Tim was right. Don't go for strength and endurance at the same time during the early training. Pick one or the other. For the last several weeks I have hiked Stone Mountain and Kennesaw Mountain - the actual mountain trails. Today I had intended to hike the mountain trail and add the loop to Dallas Highway. Instead, I parked at Cheatham Hill and hiked the 5.5 miles of that loop and then crossing over Dallas Hwy, hiked to Burnt Hickory. Nice rolling trails, but nothing as strenuous as the mountain. Sooo, I completed the 10 miles. Ten miles in one day was a goal for me this month. YEA! It is great to meet a goal. It took me four hours and 20 minutes. Tim, my awesome chiropractor does advise me well.
After my most recent hiking struggles, Scott and I have decided to do the Lenfoot Hikein trail in one day as our first hike together, and it is scheduled for December 19th. We had planned earlier to do Springer, or do to Lenfoot Hikein and spend two nights, making the sprint to Springer on the full day. Scaling our first hike together to a less strenuous hike is a good thing. I am beginning to have my doubts of whether I can do that this soon, but it is six weeks away, so maybe I can make it. For that trip I plan to swim on Thursday night before we hike on Saturday. I swam last night and was sore today before I started. With my working schedule and some increased social activities (Thanks, Larry...:-)) I haven't been swimming as much either. But life is good.
The marker at Cheatham Hill reads that 3,000 Union soldiers and close to 1,000 Confederate soldiers died there. That is absolutely incredible. War - what is it good for? My dear friend Larry, political science professor and military historian and I were discussing this only a couple of days ago. He suggested that perhaps if we reinstituted the draft we would be more careful of the wars we sent out children out to fight.
At the Illinois Monument I paused and spoke to three people, one who evidently was a historian of the Civil War, and he was discussing how bad the Union POW camps were such to be defensive of how bad the ones in the south were. I commented that a discussion of which was the least horrendous was pointless. My great-grandfather fought for the south (he was from Virgina) and he was a POW in Maryland. We have letters that were sent to him as a reply to letters he sent to a cousin in New York requesting a winter coat. The cousin remembered my great-great-grand mother (his mother) fondly and sent him one. I commented to the three people that the war was sometimes brother against brother, family against family. At what point are we willing to make our love for each other more important than our view? There must be a better way.
Something else I reflected on when I was hiking today. There are many people who were walking or running the trails today who were looking down. There are some times when looking at where you are going in the short term is important. There are rocks and roots, and uneven places where looking down is important to prevent you from tripping. It did not seem that some people were looking up for any reason. They didn't look up to speak or notice anyone else. The trees and sky were gorgeous today, and the critters were abundant. I started noticing how much I look down when I don't have to. And then I noticed how I can make the similar analogy to life. We get in our groove and keep the "nose to the grindstone." Not that it isn't important to be mindful of the step we are taking in the instant. However, looking up and being present to what is ahead in the longer term, and being present to the day provides something. I'm just musing again...
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
5.5 miles two days in a row, and the mountain to boot
Epson Salts and the mechanical bubble machine for my tub only marginally helped the sore muscles. Maybe I did not drink enough water during and after Saturday's hike. Perhaps it was because these were the first hikes using a day pack (and I added a quart of water). Could be because I was actually hiking Kennesaw Mountain (1000 foot rise over one mile) instead of some of the lesser trails. However, if the old saying, "no pain, no gain" is accurate, I gained a LOT this weekend in my training. And I am still very sore this morning.
Scott came over one day last week and we were talking about what was next for me to work toward. He had said that once I did 10 miles in a day that we would do Springer Mountain, the approach to the Appalachian Trail from Amacola Falls. We researched and found that a really good weekend would be to spend two nights at the Lynnfoot Hike Inn. That would mean a 5 mile hike on Friday and Sunday and the sprint to Springer on Saturday. We can do the weekend for the two of us for $400, so that is something else to put into the budget. That trip sounded doable last Wednesday. Today I am not so sure. To train for Springer means that rather than do the loop trail at Kennesaw Mountain which is what I did for the last two days, to do just the mountain up and down a few times. Right now I am not inspired.
I might feel better if I went to swim before I go to work, but not sure I can make it. Theresa has promised a massage soon in payment for my feeding her cats lots this summer when she has been out of town. This will be a REALLY good week to have that.
