The Accident

A strange thing happened to me at my CrossFit workout.

First, I want to talk about the wins we've had. One of our members had suffered a major heart attack 3 years ago. The kind of heart attack that the paramedics had to revive her... a hospital stay and cardio rehab. After rehab she came to our gym against her doctor's orders and started to work out.

She was careful. Her workouts mimicked the work out of the day but were scaled back for her abilities and not stress her heart. In one year of doing physical supervised exercise 3 times a week, she has gained strength and improved her vital readings to the extent that her cardiologist was stunned. Her story is worth celebrating.

Another friend of mine had her ankle crushed.

The repairs involved metal screws and rods in her ankle. Her Achilles tendon also had to be re-attached. For the next few the years she suffered pain and anguish and the loss of joy of riding her horse, hiking with her daughters, and doing all the things she loved dearly. After two years of consistent work at our gym [one baby step at a time], she can jog in a workout. She can walk without pain, and she is 99% back to her previous self. She is dedicated to our Mobility Class as well as showing up the to the gym.

Our coach joined 4 years ago, she was tired of all the extra weight she carried around. Her husband bought her a gym membership and she started out. Her goal? It was to lose all the baby weight she'd gained after her 10th child. I've watched her slowly transform over 4 years. She is amazing in many ways as she has now trained for and is one of the coaches in the gym.

She has lost 70 pounds and says she has a little ways to go. 

Her empathy and coaching skills are amazing. [All of our coaches posses these skills]

None of these journeys were quick fixes like we see advertised ... DO THIS or Do That! And you will see a difference in weeks! 

No. This is a common sense and well guided way to seek better health overall. 

We have an average array of people in our gym. 

From 18 to 80, some are great athletes working to become better athletes. Some of us have fitness and health issues. 

The coaches are careful to help us tailor our workouts for each of us specifically.

Some days, it is like herding cats.

On to the Event of the Day.

I was looking forward to the workout yesterday. It was a kettle bell workout combined with some runs after each group of 20 kettle bell swings. 

The runs were our choice, 200 meters, 400 meters, or for those who couldn't run, they could walk 100 meters or ride the stationary bike or row.

I love the running part as I've always loved running. The kettle bells? Meh, but it was going to be hard and challenging which are things I like. I'm considered elderly and I was safely the eldest person in class. 

A group of 5 of us took off from the gym to run/jog our first 200 or 400 meters. All was going just peachy, I was behind the young and fast girls. When we came to our turn around [we run on a bike/hiking path alongside the highway] ...

it
happened.

I got hit hard by something in my right calf. I'd been jogging on the edge of the path next to the grass. I ducked in an instant [reflexes?] and saw a woman and her bike go over me in  my peripheral vision.

She hit the ground hard on her right side. She was wearing a biking helmet which kept her face and head from hitting the hard trail. Her bike went over me and landed somewhere. 

I stayed in the crouch because I was not sure what the H-ll just happened. In an instant, the other gym folks who had been running ahead of me turned back to help. One surgical nurse, one Nurse Practitioner, and one Hot Line Nurse came to the woman's aid. 

Another gym member ran to call 911 when the lady said she couldn't get up and was in severe pain. 

I squatted next to her. Her pain was obvious. Her husband had parked his bike and was standing there in distress also. He didn't know what to do and couldn't figure out how to operate his wife's cell phone.

First the squad car arrived. Then the first team of first responders along with a Firefighter that had been at the gas station across the highway. Another fire department vehicle responded and I just backed away. I am not an EMT.

I decided to walk back to the gym and gather my wits. I was pretty shook up. Jesse walked back with me and asked if I was okay. I said I guess I was. I looked down and pointed to the bruise popping up on my calf muscle and said I guessed she clipped me there.

Jesse gasped and looked at my back. She exclaimed, "Dam girl, you have tire tracks across your shirt in back!"

Followed by "ARE you okay?"

 

I felt okay, but still in shock of what I'd seen. I grabbed my water bottle and decided to walk back and tell the police officer what happened.

Two gym gals went with me. I explained to the officer that I was jogging when I got hit from behind on the right side of my calf and ducked. The lady went over my right shoulder and the bike went over my left.

