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.

By My Self #44

I went hiking today by myself.

And plenty of gear...

Having just pontificated that the things I had wanted to do when I was young were stopped by lack of resources and knowledge, I couldn't just sit back.  I had an inner canyon hike scheduled for Sunday, and I needed to know if I could still make it (103° temps are sooooo not fun.)

My concern was malaise & fatigue, of course.

The only way to find out, was to get out there.

At the trailhead to #33, I hesitated a fraction of a second.  It was the steep side's turn, and the test of the air monster lay in those switchbacks.  Heading left, I silently cursed to myself.  I needed to know-could I do this hike without stopping, and no breathlessness? I was breathless just getting out if the vehicle, for goodness sake!

Slowly I started up the path, checking my posture, foot placement.  My heart rate quickened, and I became conscious of every beat.  Did I have the stamina to do this, or did the fever set me back?

One step.

One more step.

I shortened my natural gait, and imagined  walking a tightrope.  I corrected my posture, shoulders back, dropped, and engaging my lats.  

My God.  This place is beautiful.

All around me, the new, tiny spring green leaves popped from their branches.  A plethora of green overran the trail, in the many shades new growth brings.  Aware of every breath, and keenly aware of every step, I slowly continued up.  The landscape unfolded around me as I emerged above the forest canopy; Granite Mountain rose prominently in the distance.  Ever conscious that I could be gripped in a second by the air monster, I carefully controlled my speed.  Slow and steady wins the race, does it not?

Three people passed me, I did not care.  I wasn't 40 paces behind.  This was between me and the air monster:  the only thing that could prevent an inner canyon hike on Sunday.  I needed the knowledge of my capabilities, could I do it or not?

Nearing the top, I once again felt cruise control kick in, surprisingly at the same point as before my illness.  Picking up speed, I rounded the corner and saw my favorite bench...and marched right past it.  There was no need to rest.  I wasn't struggling to breath.  

EIGHT weeks.  It had taken EIGHT full weeks to hike up the steep side of Thumb Butte without breathlessness or stopping.

I'm obsessed with the number eight, just FYI.  I was born on 8/8 (at quarter til 8) and 8 days after my 8th birthday, my little sister was born.  I'm 8 years, 8 days, 8 hours and 48 minutes older than her.

188,888

Eight weeks.

I should have known, eh?

So, I essentially skipped, hopped and fenced down the other side; my trusty hiking stick becoming my foil.  Totally not a workout, and totally why I don't typically go this way.

Finishing up

I had my answer:  I controlled the air monster.

With that new found knowledge, I jumped in the vehicle and punched up directions for Fitness for $10 on Ranch Rd, ready to attend yoga with the divine Katy Kolasa.  It showed it 28 minutes away, and class started in 24 minutes.

Thumb Butte is a little out of the way.

Katy greeted me at the door, as I arrived with a minute to spare (I had somehow hit all green lights on Gurley Street through downtown.  God does exist and He loves me.).  Rolling out my mat, I glanced around the room.  It was brightly lit from the natural daylight streaming through the windows, and had a larger ratio of senior citizens (something I LOVE about yoga-all ages can practise.) As I sat waiting for class to begin, I reflected on my hike.  My head had been up, on the steep side of the Butte. I hadn't stopped, and I could breathe.  Goal achieved.

Centering myself, I looked at my hands in my table position.  I twisted them before going up into downward dog (it's soooo much easier with knowledge!) Weeks ago, I struggled with this elementary position, and now found it routine.  Throughout the stretches I listened to my muscles, and appreciated again the subtleties of yoga.  No, I couldn't do all the positions.  Some I rocked (my chair position...I'm a boss) and some sucked (anything with balance or flexibility!  Lol!). I loved being free to make the experience mine-to meet my needs of the moment.

Inwardly, my thoughts drifted through the ups and downs of the past eight weeks. Alone on the mountain, my fighting spirit was flexing its muscles for the first time in a long while; it had gone into hiding seven years ago.  While it now has to contend with a still healing brain, I was delighted to know it had shaken off its slumber.  Here on my mat, with my head pressed to the earth in my child's pose, I caught a glimpse of my long buried heart.  

My quest for fitness doesn't end on one goal achieved (I still need to do a push up!) but it seems a new chapter is opening.  Fitness is being healthy both physically and mentally; I am continually amazed how the two are interlinked.  No, I still don't like exercise (please note, I have never classified hiking as exercise).  It's still a struggle to get motivated, even though I love the results.  As the journey continues, I am challenged more and more...on things I never expected to be challenged on.  My discoveries surprise me, disappoint me, madden me, delight me.  

Is that what a quest is all about?

4: The Day I Discover Heaven

My final 5:30am class, and I'm awake once again before 4am.  One would think an injuried body would take the additional thirty minutes alotted to sleep, but no.  Awake I am, and up I must get.