Scott came over one day last week and we were talking about what was next for me to work toward. He had said that once I did 10 miles in a day that we would do Springer Mountain, the approach to the Appalachian Trail from Amacola Falls. We researched and found that a really good weekend would be to spend two nights at the Lynnfoot Hike Inn. That would mean a 5 mile hike on Friday and Sunday and the sprint to Springer on Saturday. We can do the weekend for the two of us for $400, so that is something else to put into the budget. That trip sounded doable last Wednesday. Today I am not so sure. To train for Springer means that rather than do the loop trail at Kennesaw Mountain which is what I did for the last two days, to do just the mountain up and down a few times. Right now I am not inspired.
I might feel better if I went to swim before I go to work, but not sure I can make it. Theresa has promised a massage soon in payment for my feeding her cats lots this summer when she has been out of town. This will be a REALLY good week to have that.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
6 miles!!!!
Geez. I thought I was bad when I had not posted in three weeks and now I notice it has been over two months. Scott actually posted on my Facebook wall if I was still training. Guess all y'all thought I had given up. Well, no... there was more to address and put into place. There are other events and circumstances in my life that do not include training for this trip.
Firstly is my new job. Well, not new now. My probationary period ends this week and there has been much to do and be and address to be comfortable with what I am doing. One hundred or so hours of online coursework, learning to do BIRP notes (and if you don't know what they are, that's ok - you may not want to know, but it is through those notes that I get paid). I completed the online courses a couple of weeks ago, and my notes are coming together better as well. The weekends I was focusing on completing the online courses I was not mindful of my posture while sitting in a comfy chair with my laptop. The result was back problems and more stuff to manage and deal with. NOW, all that is complete and handled. Check!
I was still having problems with my feet until last Monday night I had reflexology from my dear friend Wanda Nelson. She does feet. If you have anything wrong with your feet, call Wanda (contact me personally for contact info). She said that I have hammer toe on both feet (second toe is longer, becoming permanently bent and pushed back into the foot.) That is why the joint is inflamed. She suggested yoga toes (yeah, I didn't know what she was talking about either). What I found was some gell thingies at CVS Pharmacy that are similar. They keep your toes apart similarily to the foam toe separators you get when having a pedicure. My feet are better already. I hiked 6 miles today and it feels good.
My weekly hikes have also included Stone Mountain. My late Wednesday afternoon staff meeting had me completing around 6pm. The attempt to get to Marietta from Stone Mountain at six is just silly - you can't get here from there. So, I took my hiking boots and change of clothes and hiked the mountain. That worked until last Wednesday. I fell twice-the last time because it was dark and I stepped in a hole and turned my ankle over. Thank God for strong ankles (all the swimming helps) and great boots (REI and Keen) and hiking poles. The first time I fell was from overextending the ability of my boots to hold me on a steep incline to rocks with sand on them. The sand did it. The boots have held at incredible inclines before - the experience I have is of the boots having little suction cups on the soles. Great equipment. The experience only made me a bit sore the next morning. I was able to find some Advil that had not expired and forgot that I hurt until the next day!
Trips have also taken precedent sometimes. A High School reunion in Virginia gave me a few days with old friends and family in August. Next year will mark 45 years since I graduated from high school and I have mentioned to a couple of classmates about hosting our reunion on my family farm. Last weekend I successfully created an overnight at Lake Lanier just north of Atlanta with friends. Rustic cabin and pontoon boat's engine did not work, but we were able to dive off and swim in deep water and canoe, cook out and shoot fireworks. We also blew up some automobile airbags. They are loud, just so you know... In October I plan a trip to the NC mountains to see my dear friend Jim and am exploring going to Colorado to see Heather and family and other friends around Thanksgiving.
Ok, ok... I know this blog is about my hiking training... so here are the goals for the next two months: By the end of October I intend to have hiked 10 miles in one day. By the end of November I intend to have hiked 10 miles two days in a row. This is doable.