The cop's eyes got huge and he touched me gently on the shoulder. ARE you OKAY??? Those bikes weigh like 40 lbs! The gals pointed out the tire tracks on the back of my shirt. I made my statement, you know, name phone number, date of birth.

The lady was still on the ground and they were waiting for an ambulance. I looked over at the bikes and noted that they were e-bikes. The kind of e-bikes, when you pedal, the electric engine kicks in and shoots you forward. Did she pedal instead of braking? I'd never know.

I might add that this couple was in their 80's and I recognized them from many other days when we have worked out and shared the trail together. 

I walked back to the gym. There was nothing I could do. I felt horrible and so sad. What if she broke her leg and her arm? Or worse yet? Her hip? 

The gym members were calling me super woman and amazing among other accolades for just getting up and being okay after such a wreck. I felt none of that and felt only a deep sadness as I heard another set of sirens coming down the highway.

I gathered my stuff and wrote out my workout results. 1 round of 20 Kettle Bell swings 26lbs and 200m run in 16 minutes. Only one partial round completed due to bicycle accident.

My afternoon plan had been to explore The Richland County Pine River bike trail. But I wasn't in the mood. Plus my back muscles were stiffening up. I stretched and iced the areas and thought about that lady the rest of the day.

Gym members kept texting me to see if I was okay. I was. 

They were calling me super woman and Speedbump Val. 

I was waiting to hear any news about the lady who hit me. 

And of course, I did a reenactment of the accident with my Legos...

[we didn't carry kettle bells on the workout]

The last word I heard on the lady that ran me over was that she was assessed with a broken shoulder and a broken hip and was taken to the trauma center immediately for surgery.

I am so sad.

I know that I wasn't at fault as bicyclists are to yield to pedestrians but I think this lady just made an awful miscalculation. At her age, it may have great ramifications.

So yeah. I am sad.

Self Care -- What really is it?

 Yesterday's post sounded like I was down and out. I generally get a bit of a road bump in my attitude this time of year when things are muddy and drab outside. I have to really urge myself to go out and get fresh air.

Taking a walk in the forest is a combination of slush, mud, and slippery footing. The world is mud colored, and on many days it is drab and overcast. This transfers to my brain as 'Yuck' and 'Boring'. I don't feel like doing much and the less I move the worse I feel.

I went to CrossFit yesterday. I'd been putting it off because basically I just didn't feel like doing anything and the weather hasn't been exactly great either. I enjoyed the partner workout with the other two ladies I ended teaming up with. We worked hard, we played hard, and we encouraged each other each step of the way.

Everyone in the gym is positive an encouraging. One of the other members specifically came up to me and told me he was happy to see me back in the gym. He specifically said to me: "You Need to be Here.'

I thought his comment was strange at first. It wasn't. He was right. I got in the car to run an errand and drive home.

A program came on the radio regarding: Self Care. 
Self Care has become an over used Buzz Word that so many think to mean things like: Expensive Trips, Getaways, Spa Trips, Binge Watching TV, .... and so on. 
Self Care is really about Prioritizing Mental and Physical Health. 

The VA stresses Caregiver Self Care. I've attended those programs virtually and the social workers really like to talk about taking time for yourself. [That sounds so ridiculous. But it is true.]

I don't label what I do as Self Care, but I know that the atmosphere in the CF gym gives me a sense of belonging and a sense of normalcy. [I'm not the only 'aged' person that attends the gym.]
I also know that studying photography and art keep my mind fresh. I know that studying nature is more relaxing than doing the checkbook and bills!

When I start to get overwhelmed by caring for another, I have to step back and see what I can do for myself. 

Sometimes that is so very hard to see.

One of the biggest things that gets me down is hearing others plan trips to go hiking in places I've always known that I wanted to go to. I was going to retire and go camping in my Subaru to visit state parks and natural areas. I was going to see waterfalls, overlooks, and find out what kind of backpacker I might be.

The saving grace of it all is that I live in an amazing area. It has bluffs, rivers, and such a diverse natural area that it attracts folks from all over. 

Those things ease the stress of caring and giving your all. I make my own little adventures here and there that get me out of the house and away for a small amount of time.

