It's Not Delicious Anymore!!

Everything in my legs and backside hurt right now.

 I'm on day what? Six?

Uggggghhhh.

So.  Strava.  8fit.  I do well with accountability, right?

 Heck, I'm certain it fell of loooooooong ago.

So, six or so days ago, I downloaded the way cool Strava app that tracks your run or cycling.

Except I hike, and only kinda run.

 

They sooooooo don't know me.  Challenge myself?!?  I defy that!!  Trophies?!? Hrmph!

You'll note TWO entries.  There are three, but what stinks is I did a Piestewa summit right before I downloaded it.

Ugh.  No proof.  Of that or of the run at Dreamy Draw that I actually ran.

Proof I had a healthy dinner.

 Further proof of an unhealthy snack!

So according to Strava, I've already run 3.1 miles this week.  According to 8fit, I've burned 700 calories.

 Did I mention cookies? (The bottom one I did not eat that morning.  Really.)

So while I doubt the weight will budge...I'm so sore.

8fit is HIIT training, High Intensity Interval Training.  Typically it's ten minutes of reps using only body weight.

I started at beginner.

 They said just 9-10 minutes.

I've done three, along with my three hikes/runs.

And I'm so sore.

My calves were screaming after Piestewa last week, and I ditched a return hike up on Sunday.  Today I did the run instead of an 18 minute full body rep workout...I'll do it tomorrow.

 

Which means that bright #1 will stare at me for another day...

This morning I said I was deliciously sore.  I'm not after my run.

I just hurt.

Tomorrow I'll do the HIIT, as I will Friday.  Back up to Prescott, need to get in Thumb Butte, it's just been too long.

The process of getting fit itsnt fun.

But maybe, just maybe, I'll get to do a push-up.

Prayers & Changes

It occurs to me that if my SEO's and tags were more thoughtful, I'd have a higher readership.

 Hm.  Something more to consider.

The last four weeks, I've made some attempts at significant changes.  In no particular order, here they are:

1. Cutting out fast food (including my beloved Dutch Bros white annihilator.)
2. Exercising more
3. Attending church
4. Patience 

My jeans do not fit.

Still.

 

Ok, a ten day Florida vacation with Dole Whips may contribute to that....

In honesty, I didn't exercise while on vacation, and while not eating fast food, I did eat plenty.

The fact is, though, at home?  Before and after vacation, I'm doing more, and eating less.

And while on vacation, I still went to church, and practiced patience.

Ohhhhhhhh patience.

I actually heard myself say it on Friday night. 

"If anything you're teaching me patience."

I was wearing this on Friday night. (Yes, the fat lady has sung and hell has frozen over.  And least you think those jeans fit, they are the size bigger I bought and I'm sucking in my stomach something fierce;)

Patience with people, patience with changes.  Patience waiting for others to complete their tasks so I can complete mine.

Patience with myself as I attempt to develop habits.

 

 I've been kinda pissy with myself in my attempts.

My first run after I got back?

 I was more concerned with memories.

You see, I'm a historian.  We remember EVERYTHING.  

Ok, fine.  Maybe not bits of Thursday but whatever😜

When I go somewhere to exercise, I often think of the memories I have there.  So having a significant sit down conversation with someone while on Dreamy Draw?  

 Like right here?

I always think of it when I run/hike by.

 Behind Watson?

So many memories, with so many different people.

Being patient with people is sometimes hard when you have memories bombarding you when you simply try to go exercise.

That and I'm trying to be patient with my lungs.

 

Grandcat Thor was helping me exercise.

So I've added HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) to my routine.

I noted in rereading old blogs my lungs did adapt to increased exercise - but I was doing at least three times a week workouts at the time.

Is there a correlation?

Thus far, I think there may be.  While I did grab a second puff on my inhaler yesterday morning, that was more because Ian was (as usual) 40 paces ahead.

 Hiking with my original quest hiking partner.  I swear I will never be able to keep up with his pace!

