Patience, pouting, recipes – The Trek

As I approached the final weeks of my preparation for the Appalachian Trail, I had plans to further enhance my preparations before leaving. Which would mean another swim session each week and at least one longer hike on the weekends (day hike with full backpack or overnight backpack).

Those plans have remained. And I hate that on my part. But when the doctor says it, I do it.

An unexpected obstacle before my hike.

A few weeks ago I noticed that my ear was hurting and swelling. I immediately worried that something was wrong. A visit to the doctor confirmed it: he was infected. I was put on antibiotics with orders to stay out of the pool and out of the cold. That means no swimming or hiking adventures in the winter. It also means that my two main ways of physically preparing for the AT were ripped out from under my feet. The good thing was that it was only for the week I was taking the medications.

Or so I thought.

The medications didn’t work. A week later I returned to the doctor’s office. This time in pain, feeling much worse. I was prescribed a new round of a different type of antibiotics. Another week without training.

This time it worked, but at the end of the week I still didn’t feel completely recovered. Back for a checkup. I was hoping to get the all clear (maybe I was just imagining it wouldn’t completely go back to normal?). At that point I hadn’t trained for two weeks.

No such luck. The doctor gave me another type of medication and a new appointment a week. Even without water and without cold/continuity of walks. I anointed myself with patience; It’s a Norwegian expression, I promise. I started my third week of pouting. It doesn’t look good.

My luck is changing

FINALLY, after three weeks off training at a pretty crucial time in my preparations, I got the go-ahead to get back into cold hiking before last weekend. Swimming is still prohibited and will be until I leave. But at this point I’ll take everything I can get.

It seems my luck has finally changed. The forecast for this past weekend showed some excellent conditions: cold (below freezing temperatures all the time), dry (there is no water source because of the ice and it is so dry), but no precipitation and light winds. With some prep work, it was a great workout for my next hike. Also, one last chance to do a last minute review. I instantly texted a friend of mine, inviting him to join me for a short hike on a trail that crosses a local island. A few days later we leave.

I finally did a test hike (sort of)! Lihat juga hgtgdfgdtr14. But that will be until next time.

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