I think up creative ways to do photography even when stuck inside.

Self Care is hard work.

Dear Coach

This is written to my Coach[s] from Viroqua CrossFit. Each week the coaches ask us to share our bright spots and that can be in or out of the gym.

So I'm going to share my Bright Spots which are a cumulation of things that are positive that happened not just in the gym but because of the gym.

Friday I was working out with my Coach Angie. Since spring, she has been coaching and helping me work on strengthening and conditioning for my lower spine and hips. 

While I was catching my breath from a Tabata, I told her how much things had changed over the summer for me. I surprised myself this past week while cleaning my old saddle that I hadn't used in years.

The saddle was no longer seemed too heavy for me to lift and set on Sunshine. Wait.

Now that I think about it. I almost never used that saddle since my first of two shoulder surgeries and elbow surgery. Rich always had to help me with it. 

Huh. Did the saddle get lighter, or did I get stronger?

Nearly a year ago I was told I had Severe Osteoporosis in my lower back and right hip. The back was a huge concern. 

It made me want to stop and question every movement I made. How could I feed my equine? How could I carry water? I was suddenly terrified of doing almost anything at all!

My doctor wanted me to only hike with another person for my own safety or take walks only within cell phone range. 

My goodness. Suddenly I doubted everything I was able to do. Suddenly I was acting like a crippled person and second guessing everything.

I was miserable, so I decided to see what going back to the gym would do for me.

The Mobility Class was offered at the gym and I thought that was a great place to start. Then I signed up with a coach for one on one specific training.

What were my goals? 
My goals were simple. Increase my core strength with workouts. Keep my mobility and balance.

I am accomplishing a my goals with Coach Angie. She gives me what I can handle and kept me moving correctly with weight bearing exercises which are exactly what is suggested for Osteoporosis. She challenges me in an awesome way and I don't have to try to figure out what I should be doing. She is constantly evaluating my progress.

What were my Bright Spots for the week?

Doing Mobility with others and seeing individual improvement in others and myself.

Feeling awesome after one-on-one training.

Riding again ~

Exploring on my own again ~

I am proud to say that my CrossFit box makes a difference in my life directly. The coaches and fellow gym members are like family. I can't help but feel positive after interacting with them.

Feeling ME again ~

Personal Training

So, why would anyone pay for personal training. I mean, come on. We all know that moving and exercising is clearly the way to better health.

I walk, hike, and bike so I should be excellent right? 

I don't need any training, I know what I should be doing.

Huh.

Well. Not really. I had a talk with one of the coaches at the gym and I signed up for a half hour session. She contacted me with several questions regarding my diagnosis.

When I got to the gym, I felt silly. Here I was paying someone to tell me what to do and how to do it. Dumb idea. 

I warmed up on a bicycle while she finished up with a class. Then she waved me over.

There was no hesitation. Angie said, "Let's get to it."

I went through a series of exercises that I'd received from Physical Therapy last year. While I was doing them and she was making sure that I kept my core tight [and she explained that these particular muscles guard the lower back]...
I kept thinking. 

Well duh, I know this stuff. I can do it at home. Why am I paying someone to tell me to do this? 

Do you want to know the answer? Easy. She making me do it. She made sure that I did it correctly. 

We did a lot of core exercises and then moved to lifting. Whether you want to believe it or not, we lift all the time and we lift wrong especially as we age and become less mobile.

Strengthening and mobility go hand in hand to prevent injuries.

It has been nearly a year since I have been to CrossFit. After receiving that diagnosis that blew my mental world apart, I did make an attempt at doing my exercises that PT gave me. But with no one standing there and making me do it, I put it off. 

It was so easy just to say to myself: Well I walked a lot today and I mowed grass, gardened, and did chores. That should be enough.

Most days in the last several months ended with me having sore back muscles. They constantly ached and if I sat for a bit, I felt like I was 100 years old when I stood up to go get a drink of water.

What did I learn? 

One thing.
I felt good afterwards but wondered if this would really make a difference.

I got home and mowed the yard, weeded the shade garden and did other normal everyday things.

I sat down to watch TV. When I got up a little later to walk out and watch the sunset...

It ... hit...

me.

