Sensory Strides podcast

Quote “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” John F. Kennedy

Welcome to the Sensory Strides podcast. Observations of the world through activity, reading, listening, and everything else.

My husband and I had planned our weeklong summer vacation to Colorado for the past week. However, multiple things occurred that caused us to delay the vacation a month or so. However, I definitely needed a break, and it was the weekend of our fifth wedding anniversary, so we ended up taking a four-day weekend.

We were going to head to Duluth / Superior since neither of us had been there before, but there were very few motel rooms to be had and the ones available were way out of the price range I was willing to spend.

Instead, we headed to Iowa to bike ride all weekend. Without even having a plan when we left on Friday morning, we couldn’t have ended up with a better weekend. I had heard about the High Trestle Trail for many years, mostly because I still listen to Ragbrai and Iowa Bike Coalition’s podcast “Just Go Bike”. I had seen pictures and was intrigued. We got to the area early enough on Friday to ride a portion of the trail and still check into our motel room, eat dinner, and head back to see the bridge lit up at night. The trail is amazing. Super smooth and very wide, so even though there was plenty of bike traffic, there weren’t any passing issues with a narrow path.

JustGoBike (pod.link)

High Trestle Trail | What We Do | INHF

Saturday, we headed south of Des Moines and rode part of the Great Western Trail, which took us past the Des Moines airport. We got to see a couple of jets landing and a few taking off. We then hopped in the car and headed towards downtown and rode along the river and up to the capital building. We also rode by Principal Park where I snapped a few pictures for my daughter who is a Cubs fan. The Cub’s minor league team plays in Des Moines.

Great Western Trail - Polk County Iowa

Principal Park | Cubs (milb.com)

While in Des Moines, we realized the 70.3 Ironman was happening Sunday. Since I am usually a participant and not a spectator and an Ironman race is known to be so well run, we decided to spectate. However, thunderstorms rolled through overnight and early morning, and no one was sure if the race would even happen. So, we didn’t bother setting an alarm and decided to play by ear. While it did take us longer to get to parking than we planned, we still were able to sleep in a bit and get to the race while the swim was in high gear. They didn’t end up starting until 9:45 and they had to cut the bike distance in half to reduce the time impact.

(10) IRONMAN 70.3 Des Moines | Facebook

WOW! That was a lot of people and a lot of logistics! I’m not sure I would have done my 70.3 if I had spectated a race of that distance beforehand. It was exhausting just watching the participants.

Overall, it was a great, relaxing weekend with lots of fresh air. Just what I needed.

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to check our show notes for links to inspiration items and ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

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Quote “One of the main benefits of spending time in nature is stress reduction.” – Richard Louv

Welcome to the Sensory Strides podcast. Observations of the world through activity, reading, listening, and everything else.

The last few months I have not been as active as I normally am. I had slipped into a depression and was struggling to come out of it. While I recognized my poor mental health status, one of the tactics I used was to eliminate the non-essential items on my list.

I am a list maker and there is always something to do on that list. What I was realizing was my brain and body needed a break from some of those items. So I took a step back from many of the external activities I am involved in and reduced my contributions. While doing this, I also reduced my activity. Even my activity was a list – either a training schedule or a weekly goal of so many minutes of movement.

While stepping back helped me return to a stronger state of mind, the lack of physical activities may have slowed the progress. My husband and I went for a walk last week and I realized how much those walks improve my mental state. That time outdoors, even if my husband and I are talking or I am listening to a podcast or a book, allows my brain to take a break. The fresh air invigorates me and refreshes my soul.

I’m still struggling with keeping a good mental balance, recognizing those things I can control and those things I can’t control. Of course, the things I can’t control are some of the pieces that are weighing heavily on me right now. I need to recognize there is only so much I can do and I need to let go of those things that I can’t do. This is a difficult balance. I have a great support system, but I am my hardest critic and I need to give myself grace.

I hope you give yourself grace for those items you can’t manage and remember to keep the activities that keep you fulfilled in the forefront, even as you may need to let go of other things.

