Hike it out, b****.

It is a soft, rainy morning with only a scant amount of sunlight. It is nearing the weekend. The neighborhood is in a collective deep sleep and the day has not the wherewithal to rouse them.

Aaaaand....Scene.

It has probably been about eleventy billion years since I posted last, Twitter has really been my only link to some of you for a while now. It's been really hectic, and I'm still settling into my new life as a cohabitant.

Early August was for a trip to the Adirondacks. The weather was mostly beautiful, but I think it rained more than any of us would have liked. The Adirondacks are a beautiful place to be. It smells good, it looks good, and most of the tourists/hikers/cyclists that are there are just so glad you're there right along with them, that you're part of it too - you know what they know.


The view from our condo balcony

The plan was to hike two high peaks this year, but my foot didn't seem to want to let that happen. A couple of months ago I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis which is not fun to have at all. I have a brace that I am supposed to wear at night that stretches my foot out, and there are exercises I can do as well. It started happening when my running regime got above three miles or so. Needless to say, this made hiking difficult and I was too much of a puss to go the distance. I turned back from our first hike (Blueberry Mountain - not a high peak) about a half mile in. I went to a farmer's market instead.

I hiked to Marcy Dam with Jeff and then turned around while the rest of the group went on to Avalanche Lake (and got caught in a rainstorm). This hike ended up being about 5 miles for me, and it really wasn't all that bad - hence the phrase "Hike it out, bitch." was born. Walking that distance over rocky and not-so-flat terrain actually helped with my poor inflamed plantar.

We left the Adirondacks on a Friday. The following day was the Pedal to the Point cycling tour. I had every intention of doing the full 175 miles (100 on day 1, 75 on day 2) but when we ended up getting home at 2:00 am and I woke up at 5:00 am- I figured doing 100 miles of cycling in 90+ degree weather with no shade on three hours of sleep was a noble enough cause. I called Jeff from Sandusky and asked him to pick me up.

That night, I slept better than I ever have in my life. So you heard it here: If you want to sleep better than you ever have, just ride 100 miles on a bicycle! It's that easy, liketotallysweartogod.

(Ask me about my odd calf tanline later!)

Aside from that, it's been deliciously routine as of late. I have been spending a lot of time with my best friend. We cook, we bike, we do all that stuff that makes some people roll their eyes and feign nausea. Such is my life, and I can't complain. I am planning a tattoo, another century ride, and a trip to Columbus. I will post my review of Etna in Little Italy later - But I will tell you all that you should really check out this place. It's inexpensive and like nothing else I've ever had. Also, the house wines are 5 per glass.