There was NO low back muscle pain. The muscles were not tight, the muscles didn't hurt. 

For the first time in months my back muscles didn't hurt. 

It sounds like I am one of those annoying 'fitness' people doesn't it?

Here is my conclusion. I could do nothing and take pricey medications with lots of side effects that make me sick and see the doctor more often. I could follow my physical therapy exercises... OH, wait, I tried that already. 

My PT exercises I got are on the frig. I don't know if they help the frig or not.

But that was not working for me. I actually feel like a huge weight was lifted from me this week. 

Fingers crossed that I can keep up the good work. 

The motivation from my 'coach' is great. Positive vibes do work.

I'm pleased and I guess that is all that matters.

 

How I did it... & Snow Storm

Some of the most entertaining things I've done is take non selfie selfies. I hate getting in front of the camera, but don't mind getting my back side photographed.

For my CrossFit coach I had to work out a way to show him that I was still doing my workouts. So I devised a way of doing it.

I discovered that my Red Tough TG6 Olympus pocket camera had a similar setting on it like the Oly OMD EM5 III. There is a setting that allows the user to either connect to a smart phone...~~ hey, I'm not as Smart as my Phone ~~so I usually don't bother with that.... or use a delay setting. This delay setting lets the user pick a delay time, how many shots, and how long in between shots. 

Most of the time this is used for timed exposures and fun things like lightening storms or Astrophotography.

CrossFit Burpees in the snow...

CrossFit Box Jumps

Cooling off after the last round of Burpees

The set up is not too hard but takes a bit of experimenting.

My cheap bendy tripod.

A view of the settings chosen...10 second delay, 5 shots, one second between shots.

In my case with the sledding I set it to 10 shots with .5 seconds in between and got the shots I wanted pretty easily. It doesn't always work out that way.

One of the other reasons I picked this camera after I wore out my other pocket camera is that the TG 6 is weather sealed and can take the snow and rain. It can be submerged though I have not done that.

Today was a perfect day to have a weather proof camera as the sleet/snow/freezing fog has been absolutely wicked. The winds are picking up now and I've read that we are in for a flash freeze.

I hope everyone fairs well that is in this storm's path.

Time Out

 

After hours of freezing, drying, and cooking, I thought a day 'off' would be in order.

Charlie and I headed to KVR to check out how long it would take me to get to the ponds if I parked at Star Valley or Willow Camp.

Star Valley used to be a road that joined Old 131. It is a maintenance road now and allows the KVR people to access different areas with equipment needed to mow and clear trails.

I had an idea that this next month or so that I am going to hike down to the ponds to take some photographs of a sunrise over the water.

I took the following shots with my little Infrared pocket camera.

The walk through the trees was wonderful for the light and shadows.

However, once we got on the main trail. IT was hot! 

I stopped more than once in some scarce shade to give Charlie a break from the sun and some water too.

We made it to the ponds after I had a brain fart and turned left instead of right. Well, it pays to do these things in the daylight if you plan to do the hike at predawn I suppose.

We made the ponds and I took shots with my little pocket camera in Infrared of course.

These were taken with a pocket camera. A Canon ELPH 180 that I ordered from Kolari Vision. I did have my Olympus OMD EM 5 [old and abused camera converted after I had fun with this pocket camera]...but the Oly is having major issues now. I can still get a decent photo out of it, but the LCD is green and dullish.

I take the Canon pocket camera on hikes when I don't feel like dragging along extra weight. I also use the little red pocket camera on hikes. Less equipment = less weight.

I am doing this for fun and creative distractions.

Call it art if you wish.

But it sure takes my mind off from all the world troubles.

So here I am...another photo...a self shot of me having fun with CrossFit later that day. I was following my coach's suggestion of using Charlie as an awkward item to lift.

Note the messy hair!

Here is the funny video I made for my CrossFit coach and friends....

Naughty Charlie was digging in the yard.

He has discovered voles!

Enjoy if you want and laugh aLOT. The mules did!

Last note.

I started getting the photos for the Nonnicorn and Buddysaurus Book of Adventures ready. I even did an outline for the little fun book. 

I needed a project to do while this world is raging with so much angst and upheaval.

Be well, be safe.

