After 6 weeks of working out on a recumbent bike in my sister's Jazzercise studio, I was looking forward to my first Art Smith hike
Miracle Marilyn picked me up and we met Sister Sally at the TH. Due to the right shoulder fracture, I opted for a waist pack provided by Marilyn. Also only took one pole for my left arm. Felt off-balance with only one pole and the waist pack, so opted to not use a pole. It was heavenly to be outside with my friends on a new trail and last Tues was the coolest day of the week. My workout up to this point was expending 700 calories in under an hour on the recumbent bike. I can't stand any gym cardio workout lasting longer than an hour. The hike and company were wonderful. Our ultra friend Sandy started an hour behind us and caught up about 6 miles in. I was tiring and considered turning around but wanted to get to the picnic tables and see Dunn Road. We had lunch at the picnic tables and headed back. I started fatiguing on the climbs and kicked myself mentally for taking on a 16 mile hike for my first post-op adventure
Between my fractured ankle (2008), spinal fusions and broken shoulder, my walking style resembled Quasimoto -- the hunchback of Notre Dame. Fortunately, the three Musketeers took care of me and we eventually made it back to the TH.I'm looking forward to my next hike and will use a daypack and two hiking poles
Latest shoulder XRay:
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
or is it rated "PG"? 