What was significant, though, was I was able to hold a conversation, almost keep up and I was at elevation for the first time in a month and was doing good on air for the most part.

Then there's my calves.

Ugh.

 Me, about to bail on Piestewa.  Soooooo not happy.

Oh, I could breathe.  I didn't need the inhaler.  My calves, however, were so badly cramping I could not continue up to the summit.

So I headed down a different trail, and that was a mistake.  A HUGE mistake.  Suddenly I had farther to go, and more to climb.  My solution?  Following a wash to a neighborhood and cutting the hike short.  Why I tried to cram in the hike I don't even know-my legs clearly were calling for rest.

Ugh.

 

The best part of my hike was eating an orange at the end.  My children think I look like Squidword.

Lots of changes, lots of choices.  Praying I can stick to the best of them.

Undeniable Weight

Standing waist deep in the gulf, rake in one hand and shark's teeth in the other, I was so very happy.

 My very, very happy place.

My friend Kelly had introduced me to shark tooth hunting in the fall of 2009; let's just say the addiction is real.

Treasure!!!

Rarely in life has anything so simple given me so much joy.  It was the first time my two youngest children joined me; thankfully they enjoyed the beach (seeing as it's on the agenda the next two days as well, they'd best!)

 

Manchild & the Princess.

This trip has delighted me in so many ways; first and foremost, however, is the new maturity I see in Manchild.  He's going on 17, and not keen on his mom and sister's daily plans.  While sullen at first, he consistently gives in...and the smile always ends up on his face.  The Princess is salty at times, but in her, too I am seeing a new maturity I hadn't seen before.  

 

 Neither wanted to stop.  Both loved it.  I loved it so much, I want to put Ride there. #ridematlacha

This trip my only exercise has been one ten minute swim, a day walking Disney, a 1/2 mile run at Disney, and an hour in the gulf yesterday.

I've been spoiled by Mum, and have only kinda watched what I've eaten since then.  My stomach is driving me crazy, as I've never carried weight there-ever.

Let's revisit that earlier gulf photo, shall we?

 

Truth.

It's not at all attractive.

 The day before, simply standing up straight.

Being a tall girl, I've slouched my entire life.  Never before has it been so hideously apparent that it's a problem.  But the real problem?  It's hard to push the pelvis forward when there's so much extra weight on the backside.  My stomach is pooched out due to it, and there's no denying the extra roundness in my face.

 Lol-I smiled a lot on this trip but my hair!!!  So many issues:)

This is a fitness blog.  I'm trying to stay fit.  My grandmother had a stroke at age 62, and was paralyzed and in a wheelchair unable to speak for 20 years.  My desire is to be healthy so I can go and do anything I want for as long as I want.

Because adventure.

 

The weight has to go.

And I'm utterly flummoxed.

The Knight's sister and I, enjoying my Florida Ride.  I see a lot of extra weight.

This is a dangerous season for me-when I go home, I'll be in sundresses.  I don't use a scale as a check, I use clothes.

Did I mention I bought a pair of size 10 jeans?

 

 Yeah, I know.  I broke my 21 year old rule.  Never by the next size up.

As a wonderful, relaxing vacation comes to a close, I am ever mindful of the busyness of the days ahead.  Just two months ago, I was stressed and unhappy; that first trip to Florida changed my life for the better.  I came home, quit my job, recharged Ride, moved to the valley (possibly permanently?), let go of relationships that weren't healthy and began building a new life.  Right before I left I began to feel the strain of the constant go, now each day here I'm feeling more and more confident about my return.

Except this.

 Weight and swing both need improvement:)

So I'm tackling life with much gusto when I get home: exercise is to be a priority, along with making better food choices.

Time to rock n roll:)

Rocks

Yesterday I ran a 16 hour gauntlet to return home.

 Our 6am flight home.