Enjoy life as you can.

All in a day

It started out on a whim before dawn. I don't even know why I decided to just grab my Nikon and head up the hill. I expected to be disappointed because it looked like the clouds were going to fill up the sky and we would have a dreary morning.

The surprise wasn't the pretty colors in the east, it was the stunning colors emerging in the south and west.

I stood there for a long time taking photos as the colors and hues kept changing.

And when I got home just before 6, the day was starting. I watered and checked the mules. Moved Lil' Richard and Sven to some nice grazing spots, and came inside to check on Charlie and Rich.

Both were sound asleep so I picked green beans as the sun peeked over the tree tops. I got soaked with the morning dew but had a pretty good haul of green and yellow beans. I found some ripe tomatoes, pulled most of the onions, and sat on the porch to wash everything and prep it.

I got an email from my CrossFit Coach telling me that my WOD [workout of the day] was a 5K! Now understand, many of my workout friends can't run due to needing a new hip, a new knee, or even other assorted issues. We are not all Olympic athletes. So a cardio workout is taylored for them. They get to ride a stationary bike or use a rower. 

I'm not going back into a gym situation at this time. I am still Virtual.

I was so tickled to have an ALL run/jog workout, that I stopped everything I was doing and changed to go run.

I had to take my smart phone as I'd never really measured out what 3.1 miles would be if I ran it on foot! 

And I ran it. Well, perhaps I looked like an old lady shuffling down a gravel road. However I felt like I was Nike, the goddess of speed, strength, and victory flying over the road with my Covidhair blowing in the breeze.

My phone kept track of my route, my time per mile, and gave me an accurate run.

[my running route includes wide open spaces with no humans in sight]

All that aside.

When I finished, I still felt energized.

So much so that after freezing and putting produce in the dehydrator, I went out and found a willing mule.

Okay, maybe Siera wasn't willing at first.

But she proved again what an incredible animal she is. We rode nearly 4 miles around the neighbor's wild wood. Here we stop to watch a doe and her twins run through the woods below us.

My mules wear a bell. This way I never walk up on top of a deer or other form of wildlife. It works well. It isn't obtrusive and I think the bell makes a nice sound.

After getting back home, Siera got a treat.

Some grain and some yard grazing.

This after a ride pretty much assures that she will meet me at the gate next time too.

After supper, I caught up Mica. I haven't ridden her in over a year.

We went for a sunset ride along the backroads that I'd gone running on.

When I went to bed that night, I felt so calm and complete.

Something powerful reawakened me on that 5k. I hadn't run in years. I had tried to start up again, but never really did well. It just felt good. 

Stay Strong!

So my CrossFit coach sends me a little message each morning with a workout. I could just ignore them but since I signed up and am paying good money, I am more motivated to continue to work out.

It would be so much easier just to get up in the morning and just let exercising slide.

I could just drink coffee and do all those other summer things. Like weed the garden, pick veggies, walk Charlie, brush mules, pick flowers...and wander around aimlessly picking berries and finding bears.

Ahhh.

Would it be so simple.

So today's assignment was to 'go find something' in a junk pile on the farm that I may have to lift to move or clean up. The workout asked for Deadlifts and Burpees.

A burpee is like a combo of a push up that turns into a jumping jack. It calls for a lot of coordination and takes quite a bit of energy.

So..."Val, find something around the farm and use it for your deadlift, 4 rounds of deadlifts and burpees. Send me a photo of what you found."

See?

He is clever, he knows that I will be obedient and make my search for a deadlift item some sort of adventure.

So I took a photo of some of the things I'd LIKE to move but can't. They actually need to be moved by a skid steer. However they are handy things to hook Sven to. Sven does a great job of trimming around such items.

I need to be better at my warm ups. Most of my gym work outs in the days pre Pandemic consisted of about 30 minutes of warm ups and then a pretty intense but doable work out.

I need to keep the strength and mobility I had gained in my shoulders. 

So here is my Deadlift item I found today.

It is solid steel. Kind of heavy. Rich said it was about 75 lbs. It challenged me with my reps. However, my personal best for one lift is 125 with real weights and a bar.

I put on the sweat. Doing lifts and switching to Burpees.

