Well, I've managed to accomplish another hike since my knee injury although it's still not healed. (Luckily, this particular hike, though rather steep, did not involve any high stepping or rock scrambles.) I had xrays done yesterday to determine if I had any bone issues but everything looks fine there. I have a sneaky suspicion that it's a tendon that's acting up. I'll just continue to try and take it easy and to ice it regularly (even though there hasn't been any swelling that I can tell).
I'll put up a picture with a link to the last hike's pictures. As always, the scenery is so beautiful along these trails and it's just breathtaking at the summits! It's amazing to me that the only way to see these beautiful landscapes is to hike to them since there are no roads there! I'm thankful and quite fortunate to be able to do that!
Thursday's hike is supposed to be up to 10,020 feet but we may have some bad weather that day. If so, the hike will be canceled for this week and we'll try again next week.
This past Sunday, Mark and I had the pleasure of going to Sophia's 1st birthday party at Sara and Zach's house! (Sure wish we could go to all of Zoe's and Ezra's birthdays, too!) I think she was on sensory overload with all the family, friends, and presents! She seemed to enjoy the day! Sara did a great job on the decorations especially with the birthday banner which chronicled Sophia's first year with monthly photos! The cake lollipops were exceptionally tasty, too! (I need that recipe! Would like to experiment and see if we can get a vegan version so Zoe can enjoy them, too!) Check out the birthday party pictures by clicking on the banner picture.
More updates later...need to research and write an article now for the New Horizons International Music Association.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Training Set Back
I have been doing really well on all my training hikes since returning from California but last Friday's hike of the Fern Canyon Trail down by the Boulder Flat Irons proved a bit disastrous for my left knee!
It was a beautiful hike on all three trails (Bear Canyon, Fern Canyon, and Mesa)! I wore my rain gear as showers were predicted for later in the afternoon. At the start of the hike, we passed a runner coming down who told us there were two bears at the summit. Pretty exciting, although I certainly didn't want to get close to them.
Once we got on Fern Canyon trail, there was a very steep rise (mostly on a rocks) all the way up to the 8,400' summit. Each step of the way was about a 2 foot rise and required constant use of the leg and butt muscles. No problem going up. At about the 8,100' level, it started snowing--this wasn't predicted! Mark and I were ready to continue as we probably only had about another 15 minutes to go to get to the summit; but, a couple of the ladies wanted to turn around. The hike leader used caution and said we needed to turn around.
By now it's snowing harder and the trail is starting to get covered. I managed to place my left foot on some slippery rocks and jerked my knee in my attempt to not fall. I didn't fall, however the damage had already been done to my knee. It was rather painful the rest of the way down but not excruciating or anything like that.
I got home and iced it a lot. That was Friday and I'm still icing it. I canceled going on a high altitude hike tomorrow to Twin Sisters in the hopes of doing another high altitude hike to Croser Mountain this Friday. Croser (the Glen Haven trail) is starts at 7,700' and is 9,250' at the summit. It rises about 2,000' in 4 miles (shouldn't be as bad as last Friday's hike, but I don't really know since I haven't done that one yet). I heard there is a rock scramble just before you get to the summit. (That's what I'm worried about! I think I'll do fine on straight walking, it's the lifting of my knee high that concerns me.) The total hike mileage is 8.2 miles.
So, I guess I'll just have to see how my knee feels when I get up on Thursday morning! I'm keeping my fingers crossed it'll be okay!
It was a beautiful hike on all three trails (Bear Canyon, Fern Canyon, and Mesa)! I wore my rain gear as showers were predicted for later in the afternoon. At the start of the hike, we passed a runner coming down who told us there were two bears at the summit. Pretty exciting, although I certainly didn't want to get close to them.
Once we got on Fern Canyon trail, there was a very steep rise (mostly on a rocks) all the way up to the 8,400' summit. Each step of the way was about a 2 foot rise and required constant use of the leg and butt muscles. No problem going up. At about the 8,100' level, it started snowing--this wasn't predicted! Mark and I were ready to continue as we probably only had about another 15 minutes to go to get to the summit; but, a couple of the ladies wanted to turn around. The hike leader used caution and said we needed to turn around.
