Abort Kilimanjaro!!!

I made a decision in the middle of August after working with physical therapists most of the summer, that my leg and foot problems were severe enough to abort the Kilimanjaro climb.  It was a very difficult decision!! For 12 months I had been preparing for the climb and had become very fond of the women that had embarked on this journey.  Throughout the summer many of us hiked three times a week in Breckenridge, many of us biked three times a week, and some of us worked with a trainer.  It was a committment that no one took lightly.  The average age of the 13 women was around 70 years of age.  I was inspired by two ladies that were 76 and 78 years age.  My first fourteener was Mt. Evans the middle of July.  About half way up I could no longer look down to where I had come from!!  Every Tuesday we hiked up Mt Royal which is 1300 vertical and 1.9 miles and usually took about two hours, up and down.  The upward grunt was worth the climb for the views.  I measured my  progress every Tuesday with the Mt Royal hike.  Some of the other hikes were Mayflower, Ptarmigan, Angler, Mohawk, Wheeler, McCullough, and Quandry.  I was in Arusha in Tanzania to welcome these amazing women as they came down from the mountain and back to the Impala Hotel.  They were beaming with joy as they stepped out of that loaded van.Their very, very dirty and dusty clothes told the partial story of their nine day trek!! It was emotional to hear their stories recounting their successful trek to the top!!  I salute the 11 women,  many celebrating their 70th birthday, that trekked to the top of Kilimanjaro.  THEY MADE IT!!  THEY DID IT!!  There were eight of us that went on to do the Serengeti Safari.  It was a fitting climax to a year long journey .  I am inspired by and so, so proud of these 11 women that made it to the top of Kilimanjaro!!!  They are amazing women!!!!!!!!

Breckenridge June 16th to July 31

First week in Breck was spent biking and hiking with my grandaughter, Ciera.  We biked to Keystone and Copper and she did great on my old carbon Trek.  After Ciera left I began my two a week work-outs with Marika, Fitness Director of Breckenridge Rec Center.  She was quik to assess my limitations concerning plantar fascitis.  The next week was spent with Ann Middleton and I did my first Vail Pass bike ride the end of June.  There was so much snow and water, part of the bike path to Copper was under water.  Right after July 4th, Barb and I started the regimen of biking on Monday and Thursday with two different ladies groups, and hiking with the Kilimanjaro ladies two or three days a week.  Every Tuesday we hike Mt. Royal in Frisco.  It is short but steep and it is a good measure of my acclimitization and fitness level to do it every week.  Last Tuesday(my fifth week) was the first time it seemed easier.  The week before we turned left on our way up to Mt Royal and did Victoria until we were turned back by the snow.  We drove to Mt Evans on Sunday, July 11, just to get above 14,000'.  On Friday, July 16th we hiked Mt. Evans.  I could not believe how steep it was and could not look down once we got close to 14,000'.  I did not feel well at the top and rode down in a car.  The following day I had severe stomach/under breastbone pain and went to Dr. PJ.  He suggested I had a reaction to Naproxen that I was taking twice a day per the podiatrist.  He did EKG as a precaution and asked me to see a cardiologist before I climbed another fourteener.  I did and all is well.  However, I missed the Bierstadt fourteener on Friday, July 23rd.  Instead, we did a lovely hike to Mayflower Gulch with Annette's group.  In between we have done Angler's mountain and part of Ptarmigan, three times.  Weekend of July 24-25, Barb and I went to Denver to stay with Darci and family and buy Kili stuff at REI.  Walking the concrete floor was a killer for my foot!! The foot is holding at this point; not better and not worse. 

Last two weeks in May and first two weeks in June

After returning from Italy my thoughts turned to Kilimanjaro.  The podiatrist said the plantar fascitis had returned, the tendon in my arch was severely swollen, and to return to all the aggressive methods in treating my foot.  Another cortisone shot, iceing, stretching, sleeping in boot, flexing my foot 10 times and holding at least six times a day and no unnecessary walking.  Always wearing shoes in the house and orthotics at all times to protect the heel.  I could bike and swim.  I resumed my work with a trainer two times a week and I did not know I should not have been on the step machine or have done lunges.  My current trainer in Breckenridge, who is the fitness director at the rec center has educated me further about activities I should and should not be doing to heal my foot.  I did spin classes and biked several times a week as the weather allowed.