Here's a look at my grubby knees after doing Burpees.

I was going to go work in the woods with a scythe afterwards so I just wore my work boots. No gym clothes while combining work outs with farm work!

Why do I keep doing this?

I'm 64 and am a little person with a farm to take care of. Over the years I lost a lot of strength in my arms from Frozen Shoulder and Elbow Tendonitis. In 3 years I had 3 surgeries and pronounced weakness in both arms...and...

My shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers are arthritic. 

[It seems logical that other joints that ache are a bit arthritic too.]

But here is the thing. Since starting to work out my bad days are less and the good days are more.

I need to stay strong. I want to stay mobile and strong. Those are my simple goals.

Hopefully my mind stays strong also!

Ask my son or husband and they will tell you I lost my mind a long time ago.

Be well.

Virtual CrossFit Viroqua

When the gym closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak I was pretty bummed.

At first I was all ready to work out at home. I even went around and found things like post drivers, an anchor, and a carriage horse weight as substitute weights and a stall mat.
Then I hit a wall. I couldn't get motivated. I'd walk past my jump rope and think, "Gosh I should work out."
Then I'd move on to something else.
Always something else.

My CrossFit shoes gave me a sad look the other day. Can shoes do that? No, I don't suppose they can. But there they were  ~~ sad shoes and a lonely jump rope.

70 days had passed since I'd been in a gym. For the first week I was frantic. How was I going to maintain everything I'd gained for the past year and a half? Gradually I stopped feeling guilty about it and tried to put it out of my mind.

I grew even more miserable as I noted my gym mates posting photos of their workouts. They were motivated, I wasn't. I.
Just.
Wasn't.

Then I got an email notice from Josh Brown of CrossFit Viroqua. He was reaching out to see how I was doing. Our State was opening up yet I wasn't sure I could deal with being in a gym setting quite yet.

We met on Tuesday via Zoom [I'm pretty sure I stink at some of the tech stuff, Josh could only hear me.]

We talked about my goals and expectations. He asked what I had around the farm that we could make into substitute items for weights.
Post drivers
Tire Rims
Hay bale spears
Anchors

You get the idea.

This morning I got a message:
Beyond the Whiteboard
It was Josh explaining the WOD [workout of the day] and how I could modify it to work for my situation at home.

The first thing I did was sit there and hold onto my cup of coffee and do nothing.Then I reminded myself that I was the only person who could take myself to the Virtual Gym or in my case, my side yard.
And besides that, I heard Josh's voice telling me quietly, "You can do this Val."

Charlie was curious as I dragged out the mat and set a timer for a 5 minute jump rope warm up.

I started the clock and did the 15-12-9-6-3 reps for time:
Kettle Bell Goblet Squat
Kettle Bell Swing
400 meter run

I admit it felt weird and during the first 400 meters of running I had to chase the dog down and call him back after he took after a squirrel. But it all felt good.
I could have gone with a heavier weight, like the anchor, however I wasn't sure how my body would do after such a long leave.

[From the mat to mid hill on the driveway is about 100 meters I think. I will actually measure it out today but I didn't want to put off my first workout any longer.]

Josh's message this morning asked me to let him know how it went.

It went well. In fact doing it in an open air atmosphere was rather nice. Being held accountable was even better.

I feel invigorated, hopeful, and encouraged. I have some things to sort out. Like how to work out when it rains but I'll get there.

Most of all?
I feel inspired again. My shoes were happy. My jump rope was no longer lonely.

And I am back to working out with CrossFit thanks to a great coach.

CrossFit shake up

So this is just a jumble of things.

CrossFit:

I've had positive things happen with my CrossFit experience.

One of the misconceptions about CrossFit, is that you have to be an Olympic Athlete to do it.
Or that you will end up be a muscle bound freak. Or you have to dedicate your whole life to it.
None of that is true. In the 'Box' we are tall, thin, chunky, older, and younger folks. Just normal people who are working out together and liking it.
We sweat together, cheer each other on, and applaud each other's achievements. No one is better than another.

There are a lot of arguments that say CrossFit is TOO expensive!

