The human footprints were mine. My footprints looked surprisingly narrow compared to when I look down at my bare feet and they look so spread out. The inspiration for the footprints was because I bought a used book called Barefoot Running by Michael Sandler.
Altogether, I tried barefoot walking for short distances 3 different times on FR181/American Springs Road. I carried my shoes while doing that. FR181 has a lot of small pebbles that painfully drill into my feet unless I'm careful. On the smoother stretches, walking barefoot felt good. Admittedly, I was taking only careful, tiny mincing steps - hardly a normal gait.
In 2008, I tried the Nike Free shoes and they probably led to the stress reaction in my right heel. This is most likely because I pounded my heel hard on rocky trails on my walks and the Nike Free shoes gave it little protection in comparison to the shoes I was used to wearing. Now, in reading Sandler's book, I realize that it's better to land on the forefoot first to take pressure off the heel when barefoot walking or even when wearing minimalist shoes.
One obstacle I see in colder weather is that even though my feet didn't feel cold while I was barefoot on the dirt road, the cold must have seeped up into my body because it took a long while to warm up after walking.
All in all, I'd probably feel safer (and warmer) with some kind of minimal shoes (and socks in the winter!) I'm afraid of stepping on sharp things, man made or natural. From my brief experience today, though, I can see that barefoot walking is best done in a truly unshod state (as opposed to barefoot mimetics utilizing minimalist footwear) because anything on the bottom of the foot means you can't feel the ground as well and this interferes with the natural movement.
Anyway, unfortunately, I have too much feet pathology to seriously make a regular diet of barefoot walking - chronic posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, flat feet and a heel spur (that flared into a stress reaction and painful plantar fasciitis in 2008) - but perhaps I could try stints here and there to strengthen my feet.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Quiet Sunday
I was looking through our Facebook friends and can't figure out how I became friends with one person. She seems to be a friend to my brother, sister, cousin and niece. Who is she?
It's really beautiful here. Cool but no snow. I can basically hike everywhere but I may as well give up any idea of snowshoeing for the meantime at least.
Today, spouse and I hiked to the Los Alamos Reservoir. Very nice except for the one stretch of ice that we got around by walking at the road edge. Reservoir doesn't have any water in it. I can't wait until the county rehabilitates that area. It's looked so sad since the 2000 fire.
Our across-the-street neighbor has her Christmas lights on. I leave the kitchen blinds open late to enjoy the beauty.
Grandson still believes in Santa but daughter says he's wise enough not to publicize that to his school mates!
Spouse and I spruced up our yard today. We piled leaves and brush in the garden area. Spouse re-nailed some fence slats.
Crescent moon overhead with Jupiter hovering in attendance nearby.
It's really beautiful here. Cool but no snow. I can basically hike everywhere but I may as well give up any idea of snowshoeing for the meantime at least.
Today, spouse and I hiked to the Los Alamos Reservoir. Very nice except for the one stretch of ice that we got around by walking at the road edge. Reservoir doesn't have any water in it. I can't wait until the county rehabilitates that area. It's looked so sad since the 2000 fire.
Our across-the-street neighbor has her Christmas lights on. I leave the kitchen blinds open late to enjoy the beauty.
Grandson still believes in Santa but daughter says he's wise enough not to publicize that to his school mates!
Spouse and I spruced up our yard today. We piled leaves and brush in the garden area. Spouse re-nailed some fence slats.
Crescent moon overhead with Jupiter hovering in attendance nearby.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
MIssing Woman Not Missing
I called the unaccounted for hiker this morning. Unknown to everyone, she had joined up with the husband and wife who hike with their big German Shepherd and they all had gone down from Broken Mesa an entirely different way than the rest of us.
When the last, slower half of the group got down from Broken Mesa, none of us knew that the unaccounted for hiker was actually safe and sound with the faster, first half of the hiking group.
Really, with a group that big, there should be better accounting of where everyone is. They try - they carry cell phones and walkie talkies to stay in contact. The unaccounted for hiker said when her cell phone rang yesterday and she picked it up, the connection dropped. Oh, well. How do I keep track of everyone but not make myself obnoxious about it? Maybe I should just let them worry about it.