By now it's snowing harder and the trail is starting to get covered. I managed to place my left foot on some slippery rocks and jerked my knee in my attempt to not fall. I didn't fall, however the damage had already been done to my knee. It was rather painful the rest of the way down but not excruciating or anything like that.
I got home and iced it a lot. That was Friday and I'm still icing it. I canceled going on a high altitude hike tomorrow to Twin Sisters in the hopes of doing another high altitude hike to Croser Mountain this Friday. Croser (the Glen Haven trail) is starts at 7,700' and is 9,250' at the summit. It rises about 2,000' in 4 miles (shouldn't be as bad as last Friday's hike, but I don't really know since I haven't done that one yet). I heard there is a rock scramble just before you get to the summit. (That's what I'm worried about! I think I'll do fine on straight walking, it's the lifting of my knee high that concerns me.) The total hike mileage is 8.2 miles.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Fun Time in Ventura
It's hard to believe we are back home in Colorado and our trip to California is now just a memory. We had a fantastic time visiting with Holly, Erich, Zoe and Ezra!!! It was quite nice to spend Easter with them this year! I loved seeing the excitement in Zoe's and Ezra's eyes when they colored eggs the night before--and also on Easter as they searched for eggs inside and outside!
I was so glad we fit in a visit to the beach to just walk around. At Carpinteria Beach, luck was with us...the tide was out so we got to check out the tide pools...lots of interesting creatures, shells, etc.
Took a drive to Lake Casitas...another beautiful, relaxing place! Poor Ezra took a spill and landed on his face; a bit bumped up and two teeth slightly loose, but okay. Quite an end to an otherwise nice day!
The Ventura Charter School's biggest fundraiser, the Ventura Eco Festival turned out to be a bust (for the vendors) due to the high winds which kept the crowds down. It was a beautiful sunny day, in the mid-60s and despite the lack of "business", I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with everyone there! I was very happy that Greg and Michelle stopped by, too, to wish me a Happy Birthday! (Yes, the Eco Festival was on my birthday!) And, speaking of my birthday, I was trying to remember when was the last time that Holly was able to celebrate with me; I think it's been at least 12 years! So, I definitely enjoyed this one!
I also had fun going on the Wheeler Springs hike with Holly, Ezra and Zoe, too! We had to be careful to avoid the new growth of poison oak, particularly at the start of the hike. But it was so pretty walking among the trees.
And just doing the everyday things was extra special...fixing Zoe's hair as she gets ready for school, taking Ezra out for ice cream, playing a game of Scrabble with Holly, Erich, and Mark, dinner at Ferraro's, lunch at In-N-Out Burger...the list goes on and on!
Now we get to look forward to July when they will come out to Colorado for a visit! (Erich has to work, though...we'll miss him.) I'll be counting the days until then! Can't wait for them to see Sophia, too! They last saw her as a newborn almost a year ago! She'll love playing with Ezra and Zoe!
I was so glad we fit in a visit to the beach to just walk around. At Carpinteria Beach, luck was with us...the tide was out so we got to check out the tide pools...lots of interesting creatures, shells, etc.
Took a drive to Lake Casitas...another beautiful, relaxing place! Poor Ezra took a spill and landed on his face; a bit bumped up and two teeth slightly loose, but okay. Quite an end to an otherwise nice day!
The Ventura Charter School's biggest fundraiser, the Ventura Eco Festival turned out to be a bust (for the vendors) due to the high winds which kept the crowds down. It was a beautiful sunny day, in the mid-60s and despite the lack of "business", I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with everyone there! I was very happy that Greg and Michelle stopped by, too, to wish me a Happy Birthday! (Yes, the Eco Festival was on my birthday!) And, speaking of my birthday, I was trying to remember when was the last time that Holly was able to celebrate with me; I think it's been at least 12 years! So, I definitely enjoyed this one!
