Next Year!
I just returned from a wonderful, birthday camping trip in the redwoods of California. We didn't do much other that sit listening to the sounds of the forest and walk. The sounds, smells and sights all added up to a refreshing few days.
Lately, I have been experiencing some mobility issues. Last summer, I was unable to go to my cabin on the lake because I couldn't navigate the rocks and uneven terrain. My doc told me that I have to either start walking with a cane or hold onto my wife more. I have chosen to do that latter.
It dawned on me, while watching a squirrel play in a huge redwood, that the cane, holding onto my wife or limiting where I walk are all ways to treat symptoms. Whether at work or in relationships, whether playing sports or fixing a car, whether building a house or an online business, I have never been one to just treat symptoms. I have always identified the cause of problems or failure and addressed it directly.
That squirrel convinced me to focus on the cause of my mobility problems not the symptoms.
With that in mind, I wrote a goal today in my calendar. On April 28, 2024, I am going to compete in the Big Sur Half Marathon without a cane or leaning on my wife. I am writing this so that when I report back next year, you can comment either "Yay!!" or "Boo!" depending on what I report. In the meantime, I am going to focus and "keep on fishin'."
Jim
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I'm glad that you had nice a time out there in the woods and that you had a very nice birthday, Jim.
I'll start counting the days from this year until April 28 of next year.
I'll be rooting you on! 👍👏
Myra 💜
Yayyyyy for you, Jim! I have put Big Sur Half on April 28, 2024 in my calendar. I will run it virtually with you. I am awed by your determination! 🏃🏾♀️👏🏽 Rooting so hard over here!
Hazel
Damned good attitude Jim.
Many years ago I was in hospital for 49 weeks with 26 fractures. (Adreneline junkies don't always win). They rebuilt my leg with lots of old bits of steel, took bone from here and grafted it there. Enough blood to fill a bathtub and so it went on. All sorts of stuff and they said I would be crippled for the rest of my life.
No chance, within 2 years I was back out in the mountains. Entering iron man marathons, cross country motorbiking and anything else that involved risk and adreneline,
You WILL do it buddy, if you are a complete and utter pig of a slave driver with yourself.
If you want to increase mobility, start by lying down on the floor and just get back up again, however you can. Do that 10 times a day. You will soon feel your joints responding.
Go for it Jim, you will have lots of followers. make it into a blog here on WA.
Jim's big run.
Bux
Thanks for taking the time to read the post and comment. Your suggestion about get down on the floor and up again is a great idea. I have trouble doing that among other things. I am going to start that today. As well, I started yesterday to walk on a flat track so that I don't have to worry about variations in the side walk. Thanks a lot for the encouragement and congratulations on your recovery.
Jim
Do it Jim, just flippin do it.
When you feel low, when you can’t do it, PM me and I’ll give you a good kicking to get you going again. You have to be Mr Nasty with yourself.
I’m watching.
Bux
Thanks so much for the encouragement. I started walking on a flat track yesterday. I will let you know if I need a push.
Jim
Mobility is a factor, Jim, as we get older. One thing to consider when looking for solutions, is to find exercises that work on releasing hip flexion, which was a big improvement for me.
I have this computer chair that is light on its feet. When I needed to lean over to fetch something, the chair would move back away. A couple of times I though the chair was going to roll away.
When I did a few hip exercises, I found that I could lean much further, and the chair didnt even move!
Helping the hips will help your knees too. When we lean too far forward, We put a lot of strain on our knees.
Straightening up remives much of the pressure placed on the knees.
Check out 'Egoscue' for some help on realigning your body.
Rudy
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What wisdom, to look for the cause instead of just treating symptoms. I've always felt if you can do that, you have a much better chance of healing. I'm guessing you will find some good ways to get to your problem and treat it, and I wish you all kinds of good progress with that. We'll hold you to next year's report.