3.72 solo miles

Nice & chilly to start with pleny of mud. Hence, I didn't bring Belle. The boys were still asleep when I left and I wouldn't have made them anyway - I wanted to put in some miles and get over 10 for the year so I just listened to Backpacker Radio while I walked. Had some good laughs and still made it home in time to get Brennan to the church Easter Egg Hunt.

Backpack was about 29 lbs and I considered not even taking it, but in the end decided it was a better idea to take it just in case. Not sure why it's so heavy, though - maybe due to the switch in sleeping pad & addition of water. I really packed like I was going for a few days including puffy jacket, rain gear, pillow, liner, etc... A little annoyed I didn't make it to the next parking spot.

3 Dudes Hiking

Unexpectedly chilly and light rain throughout. Brennan really fought us about going, but Annie supported his going and after his nap on the way to the trail, he was in good spirits. Lean-to site is wicked awesome. Really need to remember to wear boots & bring extra socks! Muddy in some spots and with the steady rain, we weren't quite ready. Short trip, though so no biggie. I carried my 20+ pound pack. Boys carried daypacks with water & snacks. Brennan & I wore sneakers - stupid choice. Found a tick on my pants as I was driving home - yech.

Weight loss

On Jan 31 this year I was 235. Today down to 219.7. I've been drinking 1 gallon of water per day for over 2 months. I cut out almost all sugar & simple carbs. Sleeping more & exercising. Not hours & hours of sweaty back-breaking exercising. Just getting up, going to the gym & riding the bike or doing bodyweight for 30-40 minutes. And stretching. Also added small amounts of meat, mostly tuna & shrimp, to my diet. Can I lose another 10???

Hiking w/ the Boys

Got both boys to go with me, but Lil b wasn't happy about it at first. He didn't gripe much, but he wasn't his usual jolly self. Got a nice bit of hiking, but not as far as I was hoping - started an hour late and took many mini-breaks for the kids. No dog today - too muddy and I wanted to be able to focus on the boys. My L foot external edge gave me a bit of grief after 1 mile, but not enough for me to stop. I did wear a 20 lb pack - sleeping bag, tent, bear canister (full), cook kit, toiletries, and 2L of water - lucky I had 2 bottles as Brian missed packing his in his pocket so he took one of mine.

Lessons learned:

• Bring contractor bag to keep pack contents dry!
• Turn around on path intermittently to be sure trail is marked both ways (especially near fallen trees) - and see if you dropped anything :-)
• Double check your load! Brennan chose to not bring his pack which didn't click to me, but that meant we didn't have his emergency inhaler OR a first aid kit. Stupid.

FLTC Miles - finally!

Finally, it wasn't freezing, raining, or record wind and there was nothing on the schedule. I could have gone longer I think, especially since I didn't have a backpack on, but since I hadn't taken Belle out for a while I wanted to get her back. My goal was to put in a couple miles, find the lean-to, and be back in time to take Allison to dance. All accomplished.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/recording-mar-02-10-59-am--4?p=22145051

R knee, R shoulder

Walked 16,800 steps on Saturday up at RIT for Merit Badge University. Wore my Brooks trail shoes. Felt fine at the time but feet & ankles have been hurting since. Not sure if it's because of the jump in distance or the shoes, but I recall other times wearing them & feet hurting the next day. I've since switched to my cheap Adidas and things are getting better.

R shoulder feels great today! Removed arm rest of work chair and in driver seat of the van. I do some gentle stretching & strength exercises and avoid sleeping on it. Hope to be 100% next week.

Yearly physical

In 2018, my first w/ this Dr, I was worried about hip pain, eyes, and mole on my back.
In 2019, I was worried about R shoulder pain, mole on my back, and I decided my eyes were just dry from the cold. Need to make appointment w/ dermatology to get mole removed.

Water, water, everywhere...

As of 1/28/19, I'm drinking 1 gallon of water per day...

• https://www.outsideonline.com/2377851/water-gallon-challenge-month
• https://www.outsideonline.com/2387191/water-gallon-challenge-guinea-pig-answers-your-hydration-questions

Books I've read in 2018

World War Z, The Help, Dragonlance: Chronicles Trilogy, Time of the Twins, War of The Twins, Test of The Twins; David Morrell: The Protector, The Naked Edge, Long Lost, Covenant of the Flame, First Blood, The Totem, Creepers Koontz: The Silent Corner...

Backpacking practice w/ Brian

Finally got out this year - had to push this back twice and didn't to get to go to FLT as I had hoped. But felt great to get out. Brian's new pack seemed fine and he loved the trekking poles. He was quite adventurous and had a good time.

Here are a few pics.

Ouch

Hope crap my R shoulder hurts. No idea why except for sleeping on my side. It's never felt like this, though.

Start of 2019

It's been a slow, sad, depressing end to 2018 in the way I have failed to get enough sleep, eat well, or otherwise take care of myself. Hoping for a better attitude & commitment going forward. But I have been blessed with a beautiful family and so many things God has forgiven me for, I need to focus & take advantage.

Annie is w/ her parents in FL - they flew down today.

Allison is at the Updyke's overnight.

Just the boys, me, Belle, and Stella. Went to bed at 11pm and they are sleeping soundly but I stayed up to look over some things. Tomorrow taking J and the kids to the Rochester Museum of Play - I'll be missing a New Years Day hike on the FLT, mainly due to Brennan's asthma, but not much you can do about that.

Annie returns Thursday.