I also had fun going on the Wheeler Springs hike with Holly, Ezra and Zoe, too! We had to be careful to avoid the new growth of poison oak, particularly at the start of the hike. But it was so pretty walking among the trees.
And just doing the everyday things was extra special...fixing Zoe's hair as she gets ready for school, taking Ezra out for ice cream, playing a game of Scrabble with Holly, Erich, and Mark, dinner at Ferraro's, lunch at In-N-Out Burger...the list goes on and on!
Now we get to look forward to July when they will come out to Colorado for a visit! (Erich has to work, though...we'll miss him.) I'll be counting the days until then! Can't wait for them to see Sophia, too! They last saw her as a newborn almost a year ago! She'll love playing with Ezra and Zoe!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Fun in California
It seems like we've waited so long for our visit to California and now it's here! We had a (too short) two day visit with my brother, Tom and sister-in-law, Mona before we made it to Ventura to visit Holly, Erich, Zoe and Ezra. It was so great to see them again as well as Jack, Joleen, Maelee, and Earky! We hope to stay longer on the next visit!
We are now having lots of fun seeing Zoe and Ezra every day and love spending time with them and Holly and Erich! (Too bad Erich has a business trip next week to Tuscon.)
I've managed to get in a couple of exercise classes at the YMCA thanks to Holly and Erich's guest passes and hope to have a few more opportunities before we leave here to return home. (I'm trying hard just to maintain the weight I've lost these past 3 1/2 months...21 pounds!)
The weather has been quite nice during the day...sunny and in the mid 60s! I'm hoping it stays this way for most of the time we are here! I especially hope it's sunny and warm on April 14th, my birthday and the day of the Earth Day Festival here in Ventura. We will be vendors along with Holly and some of her friends at this festival.
More on our Ventura adventures a bit later...
We are now having lots of fun seeing Zoe and Ezra every day and love spending time with them and Holly and Erich! (Too bad Erich has a business trip next week to Tuscon.)
I've managed to get in a couple of exercise classes at the YMCA thanks to Holly and Erich's guest passes and hope to have a few more opportunities before we leave here to return home. (I'm trying hard just to maintain the weight I've lost these past 3 1/2 months...21 pounds!)
The weather has been quite nice during the day...sunny and in the mid 60s! I'm hoping it stays this way for most of the time we are here! I especially hope it's sunny and warm on April 14th, my birthday and the day of the Earth Day Festival here in Ventura. We will be vendors along with Holly and some of her friends at this festival.
More on our Ventura adventures a bit later...
Monday, March 19, 2012
Another Great Hike!
Mark and I went on our second training hike yesterday and again, it was a fun hike! (Click on the photo at the right to see pictures from the hike.) We started at Horsetooth Mtn trail head and finished at Arthur's Rock trail head in Fort Collins. It was a 7 mile hike with about a 1,000 feet gain in elevation; we got up to about 6,800 feet. It took us 5 hours and 45 minutes (those 45 mins were our breaks).
This hike was more difficult than our first as the trail was more rocky and we had a lot of uphill climbs. But despite the greater difficulty, I actually felt better after this one than the first one! Must be getting in better shape. Saw a few hikers and joggers on the trail until Horsetooth Falls. After that, hardly anyone! Very nice!
During the last 30 minutes of our hike, the wind kicked up and blew sustained 20 to 30 mph with wind gusts above that! We really lucked out on our timing because it got a lot worse shortly after we finished!
Our next hike is scheduled for Monday, March 26th and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will be good. I want to get one more hike in before we leave to go visit Tom and Mona and Holly, Erich and the kids.
This hike was more difficult than our first as the trail was more rocky and we had a lot of uphill climbs. But despite the greater difficulty, I actually felt better after this one than the first one! Must be getting in better shape. Saw a few hikers and joggers on the trail until Horsetooth Falls. After that, hardly anyone! Very nice!
During the last 30 minutes of our hike, the wind kicked up and blew sustained 20 to 30 mph with wind gusts above that! We really lucked out on our timing because it got a lot worse shortly after we finished!