Immediately, there is the problem of what to wear.  My only pair of black sweatpants I wore Monday.  Tuesday I wore grey capri's, yesterday black.  I know I have a stash of hiking capri's, but they don't seem appropriate for yoga.  Digging through my closet, I stumble on black yoga pants!  I hesitate before trying them on - and they fit!  This is truly the week of wonders.

I've never tried yoga; I was brought up conservative pentecostal and am still leery of anything involving "ooommms."  I knew today was sport yoga (i.e. yoga without the ooommms) and I had a feeling I would love it.  While I still don't claim to have engaged myself in exercise, I was definitely excited to try something new.  Kinda like Taylor Swift, trying on a new boyfriend.

When I arrived, the gym lights were off.  A tad creepy at 5:30am, but at least I knew these people now.  It was nice being greeted warmly when I arrived, and it was pleasant to sit and chat for a few minutes with these new found friends.  Sgt. Steve started our session, and immediately I was hooked.

I freaking LOVE yoga.

I love the stretches, pushing me a little bit further.  I love the poses - so effortless for some but so ridiculous for me to attempt - I had visions of being able to strike a pose.  The calm, the dimness, the rhythmic movements were like a dream.  It wasn't 5:30am, I was simply still asleep.

My rude awakening happened after a set with my head down.  I cam up too quickly, and nausea overtook me for the second day in a row.  I hadn't had breakfast, but I did have a Starbucks coffee on my way in.  This sealed the deal for me - no food before early morning exercise henceforth.

When I left the building, the sun was up and this view amazed me:

Granite Mtn. blanketed in clouds.

From the gym I ran over to BNI, Business Networking International.  I'm a little networking princess, and I was joining the Thursday Morning Money Makers.  Bryce, my former BNI cohort, will tell you I'm all about getting a black tag, and adore connecting friends with money.  Bryce is a artist who specializes in photography, and together we trashed my dress in an aircraft fuselage, which was tremendous fun.

We must make more money!!  Ivan Misner has commanded it!

BTW, I still fit in both of my wedding dresses.  My size 4 waist has stayed the same.  Big skirts are so forgiving.  Have I mentioned I'm a princess?  I have a gorgeous selection of tiara's.

Really.

A princess who was swept off her feet by a big bad former cop :)

Princesses should not have to exercise.  Networking, sure.  Exercise, no.

From BNI (where I met my daughter's boyfriend's dad by pure coincidence) I ran to meet my editor, and then left for another sales call.  By noon I was bushed, and ready for a nap.  Never before in my life have I felt such fatigued, and I called Becky to beg off.

She wouldn't let me.

"Take a power nap at the trailhead while you wait for me," she commanded, so I figured I had no way out.  I pulled into the Williamson Valley trailhead, a mere 6 miles from my so soft bed, and waited for her with my eyes closed.  I had just drifted off when she arrived, her beloved dog Diesel by her side.  After Tuesday's conversation, the first thing we did was guarantee we were both carrying.  My holster had not arrived, and in yoga pants I was left with few choices.  Appendix carry with no breakaway holster, or putting my gun in my backpack.  We debated the merits and decided Becky with her 9mm could cover me while I drew, should the need arise.

Never, ever, Google "girlfriend with a gun."  Just no.

Becky & Diesel.  Yes, she is carrying.

We get started on the 3 mile hike, one of my most familiar as we live so close.  This one I know by heart, and at the 1.3 mile marker to turn onto #347, Becky was bushed.  We both had a good chuckle, since I was the one not wanting to come, and now she was the one questioning heading back.  I assured here we were nearly half way, and the best was yet to be.  Onward to the Mint Creek trail we went.

Really, I do live on the top of the mountains in the center of the heart.  I can see Russia from my house.

Friends don't let friends ditch a hike.

We completed the hike in about an hour, both glad we hadn't let the other one quit.  We talked more about doing a rim to rim in the fall, and promised to see each other for another hike in the morning.  I left for home, rundown and a sweaty mess.  Imagine my delight in finding Heaven on Earth:  my Shower.

Never, in the history of showers, has one felt so good.  Every muscle had ached before climbing in.  My skin drank in the moisture, and the heat soothed away the hurts.  I began to understand for the first time why the King of Athletics of the Central Highlands took three showers a day (I know - a little OCD but I love him).  The rewards heaped upon me in that one shower made all the exercise of the prior four days worth it - I have never, in my entire life, felt so good.  After cleaning up, and re-bandaging my wound, I snuggled between the sheets and took a nap.  The rewards outweighed the pain for the very first time.