When the last, slower half of the group got down from Broken Mesa, none of us knew that the unaccounted for hiker was actually safe and sound with the faster, first half of the hiking group.
Really, with a group that big, there should be better accounting of where everyone is. They try - they carry cell phones and walkie talkies to stay in contact. The unaccounted for hiker said when her cell phone rang yesterday and she picked it up, the connection dropped. Oh, well. How do I keep track of everyone but not make myself obnoxious about it? Maybe I should just let them worry about it.
Feeling Like Rip Van Winkle
La Niña is making me feel like I'm Rip Van Winkle and I've slept through the winter and now it's spring. The weather in Los Alamos is that dry and sunny that I feel like spring has sprung!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Pshaw
I want to comment on the WI group's birthday celebrations. First of all, a fellow hiker told me today that the birthdays are only celebrated if they fall on Wednesday which is the day the group hikes. She said that her birthday would next fall on Wednesday 11 years from now. I have to wonder if the Wednesday business is true because they seem to be always celebrating someone's birthday.
At the birthday celebrations, they have cake and drink champagne, neither of which I do. No presents are exchanged. My informant told me that at first she didn't go to the birthday celebrations either but then she "grew fond" of the hikers in the group. (Either that or drinking champagne in the afternoon after a hike gives an irresistibly addictive, bubbly high!)
Anyway, for the meantime, I'll continue boycotting the birthday parties. I did, though, wish the birthday man and woman a Happy Birthday!
The hike was almost 5 miles today. I felt great on it but am tired now.
My right foot is no better and no worse. I see a podiatrist in Albuquerque on Tuesday.
I left a message for the hiker we left behind but I haven't heard back from her yet.
At the birthday celebrations, they have cake and drink champagne, neither of which I do. No presents are exchanged. My informant told me that at first she didn't go to the birthday celebrations either but then she "grew fond" of the hikers in the group. (Either that or drinking champagne in the afternoon after a hike gives an irresistibly addictive, bubbly high!)
Anyway, for the meantime, I'll continue boycotting the birthday parties. I did, though, wish the birthday man and woman a Happy Birthday!
The hike was almost 5 miles today. I felt great on it but am tired now.
My right foot is no better and no worse. I see a podiatrist in Albuquerque on Tuesday.
I left a message for the hiker we left behind but I haven't heard back from her yet.
Too Big a Hiking Group
Today was a double-birthday hike for the WI group. We started out with 25 but the grandparents, their daughter and their twin toddler grand kids (adorable!) dropped out. One of the kids wanted to be carried instead of riding in a child carrier and that wasn't going to work for the adults.
We started in Pajarito Acres from Rio Bravo and took the "Unexploded Ordinances" Trail down into Potrillo Canyon. That's not really the trail's name but when one of the hikers saw the warning sign with pictures of unexploded ordinances, she dubbed it accordingly! We crossed Potrillo Canyon and ascended to the saddle between Potrillo and Water canyons. Then, down into Water Canyon and crossing that to pick up the Broken Mesa Trail.
The person leading us suggested that we go up the north side of the mesa rather than going the longer way around and up the rockier, steeper south side. I scouted ahead and found a route that looked doable by everyone. We all got up except for one woman who preferred going up from the south side.
On top, everyone looked at the small house ruin and kiva on Broken Mesa. I heard one woman wonder aloud "I came up to see that!" Obviously, it didn't impress her!
The plan was that everyone would eat their lunch back in Pajarito Acres so, therefore, most hikers didn't carry their lunch. People were now getting very hungry and wanted to start heading back. I started leading folks down the easy way we came up but didn't notice that the nominal leader took others down a different, steeper way. One hiker fell on the steeper route but was unhurt.
When we all got back to the Broken Mesa Trail, I asked about the woman who had separated from the group but no one knew where she was. As we crossed Water Canyon, several of us wanted to stop and make a head count but by that time, the group by had split into two.
