Goal Achieved!

 Stair Stepper Goal Achieved!

300/600

I finally reached my goal that I set when I started this journey. I gave myself a year and I did it!

When I first got my stair-stepper I was lucky to do 25/50 steps on it the first time I hopped on. I quickly got up to 100 steps, but then knee pain slowed me down. It has felt like a long journey to get here. The past two weeks I started seeing a big improvement. No knee pain and my endurance was improving daily. I am going to hold at this level for a few weeks and then see what I can accomplish at the gym. I know I mentioned in my last post that I was going to join up last weekend but it didn't happen. If the weather cooperates this weekend I hope to go hiking. If it doesn't I will try to get to the gym. 

I'm just so excited that I reached my goal! 

Looking Back to Look Ahead

I continue to look back over how far I have come this past year. Then I was only beginning to dream of the journey I wished to travel. I had not yet started working out except maybe a short hike at Mother Neff State Park. I was in terrible shape. I had no stamina, my cardio was poor and trying to hike hills was a killer. I was luckily and still am at a healthy weight, maybe even a little on the slim side. I knew I had a long way to go though to get in shape for the trek to EBC. I gave myself plenty of time though to prepare. I started this journey in May of 2023 with a plan of hiking to EBC in the late Autumn of 2026. I honestly feel like I will need every day between now and then to prepare. 

Looking back on where I was to where I am now is a big improvement, just not as much of an improvement as I had hoped. I am being a bit more realistic in my monthly goals right now as I have learned that this old body gets injured much easier than when I was younger. I really have to pace myself. I had also been thinking prior to my trip last month to New Mexico that I would attempt a 14er in Colorado this Autumn. I have now put that on the back burner and will stay in the 9000 - 10,000 foot altitude range for this trip. I do still plan on attempting the Manitou Incline. I think it will be a good measure of where I am at and what I am capable of. Success on it will give me the confidence to travel to Peru and trek the Inca Trail before I head to Nepal. So my plan for the summer months is to hit the gym three times a week. Stair-stepper, treadmill (on a incline) and a few arm weights. I will continue my morning workouts of yoga and stair-stepper. This Autumn I plan on 4 days hiking in Colorado, then next Spring, Big Bend National Park. I am not yet sure what I will do the following Autumn. I am debating Peru then, or I might leave it until after my retirement in January of 2026 and instead return to Colorado and go for that 14'er then. Colorado in the Spring is just too muddy from the melting snow, plus the snow often sticks around until June. It is not a good Spring destination. Speaking of muddy Springs. We have had flooding rains this past week and many parks are inaccessible or are too muddy. I think it has been a month since I was at Mother Neff. I had hoped to go this weekend, but more rain is in the forecast. 

My workouts have been going really well this week. Partly because I have been waking up well before my alarm. I figure since I am awake I might as well get up and have an unhurried workout. I have done 200/400 on the stair-stepper for the past three mornings and felt great afterwards (no knee pain). This is quite the improvement over the past year considering that when I bought it I could barely do 25/50 steps. Then the knee pain set in as I increased those numbers. I hope those days are behind me. Hoping to get to the gym this weekend. Maybe I'll post early next week and update this on how well (or not) it went. 

Happy Mother's day!

Anniversary

 One year ago this week I began my journey to get fit both mentally and physically to take on the challenge of hiking to the Everest Base Camp. It has been a journey of ups and downs. Physically, mentally, and on the trails. I am still facing those challenges, but I am so much stronger than I was. I am not yet to where I wanted to be physically. The setbacks with knee pain has been an ongoing issue. It does seem to be improving, but the twinges are still there at times. I have learned to always wear a knee brace when working out or hiking. Mentally, I still struggle with the doubting demons. Am I too old? Am I just too weak? Can I mentally cope with the challenge? Will I ever get fit enough to tackle the altitude and inclines that I would face? But all I have to do is look at the photos and read about the journey from those that have been there or are currently there hiking. Damn it is just amazing to see. BEAUTIFUL! I want to be there. So I will keep working towards my goal. I am not ready to quit. 

I do realize now that I need to step up (no pun intended) my workouts. I think a gym membership is on the horizon to keep me motivated through the long summer ahead. I am already planning my next trip for early Autumn. I am thinking of three days camping and hiking in one of the State parks in Colorado, and then a quick hike at Garden of the Gods and the Manitou Incline before heading home. The Manitou Incline will be my big challenge. I am thinking if I can complete it in a reasonable amount of time I feel a bit more confident about the possibility of taking on the challenge of the four day Inca trail trek, I just need to get through the summer unscathed and in better shape than I currently am. 

