AROD's Manitou Incline Tips & Tricks

The Manitou Incline is NO JOKE. While it was one of the most gratifying things I have ever done, it needs to be taken seriously. That means doing your research and preparing yourself. So, I thought I'd put together this list of tips and tricks for those who are considering taking on those 2,768 steps!

1) TRAIN.

If you haven't trained whatsoever, get on that. I lucked out in the sense that for the past year, my workout had already been 30 mins of incline treadmill. Who knows how tough this challenge could have been without that. So, start incline work. Challenge yourself by upping the incline a little bit at a time. Use the stair master. Go hiking. Try the smaller incline in Castle Rock. If you go into this without any incline practice, you will pay for it.

2) FOOD.

What you put into your body is absolutely crucial. If you don't take the week before taking on the incline by cutting out greasy food, drinking tons of water and overall eating right, your body will hate you. ChatGPT will 1000% be your friend for this challenge and can be used for anything I don't address here.

Here's the day-of breakfast meal plan that ChatGPT made for me:

As for during the incline, you have to replenish your electrolytes as you go. Or you will suffer. Gatorade, bananas, the right granola bars (nature valley oats 'n honey & KIND -- lightweight, non-gut bomb. Natural sugars, little protein/fat, good amount of sodium) AND some good ol' homemade GORP. When you stop for a rest, or feel yourself getting light-headed or that you may need to throw up or at least dry-heave, eat one of your electrolyte-replenishing foods. And drink TONS of water.

Here's how ChatGPT helped me make some homemade GORP. It also breaks down which electrolytes are replenished with what:

3) SLEEP.

This should go without saying. Get the sleep you need not just the night before but really all week leading up to your incline.

4) TREKKING POLES.

Don't think twice about this. Get them. People can call them "sissy sticks" all they want. They are an absolute game-changer. I don't think I could've done this without them. They make a massive difference. Here are the ones I bought. Cheap and awesome.

5) OXYGEN.

This was another big difference-maker for me. Oxygen canister. I had asthma as a kid and when it comes to illness or big elevation gains, I can feel it in my lungs a bit. Took a hit of this when I was feeling the need, and it was a big pick-me-up.

6) START EARLY.

Make your life WAY easier by getting there as early as you can. We got on the trail by 6:30am. Avoid the sun. We felt it on the way down and I couldn't imagine doing it in the afternoon. NO THANKS.

7) PACE YOURSELF.

Now that you're actually on the incline, take your time. The record is 17 minutes. You won't be the fastest. It's a marathon and not a sprint. You want to get to the top, right? Then do it at your own pace. Do what feels right for you.

8) RECOVERY.

Be ready for some pain. I'm just being real with you. Taking 2,768 steps straight up with a 2,000 feet elevation gain over just a mile is taxing on the good ol' body. Have the ice at the ready, then switch to heat. And drink PLENTY of water. You will be very sore. Plan to rest for like 2 days after doing it. In all honesty, it wouldn't be the incline itself that'd keep me from doing it again. I thought it was a lot of fun (and really not that hard given all my preparation). It'd be the recovery that's been absolutely brutal. But still, so very worth it.

There you have it. Good luck on your adventure. It's one of the most amazing things I have ever done and it surely felt like a real Colorado rite of passage.

Any questions? I'd love to answer any and all of them. Shoot me an email: arod@iheartmedia.com.

Here's a bunch of beautiful pics of my adventure for your inspiration. Enjoy!