Hanging on ...

Hanging on by a thread -- I think.

The hike was the hardest hike I've ever done. Technical (not scary though), 6 massive technical climbs (and the subsequent technical steep downhills). I made the cutoff by 1 minute and 10 seconds. Everything was worn to a nub. There was a point I wondered if I could finish -- it was that hard for me. My legs aren't in the same shape after 2+ years of a back injury.

What I'll do differently to make it more manageable: Camel Back so I can drink regularly. I could only drink when I stopped and that wasn't enough. I need to have well rested legs before the hike -- no hard hike the night before, or even the day before. And the hike will move to an earlier morning slot so the heat should be better (although it wasn't horrible yesterday).

I felt okay this morning. Up a lot with Monti last night -- he had a bad cough and then a seizure this morning. Helping him while he was seizing (and I hadn't done my back stretches yet), my back spasmed. I have no idea how it will progress this morning. I have a hair appointment and I'm going to call for a vet appointment -- neither great for my back. Pretty please let it settle down.

I withdrew from the hike tomorrow -- as soon as I finished yesterday's hike. I played with fire doing 2 hard hikes in a row and that's enough. It's a balance to get stronger while respecting my limits. 

It's frustrating because I can't tell if these are hard limits and I should work within the parameter and be happy -- or can I get stronger and push past? I want to start working with a trainer, but finding someone who understands my body is tough. I've only had one trainer in all the years who individualized programs -- really individualized. Not just starting slow with same routines, but building routines based on me. 

That's a quick update. Hope you're having a good week. Later gators.