Technically, I didn't run.  Or exercise.  It was a 90 minute drive to the airport (we left at 3:30am EST, or 12:30am PST), our flight left at 6:30am and was 4 hrs and 45 minutes long (despite my best efforts, I did not sleep.). We landed in Vegas at 8:15am, PST.  We drove to Prescott, with a brief stop for lunch in Kingman, arriving around 1pm.  I packed up things for Ride, and drove to Mesa, hitting early rush hour.  At 4pm I settled in to change and head to dinner with my oldest (who still lacks a blog nickname.  Hm.  How about Oldest?)

Within minutes of sitting down for dinner, I received a text that shook me to the core.  Granted, no one was injured or dead, but my blood pressure skyrocketed.  This was something I so did not need.

Dole Whips at Disney World.

Our vacation had been as close to perfect as possible (only alone time for Mama and a few more IPA's would have made it so, but that's not a complaint, merely an observation.) The kids showed marked maturity, they got along, and the only arguments were when someone was hangry.

 This is Manchild hangry.  The Princess also got hangry, but she was harder to catch on film.  Hangry (for those of you without teenagers) is when you are so hungry and something upsets you and you don't hide it:)

It was no coincidence that as I drank in salt air and sun I knew the desire of my heart had been fulfilled.  I had longed for this.

 Siesta Key Beach, one of many we visited.

I got in a ton of shark tooth hunting, and even the kids came to enjoy my most favorite pastime.

 Addicting.  

Add in the wonderful time had with the Knight's mum and the hospitality and friendship of longtime friends who will be starting Ride in Florida, and it couldn't be better.

But I didn't exercise.

And in honesty, I didn't decompress.

I left Phoenix a tight bundle of nerves, hoping to sort out questions while I was gone.  While I did find the vacation to be relaxing, and I enjoyed nearly every minute thoroughly (the hangry portions required some self control) I didn't have the answers I sought.  As the trip progressed, I knew I had uncovered new pieces of the puzzle, but I didn't know how they fit together.  Last night's news?

I was livid.

I might have been hangry.

I was definitely tired and unable to deal with it properly....and my body knew it.  I went home to confront it and laid down for just a minute, to try and clear my head.

I slept instead.  While I woke several times in the night, still distressed, I managed a good night's sleep (with a two hour break at 3am, but hey-that's 6am in Florida, right? 😜)

I knew, immediately, I had to hike.

Hard.

 My poison?  Piestewa Peak.  It had been at least three months since my last trek; I admit that photos the Buckeye took the day before inspired my choice.  Phoenix in the spring is beautiful-and I'm a flower nut.  I love flowers more than anything else, and to hike among them?

Pure joy.

 

The Buckeye's pictures.  How could one not want to hike there? (Well, the 1190ft elevation change *might* deter some.)

So I started, and my calves started screaming immediately.

 For fun I walked the side like a balance beam😎

And not even half way up I had to use the inhaler a second time.

 

But the view was gorgeous...

As I hiked, I mildly regretted the ten days of no exercise.

 Yeah, my tummy is pretty poochy from that no exercise for ten days thing, too....

But the further I got, the happier I became.

And puzzle pieces started snapping into place.

The events of the night before gave me a new perspective; I knew I had to deal quickly with them and made immediate plans to do so.  Having decided on how to proceed, it quickly became apparent what path I should be on personally.

That peace enveloping me, I began to work on Ride.  Yes, I work while hiking.  Mulling over growth issues requires careful thought-and I can think of no better place than the trail to work them out.

 I so love Arizona.

I have a few hard hiking rules I don't break:

1) Hike armed and/or on well populated trails.

2) If you finish a bottle of water and only have one bottle left, no matter where you are on the trail, you have to head back with that last full bottle.

3) If I have to use the inhaler a third time, I must immediately turn around.

4) Always bring your well stocked pack.  Take time to check it and restock before you go if necessary.

 While in the South, I restocked on these two necessitaties...😃

Imagine my chagrin when I was down to an inch or so of water, I felt slightly nauseous and I knew my breathing was way off...and I was about 400 yards from the top.

