I went off the anti-inflammatory pills last Sunday and by Wednesday was noticeably limping again - so back on the pills.  I went to physio-therapy three times last week and am scheduled to go again this week three times.  I  walked 5 days last week including today when I walked with the Hiking Club for the first time since hurting my knee.  It was a very beautiful day here today, about 14C and very sunny.  That being said, there were only five hikers out today.  I suspect it might have been that we just finished having 24 hours of rain and some folks may have thought we were doing trails today, but it was all on a paved path.  I took a few pictures which I will post below.

Things are looking up!

My knee feels much better, although still by no means back to normal.  I have been going on shorter, 5 mile walks that are on flat surfaces.  I have had three physio treatments so far with three more scheduled for this coming week.  The physiotherapist says that the more walking I do, the better it is for my knee.  I am hestitate though as the knee is sore when I am walking.  Tomorrow will be the first day that I am going back off of the anti-inflamitories again.  I want to see what the knee will be like without them.  Hopefully by next Sunday I will be able to tell you that the knee is all better :)

On a happier note, I think I have finally found the perfect sleeping back for me.  It weighs less than 2 lbs, is big enough for my big body, and provides more privacy that the sleeping sack which I pictured in a previous blog.  We will see.  I think it is about the 4th or 5th bag I have bought now.  Still trying to figure out how to deal with rain.  Poncho, rain jacket, umbrella, all three, or maybe nothing.  I am sure a rain on a 30C day would feel good.

MEC Caravan Sleeping Bag +10C Weight: 1.18kg (Long) This generously cut bag provides plenty of room, even if you’re a large or lively sleeper. The roomy foot section permits your feet to find a relaxed position without fighting the bag or crushing the insulation. A full length zip lets you convert it to a comforter on warm nights. For all its luxury, the Caravan still comes in at a reasonable weight and packed size. Shell is polyester. Lining is nylon. Insulated with Hyperloft Eco, with 50% recycled content. Offset-quilt construction to prevent cold spots at the stitching lines. Drawcord with single-point adjustment. Roll top stuff sack included.

Doctor

 I did not walk until Wednesday and then tried 5 kms at work.  Every step was painful and the knee was very sore that night.  But I wanted to try it out as I had a doctor's appointment the next morning.

The doctor said that the pain was coming from swelling in the knee.  She prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and said to continue walking but maybe not so far and to walk on flat surfaces for now.

I asked her about going to physio-therapy and she said that I could if I wanted.  So my first physio-therapy session was Friday.  They hooked my knee up to a machine that sent electric current through it for 20 minutes which made it really tingle.  I do not think it made any difference to the knee, but it was only the first session.  I will be going there again next week.

I walked 5 kms on Saturday on the flat roads around my house.  Every step had a bit of pain with it, but manageable.  Maybe this is something that you just have to work through?  My biggest concern was continuing walking and making the knee worst but neither the doctor or physiotherapist seem to think it will.  On Sunday I walked another 5 kms and although there still pain, I think it was a bit better.

We will see what next week brings :)

Seinfelt Episode - Much To Do About Nothing

By Monday, my knee was so sore I could barely put weight on it.  So I shut down all of my training - completely.  All week I worked through my lunches like I did for too many years instead of going for noon hour walks.  I was completely lost with myself this weekend missing the 3+ hour Saturday hike and today's 1.5 hour club hike.  I was so bored that today I went out into the backyard and picked up sticks from a recent windstorm.

So I apologize but this blog entry is much to do about nothing - like a Jerry Seinfelt episode.  I have no hiking stories to report.  Instead I thought I would list some of my hiking gear that I have gathered so far. See below.

Beach Towel that folds very small

A sleeping bag that is smaller than a baseball

My backpack with crests

Still experimenting with different socks

Passport or 'credential'

I wish this was me in the picture

Headlamps for seeing in the dark

These shoes are so comfortable - may take them instead of hiking boots

Niagara Gorge, 22 kms, and sore knee

You have to squeeze through here

Believe it or not, there is a trail across here

This past Monday it was sunny and just above freezing so I went to the Niagara Gorge which I think is the most amazing place around here to hike.  There is a loop that takes just under two hours to hike it and I did the loop twice - taking me just under four hours!

Very seldom do I have pictures of me hiking but I came upon another hiker who took my picture

This is the trail as it winds out of the gorge

The stones act as stairs climbing up

In the summer you would not see the Niagara River through these trees because of the leaves

Over the bridge

........through the fields

 On Saturdays, the hiking club always has a two hour hike and a longer 3+ hour hike.  The 3+ hour hike this week was a 22 km hike which started in St Catharines and headed south, up and through the Niagara Escarpment, through fields, across bridges, along waterways, in some areas that were very muddy - and then back.  The hike took 4 hours and 45 minutes - my longest hike now so far.  I did not have many pictures because only the very good hikers selected the longer hike which was rated as fast speed and moderate terrain and quite frankly, during a lot of it, I had trouble keeping up.  P.S.  The hiker with the backpack is Charo who is leaving for the Camino on March 22nd!

......and over the streams to grandma's house we go.

 Today (Sunday) I just hiked a 12 km road course around home which took me 2 hours and 4 minutes.  My left knee is becoming very sore and I may have to shut down for a week or two - I will try it on 8 km hikes during the upcoming week to see how it reacts.

A Couple of Hikes and a New Hat :)

 Saturday's Hike (first three pictures) was called the Thorold loop - it was a three hour hike along the Welland Canal and through some trails around the city of Thorold.

 Today's (Sunday) hike was in an area that was originally called St John's, which was settled in the late 1700's.  It was a short hike lasting only 75 minutes but is a nice hike along some very steep hills and supervised by some curious on-lookers (next three pictures)

Lastly, I bought a Tilley hat.  These hats are Canadian and famous world wide.  Since I will be walking the Camino in September, I will need some sun protection - something better than the many baseball hats that I own.  These hats are very expensive, but are guaranteed for life and include insurance if you loose them in the first two years.

Arctic Blast Hits Niagara Falls area

 Had a pretty good week.  Was able to work out all seven days.  Five of the days walking, and two days on an exercise bike while I was on the road overnight for work.  A week ago on Saturday the temperatures hit 5C and I spoke about all of the mud on the trails.  This weekend we got blasted with some arctic air from the North.  Yesterday six of us started at a place called Dain City which is just south of Welland and hiked along the Welland Canal to the middle of the town of Port Colborne, and then back again.  The hike to Port Colborne was not too bad as the wind was on our backs, but we had to walk face first into the headwind all of the way back.  I had so much ice form on my face that it actually became hard to see.  The temperature was -18C with windchill.  The hike lasted 3 hours and 20 minutes and covered about 16 kms.  Today (Sunday), it was warmer – only a windchill of -13C.  I skipped my first Sunday hike with the club since I joined in September choosing instead to walk locally.  I went 7 kms and wore my backpack for some practice.  I find that I walk a lot slower when I have it on.  The first three kms were very cold, but after that, I had the wind on my back.  The pictures are from Saturday's hike.