Getting into Rhythm

Last week I accomplished my exercise goals for the first time in a while. I ran at least 3 times, for a total of at least 10 miles, and attended 5 CrossFit classes. Normally, I'd celebrate that consistency with a rest day on Saturday, but with the weather being so nice and rain on the horizon, I decided on a different kind of celebration. 

I got up around 5 am in order to get ready to hike up to Table Rock. I wanted to get done early in the morning so that we'd still have time to go shopping before the Blackhawks game aired on television at 1 pm. The night before, I'd made sure all my clothes were laid out. I'd wear my newest hiking pants, the anorak style hiking shirt with a fleece over that for warmth. Warm socks and, of course, my new Lems Boulder Boots. I had broken them in well enough during the week to make me feel confident to take them out on a test trail hike. 

I packed a small pack with 2 quarts of water in a water bladder, some snacks, my essentials bag from my backpacking kit, and, most importantly, spare shoes. Usually I'll take spare socks, sometimes spare clothing. But with the boots not having been tested on a hike before, I wanted to make sure that I had a backup plan if they started really irritating my feet. I took my Altras, since I trusted them on trail and they were of proven comfort. 

I ended up getting started a little later than I intended. I wanted to leave at 6, but I ended up leaving a bit after 6:30. The sky was starting to lighten, but still held more darkness than light. I kept my headlamp in my pocket in case I wanted it, and started my hike in the glow of the streetlights. 

From where I live, it's about a half a mile to the Boise Greenbelt. From there, I crossed the Boise River and headed towards the Warm Springs Golf Course. After the golf course, there's a trail across the road that leads up to Table Rock, eventually. It's not the shortest route I could take, but it's the one I always take. I took the shorter route once, and I don't like it as much because I have to walk along a lot more sidewalks before I hit the dirt. 

The boots did fine all the way to the dirt trail, and I was happy about that. But I knew that the real test was about to start, as I started hiking uphill and on dirt. I had brought one trekking pole as a safeguard against a possible lack of traction. I carried it while I hiked the Greenbelt, but started using it as the trail climbed and dawn blossomed across the landscape. 

My legs and feet were definitely adjusting to the boots. I had soreness, but nothing hurt to the point of needing to make a change of footwear. As I hiked uphill, I felt looseness on my right boot, and figured that the laces had come undone. I only had enough lace to do a single knot, rather than the double that I usually do on boots. Sure enough, it was undone, but to my surprise, I was able to pull the laces tight enough to double knot them. I went ahead and did the same to the left and then kept hiking. 

The route I take has a large plateau section after the trail makes the initial climb. I hadn't seen anyone else on the trail, but when I reached the plateau, I could see Table Rock, and just make out the tiny figures of people walking around on top and inching up and down the trails. 

I joined the small but growing parade uphill, maneuvering around those now headed downhill, and especially trying to avoid any unleashed dogs. I'm not fast on the uphill, but I'm tenacious. I can push myself and get to the top without stopping for a break. The break is earned, and I have to top out before I get it. 

I managed to pass a couple of women, but I probably wouldn't have if they hadn't stopped several times for long breaks. When I reached the top, I made for the plaque below the cross, which I consider my official turn around point. Then I found a seat on some rock and snacked on some Cheerios. I also secured my fleece onto the back of my pack so I wouldn't have to keep it wrapped around my waist. Then I headed back. 

I only skidded on the loose dirt of the trail once, which I consider a good job considering how steep the Table Rock trail is. I was able to catch myself, so I didn't fall. I was glad to have the trekking pole on the descent. It's steep enough to make me nervous, though I have, technically, jogged down it before without any poles (very slow, but still a jog I say). 

The way down was a lot faster than the way up, and I found myself back at the Greenbelt before too long. Then it was a matter of head down hiking, since my feet were starting to complain about all the hiking out of the blue. It wasn't the fit of the boots; I would have felt near as much with the Altras I wager, because I haven't hiked - or ran - this far in a couple months. 

I would normally have hiked without stopping on the easy flat of the Greenbelt, but I was compelled to stop by the sight of a cat sitting at the side of the trail. I was curious, so I stopped when I got close. I was surprised that the cat let me get so close, until I saw the collar. So I greeted the kitty, who walked over and pressed briefly against my legs before heading back where she came from. 

Then I was all go until I made it home. 7.25 miles in under 3 hours. I'll take that for an early season hike. Especially one with such pretty views. 

Gaining elevation.

Rocks and a moon.

Pink painted sky.

Rocks upthrust.

Made it to the top.

Yeah, the hike's worth the view.

A little winded after that climb.

These boots did really well on the trail for me.

Kitty at the side of the Greenbelt.

Kitty says hello.

These ducks are impatiently waiting for water to fill the canal.

These ducks are enjoying the Boise River.

I Haz Boots

After my serial buying technique failed to yield any fruit, Ambrose suggested that I try working in parallel instead, by buying both of the next two boots I was considering at the same time. This was helpful, because I couldn't really decide between them. 

