I decided to try and retire this year, not sure financially this was a good decision, but mental and physical I know I have to try and I know it will help keep me healthy. If I stay healhty and active I will stay out of the hospital I hope.
A trail day is helping repair and maintain a multi use ( horse back, hiking, running and mountain biking) network of trails. I live in a beautiful part of the world, the foot hills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There are several networks of trails and trail associations here, we are very lucky. I think my favorite trails to work on are the old classic trails in Kananaskis Country. Most of these trails haven't seen any attention in many years, so they are over grown and eroded. The trails are often in a remote wilderness area, so getting to them can often be an adventure, we hike, bike and use e bikes to get to locations. You have to be prepared to be there for several hours, with enough food, water and extra layers in case the weather changes. The work it's self can be some the most physical work this old body can do. It consist of clearing fallen trees, cutting brush that has grown into the trail, fixing water damage / erosion and re rerouting sections of trail. Because these trails were original built over 30 years ago there wasn't a lot of thought or planing on the routes they took. Often the trails were built in low wet areas, or straight up steep hills so water has been running down them causing deep ditches. You can often find your self moving rocks, carrying buckets of dirt and digging drainage so the water will run off the trail in a controlled manner. You are out there working with a enthusiastic, happy group of volunteers and employees and met by smiling trails users. The locations are beautiful, I find myself stopping just to take in the views. Doing all this at the age of 62, living with the ongoing stress of 3 month follow up scopes to keep an eye on the constant grown of new polyps caused by FAP, after the Whipple surgery and with moderate arthritis affecting my hands, wrist, neck and lower back brings a whole new set of challenges. I often find myself having to just stop what I am doing, move on to a less demanding task or sitting down, since I am a volunteer I can do that.
To get ready for the day I get up at least 2 hours before I have to leave. It takes me that long to eat breakfast, I have to eat slow, small amounts and take my vitamins/minerals. Part of my morning routine is, and it helps make me slow down eating, is to stretch as I eat. I know the stretching is helping me, I really have to focus on my core and random dance parties are the thing I enjoy the most lol. Even on non trail days I do the stretching and add in light weights to help keep in shape. I try to get enough calories in early in the day so I can have a fun day but also have to pay attention while I am out on the trails. I realize if I am burning as many calories as I am taking in I have to pay close attention to stay ahead of things. I have to take breaks and continue to eat small amounts to hit my calorie intake levels, if not I can't really make it up later unless I stay up later to continue eating. If I eat too much at once or too fast it can leave me with a very strange full feeling and nauseated because of the changes made to the digestive track after the Whipple. I know how important it is to keep up with my calories, protein and hydration. If I miss too many food breaks it will start to show as my energy level, and moods will change. I usually try to eat most of my 8 or 9 small meals/snacks before 6 pm each day, after that I have to slow down and eat less so I can sleep with out any digestion or stomach issues.
At the end of the trail day I am exhausted, tired and sore, but have a great feeling of accomplishment. On the drive home I have keep up with the eating so I can recover and be able to get back out there again, or enjoy a mountain bike ride with my friends. At home it's time to do more stretching, shower and as always eating. I can only do 2 or maybe 3 days a week, it's a constant balance of eating enough, resting and knowing when it's time to take a few days off. Nights after a trail day I have a great sleep.
Most mornings I don't want to get out of bed and start the 2 hour routine, but I remind myself of how lucky I am to be able to do what I can do. I find my self reflecting on what it was like to be in the hospital for 140 days, laying there concerned my new normal life may not go the way I had planned. I had a lot of complications after the Whipple and realize I am so fortunate to get back to the life I love. Doing these trail days takes me back to my Happy Places and one way I can give back to the universe for my good luck.
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Trail day Oct 2025. |
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| All smiles riding after working on the trail. |
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