At Water Canyon, I waited a while to see if the woman would show up but that created its own problems because then the group ended up waiting for me at Potrillo Canyon.
I hope the woman got back safely. I didn't attend the party so I don't know if she eventually showed up. I will make a greater effort in the future to keep closer track of everyone. I myself should have told someone that I was waiting behind. Things can get confusing in a large group.
People said that the missing woman lives in White Rock and would be able to find her way back but what if she had fallen and couldn't walk? The group called her cell phone but could only leave a message.
We started in Pajarito Acres from Rio Bravo and took the "Unexploded Ordinances" Trail down into Potrillo Canyon. That's not really the trail's name but when one of the hikers saw the warning sign with pictures of unexploded ordinances, she dubbed it accordingly! We crossed Potrillo Canyon and ascended to the saddle between Potrillo and Water canyons. Then, down into Water Canyon and crossing that to pick up the Broken Mesa Trail.
The person leading us suggested that we go up the north side of the mesa rather than going the longer way around and up the rockier, steeper south side. I scouted ahead and found a route that looked doable by everyone. We all got up except for one woman who preferred going up from the south side.
On top, everyone looked at the small house ruin and kiva on Broken Mesa. I heard one woman wonder aloud "I came up to see that!" Obviously, it didn't impress her!
The plan was that everyone would eat their lunch back in Pajarito Acres so, therefore, most hikers didn't carry their lunch. People were now getting very hungry and wanted to start heading back. I started leading folks down the easy way we came up but didn't notice that the nominal leader took others down a different, steeper way. One hiker fell on the steeper route but was unhurt.
When we all got back to the Broken Mesa Trail, I asked about the woman who had separated from the group but no one knew where she was. As we crossed Water Canyon, several of us wanted to stop and make a head count but by that time, the group by had split into two.
At Water Canyon, I waited a while to see if the woman would show up but that created its own problems because then the group ended up waiting for me at Potrillo Canyon.
I hope the woman got back safely. I didn't attend the party so I don't know if she eventually showed up. I will make a greater effort in the future to keep closer track of everyone. I myself should have told someone that I was waiting behind. Things can get confusing in a large group.
People said that the missing woman lives in White Rock and would be able to find her way back but what if she had fallen and couldn't walk? The group called her cell phone but could only leave a message.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Burnt Mesa Wonders
Who knew you could get to the eagle traps from the Indian plaza ruin? Haven't done it yet but the connection is obvious when you're at the plaza ruin because you're looking across the side canyon to Frijoles Canyon that's just below the point of the mesa with the two south-facing eagle traps.
This connection was discovered when I went to Burnt Mesa today with Tuesday hikers. Last Wednesday, also went to Burnt Mesa but with the Wednesday hikers. Great minds think alike! The Wednesday group, though, went to the eagle traps while the Tuesday group fell for my line about leading them to the Indian plaza ruin. Besides which, they really wanted to walk out to the end of the "classic" Burnt Mesa Trail.
I had trouble finding the elk exclosure (only my second time taking hikers to the plaza) which is just north of the plaza ruin. Fortunately I had told the others to look out for it and someone who's sharp-eyed spotted it for me!
Here's the deal: Turn south off the "classic" Burnt Mesa Trail when you get to the Saguaro Snag (just north of the trail) a little over 1 1/2 mile in (wild estimate) from the trailhead just off NM4. Head toward the Burnt Totem Pole Snag and then toward the V for Victory Snag. You're generally heading south going out to the ruin and north going back to the "classic" trail.
I also showed them the CCC dam which is inexplicably built in a completely dry draw. I hope to one day lead them to the two eagle traps and the deer trap along the way. Once you know how to find them, it's really a cinch!
This connection was discovered when I went to Burnt Mesa today with Tuesday hikers. Last Wednesday, also went to Burnt Mesa but with the Wednesday hikers. Great minds think alike! The Wednesday group, though, went to the eagle traps while the Tuesday group fell for my line about leading them to the Indian plaza ruin. Besides which, they really wanted to walk out to the end of the "classic" Burnt Mesa Trail.
