I’ve been in my 50s for a little over a year now, and I’ll admit: heading into this decade, I was a little nervous about how my body would respond. Would I recover more slowly? Would the things I love—running, skiing, mountain biking, lifting, pushing myself physically—start becoming harder?

Would I begin noticing limitations I hadn’t thought much about before? What I’ve found so far is a little different.

Whether you’re going on a day hike or embarking on a 20-mile backpacking trip, our RDN, Riley Hughes, offers helpful nutrition, hydration, and recovery tips to fuel your summer outdoor adventures. The best hiking adventures aren’t just about the destination; they’re about having the energy to enjoy every step of the way.

Years ago, I read Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly, and it changed the way I thought about courage.

The book begins with Theodore Roosevelt’s famous description of “the man in the arena”—the person who is willing to step forward, risk failure, and be seen trying. Roosevelt reminds us that the credit does not belong to the spectator offering criticism from a safe distance. It belongs to the person whose face is marked by dust and sweat, who falls short, gets back up, and continues to participate fully in life.