Firstly is my new job. Well, not new now. My probationary period ends this week and there has been much to do and be and address to be comfortable with what I am doing. One hundred or so hours of online coursework, learning to do BIRP notes (and if you don't know what they are, that's ok - you may not want to know, but it is through those notes that I get paid). I completed the online courses a couple of weeks ago, and my notes are coming together better as well. The weekends I was focusing on completing the online courses I was not mindful of my posture while sitting in a comfy chair with my laptop. The result was back problems and more stuff to manage and deal with. NOW, all that is complete and handled. Check!
I was still having problems with my feet until last Monday night I had reflexology from my dear friend Wanda Nelson. She does feet. If you have anything wrong with your feet, call Wanda (contact me personally for contact info). She said that I have hammer toe on both feet (second toe is longer, becoming permanently bent and pushed back into the foot.) That is why the joint is inflamed. She suggested yoga toes (yeah, I didn't know what she was talking about either). What I found was some gell thingies at CVS Pharmacy that are similar. They keep your toes apart similarily to the foam toe separators you get when having a pedicure. My feet are better already. I hiked 6 miles today and it feels good.
My weekly hikes have also included Stone Mountain. My late Wednesday afternoon staff meeting had me completing around 6pm. The attempt to get to Marietta from Stone Mountain at six is just silly - you can't get here from there. So, I took my hiking boots and change of clothes and hiked the mountain. That worked until last Wednesday. I fell twice-the last time because it was dark and I stepped in a hole and turned my ankle over. Thank God for strong ankles (all the swimming helps) and great boots (REI and Keen) and hiking poles. The first time I fell was from overextending the ability of my boots to hold me on a steep incline to rocks with sand on them. The sand did it. The boots have held at incredible inclines before - the experience I have is of the boots having little suction cups on the soles. Great equipment. The experience only made me a bit sore the next morning. I was able to find some Advil that had not expired and forgot that I hurt until the next day!
Trips have also taken precedent sometimes. A High School reunion in Virginia gave me a few days with old friends and family in August. Next year will mark 45 years since I graduated from high school and I have mentioned to a couple of classmates about hosting our reunion on my family farm. Last weekend I successfully created an overnight at Lake Lanier just north of Atlanta with friends. Rustic cabin and pontoon boat's engine did not work, but we were able to dive off and swim in deep water and canoe, cook out and shoot fireworks. We also blew up some automobile airbags. They are loud, just so you know... In October I plan a trip to the NC mountains to see my dear friend Jim and am exploring going to Colorado to see Heather and family and other friends around Thanksgiving.
Ok, ok... I know this blog is about my hiking training... so here are the goals for the next two months: By the end of October I intend to have hiked 10 miles in one day. By the end of November I intend to have hiked 10 miles two days in a row. This is doable.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
New Boots and Breakthroughs!
It has been almost three weeks since my last entry. When I am having challenges, I don't want to tell anyone. I will willingly share after I figure it out and have the breakthrough. It is all about "looking good" and not wanting to admit to anyone that there is anything I cannot figure out by myself. Being vulnerable scares me.
So, here are the breakthroughs: I have new hiking boots, and started building up my distance again. My left foot was still having this issue - seemingly around the joint in the main part of the foot attached to the second toe. At my monthly visit this past week with chiropractor Dr. David Lee, he listened attentively at my complaint and then said, "Now, Mary, we will find out what is REALLY going on." He proceeded to muscle test the different organs in my body and my spleen went weak. He continued, "Mary, do you know the emotional issue attached to the spleen?" Nope. "Self esteem," he said, "You got something going on about your confidence in actually being able to do this hiking trip, don't you?" I immediately felt the emotion come up. Yep, something to address. He continued to adjust and used his vibrating tool on the side of my leg and my foot (the one that hurts like hell until you quit tensing and just relax) and it started immediately feeling better. "Knowing the personal self development work you do, just knowing the source of your foot pain may give you the tools you need to deal with this," he said, "but if you need some assistance, let me know."
Okey dokey! One more issue addressed.
AND I have a new job! The company I am working with contracts with Medicaid to provide services for clients with a mental health diagnosis. My job is in address the vocational rehabilitation aspects and assist with housing for our clients. These folks are not appropriate for regular vocational rehabilitation services. Some are stable enough to work a few hours a week with some support from us. I will be advocating for our clients with businesses close to where they live. This week I have been looking for subsidized independent housing for them as well. The job is proving to be fun, frustrating, exciting, rewarding, overwhelming, and more - down in the trenches social work - just the kind of job for me!! This new employment will give me the opportunity to get my finances in order and have the money to take the trip!!! YIPPEE!! Life is good.