I had trouble finding the elk exclosure (only my second time taking hikers to the plaza) which is just north of the plaza ruin. Fortunately I had told the others to look out for it and someone who's sharp-eyed spotted it for me!
Here's the deal: Turn south off the "classic" Burnt Mesa Trail when you get to the Saguaro Snag (just north of the trail) a little over 1 1/2 mile in (wild estimate) from the trailhead just off NM4. Head toward the Burnt Totem Pole Snag and then toward the V for Victory Snag. You're generally heading south going out to the ruin and north going back to the "classic" trail.
I also showed them the CCC dam which is inexplicably built in a completely dry draw. I hope to one day lead them to the two eagle traps and the deer trap along the way. Once you know how to find them, it's really a cinch!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Powerline Mesa Trail-Broken Mesa Trail
Pleasant hike with 3 women of the Monday hiking group on Broken Mesa Trail, starting from the Powerline Mesa Trail. We didn't go up on top of Broken Mesa to see the small house ruin and kiva-like ruin nor did we go out on the unnamed mesa at the saddle for an overlook of the Rio Grande. They had gone on this hike before and had a hot lunch date back in La Senda. I was invited too but had to go home to see a talk at the senior center on kidney health.
The weather was good - no snow or ice on the trail. Snow had been predicted last night but didn't materialize. They had their car parked at where the Broken Mesa Trail starts on NM4. My car was parked at the Powerline Mesa Trail so I walked the connector trail back. They would have taken me back but, "when in doubt, take a hike". It was very quiet after they departed - lonely.
Daughter ran the Powerpoint slide show at the doctor's talk. Was fun to see her there and she did a good job! Talk was interesting. Take care of your kidneys because dialysis is an imperfect, stop gap measure that at best only buys time until a kidney becomes available.
The weather was good - no snow or ice on the trail. Snow had been predicted last night but didn't materialize. They had their car parked at where the Broken Mesa Trail starts on NM4. My car was parked at the Powerline Mesa Trail so I walked the connector trail back. They would have taken me back but, "when in doubt, take a hike". It was very quiet after they departed - lonely.
Daughter ran the Powerpoint slide show at the doctor's talk. Was fun to see her there and she did a good job! Talk was interesting. Take care of your kidneys because dialysis is an imperfect, stop gap measure that at best only buys time until a kidney becomes available.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
FR289 aka Dome Road
Had the urge to take a walk in the Jemez today. Thought that the Dome Road, starting from its intersection with NM4 and going out to Graduation Flats, might be just the ticket for a flat, easy walk to soothe my recalcitrant right foot - WRONG! It was a nice enough walk - not much wind, warm, sunny and dry BUT... I picked Thanksgiving Day weekend when everyone and his brother get the urge to drive in on that road to gather their Christmas trees. (What a lovely tradition - go murder a tree and then decorate the corpse for your living room. Oh, well, curmudgeon, there's plenty of trees up there and if it brings joy to someone, then so be it... I hope, at least, that people will try to somehow recycle the trees after Christmas. Here in Los Alamos County they can be taken to the Eco Station to be chipped and composted.)
I counted close to 50 vehicles passing me on that road. Some slowed down as they passed and that helped to keep the dust down. Others sped by in a cloud of dust but waved a friendly greeting as they bore down on me.
In addition to breathing in lots of dust, I'm sure that I caught a welcome whiff of freshly cut pine as the trees trundled by! Most of the trees were normal size but two were quite large and had to be hauled out on long, flat bed trailers.
The road is in fairly good shape although the wash-board-y parts are no more fun to walk than they are to drive. The road is not as kind to my sore foot as FR181 aka American Springs Road.
On one of my pit stops in the woods, I saw a coyote trotting along the Bandelier XC ski trail. It stopped and looked at me and wouldn't move away until I spoke. It wasn't dangerously close but I didn't think it would be prudent to pee while it was hanging around!