My eldest grandaughter graduated from high school the end of May and I was collecting items in preparation for my summer in Breckenridge.  It was a challenge to try to think of everything I would need for biking and hiking in Breckenridge as well as all the clothes and camping items I would need for the nine day trek in Kilimanjaro.  I knew I would fill in with clothes from REI but I wanted to bring as many things as I could anticipate three months in advance.  It was a huge undertaking to prepare for and my van was full.   Ciera, my grandaughter wanted to come to Breckenridge with me for a week so we took two bikes as well as all my gear.  Whew, what a job packing that van.  We left for Breckenridge on June 16th, the day after Savanna's (my 13 yr old grandaughter) dance production and stayed at Darci's in Denver for two days to enjoy her family and to acclimate. 

Catching up-Italy bike trip 4/28/11-5/11/11

I am attempting to catch up from my last post in April!!!

On 7/28/11, we flew into Rome, took train to Venice and biked to Florence.   Maps and wonderful hybrid bikes provided by Pack & Pedal, a European vendor.  Our group is organized by Stan Pierson, our 83 yr old bike leader.  Jim Elkan, a retired pilot, navigated the beautiful countryside tour through Italy. Our stops were 5/1 in Chiogga, 5/2 to Rovigo, 41 miles, 5/3 in Ferrara, 29 miles, Wed. 5/4 in Ravena, 32 miles + train, 5/5 in Brisighella, 35 miles, Friday-5/6 to Florence, 22 miles + train.  5/7 & 5/8 in Florence, 5/9 train to Rome and left on 5/11 from Rome on Ilitalia & United through Chicago.  The scenery, food and wine were excellent.  Walking Florence and seeing the amazing sights were breathtaking.  My biggest disappointment was reinjuring my foot while walking the streets of Florence.  Plantar fascitis was my nemesis two years ago and it came back with a vengeance.  After returning to Overland Park, I scheduled a visit to the podiatrist, got a cortisone shot and dealth with the unhappy thought of trying to prepare for Kilimanjaro without the ability to walk the 4.5 miles around Shawnee Mission Park.  In previous years, Barb & I had tried to work up to two trips around the park for 9 miles to prepare for the hiking in Breckenridge.  It was not going to happen this year.  I left June 16 for Breckenridge to try to get acclimated to 9800' feet. 

Italy bound! 4/28/11

Headed to Rome. Taking train to Venice!

Wed., April 6, 2011, A hard bike ride!

It is so hard to know how to dress this time of the year in KC.  Yesterday, it was 31 degrees when we started our ride to Prairie Village from my house at 7 am with 8 mph winds.  Coming back after breakfast at Grandview it was 55-60 degrees but a 15-18 mph head wind.  It was a hard 44 miles!!!  Today, Barb and I walked a fast 4.5 miles with only 5 lbs.  After that I got my second round of shots for Africa;  Hepatitis A/B combination, typhoid, and meningococcal vaccine for over 55 yrs of age.  I must have three hepatitis shots and because there is not enough time for all three I am on the accelerated program.  That means a booster hepatitis one year from my first shot a week ago.  Tonight my arm is sore!!  Last week, did not feel a thing??? 

April 4, 2011, Weights and yoga and seven grain blueberry pancakes!!!

Finished last week with a bike ride on Saturday and Sunday and yoga on Sunday.  Yard work on Friday and Saturday felt great.  Heavy winds changed the work-out plan for today.  Weights at 6:30 this morning and substituting yoga for the 5 mile walk today. After two weeks on taxes, (UGH!) I hope to finish up today and send to Iowa for the final touch.  My trainer reminded me to get 130-135 grams of protein every day.  That could mean 5 meals of 25 grams plus.  I know I need to have the protein within 15 minutes of walking in the door after my work-out.  Today I had protein shake with two scoops of chocolate Melaleuca protein flex powder with 8 ounces of coconut milk and one LARGE strawberry.  I would have added peanut butter (yum) but we were out.  At 9:30 I will have one scrambled egg with large Table spoon of cottage cheese and one multi-grain, blueberry pancake.  I crave my 7 grain organic pancakes.  I get the mix from Paul's Grains farm, a menonite like farm that reflects a "true organic" philosophy.  This farm is about 20 miles North of Newton, Iowa, where I lived for 30 years.  I have been getting this mix for the last 25-30 years and love the grainy texture.  When I add the blueberries it goes over the top for me!!!!!!!!!!