So where am I at currently? I am still doing the same Yoga routine that I started with a year ago. I just really like it and it doesn't take too long to complete so I can do it most mornings before work. I do the stair -stepper four to five mornings a week and seem to be stuck between 150/300 and 200/400. My goal had been to be to 300/600 by now. I continue to eat a much healthier diet with very little meat and limited dairy and animal products. I have lost five pounds in the past few months and feel healthier than I have in years. Mentally I am doing better, but I still have those days where I doubt my ability. I am however living more mindfully and in the present moment. I read the teaching of Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Han which has influenced how I live and want to live my life. His teachings have calmed my soul and left me happier with the life I have lived and hope to live. 

I look forward to the year and the challenges ahead. What will I see as I look back on these posts as the months move forward. I dream of the days to come and reflect on the days past. I live only in this moment. 

A Natural High - 9000 feet

 Last week I finally made it to Cloudcroft New Mexico  with my daughter to spend several days hiking. The weather was perfect. The trails were dry and the town was peaceful and quiet. It has been ten years since I was last here.

We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and got settled into the cabin we had rented. It was a charming cozy little place, but provided everything we needed for the stay. Our first night we went to the new Cloudcroft Brewing Co. for beer and pizza. I can highly recommend both the beer and the pizza. They don't have a lot of options on the food menu and only offer one size of pizza - small. I was thrilled that they offer two different red/amber ales. I tried the Irish Red and it was incredibly smooth and easy to drink. My daughter had a blueberry cider that she really enjoyed. We did return later in the week just for a brew and I tried the Amber Ale then. I really enjoyed it as it was more full bodied than the red ale. 

Monday morning we headed down to the high desert to start our hiking at a bit lower altitude. We headed to three Rivers Petroglyph Site for a leisurely hike and exploring the rock drawings. We really enjoyed the time spent there. From there we drove just a few miles up the road to visit the Catholic Mission of Santa Nina de Atocha, a beautiful little church in the middle of the desert. 

Pics of Three Rivers and  Santa Nina de Atocha;

From there we drove into Alamogordo for a bit of shopping and lunch before returning to Cloudcroft. 

Later that afternoon we set off on our first hike in Cloudcroft. We decided to do the familiar Osha Trail just on the edge of the village. It is a 2.5 mile loop with a few hills. It is a popular trail with the locals so we met quite a few people and their dogs while hiking it. Let me tell you  that the 9000 foot altitude nearly kicked our butts on this one. But it was a good, necessary workout. 

Tuesday morning was another beautiful day. It started off in the 40's (f) and we hit the trail early for a five mile hike that was just a few miles outside of town. It was the Fir/Little Apache trail, a double loop with some elevation changes, but nothing too steep. It was mostly through forested areas. Nothing overwhelmingly scenic but the trail was deserted so it was a very peaceful hike. We did see one patch of snow in a shady area. My only complaint with this trail is that it gets a lot of people on horseback so there is horse-poop is everywhere and you have to watch your step. 

Our third and final day we headed out the Cloudcroft highway to the Switchback Trail. This trail follows the highway and old railway down the mountain and then a footbridge across and then back up hill. We were well acclimated by then and did not struggle at all on the trail. It is a really nice trail with some scenic areas. The hills aren't steep but are fairly constant. There are just a few level areas. It was a good hike to end the trip. 

The week was too short, but was still nice to get away and get outside in the beautiful weather. The warmest it got while we were there was maybe in the mid 60's. I took my two little runt-mutts with us, but they only went on the Osha trail hike. We did quite a bit of walking with them though in the area where the cabin was. 

Hopefully I will get to return soon as Cloudcroft is such a great location to hike, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. 

Now I am planning my next trip.... maybe hiking in Colorado this coming Autumn. 

 

Internet travel.. the stuff that inspires the dreams of adventure.

 The internet is a dangerous thing for someone like me that is always dreaming of new adventures. Some days it is browsing trails on Alltrails.com, or looking at where other solo women travelers are venturing. Over the weekend I saw a post on Facebook about a Buddhist Pilgrimage on Shikoku Island, Japan. it is a 1200 km 45- 60 day trek that goes to 88 temples and shrines completely around the perimeter of the island. It looks to be an amazing and spiritual adventure.  

