05.22.2010 - THE FIRST CHALLENGE
Mount Sanitas Loop Trail
Trailhead-Mount Sanitas
Roundtrip distance-3.1 miles
Difficulty level-moderate to difficult;
Approximate one-way hiking time-1 hour and 30 minutes to summit;
Restroom facilities-no
Elevation-6,863 feet at the summit;
This is my friend Regina, who has agreed to coach, nag, and otherwise train me for the Pike's Peak Challenge. Regina lives in Boulder and hikes several times a week. She is brave and she is tough, and she is a tree hugger.
Randy said I needed new shoes. Since he is more familiar with exercise than I am, and since new shoes never upset me, I believed him and invested in some New Balance 645 walking shoes (tan), which I found on sale at Nordstrom Rack.
The trail was beautiful. The sun was hot. I could not stop huffing and puffing. Boy, am I out of shape. Note to self: Bring more water next time!
Since this was the first outing, Regina let me take a break halfway up. This is more like it.
We ate lunch at the top and made our way back to Regina's place. About halfway down, I twisted my ankle. It hurt for just a few seconds and then it was back to work. They say going down can be more dangerous than going up. When I got home, I noticed that my ankle was very swollen so I spent the rest of the night on the couch with my foot elevated and the Cryo-Cuff on.
As the week went on, my ankle stayed swollen and I developed two black and blue racing stripes on either side of my foot. I should have taken a picture, but I didn't so you'll just have to believe me.
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