CrossFit will probably cost more than the YMCA or any other fitness gym. But there isn't 'a trained and certified coach' at these places to assist you in figuring out the best way to for you to work out.

The coaches have helped me figure out how to deal with my shoulders which have always been an issue. My wrists are wracked by Osteoarthritis along with my thumb joints.

In 2008 I had surgery on the tendons in my right elbow.

When I started working out, I really had my doubts. How could I ever do a real  push up? How could I ever do a handstand without screaming out in agony?
No way I'd ever jump up on the 'rig' and do any sort of movement that required use of my arms! Nope Nope Nope!

Lift weights or Kettle Bells? No way!

The coaches modified my workouts and movements so that I could do them and still get all of the benefits out of the workout.

That said. I have worked out with people that are in their late 60's, 70's, and a fellow who is in his 80's. I work out with those who have had replacement surgeries, who are recovering from major illnesses and even brain injuries.

I went to CrossFit at the urging of my oldest son. I started and decided to stick with it for a year at least. My goal was at least 3 times a week and more if I could swing it.
I did the math. If I went 5 days a week it was really affordable. Even at 3 days a week it was affordable.

Encouragement from those I work out with keep me going.

After a year passed, I purchased CrossFit shoes and my own jump rope.

Then some firsts started to happen. I did a handstand. I didn't stay in it, but I did it. Then I did it twice and three times.
I did one double under with the jump rope. I did it again.

Then Friday the unthinkable happened. The CrossFit members got a group email that said our Coach was no longer employed at the VMH Wellness Center and there would be no more CrossFit classes.

I was stunned, then angry, and then felt terribly lost. How could this happen? I started to consider my dismal options of the other two gyms in town neither which I wanted to go to. Coach Josh and the two part time coaches made our group what they were. Some of these folks had been with Josh since he started a fitness program over 10 yrs ago. I wanted to grab the phone and cancel my membership. But I didn't.

Something was up and if I waited, things might sort themselves out. Rumours said that the Coach would set up shop somewhere else in the future and like most of the CF folks I would gladly follow him. Except, what if he set up shop 30 miles away?

In the past year and a half, I've gained so much in personal and physical strength through being in a group of like minded people that love to suffer through workouts together and who always support each other. One member said we were like a cult. Maybe that is a strong word, but when members of the gym call each other up to show up at another member's house to help him move in to his new place? I call that something different. Support from another member is only a text or phone call away.

That is what this gym/box was all about.

CF asks a person to be dedicated. A good coach is not just a coach but a Life Coach. One who cares about every person he/she works with. That is why the email was so shocking.

Over the weekend people started sorting things out. Some members have partial home gyms and are inviting other members to work out with them. I'm meeting with the early morning crew and we are going to work out together without a coach. We may not do some of the weights, but we are working on keeping up our strength while we figure out how to follow our coach to a rumored new place.

If we remain without a coach or any coaches I will downgrade my membership so I can still visit our CF section with other members and work out together until we find out what is going on.

In the mean time The Coach has given those who don't want to go to the Wellness Center workouts that can be done without being inside a gym or box.
That is incredible. Workouts we can do at home!

Until I received that email on Friday I don't truly believe I understood exactly how much working out/socializing/sweating/laughing/helping/enjoying the work out with other people meant to me.