I knew it was ok to call it.  I knew I could not push-the nausea kept that in check-but I so desperately wanted the summit.

I needed to make that goal.  It wasn't about pushing-it was purely about need.

 My happiest place.

I made the summit, having slowed to a snail's pace.  The coughing began the second I sat down, and I gulped the last water and grabbed my inhaler.

I'm not sunburned...that's the red from put-near almost completely overduing it.

I took a nice 45 minute breather, and noted down my plans.  The stress of the day before melted away, and I new I had found not only direction, but closed doors.

It felt amazing.

 

Before I headed down.

My hike down my legs got shaky, admittedly it's a tough hike and I was worn out.

 But the balance beam was sooooo fun regardless:)

As I marveled at how easily ten days worth of indecision had quickly molded into a truly workable plan, I made additional plans to hike more, not less.

My office.  I think golfing has moved up the list of things to do, too.

As I descended, I made a few more notes and contemplated my morning adventure.  Clearly, hiking clears my head like nothing else; I tried to recall my last hard hike and came up with Camelback in early February (or was it January?  Ugh.). These hikes have to be the norm, not the exception.  The other difference?  I took this hike as a time for connection.  It was my God time, and it was needed.  Not only did I sort out business and personal issues.  I talked to my Father about them, and had found peace.

While the road ahead may be rocky, hikes like today prove I excel the rockier it is.  My joy is so fully restored, and I'm excited more than ever about what lies on my path.  As I neared the end of the trail I noticed a girl sitting on the last bench, and felt that familiar tug.  I sat down next to her, and she turned her back to me.  Nonplussed, I got up only to immediately see a piece of paper on the trail.

Oh.  My.  Word.

My heart leapt as I read the fortune, knowing what small steps I planned while hiking.  For two seconds I thought of pocketing it, when I remembered the girl.

Tapping her on her shoulder, I handed her the fortune.  "I just found this, but I think it's for you," I said, and continued down the path.  My steps I already know are ordered of God.  

I cannot wait to see what adventures lie ahead. 

Especially when they involve rocks:)

Reset or Renege?

I'm away:)

 Rather comfortably so, I might add.

Spring Break last year year was terrible; the Princess, Manchild and I were all terribly sick.  A Facebook "on this day" status yesterday I read with sad rememberance-all I had wanted was a little fun.  Instead, manchild had to go to the ship's doctor with a 103° fever and we all a spent most of our cruise sick in our individual bunk beds.

So this year, when I knew I needed to return to Florida for Ride, I brought my two youngest along.  We started in Vegas, as I had found dirt cheap flights (a red eye out and a 6am return...😳) and it's only an hour further than Phoenix.  The kids hadn't been to Vegas since they were 9 & 11...when we drove them straight to the Bellagio, parked them in front of the window so they could watch the fountains, took them to Tournament of Kings and that's it.  This time?

 

It was a very fun day:)

Now we are the Knight's mum's house, and Mum is spoiling us with good country cooking, an abundance of things to do and just time to decompress.

I don't seem to be quite decompressing as I should be; I am always aware of Ride and checking in.  I'm also aching for a hike.

But there are no mountains in Florida.  

Swimming?  I love it!  But it's just a wee too cold.

 

Necessitating the wearing of a jacket 😎

 This is also rather tempting to pour over (I intend to leave the sky portion for my brother in law who arrives a week after we leave😈)

 

What can I say?  It's rained a lot!!

Tonight we all played cards and board games as a family; the goofy laughter and spontaneous singing of "The Victors" highlighting the levity of the trip.  Yesterday Michigan basketball beat Wisconsin for the Big Ten Tourney championship; it's been a great time being a Wolverine.

So while I haven't exercised other than a brief swim on day one, I have spent wonderful time with my kids.  And while work does draw me in, it's pretty much in the periphery. 

Is this reneging on my quest?

I think it may just be keeping it real.