I hiked the loop of Burnt Hickory to Dallas Hwy this morning - 3.7 miles. Feet good. Legs good. Knees good. Lungs good. Back on schedule. I think with my work schedule and my hiking mostly on weekends now, the way I will increase my distance is to hike twice on Saturdays - morning and late afternoons.
So, here are the breakthroughs: I have new hiking boots, and started building up my distance again. My left foot was still having this issue - seemingly around the joint in the main part of the foot attached to the second toe. At my monthly visit this past week with chiropractor Dr. David Lee, he listened attentively at my complaint and then said, "Now, Mary, we will find out what is REALLY going on." He proceeded to muscle test the different organs in my body and my spleen went weak. He continued, "Mary, do you know the emotional issue attached to the spleen?" Nope. "Self esteem," he said, "You got something going on about your confidence in actually being able to do this hiking trip, don't you?" I immediately felt the emotion come up. Yep, something to address. He continued to adjust and used his vibrating tool on the side of my leg and my foot (the one that hurts like hell until you quit tensing and just relax) and it started immediately feeling better. "Knowing the personal self development work you do, just knowing the source of your foot pain may give you the tools you need to deal with this," he said, "but if you need some assistance, let me know."
Okey dokey! One more issue addressed.
AND I have a new job! The company I am working with contracts with Medicaid to provide services for clients with a mental health diagnosis. My job is in address the vocational rehabilitation aspects and assist with housing for our clients. These folks are not appropriate for regular vocational rehabilitation services. Some are stable enough to work a few hours a week with some support from us. I will be advocating for our clients with businesses close to where they live. This week I have been looking for subsidized independent housing for them as well. The job is proving to be fun, frustrating, exciting, rewarding, overwhelming, and more - down in the trenches social work - just the kind of job for me!! This new employment will give me the opportunity to get my finances in order and have the money to take the trip!!! YIPPEE!! Life is good.
I hiked the loop of Burnt Hickory to Dallas Hwy this morning - 3.7 miles. Feet good. Legs good. Knees good. Lungs good. Back on schedule. I think with my work schedule and my hiking mostly on weekends now, the way I will increase my distance is to hike twice on Saturdays - morning and late afternoons.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Hiking Boots
I took my hiking boots back today. I was sad to do that. I had started getting attached to them. However, as I used them in the last two weeks I became more aware that they were a tad short and going down steep hills had my toes jam.
My children had given me a gift certificate at REI to purchase boots, so I got them there. I splurged and purchased the lifetime membership for $20. Boy, am I glad I did. This way I can return whatever I am not happy with or what doesn't fit for a full refund, EVEN IF I DON'T HAVE THE TICKET! How cool is that?
A couple of days ago I had called REI to see if they had a half size larger in the women's boots. What they had in the store was an 11, a whole size larger. They were too big, so I tried on men's boots in another style made by the same company, Keen, and found that the 8 1/2 in men's boots fit better. The toe space was wider so will address the issues I have. The men's boots are on sale as well, so it was an even trade. To get the style that was on sale, I had to order them and they will be in on Friday. Soooo, no major training this week. I think it is supposed to be hot and humid again this week, so not having hiking boots gives me a perfect excuse to not train.
My children had given me a gift certificate at REI to purchase boots, so I got them there. I splurged and purchased the lifetime membership for $20. Boy, am I glad I did. This way I can return whatever I am not happy with or what doesn't fit for a full refund, EVEN IF I DON'T HAVE THE TICKET! How cool is that?
A couple of days ago I had called REI to see if they had a half size larger in the women's boots. What they had in the store was an 11, a whole size larger. They were too big, so I tried on men's boots in another style made by the same company, Keen, and found that the 8 1/2 in men's boots fit better. The toe space was wider so will address the issues I have. The men's boots are on sale as well, so it was an even trade. To get the style that was on sale, I had to order them and they will be in on Friday. Soooo, no major training this week. I think it is supposed to be hot and humid again this week, so not having hiking boots gives me a perfect excuse to not train.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
I met a man on the mountain today.
