In order to be a competitive kettlebell sport lifter, you have to be able to handle long bouts of repetition...which mixes well with indoor rowing. My knee won't really allow me to do other cardio-related activities on a consistent basis so am thankful to be able to do this. I am going to have my dr look at my knee this week to make certain that there isn't anything going on with it more than arthritis and loss of cartilage underneath my knee cap. I've been rather surprised that audio-books are helping me on my hour-long rowing more than a good music playlist, but it does.

The hike sounds like fun! I really need to save up for some decent winter hiking shoes, I've everything else I need but I am not about to try to hike in the winter in my summer trail running shoes... Enough of that, it sounds like you did great! How do you handle hydration on long cold hikes, I was just thinking it might be nice to workout a portable "warm drink" thermos solution that wouldn't be too heavy.