To be continued...
~~~~
I did have a great workout this morning. Not quite the same with the Coach walking around and nudging you and saying quietly to you: "You got this Val, you are doing great!"
But we did laugh, we did sweat, and we did workout.

What does the future bring?
Not sure yet.

Sunny mild weekend!

The 'kids' have been really soaking up the sun lately. I was going to remove this paddock and make it into yard when I realized that this is THE most popular place on the farm in the winter.

The critters can find dry spots to sleep and soak up the sun. They can leave this paddock and wander through the open field or go into the woods, but this seems to be the 'hot' spot.
I've noticed that I need to get after everyone with a curry comb. Eeeks!

Today I am taking hubby in to see his mom. After that I think I need a wandering.

Yesterday was tough. The VA/non VA hospitalization from 2018 is still unresolved. I spoke with the VA Patient Advocate yesterday and she is as frustrated as I am. She was upset at how the new Community Care Call Center seems to have really messed things up. That is a whole different blog. I'm not sure why people who have no back round in billing and coding or understanding of how that all works ... work in a Call center for the VA? I'm sure it is contracted out.
The Patient Advocate and I may be filing a VA Congressional Complaint and calling the 'White House' hotline. Does it really have to come to that? The charges had been approved locally almost a year ago.

The next thing I find out is that our CrossFit ...is done. Kaput. There will be no more CrossFit. Worst of all, there was NO warning. Just an email.

All of the members are outraged, upset, and feel as though they were left hanging by the Wellness Center. Everyone has pledged to follow our coach if and when he has a place to open a box. Comments are like this: If I have to work out in a hayfield in the rain, I would do so with Coach Josh.

Okay. Onto the weekend.
Warm.
Sunny.
Beautiful.
It should be free of stress.

I am getting the Unicorns out along with some other pocket critters and I'll pack them along on my Wander.

I need to gather materials to make a stable for those Unicorns!
No matter what, I will find a way to enjoy this mud, melt, and sunny weather!

Challenges...

This is the map of part of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. I took the map of the southwestern topographic map and overlayed it onto the Tromp and Chomp running route that KVR put together.
The trail run can be an 8 mile run or a 13.1 mile run. I can say I am not a fan of half marathons so I won't even try it in a trail run.

It has been so many years since I even attempted something like this. But one of my CrossFit pals was talking about it and I decided a goal for Spring would be a good idea.

Now this sounds totally insane for me right? I went out the other day for a 'run'. Let's just say it wasn't a run like 7 or even 8 minute miles. That train left MY station a very long time ago. I left any devices that could record my 'time' at home and went out to see if I could still enjoy a 'run'.
Funny thing is. I followed my son's advice and I ran, toddled, jogged, moved...whatever you'd like to call it for 2.5 miles. When I struggled hard on a hill, I slowed to a hard fast walk and recovered to go again.

When I reached our mailbox, I felt really quite good inside and outside. My feet still felt light my legs were not heavy. Nothing was broken!

Okay, two miles and a half won't get me down an 8 mile trail run will it? So I ran again yesterday. Only a mile, as our CrossFit workout in the morning was a killer workout.
The first half of the mile was a struggle, like jogging/running through soup. The last half was light and easy.
I picked up the mail and headed down the slippery driveway thanking my ancestors for good knees.

My son Eddie, has done many trail runs and he is advising me on how to approach this goal. Run a bit, walk a bit because the terrain won't allow you to actually run when you are going over boulders, roots, and through mud.
And I have hiked these trails over and over that are on the map. I agree. Parts of Little Canada can be beastly and require my hiking skills.

These are some photos from a past winter hike...I was incredibly amused by the trail markers...
Horses upside down and broken bikes. Does this mean it is a really difficult trail?

A swift hiker can do well in a trail 'race'. But my goal is NOT a race against others. It is a goal of can I do it?
Can I get set this goal and achieve it just before I turn 64.
I like challenges and goals.
That is how I live my life.

No runs today or tomorrow. Perhaps on Saturday or Sunday. Unless I can get to KVR and hike this trail again. It is a fun one.

LIL Bear...

There is a LIL Bear.

This is a toy that was handed to me by one of the neighbor's children.

It is almost 3" tall and is posable. It came with a tattered ribbon tied around its neck.
For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what kind of toy it was. It was old, it most likely belonged to the mom of the kids when she was young.

I figured out that I'd never find out what it was.
So while baking some cookies yesterday, I picked up my cell phone and began a search.
Indeed, it was a toy from the 1980's!

They are called Calico Critters. And they are pricey too!
I adore this bear, she is time worn and missing some of the flocking. She didn't come with clothing as the ones newly purchased do, but I rather like her red ribbon.

So for fun I did some creative still life with 'her' the other day.

CrossFit with LIL Bear.

Warm ups:
Birddog

Deadbug

Jump rope...whoops ... got tangled!

Here we go!

How about Kettle Bell Swing?

Box Jumps!
Whoops! Ooops!

Okay. Better!

Box Over Burpees!

Deadlift!

Wow! LIL Bear was busy!

So many things to do!

Enjoy your New Year's Day.
Welcome to 2020.