False Start

Sometimes, we jump the gun.

Thumb Butte, late afternoon, Thanksgiving Eve.

All week, I had stressed about Thanksgiving.  The King and I have not seen eye to eye for sometime; the holiday required a show of togetherness that I had no desire to fake.

So I stressed.

A lot.

This kind of stressing.

I purposely went up the steep side, daring the air monster to show up, just so I could get mad.

Couldn't find him...

I rested at my reward bench, drinking in the view and sipping from my water.  My stress had vanished in the climb, and I collected my thoughts.  It was going to be fine.

It was better than fine.

Despite our differences, we proved we could enjoy our time as a family.

So, encouraged by others, I thought I could branch out a bit, and explore other options.

On the Constellation, in jeans and boots.

It'd been awhile, and honestly I was a tad reluctant.  Thumb Butte had become a refuge, it didn't seem right switching up my trails.

Somewhat heart shaped rocks-not much of a sign.

I thought it would be fun, but in the end I was too hot, was unprepared without water, and I missed my views (the view from the Constellstion?  My work!)  I realized belatedly that I should have stuck to what was working.  I didn't like finding airplane pieces without a partner, didn't like being next to that other place of stress, my place of employment.  What I thought would work didn't...and I was disappointed in my choice.

But then there's this:

Seriously.  When I parked in the driveway!

So I'm back to what I know (ditching a hike because it's too cold) and I'm learning what I like, what I could like, and maybe what should be.

Apparently, pride in one's clean vehicle is a good thing?!

I'm learning...

2:37am....

I woke up at 2:37am, and made the mistake of checking the time.

My body decided to stay awake from that point on; a decision that was in no way mutual.

By 3:17am I had given up on sleep and was texting friends on eastern time zone.

At 6am I left for a hike with two college pals here for a visit, April & Steve.

Please note I'm smiling:)

We did Thumb Butte...

...of course, and Granite Gardens.

21 years together...they met in college at Cedar Point.

The Grotto, because hiking in the west is AWESOME.

Today would have been George Phippen's 100th birthday; I served up over 100 pieces of cake on less than 4 hours of sleep and two hikes already taken

One was white, one was chocolate.

Tonight I was supposed to go to a birthday party...but with celebrating George's 100th two days in a row, I'm tired.

Although a night of dancing would be amazing.  I miss it.

It destresses me.

Hiking today, I was reminded how much I need to be on the trail.  I was so thankful for the fellowship of old friends and the joy of sharing the town I love (yes, they went to Nastee Dogs for lunch.)

Dinner tonight was ready right after I got home, courtesy of Lad and the King.

Scrumptious.

Now to stay awake until it's time to sleep, right?

Fitness Quest:  my feet are killing me, but heavy whipping cream can soothe the weary soul!

Keeping Up

This past weekend, the King & I slipped away to Oak Creek Canyon for some R&R.  

Arizona.  It never ceases to amaze.

One would think that with two guest bloggers this blog would be easily maintained, right?  Of course, they are both single dads, both very successful professionally, both working out and both lacking a wife to nag them to get a blog post done.

Sigh.

The weekend extended into Monday, and I did nothing in the form of exercise all weekend-I needed a break.

Lovelocks.  Guaranteeing you'll want to return-a brilliant piece of marketing...

Thus, the last two days were exhausting. Up at 5am, in the gym before 6am.

Lad had a tough time on Wednesday.

Home late, but at least I had this waiting:

Javelina Leap is a local vineyard.

Add in a hike yesterday right after Crossfit:

Thumb Butte, week 18!  Note the bandage off the hand.

And the new job...

And you have one tired blogger.

I think I need to give my guest bloggers a call, don't you?

Time to go rock this set.

40 paces ahead...

If I had wanted to be, I could have been 40 paces ahead on today's hike.

Gleefully sitting on the bench off the wimpy side trail of Thumb Butte, 2/3rds of the way up.

I hiked in a dress today, because it's a sporty dress.

I also had to work prior to the hike, and it was better than going to those appointments in hiking clothes, right?

Swinging my legs, not out of breath, waiting for Chris to catch his breath.

So it's 15 weeks today since I first hiked Thumb Butte and started my Quest.  For the first time, today I was the fitter hiking partner, totally understanding the horrors of a Thumb Butte climb.

It was sooooo pretty today!

Pretty terrifying, isn't it?

The rock stackers had been there before us.

I'm not unsympathetic to the breathlessness of a first Butte hike, but it was difficult not to smile.  I had conquered this Butte already, and now it was another's turn.

Is the Quest better as a partnership?

Is sharing the rigors of a fitness quest make one more likely to show up?

Since breaking my hand, my fear has been losing what I had earned through sweat.  Now I wonder if my quest is more about relationships than anything else.  

Just what do I hope to find?

Not smurfs.

Already found Bronies.

And that local radio hosts are a hoot.

And that I shoot better with my left vs my right.

Today, I got to be the leader, instead of trailing 40 paces behind.  Perhaps the best thing to come out of the Quest thus far is the growing number of people contacting me, and letting me know they started their own quest.

Just keep moving.

My journey has been up and down (literally) but the one thing that has sustained it is accountability.  Meeting someone to hike, or writing about a local business-I was part of a partnership.  Working (or hiking) with a common goal.