I met a man on the mountain today.
He: Do you hike up the mountain often?
Me: This or other trails pretty often.
He: I have been hiking this section for the last three months every day, weather permitting. You see, I have five grandchildren. They are so full of energy. I started seeing how out of shape I am and how important it is for me to be more active.
Me: Yes, I know how important that is. My son has asked me to go hiking in Scotland with him in 15 months, so I am in training.
He: I really fear becoming disabled and my children having to take care of me. I think that if I take better care of myself they will not have to do that. I think that if I knew I would be disabled, I would drive my truck off a cliff rather than have that happen.
Me: I took care of my in-laws years ago, and assisted in the care of my parents as well. What was wonderful about my parents is that they were gracious enough to allow me to handle things for them and assist them when they could not do something. Sometimes my in-laws fought having someone assist them. For me, it was a profound privilege for me to care for them during the times I did. For them to resist did not honor the contribution I wanted to be for them.
He: I never thought of it that way.
Me: There are many ways to look at aging......... there are many ways to look at death......... there are many ways to look at life.........
Monday, June 7, 2010
Update 0607
My feet were screaming the last half mile, but I completed almost a five mile hike today. Parked at Cheatham Hill and hiked the loop trails to Burnt Hickory and back. I think what is happening is that my second toe is a tad longer than my big one and as my toes pushed against the shoe the middle toes are forced to bend and go numb. Anyway, it may be a lacing problem and it may be that I just need longer boots. I'll try the lacing option first.
I am quite proud that I am as far along as I am in my training. No blisters, either. But I always wear two pair of socks. It will be easier to hike some of these trails once I get hiking poles.
Please notice in the picture the beautiful vines at my toes. This place is full of poison ivy. I am grateful that the trails are well trod, and I can manage to avoid it. What I thought was cool about my boots is that the lace holders are reflectors and I did not know that before I bought the shoes. Cool, huh? Even though I thought they were really ugly when I got them, they almost grow on you.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Hiking Boots
Today I am talking about and reflecting on hiking boots.
When Scott was about three or four years old (BJ would have been 8 or 9) Bob and I took them to Pilot Mountain in N.C. for a picnic and hiking. Scott did really well in making it to the top of the mountain. Coming down he was pooped, so I carried him piggy back. I was wearing a pair of tennis shoes that were a tad large for me, and with about 40 pounds of wiggly weight on my back, the stress on my knees was more than I realized. The next day I could not walk at all. The doctor told me that the tendons in my knees had moved all around instead of staying in the groove that is meant for them, and inflammation was the result. He suggested hiking boots before doing any more hiking.
Soon after we moved to Atlanta with the plans of hiking, I bought a super duper pair of hiking boots. They were leather, brown, and hearty. Although I didn't do lots of hiking, when I did they did come in handy. My feet got wet only once, and that was on a Boy Scout camping trip with Troop 144. Mud came over the top. And alas, as I grew older, my feet got a bit larger and those did not fit anymore.
About 15 years ago I bought another pair. They were not as expensive as the first pair, and were men's boots. I could not find women's boots to fit me at the time. I used a variety of cushy innersoles and they served me well until I started training for this trip. The boots seemed to aggravate the spot on the ball of my right food and my toes would go numb. So, alas, time for new boots.
At first I was intimidated by even going into REI. Although I knew that would be a good place to look, I had the old, fat, why would they be willing to wait on me, view. When I went in, I found their staff to be helpful and encouraging. In fact, I went to two different REI stores on several occasions, and went to some other sporting goods places before purchasing the ones I got. On one visit, the employee suggested I take the extensive brochure they had available with a list of all the hiking boots they carried and information about them and suggested I research them online to find out what others thought about them. I did that and then went to more places before going to REI and buying a pair that I thought would be my third or fourth choice, but were more comfortable than the others. These were wider across the toes than the others, and I began to see what a difference that would make in long term comfort. They are not the color I wanted. I wanted gray. I don't wear anything in brown anymore. I used to wear a lot of browns, but since my hair has become gray, the browns seem to wash me out. However, these are hiking boots, not evening wear, and form must follow function. These will be functional.