One was the Softstar Switchback, from Softstar Shoes out of Oregon. These boots sounded amazing on "paper", but they are only water resistant, not waterproof, which is something that I am looking for. The other was Lems Waterproof Boulder Boots out of Colorado. I was less sure of their width, but hopeful. 

Despite prominent notices of shipping delays, the Lems arrived first. Possibly because the Softstars are handmade (by elves, I think), and so they take a bit more time to ship. I didn't try the Lems on the day they arrived. I was nervous, hesitant, after so many disappointments. 

I finally got around to putting on my preferred backpacking socks (Vermont Darn Tough), and getting ready to slide my feet in. First, I had to loosen the laces and pull out the packaging. And then, I tried them on. I started with the left foot, even though that foot almost always works. It's just smaller. So, no surprise when that felt fine. But when I slid my right foot in, I was at a loss for words. 

My little toe wasn't rubbing up against the side of the shoe! Not even a little bit! I wiggled my toes and still had no impingement to that poor, long suffering baby toe. I didn't care that the ankles were stiff - they're made of leather and they'll get softer. No, the only thing that mattered was that I wasn't going to start my hike knowing that it was only a matter of time before the toes began to throb. 

The Softstars are still on order. I figure if I can find not one, but two pairs of boots that fit, I should hold onto both. I'm sure they'll both have their strengths for different uses. Heck, I'm wearing the Lems to work for a while to wear in the leather around the ankles. I haven't hiked in them yet, but for now I'm celebrating that they fit and getting used to wearing hiking boots with zero drop. 

Plus, I now know there is at least one shoe store that creates footwear that fits my feet without compromise. I'll be looking to get some shoes just for going to work from either Lems or Softstar, depending on how the Switchback boots do. And I'll need a pair of sandals! Suddenly shoe shopping isn't as bad as it used to be. 

Back on Track?

I think that the long illness has finally been cleared out by my immune system. I'm getting back into my workout routine, though I'm not fully there yet. I did CrossFit three times last week and I'm going for five this week. I'm on track for that, having already completed three. 

Last week was important, because I was finally able to complete an Open workout for this year. I didn't want it to be my first class back, so I made sure to go in on Tuesday and Wednesday to remind my body how CrossFit goes. I wasn't feeling 100% on Friday when I did 22.3, but I did my best. I made it to the chest to bar pullups of the scaled workout, but couldn't get one. I was happy enough to complete my pull ups in 6 sets of 3. 

I haven't run yet this week. I plan on doing a 2 mile or so run on Thursday and then maybe a short run on Saturday to prepare myself for a long run on Sunday. I'd like to get back to my 10 miles per week and start expanding my long run's distance again. That will be the real sign that I'm back on track - when I've got five CrossFit classes and at least ten miles of running each week. 

My weight loss is also getting back on track. While I'm not down that much from my low at the end of January, I'm starting to see some lower numbers. I just hope that I can keep a steady weight through the next period. I was steady during my period in January, but I bloated up in February so I have no idea what's going to happen this month. 

But I think my approach with calorie counting is working. It's just a slow process that requires consistency in both the eating and the exercising. 

Getting Back

Well, I've run into yet another roadblock, but at least I'm running again. I mean, I ran on Sunday, even if it was just for a couple of miles. And I tried to run yesterday, but my heel started hurting badly after about two blocks, so I limped home and tried to figure out where the pain was coming from. Prodigious self massage revealed some sore and tight spots on my calf. When I rubbed those out, the heel pain faded, and I was able to do CrossFit this morning. 

I also did CrossFit yesterday; I'm unsure if that contributed to the calf tightness, but I'm going to skip CrossFit tomorrow morning in the hopes that I will have more energy and be able to run without that heel pain cropping up again. I'll try for a couple miles during lunch and see how that goes. 

Also, I want to make sure I'm in decently rested shape on Friday for the last workout of the Open. I've missed doing the first two workouts, and that sucks, but there really wasn't any way around it for me this year. I have to accept and forgive, because resenting it would just be spending energy on something I can't change. 

I want to put my energy towards keeping up with my weight loss, and getting back into my regular CrossFit and running routine. 

UnOpened

Well, I did sign up for the CrossFit Open this year, as I have most years since I started CrossFit. And the one time I didn't sign up for the Open, I still did all the workouts at my affiliate. But this year, I've been ill. And not the kind of ill I could ignore to sneak in a workout. 

For the first time since I started participating, I have left a workout incomplete, unscored. I don't like it! 

But life doesn't always just give me what I like. My life would no doubt be very different if it did. I didn't end up completing my 10 miles last week, though I tried very hard with a 4 mile run on Monday (the holiday) and a 3 mile the very next day. But my body is just not done being sick. 

My aunt had a similar sickness running from Thanksgiving to Christmas. All kinds of symptoms, just coming one on top of another. I don't think I'm fully through it yet, but I'm through it enough to get back to the office. More's the pity. 

Now I'm facing the possibility that I might miss the next one and I'm just pleading with my body to hurry up and finish off the invaders so we can do 22.2!