentially sit 10 hours a day. I had been an athlete in high school and college and had gotten out of shape after suffering a knee injury. 3 surgeries later and a full ACL replacement, it was time to get empowered and back in shape and provide a better example for my boys. (I have two sons, 10 and 8) My sister and I took up running…we have run several races and started doing triathlons and duathlons together as well. We kept upping the anti so to speak, looking for new challenges.
RR: How did you get the idea to make this journey?
KH: My best friend from college, Melissa, and I were talking about an active vacation. I told her about another friend who just went to Greenland and hiked, kayaked, etc. etc. Mel found an article on the Inca Trail…and so began our planning efforts. My sister was immediately in. Each of their husbands joined as well. Such a great group to share the experience!
RR: How did you prepare for your hike to Machu Picchu?
KH: I had been running, completed a half marathon in April, and started hiking locally with a pack on the weekends to get used to the gear and added weight. What I can say I did not do enough of…lunges and squats!! I don’t think you can ever do enough of those to prepare for the Incan steps, both up and down!!
RR: Did you have any problems with altitude sickness?
KH: I never did. My sister, Melissa, and I went to Colorado last year and hiked 2 fourteeners (mountains over 14,000 feet) to test that out specifically. Melissa did have issues so she and her husband took medicine for altitude sickness to insure success! None of us got sick, but we did have someone in our group that had a mild case and it made for some very tough days for her.
RR: Describe entering through the Sun Gate? How grand was the reward at the end?
KH: To get to the Sun Gate, we left camp at 4am, hiking in the dark with only our head lamps for a stretch. Thankfully, the hike was not nearly as strenuous as the previous days, until the final push. There were near vertical stairs to get to the Sun Gate. They were a bit of a challenge to navigate, but the reward for that final climb, and the efforts of the previous 3 days, was well worth it. The first site of Machu Picchu is all the magic you expect it to be. It literally doesn’t seem real at first. There is electricity in the air. You have built relationships with strangers in your group and with your guides (ours were amazing and really made the journey even more special). You are physically drained, but emotionally charged. So worth all that you left on the trail!
RR: Any advice for someone wishing to hike the Inca Trail?
KH: Do the research, pick a reputable tour company (you cannot hike the trail without a licensed tour company any more). I had a friend just complete the trail a few weeks before me and many in the group got sick from the water provided because it was not boiled properly.
Do NOT forget to enjoy the hike. It’s not all about the destination. I loved Machu Picchu, but I enjoyed the views along the way, the tunnels, and the experiences of living the trail, equally!! Read a book on Machu Picchu if you have time (there is plenty of time on the travel to Cusco…believe me!!). The tour and just walking around on your own is much better having some understanding of the layout, construction, and history. The tour can only provide so much, and there is a ton of info to take in about this incredible site!!
And if you live at a lower altitude (St. Louis is around 600 feet above sea level) and can experience some strenuous exercise at elevation before the hike…do it. You don’t want to be surprised by altitude sickness in Peru. Cusco is at 11,100 feet! You basically never come down. Susceptibility to altitude sickness is more genetic than fitness level related. Have a plan before you arrive!
RR: You chose to hike the last day in our t-shirt. What made you decide to bring the shirt on this journey?
KH: I LOVE that shirt…I have THREE!! I have run several races in them…do so many of my neighborhood runs in them…I feel my runner attitude in them!! I’m not the best runner in the world…but this is my power shirt! I’ve run my longest runs in these shirts…my first solo 15k (I always race with my sister so that was kind of a biggie for me. I watched the DVD with my sister and was so inspired…keep pushing…go beyond…so this shirt was definitely going on the trip and was saved for the last day of the hike as my victory shirt…the “you did it” shirt!!
RR: What is your next challenge?
KH: We just did the MS Mud Run as our first “obstacle course” run…and will be doing the Warrior Dash…I’ve got another half marathon late in the year…but the next big challenging travel…the next “mountain to climb”…well…let the planning begin!
The Reward - Karen Huss
