Mount Cabot 2-21-21#37

 I hiked Cabot Mountain on February 21, 2021, with Chuckles and MaryBeth.  It is a long drive (the northernmost of the 48 4000', a 2.5 hour drive) and we got a late start.  Started hiking just after 12:00 pm.  It was a windy day so Cabot seemed like a well-protected choice and this was not wrong.  The only wind was right at the top. I did not expect such a beautiful hike and views!  It is not a tough hike and we were able to wear just spikes the whole way.  From just below the cabin we were even able to sled down for a good section (maybe about a mile a so).  The sledding was awesome, well-sided trails meant we could even maneuver turns.  It was MBs first mountain sledding and she loved it too.  Got some awesome pics!  On York Pond Road, in the dark on the way home, a moose came in front of my truck.  We both skidded in the snow but it was not close.  I hope Moosey was not scared, he/she was so beautiful.  This is definitely a great hike to take visitors to our state who are in shape. It is 9.2 miles but not too much elevation gain, only 2828, and seemed like a very relaxing hike. I only noticed my hip flexors a bit towards the end of the climbing so that is an improvement over the last few hikes.  Could it be not wearing snowshoes?  Or the glute strengthening I have been doing?

Cannon Mountain 2-23-21 #38

 February 23, 2021

Hiked Cannon Mountain up the Kinsman Ridge Trail.  It was not really broken out, maybe one person? and in some places (through the glades) it was skied over.  Got off-trail and ended up on ski slopes for the end.  Just Chuckles and I and the book "The Midnight Library" which was awesome.  Saw quite a few spiders on the snow! mostly in the first mile!  It was snowing for most of the hike but at the top, snowing and windy and night had settled in.  Luckily it was not too cold.  Started at about 4:30 pm because I had to show a condo in Waterville at 3:00 and thought that while I was halfway there I might as well hike Cannon!  I got to the top right before 6:00pm.  Sledded down the slopes but ended up by the main lodges so had to walk about .75 mile back to the truck.  No hip flexor issues but this was a pretty short hike compared to what I have been doing lately.

I wanted to fit this one in February because now I will (hopefully) complete my first round of the 48 4000' footers of NH in under 6 months.  I did Jackson-Pierce on September 26 but before that, I had done Cannon (different trails:  lonesome lake loop starting at Lafayette Campground) on March 28, 2020.  Now I can start my 4000' odyssey on 9/26 instead of 3/28!  Also, got it in a different month and season than the last time.  I hope to finish all 48 in winter next year.  I think I will have 27 peaks done during this winter and will try and do the other 21 next winter.

This was the first solo hike I have done since January 1st. I forget that I enjoy hiking alone. It reminds me how strong and capable I am. I listened to The Midnight Library on this hike. They’ll forever go together. 

Last night I took the first yoga class I have taken in years at Sadhana Yoga.  It started off rough, It was on the third floor through a back door and a lot of lonely construction on the lower floors.  It seemed like I was trespassing in a vacant building!  Once there, the teacher had her 2 year old running around,and talking to his mom throughout.  Most of the class was the same few dumb easy poses over and over.  But the teacher was one I love, who used to teach awesome, interesting challenging yoga classes.  We had a great conversation afterwards and the 2 year old wasnt so bad.  He was cute and yoga is about being able to tune out the unwanted noises and annoyances so overall, the class made me feel great and I almost did not go.  As usual, I make plans but then decide just to stay home.  I am not worth it, or I am lazy or whatever.  I am so grateful that I went. I am worth it and need to remember that. I am grateful that I carried through with my plans to go.
I also found a great book on Hoopla, almost by accident, or something possessed me to search for a womans health book.  Dr Tami, the Hormone Secret.  Why women need testosterone.  I am listening to it at every available moment and it sounds hopeful!  I am worth paying attention to!  According to this book, I need to boost my progesterone and testosterone.  We will see!

Last night I took the first yoga class I have taken in years at Sadhana Yoga.  It started off rough, It was on the third floor through a back door and a lot of lonely construction on the lower floors.  It seemed like I was trespassing in a vacant building!  Once there, the teacher had her 2 year old running around,and talking to his mom throughout.  Most of the class was the same few dumb easy poses over and over.  But the teacher was one I love, who used to teach awesome, interesting challenging yoga classes.  We had a great conversation afterwards and the 2 year old wasnt so bad.  He was cute and yoga is about being able to tune out the unwanted noises and annoyances so overall, the class made me feel great and I almost did not go.  As usual, I make plans but then decide just to stay home.  I am not worth it, or I am lazy or whatever.  I am so grateful that I went. I am worth it and need to remember that. I am grateful that I carried through with my plans to go.
I also found a great book on Hoopla, almost by accident, or something possessed me to search for a womans health book.  Dr Tami, the Hormone Secret.  Why women need testosterone.  I am listening to it at every available moment and it sounds hopeful!  I am worth paying attention to!  According to this book, I need to boost my progesterone and testosterone.  We will see!

Conflict

This morning I went for a wonderful swim before work.  Usually in the morning, I do a relaxed swim marveling at the way the sun lights up the water dripping off my arm like diamonds, the silkiness of the lake flowing smoothly around me, supporting me, caressing me, enjoying me as I revel in the water.
Today was different.  I powered through the water, going over past discussions in my head, swimming strongly, wondering if it was all my fault, I usually assume it is.  But it was a short conversation and the water helped me to see that it had nothing to do with me at all.  My swim was harder, faster as a result!  I thought about ways I could approach the whole thing when I was done, but lately, I would rather have no conflict, like in swimming.
No matter how hard or easy I swim, there is no conflict in swimming.  There is no contact with anything giving resistance, not the ground or any person.  You couldn't really hear anyone if they were trying to argue with you in the water.  You cannot smell, as you really need to do most of your breathing through your mouth. Your only sensation is the feel of the water, all over you, every inch of your body. The water takes all of your senses and focuses them all on just the moment.  It is a meditation. What other sport is so focused?  People claim to be super focused in any sport they do, especially if they do it well but swimming forces your focus.  It is the only thing the swimming forces on you.  You do think while you are in the water, so you can really think. There are no interruptions.  You can push through the water with feeling, aggression even, but the water will not fight back, it gives in, gracefully.  Even with all that giving in, water gets total respect.  I need to be more like the water when I am landed but when swimming, I am the force, the focus.   Swimming, no conflict, only support.

I ran, THIS MORNING!

I said it couldn't be done; running in the morning.  I get up a bit stiff and like to slowly drink my coffee, clean, knit etc but then it is hanging over my head all day:  gotta run, gotta run.  But now it is done, and I can do it again if I want, this evening.

The fact is, at night, especially in this heat, I am tired, everyone is tired, they want dinner, then it is family time, we watch Jeopardy and swim.   and we tend to eat as soon as we get home.  Eating first does not make one want to run afterwards.  I used to run in the dark a lot, I still could, but I do not.

 It worked out great in the morning!

Birch Lane is shady in the morning, I had no idea!  And I saw other women my age, walking!  It was fun!  And I swam afterwards!

I am so grateful that I ran this morning!

Today, a beautiful, HOT July day

Today I am grateful to feel strong, healthy and I have lost a few pounds!  I am a strong, independant woman with so many interests!  I am never bored and I am so grateful for that!  I only wish there was more time in each day.  To that note, I am going to try and get up by 7:00 every day!

My mantra for today is:  I am totally in sync with life, also from Louise Hay's website.

I am going to continue to get stronger, leaner and healthier, and more independant.

Loving life!