I have to email Bandelier about the "Area Closed" signs I saw. They say that the public can't use or travel the area of Bandelier National Monument that's behind the signs. It happens to be the area of land between two parcels of private property in the national park. Makes me mad because it's giving the private property owners defacto exclusive possession of land that belongs to all of us!!
I counted close to 50 vehicles passing me on that road. Some slowed down as they passed and that helped to keep the dust down. Others sped by in a cloud of dust but waved a friendly greeting as they bore down on me.
In addition to breathing in lots of dust, I'm sure that I caught a welcome whiff of freshly cut pine as the trees trundled by! Most of the trees were normal size but two were quite large and had to be hauled out on long, flat bed trailers.
The road is in fairly good shape although the wash-board-y parts are no more fun to walk than they are to drive. The road is not as kind to my sore foot as FR181 aka American Springs Road.
On one of my pit stops in the woods, I saw a coyote trotting along the Bandelier XC ski trail. It stopped and looked at me and wouldn't move away until I spoke. It wasn't dangerously close but I didn't think it would be prudent to pee while it was hanging around!
I have to email Bandelier about the "Area Closed" signs I saw. They say that the public can't use or travel the area of Bandelier National Monument that's behind the signs. It happens to be the area of land between two parcels of private property in the national park. Makes me mad because it's giving the private property owners defacto exclusive possession of land that belongs to all of us!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Hat-Flipping Winds
Windy today on FR181. Tiny snowflakes were flying around. Time to pull out the winter hiking togs. The wind cut right through my summer weight pants. Four shirts and a windbreaker kept my torso warm but the selection of gloves/mittens in the windbreaker's pockets was unimpressive. I think it's safe to retire the fingerless glove liners for now!
Tripped again (but didn't fall) on cut down NM locusts at edge of road. Threw more of them well clear of the road.
My damnable posterior tibial tendon dysfunction has slowly come back. My days of walking off-trail may be over. May as well forget about ever getting to Loco Triangle/Bonita Point. I can't find supportive hiking boots and without support, my right foot turns inward on uneven ground due to the weakened tendon. Walking on the Route is probably out of the question too since it's rough and uneven. I'll be grateful to be able to continue walking on trails and dirt roads
I checked out some cardio DVDs from the library today. I'm half wondering if they would be less stressful for my right foot.
I have new snowshoes in the closet but I suspect that snowshoeing would just be asking for more foot problems. Anyway, it's supposed to be doubtful that we'll even get much snow this year due to the La Niña, which brings warmer, drier weather to the Southwest.
I'm doing strengthening and stretching exercises for my right foot every day but the truth is that it won't get better until I entirely rest the foot for a while and I hate that! We have a wonderful swimming pool but I dread the thought of being forced to use it again to rest my foot. I'm just not a water person!! If it comes to that, I'd rather join the gym and use their stationary recumbent bicycle. Phooey, phooey, phooey!!!
Tripped again (but didn't fall) on cut down NM locusts at edge of road. Threw more of them well clear of the road.
My damnable posterior tibial tendon dysfunction has slowly come back. My days of walking off-trail may be over. May as well forget about ever getting to Loco Triangle/Bonita Point. I can't find supportive hiking boots and without support, my right foot turns inward on uneven ground due to the weakened tendon. Walking on the Route is probably out of the question too since it's rough and uneven. I'll be grateful to be able to continue walking on trails and dirt roads
I checked out some cardio DVDs from the library today. I'm half wondering if they would be less stressful for my right foot.
I have new snowshoes in the closet but I suspect that snowshoeing would just be asking for more foot problems. Anyway, it's supposed to be doubtful that we'll even get much snow this year due to the La Niña, which brings warmer, drier weather to the Southwest.
I'm doing strengthening and stretching exercises for my right foot every day but the truth is that it won't get better until I entirely rest the foot for a while and I hate that! We have a wonderful swimming pool but I dread the thought of being forced to use it again to rest my foot. I'm just not a water person!! If it comes to that, I'd rather join the gym and use their stationary recumbent bicycle. Phooey, phooey, phooey!!!
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