April has been a much better month than March…although that isn’t saying much since March was a complete disaster. Healing from the back injury is still ongoing. I feel like progress has been pretty substantial. So far, I haven’t had much back pain, yet the back “feels” weak from time to time. Generally I have to be careful with what I’m lifting and, of course, need to continue to focus on core strength. July may require some diagnostic imaging to make sure nothing more serious is going on. For now, I’ll continue my known PT strategies.
A few outings
April was much better in terms of conditioning. As my back improved, so did my attitude and ability to get out running, biking and hiking. The last few weeks of the month were the best with a good hike at Carpenter Peak and a 30-mile bike ride. It was also the first time I’ve run 9 miles since the back injury.
Carpenter Peak has become a regular hiking route this spring. Here are a few pictures from two of those hikes, one I was lucky enough to do with my honey, Tanya. The closeup shot of the deer was one of my favorites. I can never emphasize enough how great it is to take a super-zoom camera along on hikes. Otherwise this shot and many others would not have been possible.
The trip with Tanya included a thunderstorm. It was the first hike of the year with a storm. Luckily we weren’t in the thick of the lightning so we were able to cross the remaining ridge and open space safely. Lightning always adds a little excitement to the hike. We were well prepared for the rain and cooler temps.
May included a trip to Illinois to visit family. I drove through Chicago to visit family and friends, then down to Champaign. The weather was good for running so I was able to keep up conditioning for most of the trip. Things dropped off on the way back with a 5-day hiatus between visiting with family and the two-day drive home. Funny how quickly I could feel weakness in my back again. I’ve definitely got to continue focus on strengthening. Here is a nice sunset shot from the trip when I was in Plainfield.
Mountaineering?
If you’ve read many of my posts, you know it seems like I make a lot of questionable decisions. Somehow in the midst of back issues and poor conditioning, I decided to sign up for a mountaineering course in Washington. The course is run by IMG and is a 6.5 day introduction to mountaineering. The idea of doing a few of the summits in North and South America has renewed my motivation for getting in better shape. It seemed to me these types of activities were also things to take on now versus waiting for my body to, ummm, be less than it is now? You know, that whole aging thing? Anyway, logic aside, I head to Washington in August so I’m already within 90 days of the trip. Lots to do between now and then!
Assuming the course goes well, I hope to be able to take on the summits of Pico de Orizaba (November 2021?), Aconcagua (2022?), maybe Boliva summits in 2023 and, if everything goes perfectly and my back isn’t busted, Denali (2023?). The schedule will have to work around my already booked Antartica trip in January 2023. I’m really not sure how this whole mountaineering thing will work out although I’m looking forward to finding out.
Next steps
The mountaineering challenge is one I look forward to trying out. Between now and August, I’ll be getting some new gear, focusing on cardio including 13er and 14er summits and backpacking, along with continuing to do strengthening. Bike rides are improving now that the weather allows for them (no, I don’t like biking in the winter cold!). I’ve done a few 30 milers so far, and the next one will stretch to 40 and then 50. Fifty mile bike rides are a lot of fun during the warm days of summer.
Feel free to send me any suggestions by using the contact form or comments!
Carpenter Peak Hike
Max elevation: 7188 ft
Min elevation: 6086 ft
Total climbing: 1896 ft
Total descent: -1824 ft
First 30-mile Ride of 2021
Max elevation: 5586 ft
Min elevation: 5371 ft
Total climbing: 6571 ft
Total descent: -6546 ft