Our next hike is scheduled for Monday, March 26th and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will be good. I want to get one more hike in before we leave to go visit Tom and Mona and Holly, Erich and the kids.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Fitness Progress Update
Today marks 3 months since I decided to refine my eating plan and begin in earnest working out 6 days a week. Thanks to my trainer, I've come a long way in just 12 weeks! I know over the past year, there have been multiple reports, TV shows, etc. stating that we should work out 5 to 6 days a week (for the rest of our lives). And my trainer gave me the tools as well as the accountability to get me on the right track. As a result, so far I've dropped almost 2 pants sizes!
I've lost 18 pounds and lost 18 1/4 inches overall. That's 6 1/2 inches in my waist, 4 inches in my hips, about 3 inches in each thigh, and dropped a bra size! It's no miracle, that's for sure. It's the result of a lot of hard work but it's well worth it; I was able to come off of my cholesterol medicine for the first time in 4 years!
I will continue my workouts forever, and will modify my workouts the days I'm on vacation. It can be done as I proved it to myself in January when I was back East. It's working for me because I finally changed my mindset. I was tired of my (excuse the expression) "half-assed" efforts. Diet, lose weight, inconsistent exercise, gain it back.
There is no easy solution. I have to put in the effort, 6 days a week. And, I proved to myself that even in menopause, I can lose weight!
I've lost 18 pounds and lost 18 1/4 inches overall. That's 6 1/2 inches in my waist, 4 inches in my hips, about 3 inches in each thigh, and dropped a bra size! It's no miracle, that's for sure. It's the result of a lot of hard work but it's well worth it; I was able to come off of my cholesterol medicine for the first time in 4 years!
I will continue my workouts forever, and will modify my workouts the days I'm on vacation. It can be done as I proved it to myself in January when I was back East. It's working for me because I finally changed my mindset. I was tired of my (excuse the expression) "half-assed" efforts. Diet, lose weight, inconsistent exercise, gain it back.
There is no easy solution. I have to put in the effort, 6 days a week. And, I proved to myself that even in menopause, I can lose weight!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Updates
Gene's hernia operation went well although not everything is back to normal yet. He has an appointment on March 12th to see a urologist. Hopefully, things will be better by then. He is quite weak still and on pain medication. Mom says he seems a bit better today. More prayers needed for his recovery.
We spent yesterday with Sara and Sophia. Sophia was so cheery and having fun with a new walker toy that her Mommy got her at the store. She seemed to be doing much better! Still some sniffles but not bad.
I continue to have success at my weight loss and fitness plan. I'm feeling stronger every day. I really hope I can get off the statin drug so that I don't experience any of the side effects. I'm concerned about the recent warnings about memory loss, high blood sugar levels, and muscle pain! I'm taking a blood test on Tuesday to see how my cholesterol levels are since I've been working out 6 days a week for 3 months now. The numbers should be much better now.
So, here's a quick recap on my progress...I've lost 17 pounds, and just over 14.5 inches overall. This includes 5.5 inches in the waist and 3 inches in my hips and about 2.5 inches in each thigh. I've dropped one whole pants size and the size I'm in are loose now. Hope to lose another 8 pounds so that I can fit comfortably into size 12s.
We spent yesterday with Sara and Sophia. Sophia was so cheery and having fun with a new walker toy that her Mommy got her at the store. She seemed to be doing much better! Still some sniffles but not bad.
I continue to have success at my weight loss and fitness plan. I'm feeling stronger every day. I really hope I can get off the statin drug so that I don't experience any of the side effects. I'm concerned about the recent warnings about memory loss, high blood sugar levels, and muscle pain! I'm taking a blood test on Tuesday to see how my cholesterol levels are since I've been working out 6 days a week for 3 months now. The numbers should be much better now.
So, here's a quick recap on my progress...I've lost 17 pounds, and just over 14.5 inches overall. This includes 5.5 inches in the waist and 3 inches in my hips and about 2.5 inches in each thigh. I've dropped one whole pants size and the size I'm in are loose now. Hope to lose another 8 pounds so that I can fit comfortably into size 12s.
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