Two months of trekking though is a long time. The expense of it would need to be taken into strong consideration. But hearing from those that have done this, makes it a trip to put on my list of possibilities. 

How cool would this be?

They even have an official attire for the Pilgrims.

I should really keep my dreams closer to home. Maybe I should log back on to Alltrails.com.

This internet travel could get expensive.

Experiences of a Lifetime

 It has been a odd week, Anticipation for the Total Solar Eclipse reached it's crescendo on this past Monday, April 8th. My home was dead center in the path of totality. We nervously watched the forecast for the week and the stress levels increased as the forecast was looking gloomier by the day. My two youngest daughters traveled up from Austin to view it with me, but with a high level of uncertainty if the clouds would clear for this event of a lifetime.  

The morning started off with a solid bank of cloud cover. At around 9:00 am the sun peaked out and the clouds gave way to more sun than clouds. We weren't out of the woods yet as it was still several hours away till the eclipse would start. Fingers were crossed. The moon began it's path across the sun right around 12:30 pm, totality was at 1:38 pm. The clouds were still lingering around and at times blocking the view of the sun and moon. We watched. We held our breath. I'm sure many prayed. Totality crept closer.. the clouds lingered. Then YES!!! Totality, and the clouds held off. Well they did for about thirty seconds, but we got to see the magic. They cleared just as totality ended four minutes later. But we couldn't have been happier. We were overjoyed with the experience. Tears in our eyes and memories for a lifetime. Even though the clouds blocked the view most of the time the eclipse was in its totality it gave us a chance to take in the darkness, the peacefulness, the air becoming cooler.  We were able to enjoy the whole experience. 

I had an slight interest in solar eclipses prior to the last big one in the U.S. in 2017. It was during it that it came to light (no pun intended) that in 2024 one would pass directly through the town in which I live. I immediately became impassioned about getting to see it. I never even let it cross my mind that it would be springtime and the weather might not cooperate. I was just so focused on this (not even a) once in a lifetime event. As the day had drawn nearer and the forecast became progressively worse, I became so stressed. Sleepless nights, or when I slept I dreamt of the eclipse. I was not prepared for the emotions that I felt before, during and after. The tears of elation at getting to see something so incredible. The science behind it just makes it event more powerful to experience. 

I wonder now that it is past and I continue to look ahead to what I hope to accomplish in the years ahead with these challenging treks, what an emotional roller coaster they could be. But I look forward to the pride of accomplishing them and the joy of doing so will be something I will carry with me forever. 

                                            Just before totality. April 8, 2024. Central Texas

Spring in my Step

 

The last Friday of March was a beautiful day. I had the day off from work so I ventured out to Mother Neff early to do my usual hike. The wildflowers were in full bloom so I stopped often to take pictures. It really was a nice morning hike.

The rest of my 3 day weekend was pretty uneventful. Mowing and gardening., the usual household chores and then relaxing most of the day on Sunday. I did have a really good workout on Sunday morning. I completed a slightly longer than usual yoga session, 200/400 steps on the stair-stepper and for the first time in awhile I did the Wim Hoff breathing exercise. I was surprised that it still came easily to me as it has been probably over six weeks since I last did it. I think though that my deep breathing while I meditate really helps with it. I do numerous short meditations during the day and longer ones at bedtime or during the night if I am having trouble sleeping. I also do daily Buddhist readings by the late Monk/Author/Teacher Thich Nhat Han. His writings have helped me to become more mindful and focused in my daily life. 

It is getting close to a year since I started this journey. Hiking, morning workouts, and meditations. While I felt myself become much stronger and fitter, I wasn't losing any weight. I had stopped eating most processed foods but I was still eating a diet with quite a bit of meat and dairy. Since the first of the year I have cut all animal products  by about 75-80%  from my diet. I only eat plant based foods every other week, and then allow a little bit of meat and dairy in my diet on alternate weeks. I find the longer I am on this diet the less meat I feel like eating. I also have lost a few pounds and am getting really close to my target weight. I hope with losing those few extra pounds it will relieve some of the stress on my knees and the pain will completely subside. I guess time will tell. 

It's not long until I am off to Cloudcroft for three days of hiking. I can hardly wait. Hopefully Spring will be peaking there by then. I will have a spring to my step just getting away from work for a week and out on the trails!