Hiking Locally

Do we look ready?  Certainly we look happy. 

It was, as you can see, an absolutely beautiful day for a hike!  To be honest the threat of rain in the early morning hours put us off a bit, but we pulled up our Columbia boots and tied our laces tight, then grabbed our gear!  Armed with walking sticks, coats, hats and gloves, it is after all January, we filled our water bottles and cemented our resolve and made our way outside.

Only three miles through the rugged terrain of Cottonwood Canyon (right outside my back door).  Not much in the way of elevation, but certainly worth the effort.  Nancy and I focused on placing our feet firmly upon the ground and deeply inhaling the crisp, snappy air.  As we walked further up the trail and began to feel that warm glow we associate with a good round of exercise, we both exclaimed about the beauty of the desert and much we love Vegas in January.  More so than say, Montana or Wisconsin.

Yup, it's official, Nancy's now a "tree-hugger."

As you can see, I take my hiking seriously. 

While Nancy and I didn't overly exert ourselves, we felt the symbolism of each stride we took.  The first official training hike for our international adventure along the Franciscan Trail.  Of course, before we headed out my back door we consumed good fuel for our bodies.  For Nancy, blueberries (high in antioxidants) and bananas (lots of potassium) for Nancy, while I consumed a toasted power bagel shmeared with peanut butter (protein, something I lack) topped with some of Nancy's banana.  We both sipped on cups of piping hot coffee brewed with dark Guatemalan beans sprinkled with pinches of cinnamon and turmeric.  Our supplement for the morning? Bee pollen.  

We kept our pace rather fast, wanting to increase our heart rates and work up our endurance.  But then we had to rest.

Resting our dogs.  

Our next hike will be, I don't know . . . a full four miles?!  With more elevation to really challenge us!  So watch out Sierra Club comrades, we're getting ready for you!

Breakthroughs Not Breakdowns

                                       Nancy and me, together at her walk for Alzheimer's

I was hoping for a Breakthrough, what I got was a Plateau.

To anyone out there who can relate, my life has yet again, gone in another direction.  And of course it has gone in a direction far from the one I had planned.

By mid-November I had set goals, that both our Umbria trip Leader, Anne, and I felt needed to be achieved in order for me to really endure the hike along the Franciscan Trail in May.  Here it is, January and I haven't yet reached those goals.  The fact that I haven't obtained what I intended to, by this time and in conjunction with a recent visit to my Ortho Surgeon, I'm thinking it may be necessary for me bow out of actually making the hike.  

In March I will undergo another surgical procedure and have that metal rod in my leg removed.  Will it improve matters?  Ease the daily pain somewhat?  Or will it only make things worse?  Or will there be no changes of any kind at all?  The doctor can't seem to give me a clear answer.  And of course there will more rehabilitation for me participate in.   However, I have been released from the intense physical therapy for the initial break of my tibia, since they felt things were as good as they were going to get due to the plateau I hit.  In spite of their releasing me,  I've continued to do what I can on my own.  Determined to meet those goals Anne and I discussed.  But alas, I am not progressing as I'd hoped.  As a result, I spent the last weekend feeling frustrated, depressed and angry.

By Sunday evening I hobbled into my "she shack," sat down on the cozy cushion I arranged on an elevated bench and engaged in some serious meditation along with some heavy duty prayer.  I sat and sat and sat.  Thinking to myself, self, you have worked too hard and come too far to give up now!  You can't just stop and let this be as good as it gets.  I limped, rather than hobbled out of that room with a renewed sense of determination.  There is more I can do to help myself!  My body can and will heal!

  First I reactivated my gym membership (had let that lapse due to the therapy I was undergoing at the doctor's office).  Second, I promised myself to actually take a lunch break at work.  For years I have packed a healthy little lunch and ate at my desk while I worked.  Instead, I decided I'm going to start walking short distances during my lunch break, you know, take a real mental and physical break.  Lastly, I decided to keep on praying.  In spite of my current challenges, or yours for that matter, Life Is A Present . . . and so as you may already know . . .we must open our Present and enjoy it!  Every day!

So, rather than have a breakdown, I've created a new goal for myself.  That is to stay strong as I prepare for this second surgery.  I have set the intention that recovery will be a breeze and if . . . if Miracles really do happen and It is meant to Be, then I will not just be hiking with Nancy and Deborah, virtually, I will be there with them physically!!  Could there be a chance that I can somehow still make the trip?  God hear my prayer.

Finally, it is in gratitude I openly give thanks for one of my best presents ever, that is the close friendship I share with Nancy and Deborah.  Whether I am walking with them physically or virtually, our spirits are tied together.  So, by their suggestions and encouragement, I am still considered a part of this trio and the journey along the Franciscan Trail.

I'm going to keep writing, taking photos, walking and exercising.  What do you think about that?

Now, enough talking, it's time to start training even harder . . .it's later than you think.


                                                              Many Blessings, BrendaMarie