8 Mile-R

 Well here in NEO (Northeast Ohio) mother nature has finally pulled her undergarments out of a wad.  The weather patterns are more stable, but still not consistent.

It was time today to increase my humping “old Marine Corps terminology” or hiking distance.  I went from 4.8 miles to 8 miles. When I was in the Corps we used to hump 3 miles in full gear in 40 – 45 minutes and now I believe I am humping 2.52 miles in an hour! Well, being 56 I think this is awesome.  Now, granted I am not carrying a mountain pack that weighed between 75 to 115 pounds lol. Gosh how did we survive lol but here I am.

I’m still mountain biking to work 5 miles each way and it takes me 30 minutes one way.  I am staying mindful of my pace and paying close attention to my breathing. It’s my endurance and stamina that’s my biggest concern.  Because I am concentrating on my stamina and endurance I am also concentrating on my breathing.  I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis four years ago and underwent an exploratory surgery “bronchial scope”.

I am grateful all the specimens they took were non-cancerous, but I was on some powerful roids for 3 months! I blossomed up to over 250 pounds! Now, I am at a feisty 200 pounds. Needless to say, I am grateful every day.

Here I am getting into better shape for my Maine trip.  It’s supposed to be a total fly-fishing trip. I am going to hike into two remote mountain ponds and float fish them. I aint going to lie if the weather turns to poo I will happily hike a tiny part of the AT lol up between Baxter and the Debsconeag wilderness area. It is a total win win for me.

Be well folks,

Sonder