Instead of Just Do It, it's Win/Win.  Exercise is easier with two.  Whether that be a hiking partner for that trail, or a center full of people-it's just better when people are looking for you to show up.

Fitness Quest-keeping it real.

Exercise: Bad/Massage: Good

Oh, it was bad.

I took a picture of a pinecone to stall starting my ascent.

My hiking partner had to cancel last minute, so I changed my planned hike to Thumb Butte.  I knew my cardio sucked-it's been three weeks now since a hard hike-so I decided to bite the bullet.

The view of my preferred trail from the damn hard trail to the left.

It sucked.  Literally.

I'm sucking air, I cannot breathe.  Pure Air Monster attack.

So I stopped um, to take a picture!  Of, um, oak leaves!

And a prescribed burn...

And to answer three phone calls...

Imagine my surprise that it took less than 20 minutes, despite the stops, the breathlessness and majorly cramping calves.

Was it worth it?  Hell, yeah.

Amazing how amazing it felt.  From near collapse to ecstasy in seconds.

So, in a moment of passion for exercise, I ran down the other side.

Please note this dude is NOT 40 paces ahead. 

Finished in record time.

Oh, I still hate, loathe and despise exercise. 

But I love it when it's done.

Especially when I get a massage next; in the comfort of my own home.

Incredible.

I met Ana at the Home Show; her booth partner Katie had attended Sgt. Steve's boot camp with me my first week of the Quest.

I love home shows.

Ana is a mobile therapist-she comes to your home or place of business to do your massage.  I was very intrigued; I consider myself a massage junkie-I'd rather get a massage to deal with pain then pop a pill-and Ana agreed to take on my still sore shoulder.

She arrived a few minutes early, and with one trip brought in all her gear-the massage table, etc.  Set-up was quick; she discreetly left the room while I changed and hopped on the table.  I was impressed with the high quality, the table was super comfortable.

One of the things I look for in a massage therapist is for them to get a "read" on my body.  From week to week my body's needs change-today my calves were screaming and my shoulder had issues.  Ana expertly keyed in on these areas; although we did discuss areas I felt needed attention, she listened to what my muscles said they needed-and went from there.  No pre-planned motions or times; from Ana I received exactly what my body needed, even to the amount of pressure applied.  Normally I have to ask for more pressure; with Ana's skill in listening to the muscles, she expertly knew what to apply.

Call her!  She's amazing!

Rarely has a massage been so relaxing and healing.  I think being in my own living room added to that effect; it definitely was a bonus. What started off as a difficult day was suddenly better through the artistic hands of Ana-I cannot thank her enough!

Whining, injured, hurting...but not quitting.

Troy is a fantastic health coach.

So optimistic, isn't he?

I had to challenge his assertion. 

And in the end I reluctantly agreed I didn't regret it as I could eat my "skinny piggy" without guilt.  Not that I feel guilt, but hey.  Without the King begrudging me every bite.

The Prince of Athletics of the Central Highland, my son Charlton (aka Lad) with a Carolina Nastee Dog, bacon dill potato salad and a Mexican coke (made with sugar!)

Let's start off by saying my hand was sore, and my shoulder has a nerve pinch from hell resting in it.

Apparently I am not as strong as I'd like, since I whined a lot yesterday.

https://www.facebook.com/katie.cornelius/posts/10205076509085871

In six days, I lost my cardio ability to hike that dang mountain without stopping.

AND FITNESS FREAKS WONDER WHY PEOPLE QUIT.

Seriously?  I broke my hand.  Surgery was in question.  I chose to "be wise" and PROTECT MY HAND.

The King and I just had an extensive argument about this.  He insists that I did not lose my cardio ability.  I insist I did (I was there, I know I did.). He claims I didn't.

Just in case it's not clear...

Finally, he asks if I slept yesterday.  No, I was up at 3:30am and never fell back to sleep.  Was my body knitting a bone back together?  Yes.  Was my shoulder in pain?  Most assuredly yes.  Therefore, was my physical abilities compromised?  Yes, again.

Oh.

So the King informs me I didn't lose anything (look David, that's twice!) cardio-wise.  My individual performance that day was compromised by physical (and psychological) factors.  In other words, I had a bad day.

Score:  King, 1.  Katie, 0.

Sigh.

The moral of the story?  Don't break your hand.  Or get a pinched nerve in your shoulder.

I'm not quitting.

I finally downloaded "Warrior's Apprentice" last night, and fell asleep reading it (hence the lack of blog-first one I've missed.) I was immediately reminded why I love the character of Miles Vorkosigan, and I cannot wait to revisit the next dozen books, all lined up on my bookshelf:  He has a soundtrack mind.

The character himself has many physical limitations, which he amply makes up for with intellectual prowess.  I suppose being injured (so stupidly injured, it pisses me off to no end) it's given me another perspective on the quest.

Injury:  the number one reason people quit.

Injury:  the number one way to build mental toughness to get through to the goal.

Goal one:  a good push-up.  Wow-that is pushed back three months.

Goal two: touch my nose to my knee.

Hmm...that I CAN do.  Pain doesn't have to prevent me from continuing (and at least the pinched nerve is the same shoulder as the broken hand.)

Fitness Quest.  Keeping it real.