Work to do!

   This may be short, but if you've read my posts before, you also know how long winded I can become. (sorry?)
   Wow! Am I middle aged?  is life catching up to me, or maybe even about to run me over?  I have got some work to do!  For those who don't know, I am "doing" Scouts with Ian and Ben, and I have joined the ranks as an assistant scout master for troop 200, in Heber Springs.  The troop is sponsored by the Methodist Church, but has quite a mix of boys and leaders from various community churches.
   We don't have a troop in the Batesville branch, because for many years, the only boys interested have been ours, and adult male leadership was (ans still is) sparse.  Troop 200 is very active, and Ian really wants to get his Eagle rank.  He will have to work hard, but this troop is making that a real possibility.
   Well, I got excited, and volunteered to be one of the adult leaders to go with the boys to Philmont Scout Ranch this summer.  That is in New Mexico, and is a great experience.  Then, I got "voluntold" that I was needed as a crew chief (or whatever title), because we were going to need 2 crews, and I had been there before.  Yeah, as a 16 year old Scout!  and not in bad shape at the time, I might add.  Working out with our top ranked high school basketball team really helped my stamina.
   well now I am......older than 16...... and I have just seen the writing on the wall.  Last weekend, we did a practice hike down at Petit Jean mountain.  It is a nice plateau, with some great trails.  Significant up and down, absolutely gorgeous.  The total hike was about 12 miles.  I did great for the first 6.  I was not huffing and puffing, inspite of some pretty steep climbs, and I thought I would make it without major mishap.  I expected my legs would be really sore in the days to follow, but that's no big!  One long (easy?) downhill stretch ended that confidence.
   It was an old service road, winding down the hill for maybe 1-1.5 miles, to a point where we had to cross a stream.  One knee started hurting because of the jarring motion from hiking downhill.  On the other side of the creek was a long climb.  Not too painful going up, but the first downhill stretch after that, and I knew finishing the hike would be very hard.  Both knees were "screaming" at every step, especially any going down.  The tendons, muscles, and joints were just done.  I managed to finish about 9 miles of the hike, but when the last three included some of the toughest up and down canyon walls trails in the entire hike, I knew I would only become a problem.  Fortunately, this trail system is intertwined with sevice roads and highways ( it is a state park with great camping and recreation) so Jim, our injured scoutmaster, was able to get a pick-up vehicle to my location.  Needless to say, I was not happy with that performance.

I have hobbled round all week, particularly taking stairs at school with great care.  My legs are feeling much better today, but now the real work begins.  I have to get in shape!  That's it!  I have about 40 pounds to lose, and even as important, I have to get this bod, particularly these legs, ready to spend two weeks hiking up and down mountains with a loaded backpack!  I felt fine in terms of breathing and strength, but there is always room for improvement.  The real issue will be, are my joints and muscles going to take the "beating" without complaint?  I'll keep you posted.