After seven weeks of rest, recuperation, rehabilitation, and a bit of hibernation I found it very liberating to be back up in the shed this week doing what I love, something that is part of my everyday existence, my every day ritual – exercise.
A little over a week ago I gave the rehabilitation boot, the boot, literally, after getting the all okay from the doctor, and strewth, how good was that!
Geez, you never want to take mobility for granted, it’s a bugger when you lose it!
For those that are new, having a seniors moment, or maybe just missed it, I had an Achilles operation on my left foot, and a spur clearance on my right ankle about seven weeks ago…
Yes, to legs out of action at the same time, lucky for me though I had Janet and TomO taking good care of me!
After climbing in New Zealand during January it became very obvious to me that if I am to continue pursuing my dream of scaling some of the world’s highest mountains, heaven forbid, maybe even Mount Everest, than something had to be done to fix these problems that had been progressively getting worse.
The rehabilitation phase is well under way I am being extremely well cared for by my wonderful physiotherapist, Paula, from the Joint Health Clinic in downtown Sydney.
And can I just say this, crikey, how good is it to be back up in the shed.
A bit of The Angels, one of my favourite Aussie rock bands, belting out of those little Bose speakers to get me motivated, the sound of free weights moving and some time on my new spin bike.
Even the neighbours are happy to hear that music signifying that I am slowly, but surely, returning to normal. Yeah, okay, maybe they could do with a little less of The Angels.
And on climbing?
Well it is far too early to return to the mountains, in fact I wouldn’t be able to squeeze on my rock climbing shoes, that is a hard task even under normal circumstances, but the swelling would make it an impossible task presently.
And what about those big mountains?
Well, if I were to be brutally honest with myself, I would most likely come to the conclusion that my trip to Nepal this year is slowly slipping away from me. Whilst the recovery is right on track, it was always going to be a very marginal thing as to whether I recover in time or not.
But in the true style of an eternal and ever optimistic Sagittarian I’m not discounting it yet.
But here is the deal, climbing mountains isn’t a bucket list thing for me that I can just tick off, but something I want to live, enjoy, relish in, and return from. So being in peak condition is key to my safety and that of those around me.
The mountains will always be there.
But there is plenty of adventure in my sights regardless, including this year’s Hawkesbury Classic Kayak Race, 111-gruelling kilometres down the Hawkesbury River, and if I don’t get to Nepal, I’m confident of lining up in next year’s Coast-to-Coast Race, a cycle, run, and kayak race that takes you 243-kilometres across New Zealand’s South Island…
Xplore 
Back out living life your way……
Nothing’s going to hold you down!
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Phew… Glad to hear you’re on the mend, and we’ll keep the fingers crossed for you for Nepal! Take care.
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I’m going to pick the locks of that shed of yours!! Crikey indeed!! I’m reduced to using the local climbing wall. But that’s okay too.
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Well I’m hoping to get down there and join you at some stage!
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Happy to see you back on your feet pal!
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Thanks…kind of missed them 🙂
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Loving your determination and love of life. Go for it! 🙂
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And going for it a a million miles an hour, well almost 😉
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I’m happy to hear that you’ve made it back to the Shed Baz – look after yourself 🙂
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The Shed, font of all knowledge known to humankind, exercise equipment, and um, a bar fridge!
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I love your infectious positive attitude Baz. All the best with your recovery and training! – Simone
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Thanks Simone!
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Ditto Simone’s message: she’s right on. Moving something forward is just an adaptation. Good idea to see how the healing develops and adapt to how your ankles feel after the lion’s share of the healing is done. Nepal will still be there!
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Thanks Mike!
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Those are tough decisions to make, postponing a long planned dream a little longer, but your sense of priorities is to be admired. Good luck with your continued recovery!
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I’m a lover of yogi philosophy and if I learned anything from it, there is a reason for everything and the way it happens… So I’ll bide my time!
And you? How is the new place?
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Going well, thanks for asking. House is working out great, we are in hot and humid summer here (my least favorite time of year). Found a good, well paying job which I start TODAY! Life is falling into place, but like you, I bide my time, until such time that I can spend another year in Maine! 🙂
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Love that view in the first photo! I know what you mean about having some physical ailments that nag at you. I need to get a hammertoe operated on and now I have a “pain in my but”…perhaps sciatic nerve, but I’m still jogging, hiking, doing yoga, etc. It’s great that you have the passion that you do!! I have to say you look quite handsome even though your legs were bandaged up! Happy Sunday!
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Strewth, now I’m really blushing. Note to self, get those bandages out every so often 😉
But you know, the climbing is something to be enjoyed, and if I’m not right, I’m not right, so best to delay. Plenty of other things to get up to!
And crikey, sciatic pain is the pits…hope you get over that!
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so glad you’re recovering well! I’ve missed you. and you’re right about nepal. if it doesn’t work this year, maybe next.. plenty of adventures in your future!! love – ‘wouldn’t want to be dead for quids.’ – i buy that, absolutely!
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Thank you (blushing) Well, I working on the basis that the mountains aren’t going anywhere… Um, and two scoops for me please!
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two mountainous scoops!!
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Glad to hear the mending is going well and very pleased that you’re taking such a sensible approach. A great shame if as you suspect, your plans don’t go ahead but so many other adventures to be had in the meantime!
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Geez,me sensible (you can fool some of them some of the time 😉 ) But, yes, realistically it is slipping away this year, but plenty of other things to keep us busy!
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Well you know Baz, I watch ALL the “I survived” and “I Shouldn’t be alive” and “Seconds from Disaster” shows…So I worry about people like you 🙂
Watched a fascinating one about avalanches the other day. Amazing what snowflakes do!
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great to hear from you :} and sounds like you have a good game plan :}
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Thanks BG, I did get on the rower a week ago, but I’m not getting enough flexibility going forward on the “catch” so leaving that for another couple of weeks…
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I was just thinking about you the other day when I read some articles about climbing Everest and other high peaks. Not sure what the article was anymore but I even thought – I wonder whether Baz has read this. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures as you recover.
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Thanks…!
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The mountains will always be there ! enjoy the shed for awhile huh??
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Oh yes, on both counts!
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