I have had these for about two weeks and have hiked in them at least six times. No blisters because I wear two pair of socks. They are starting to feel like home. My toes went a bit numb today, but I can attribute that to extended my hiking distance by .8 mile and adding hiking time as well, and doing the more challenging section twice.
Life is good!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Update
Since my last entry I have been hiking a couple of times. The weather in the Atlanta has been warm and humid and we have been having some thunder storms, too. I have thought about just not going then, but what will I do when I get to Scotland? There will be showers unless the weather is very unusual for that area. So, I have gone anyway. I have only gotten a tad damp the last two times as the storms seem to have skirted around me.
My feet seem to adjusting to the boots well. When I am hiking and I think about them they seem a tiny bit short. But if I am not thinking about them I don't notice. The rest of my body seems to be adjusting to the distance and difficulty. I am breathing less hard and enjoying the hikes more. Legs and hips are tightening up. Feels good. I am thinking about increasing my distance. Since I am maintaining about a 20 minute mile (still doing 3.7 mile loop in 70 minutes). I may just double back on a trail to increase the time to 80 minutes would have me hiking 4 miles. I would have done that today had it not been raining. Oh, and I took pictures today that I will post withing the next day or two. The thought came today again that I do need to have a schedule of what I will have accomplished by when to work towards. Just a thought.... hehe
Today I saw the largest doe I have seen on these trails. I also saw the biggest snake I have ever seen in Georgia. I have seen much larger snakes, just not in GA. It was a black snake about four feet long. The last half of him was stretched out into the trail as he was headed into the woods. My fear for the snake was that someone might come along who was afraid of snakes and would kill him. So, I gently made my presence known with the intent that he would hurry along into the woods. I was surprised when he coiled up to strike. Then I was worried. He was far enough away from me that I was not is striking distance. I assumed he was just a regular old black snake and then I wasn't sure. He did not have rattlers. When my prodding did nothing but have him continue to be in a striking position, I left. The snake was out of the direct path and a woman who came up behind me would not have seen him if I had not pointed him out, so I guess I succeeded in my intention. I didn't remember until later that I had my camera with me and could have taken his picture. Too bad.
My feet seem to adjusting to the boots well. When I am hiking and I think about them they seem a tiny bit short. But if I am not thinking about them I don't notice. The rest of my body seems to be adjusting to the distance and difficulty. I am breathing less hard and enjoying the hikes more. Legs and hips are tightening up. Feels good. I am thinking about increasing my distance. Since I am maintaining about a 20 minute mile (still doing 3.7 mile loop in 70 minutes). I may just double back on a trail to increase the time to 80 minutes would have me hiking 4 miles. I would have done that today had it not been raining. Oh, and I took pictures today that I will post withing the next day or two. The thought came today again that I do need to have a schedule of what I will have accomplished by when to work towards. Just a thought.... hehe
Today I saw the largest doe I have seen on these trails. I also saw the biggest snake I have ever seen in Georgia. I have seen much larger snakes, just not in GA. It was a black snake about four feet long. The last half of him was stretched out into the trail as he was headed into the woods. My fear for the snake was that someone might come along who was afraid of snakes and would kill him. So, I gently made my presence known with the intent that he would hurry along into the woods. I was surprised when he coiled up to strike. Then I was worried. He was far enough away from me that I was not is striking distance. I assumed he was just a regular old black snake and then I wasn't sure. He did not have rattlers. When my prodding did nothing but have him continue to be in a striking position, I left. The snake was out of the direct path and a woman who came up behind me would not have seen him if I had not pointed him out, so I guess I succeeded in my intention. I didn't remember until later that I had my camera with me and could have taken his picture. Too bad.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
A couple of recent updates
A friend of mine insisted that I must add this - early one morning last week I was on the west trail of the Kennesaw Battlefield Park between Burnt Hickory and Whitlock, and I was stopped by a Marine and asked directions to the Visitor Center. Several thoughts - a MAN asking directions? How cool. A MARINE who didn't know his way? scary. I guess I don't look like a terrorist. That is a good thing.
AND then hiking boots might be a tiny bit short. The ones I bought are mid height. I think I could have done with a short height. We'll see.
AND then hiking boots might be a tiny bit short. The ones I bought are mid height. I think I could have done with a short height. We'll see.