2: My Secret Crush Revealed

The events of Monday morning were still prominent in my mind as I headed into boot camp at 8am the next day.  Surprisingly, I was only mildly sore for being so out of shape; my hiking the weeks prior must have had some impact.  Not that I was engaged; while I enjoyed the camp, I was far from sold that exercise needed to be a part of my daily lifestyle.  Trudging into the gym, imagine my immediate delight to see my friend Kristen, ready to start the camp.

Kristen helpfully posing for me.

Having a friend to greet me was an unexpected bonus.  I immediately noted how much easier the day's activities seemed with her by my side; after all, I am used to hiking with a partner.  This was the dreaded cardio day, which I had already decided would likely kill me.

It didn't.

I have to admit to surprise - I could breathe the entire time.  Yes, it was hard.  Yes, it took me to places my muscles had never been.  But every time I thought I would need a drink due to my throat closing, Sgt. Steve would stop the set. 

I probably shouldn't start sentences with But.

Mrs. Bohs is probably rolling in her grave.

If she is dead.   I couldn't find her obituary.  So, Blair Bohs, if you are still alive out there, I apologize for starting a sentence with But.  I can see your red ink line prominently struck through it, really I can.  I can also remember sitting right behind Tony McCarthy, who wrote the most ghoulish things and was my antagonist until I developed a raging crush on him.  Not that I should mention that, right?  It was 29 years ago....(OH MY WORD WE ARE OLD, PEOPLE!!!)

This is our sophomore yearbook.  Can you find me?

This was during my "Alien Bond" phase of life.  I was determined to write a Star Trek novel.  Rarely was I seen without a pen in hand; rarely has there been such a struggle to write dialogue.  Now I know you just write and keep on writing; back then I just gave up.  I no longer wanted to write (even though I did.  This will make more sense after you read Friday's blog.  Really.)  Right, fitness.  Fitness Quest.  Not, "oh, look at how funny we all looked in high school" quest.

I'm off track because I really don't want to put up the next two pictures.  It was decided after class that I needed "before pictures" for my fitness quest (thank GOD Almighty Himself none existed of me in the skirt that started this all.  Horrifying.)

Yes, I see my left hip is higher than my right.

Yep.

What really sucks about these pictures is I'm trying to stand up straight and watch my posture.  As you can see, my husband has just reason to hate my thighs (but if there was a third picture featuring my backside, you'd see why he doesn't complain too much, and why I was voted "best butt" at my last job.  Seriously.  Precisely the reason I don't go to Company Christmas Parties is to avoid comments like that.)

After class, I headed to Starbucks to do the "working" part of my job as a media specialist.  I was pleased with my progress after a lackluster first week, and was excited to share my results with Becky, my hiking partner for the day.

Becks & I at the start of our hike.

We chose to hike in the Willow Lake Dells; a fantastic area in Prescott filled with "massive boulders of ancient rock have weathered into delicately balanced forms and fanciful shapes."  It cost $2 to park, so we ditched Becky's car at the grocery store across the street, because, let's be real, two dollars is two dollars.

It had been awhile since I had hiked the "Polka Dot Trail," so named as you are following white dots across the rocks, instead of a traditional path.  We quickly decided that a regular feature of our hikes had to be the "OH MY WORD WE LIVE HERE" picture - as we were so astounded by the beauty of the area.

Of course we have to be IN the picture to prove we were there.

We were about a half mile in the Dells when we came across a man in a trench coat with his dog.

I'm not kidding - a trench coat.

Becky, the proud Mama of four pooches, cooed at the sight of the pup.  The Trench Coat man kept his back to us.  We kept walking...at a much quicker pace than before.

"Are you carrying?" we almost asked the question to one another simultaneously.

This is my gun:

Just like James Bond.

No, I was not carrying it at the time, nor did Becky have her's on her.

Dang it.

We are so blessed to live in the United States, where we have the right to bear arms.  I know many women (and men) who say they never feel the need to protect themselves, and go hiking by themselves all the time.

Tell that to Cathy Sposito, who was killed while hiking Thumb Butte.  Other hikers heard her screaming, but could not get to her in time.  I'd like to think that I'm safe every time I hike, but that would be naive to do so.  Becky and I saw no one else during our hike, in a fairly remote area.  Being armed is just being smart; we vowed to carry our next time out.

Boulder Loving.  Hard to believe my before pictures were taken earlier in the day.

To say we loved our hike is an understatement; we made plans to hike again later in the week and to do a rim-to-rim in the Canyon in September.  Because we live in Arizona, and we can do that.

Plus we are going to make this our career!!I ended up doing two sales calls in my hiking clothes, but because this is Prescott, I actually made both sales.

I ran home and showered, made two sales calls while fairly exhausted and then I ate this:

Organic means no calories, right?

This is a Frau Buchler Nastee Dog.  Divine.

By the time I got home, the dogs had made a mess.  I started losing my battle to stay awake.

Oops!  Time to write.

Fitness Quest: Kickstart Boot Camp for Women