Keep It Simple

December 3, 2012

Ms. Bingley and I did our street hike again today since it was drizzling a bit. It was a nice hike, with only one long hill. My pinky toe is badly bruised from "the brick curb incident" so I skipped the last street.

What a great choice too! I could see the rain cloud coming over the mountain and just as I entered the house there was a downpour. We made it inside without getting soaked. That was the last rain of the day. I saw sunshine by 11am. That's what is nice about living here. The rain never lasts very long.

Time: 43:15

Dec 2, 2012

December 1
I didn't hike today. Not because I had done 30 days in a row and was taking a break but because I injured myself at 6:15am. That's right rain and a brick step did me in.

I woke Saturday at 6:15am to rain outside AND the sprinklers on. I hate wasting water so I went outside in the rain with no shoes on to turn off the sprinklers. I was trying to avoid a big puddle by stepping up on the brick curb. I missed. Near as I estimate, I missed by 1/2". How do I know? Because that is about where the black and blue bruise is on my pinky toe. My left pinky toe. So now I have bookends of foot pain. Only I must say that they pinky hurts considerably worse than my bionic toe (that's what I've decided to name it).

It hurts to walk with or without shoes but much worse with shoes. So I suffered through the day running errands, teaching Delaney how to prep a seeing project and decorating the house. Did I ice? Of course not! What Mom has time to ice?!?!

Time: 0

December 2nd
My pinky toe is swollen and still hurts but I went for a street hike none the less. It was drizzly but not bad. I came across a friend's house who'd been t.p.ed. So funny, it made me think back to my high school days when I'd wake up and find the trees and lawn covered in toilet paper. The best was done by the baseball team. They were able to get the toilet paper two stories up in the trees. My whole family was impressed with their efforts. Mom even took pictures.

Time: 54:01

Hiking - Day 30!!!

This morning was touch and go. It's the first time I've woken to rain and I really didn't want to walk in it. As luck would have it, the skies held onto the rain during my walk and then graciously let it all go once I was back home.

I set a goal to hike/walk every day in November and I did it! Tomorrow begins a new month and another challenge to walk every day in December and incorporate at least one 30+ minutes of biking a week. Plus some weights maybe two times a week. Lofty goals for the busy month ahead but I hate to lose the momentum. Wish me luck!

Time: 49:01

Hiking - Day 29

It's drizzling outside today so no mountain hike for Ms.. Bingley and I. Instead we are going to walk around the lake. I needed a new route since today I increase my time by 10% to 44:33.

The lake trail is a 5 mile loop. We started at the tennis courts and I walked for 28 minutes before turning around. I hate backtracking when I walk/hike/explore but it's going to take a few more months before I can make it all the way around. One more trade-off of my rehab.

Ms. Bingley enjoyed herself as well. For being a grey Fall morning we met lots of dogs (and owners). Some she liked more than others. We also met a flock of ducks and she took no notice of them and they ignored her. I don't think she'll make much of a hunting dog (sorry Dad).

Time: 48:27

Hiking - Days 23, 24, 25, 26 & 27

With a relaxing Thanksgiving Day, I hit the ground running (figuratively) getting the Dicken's Village up and other Elf duties over the long weekend. Despite my lofty decorating goals, i still managed to hike or walk every day.

Day 23 Time: 35:00
Day 24 Time: 39:02
Day 25 Time: 40:20
Day 26 Time: 40:30
Day 27 Time: 39:40

I am suppose to have increased my time to 40:33 on Day 22 but my last five days average is only 39:78. It's close and I sure felt like I've moved more. Especially since my foot (yes foot not just the toe) has been swollen. Maybe too much standing and moving boxes over the weekend did me in. I need to do a better job at taking breaks.

Hiking - Day 28

Brrrrr. It's cold outside today. Wore two layers and still could have used another plus gloves. Rain is predicted by this afternoon lasting through Friday.

I took a different route up the hill today hoping to add more time to my hike. We came across this tree with its fall leaves dropped on the carpet of grass. In this one spot it looks like Autumn in my town.

Time: 41:45

Hiking - Days 23, 24, 25, 26 & 27

With a relaxing Thanksgiving Day, I hit the ground running (figuratively) getting the Dicken's Village up and other Elf duties over the long weekend. Despite my lofty decorating goals, i still managed to hike or walk every day.

Day 23 Time: 35:00
Day 24 Time: 39:02
Day 25 Time: 40:20
Day 26 Time: 40:30
Day 27 Time: 39:40

I am suppose to have increased my time to 40:33 on Day 22 but my last five days average is only 39:78. It's close and I sure felt like I've moved more. Especially since my foot (yes foot not just the toe) has been swollen. Maybe too much standing and moving boxes over the weekend did me in. I need to do a better job at taking breaks.

Hiking - Day 22

I took Ms. Bingley and Duke for a hike this morning. It's Thanksgiving and today I'm thankful for a semi-working toe. Slow recovery but its getting there!

Time: 39:33

Hiking - Day 21

Toe hurts today. I decided to switch back to my hiking shoes. It's been 4 days since the rain so I took both dogs up our favorite trail. I took a photo of the exposed rock because it wasn't like that last week before the rain!

I need to figure how to add a bit more time to this hike.

Toe has ached all day. I've stayed off it as much as possible, hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Time: 32:02

Hiking - Day 20

I almost didn't hike today. My toe is sore. I thought about not going but D told me not to give up my hiking streak (20 days!).

So I put my shoes on, grabbed Ms. Bingley and took a walk/hike while C was at basketball practice. I started out just as the sun began to set - so pretty. Usually I see the sun rise so quite a change today.

My hike included two hills and one staircase. My toe ached the entire time so I stopped. Just like that. I should have gone another lap, but I didn't. Maybe tomorrow. I'll have to see how my toe feels.

Time: 31:32