Introductory comments
The first time Scott mentioned hiking in Scotland, I thought he was kidding. Well, maybe not kidding, but I really did not think he wanted me to go. How I took the conversation was in the same way you would see someone you haven’t seen in a really long time, and would earnestly say, “we must get together for lunch. I will call you next week,” when you have absolutely no intention in calling them at all. As time went on, I got how serious he was about going on this trip. It took longer for me to get that he wanted me to go with him. AND that he wanted this to be a family trip maybe including his brother and wife, but no one else.
“Mom, check out this trip – you don’t have to sleep on the ground. Day hikes in Scotland and they move your luggage from Bed and Breakfast to Bed and Breakfast.” How odd that he would look for a trip like that. He loves to backpack. His excitement level – indeed his passion for life has grown exponentially since joining an outdoor club. So then I thought he was planning this trip for his outdoor club and I could go if I wanted to. He was in the planning and training program for being a leader in the outdoor club, so this might be one that he would plan for them and I could be included. I was honored that he would include me in a trip with his outdoor buddies. Over the next month, whenever I would see him he would talk about the possibility of this trip. We would go in August or September of either 2011 or 2012 after he completed his Bachelor’s degree. It wasn’t until we were at his brother and wife’s house having a family dinner that it started to dawn upon me what he was asking of me – actually what the invitation was. I had called his cousin in New Mexico to request copies of some family genealogy and mentioned to him about the trip to Scotland. Tim said he might want to go too. After I got off the phone, Scott got really upset and said this was a trip just for the two of us. Older brother and wife could go, too, but that was all of who was invited. What about the outdoor club? Oh, he might plan a trip to Scotland with them at a later date, but this one was just for family – immediate family.
So this was the good news and the bad news. The good news was that we were planning this fabulous family vacation in Scotland. The bad news was that I had many concerns about what it would take for me to go on this trip. This would take a major commitment on my part to train for 12-17 miles hiking daily for five or six days. The present inventory at the time I realized he was serious and this was what I wanted to do was this: At age 61, I had never hiked anything like this. Sure I had done some day hikes throughout the years, but nothing like this. I had been an avid swimmer, and in my 30’s started swimming consistently gradually working up to swimming one mile several times a week. I still do that. Hiking uses different muscles. In the past my knees had bothered me. About ten years ago THE knee man at a major university hospital had told me that I needed to have knee replacement in both knees. I told him, “thank you for sharing,” and never went back. The consistent use of MSN, Glucosamine, and later antioxidants seemed to address the major problems with them. Not like I was going to run a marathon, but after using them, I was able to dance (oh, and how I love to dance…) and start hiking a local mountain trail that I had avoided for years. So, it seems I had that problem at least somewhat addressed. Another physical problem that I need to address is my feet. The balls of both of my feet had periodically given me problems in the last 15 years. Good boots would help, and there would be some other things to address for this to work. I am at least 25 – 50 pounds heavier than I would like to be for this trip. If I could drop the pounds, that would account for the extra day pack weight I would need to carry.
The last concern was, “Where on earth is the money coming from for this trip?” My personal financial state is a mess. Having focused on the nonprofit I founded, stuff happened, I got myself in a financial crunch. I have only worked about two weeks this year. Presently there are creditors calling and I am behind on my house payments. However, if I wait until I have the finances handled I may get the finances handled and not be in shape for this trip. And the planning of this trip is important. There is an opportunity for family that would not be possible in the planning of this trip. And even if we never go on this trip, the opportunity for how we are being with our personal intentions, the conversations, and how we are being with each other – what there is to do is to go for it.
So, it has been five months since Scott first suggested it. I have not lost any weight so far. However, I first started walking in my neighborhood – half a mile, then a mile, then a mile and a half, then two miles, then moving to the national park trails. Right now I am up to 3.7 miles hiking in the trails and am averaging under a 20 minute mile. I only hike two to three days a week and still swim twice a week. The swimming is necessary as it addresses some possible back problems. My children gave me a gift card from REI for Mother’s Day, and yesterday I bought new boots. They are ugly, but felt comfy in the store. And I can take them back at any time if they don’t work. So begins my blog.
My intention with this blog is to keep me committed to the project. That I have committed to let others know about this puts my butt on the line (and right now that is a really big butt). So it is all about me. If you are reading this and happen to find something in my sharing that assists you in making a commitment you don’t know how to accomplish, then great. Please share. Life is an incredible journey and is made more delicious by our connections and support of each other.
Love,
Mary
“Mom, check out this trip – you don’t have to sleep on the ground. Day hikes in Scotland and they move your luggage from Bed and Breakfast to Bed and Breakfast.” How odd that he would look for a trip like that. He loves to backpack. His excitement level – indeed his passion for life has grown exponentially since joining an outdoor club. So then I thought he was planning this trip for his outdoor club and I could go if I wanted to. He was in the planning and training program for being a leader in the outdoor club, so this might be one that he would plan for them and I could be included. I was honored that he would include me in a trip with his outdoor buddies. Over the next month, whenever I would see him he would talk about the possibility of this trip. We would go in August or September of either 2011 or 2012 after he completed his Bachelor’s degree. It wasn’t until we were at his brother and wife’s house having a family dinner that it started to dawn upon me what he was asking of me – actually what the invitation was. I had called his cousin in New Mexico to request copies of some family genealogy and mentioned to him about the trip to Scotland. Tim said he might want to go too. After I got off the phone, Scott got really upset and said this was a trip just for the two of us. Older brother and wife could go, too, but that was all of who was invited. What about the outdoor club? Oh, he might plan a trip to Scotland with them at a later date, but this one was just for family – immediate family.
So this was the good news and the bad news. The good news was that we were planning this fabulous family vacation in Scotland. The bad news was that I had many concerns about what it would take for me to go on this trip. This would take a major commitment on my part to train for 12-17 miles hiking daily for five or six days. The present inventory at the time I realized he was serious and this was what I wanted to do was this: At age 61, I had never hiked anything like this. Sure I had done some day hikes throughout the years, but nothing like this. I had been an avid swimmer, and in my 30’s started swimming consistently gradually working up to swimming one mile several times a week. I still do that. Hiking uses different muscles. In the past my knees had bothered me. About ten years ago THE knee man at a major university hospital had told me that I needed to have knee replacement in both knees. I told him, “thank you for sharing,” and never went back. The consistent use of MSN, Glucosamine, and later antioxidants seemed to address the major problems with them. Not like I was going to run a marathon, but after using them, I was able to dance (oh, and how I love to dance…) and start hiking a local mountain trail that I had avoided for years. So, it seems I had that problem at least somewhat addressed. Another physical problem that I need to address is my feet. The balls of both of my feet had periodically given me problems in the last 15 years. Good boots would help, and there would be some other things to address for this to work. I am at least 25 – 50 pounds heavier than I would like to be for this trip. If I could drop the pounds, that would account for the extra day pack weight I would need to carry.
The last concern was, “Where on earth is the money coming from for this trip?” My personal financial state is a mess. Having focused on the nonprofit I founded, stuff happened, I got myself in a financial crunch. I have only worked about two weeks this year. Presently there are creditors calling and I am behind on my house payments. However, if I wait until I have the finances handled I may get the finances handled and not be in shape for this trip. And the planning of this trip is important. There is an opportunity for family that would not be possible in the planning of this trip. And even if we never go on this trip, the opportunity for how we are being with our personal intentions, the conversations, and how we are being with each other – what there is to do is to go for it.
So, it has been five months since Scott first suggested it. I have not lost any weight so far. However, I first started walking in my neighborhood – half a mile, then a mile, then a mile and a half, then two miles, then moving to the national park trails. Right now I am up to 3.7 miles hiking in the trails and am averaging under a 20 minute mile. I only hike two to three days a week and still swim twice a week. The swimming is necessary as it addresses some possible back problems. My children gave me a gift card from REI for Mother’s Day, and yesterday I bought new boots. They are ugly, but felt comfy in the store. And I can take them back at any time if they don’t work. So begins my blog.
My intention with this blog is to keep me committed to the project. That I have committed to let others know about this puts my butt on the line (and right now that is a really big butt). So it is all about me. If you are reading this and happen to find something in my sharing that assists you in making a commitment you don’t know how to accomplish, then great. Please share. Life is an incredible journey and is made more delicious by our connections and support of each other.
Love,
Mary
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