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to check our show notes for links to inspiration items and ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

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Quote "In a word, let me say: if we might keep in necessary things Unity, in unnecessary things Freedom, and in both Charity, our affairs would certainly be in the best condition." Peter Meiderlin

Welcome to the Sensory Strides podcast. Observations of the world through activity, reading, listening, and everything else.

We used to start conversations talking about the weather or an activity that was happening in our community. Now a days the question is “have you gotten your vaccine?”. I encourage everyone to be more sensitive with this question. Receiving the vaccine can be a very personal decision and could cause others to share personal medical information they may not want to share. Unlike talking about the weather or a public event, the vaccine is a personal health decision.

I am pro vaccine and believe that receiving vaccinations protects not only ourselves, but others as well. Most vaccines have been around for a long time and have a history that makes people more comfortable with them. As people may know, there are questions regarding some vaccines by some people that disagree with vaccines. I encourage everyone to research any vaccine questions you may have by using well defied medical websites and scientific articles. One key is often making sure that the website ends in org (reflecting a nonprofit) or a solid .com website.

I encourage vaccinating but recognize there are some people that are unable to be vaccinated for health reasons. For those able to be vaccinated, we are protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities.

The only person that can make the decision on your health choices is you.

While I was eligible in the very first round of vaccines due to my job, I did not choose to get vaccinated immediately. My concern was not related to the shortened testing timeframes, I was confident no testing pieces were skipped, just the in between testing step waiting periods. I was concerned about long term side effects. I have since reviewed vaccinations and when long term side effects generally appear and my concerns have been alleviated based on what I have learned thorough research.

However, there were many people, my parents included, where any concerns were offset by the potential negative impact from contracting covid based on their age or other health issues. I never undermined any efforts for those that choose to vaccinate. Everyone’s situation is different, and all health choices need to be made based on an individual’s situation.

I urge everyone to be conscious of what other people’s situation may be and not everyone can get the vaccine or choose to get the vaccine. For those that choose not to vaccinate, they should be responsible for their own health and may choose to continue masking and social distancing to maintain their health.

Remember, you cannot know what someone’s personal history and experience is that supports their decisions. While Covid is a public health emergency, everyone has their own story and has to make the decision best for them. Please support each other and don’t judge each other based on physical observations and respect each other’s decisions.

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to check our show notes for links to inspiration items and ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

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Quote “Our elevation must be the result of self-efforts and work of our own hands. No other human power can accomplish it. If we but determine it shall be so, it will be so.” Martin Delany

Welcome to the Sensory Strides podcast. Observations of the world through activity, reading, listening, and everything else.

Welcome to season 5!

During our break I became a Grandma! I’ve had the opportunity to spend time babysitting while my daughter was finally able to finish her clinical rotation for her RN degree. I love spending time with my granddaughter and have even gotten her out on some walks with me.

Most of this winter, I hibernated. My husband and I were pretty good about getting some good long walks in, but once the cold really hit those walks went away. I have been working to get back into the habit of walking, but my schedule has not been cooperative.

While looking forward to goals for this year, I realized I need to do different exercises as it is likely my goals will include some vertical hiking. I have been doing a 30 day lunge challenge in April.

This past weekend I did some geocaching with a local student. We are working together to create some geocaching tips and tricks to support a geocaching challenge the county park group has put together. We visited some of the caches to identify and take pictures for tips that could help new cachers be successful. While climbing some of the trails I could really feel the muscle fatigue from that lunge series which reinforced the need to focus on uphill hiking.

That gets back to the possible goals for this year. My husband and I are headed to Colorado in June. There are two things I am considering. The hike up Pikes Peak and the Manitou Incline. Both are super challenging on their own, but add in the elevation and they are even more difficult. I am confident my husband and I could do a 13 mile hill climb over an entire day in Wisconsin, but add in the extra elevation and no bail out options and I’m not sure it is the best decision for us. The Incline is much more difficult, but shorter and there is a bail out option halfway up. As someone who has to be very conscious to hydrate and pay attention to my body as I am susceptible to altitude sickness, this adds an extra element.

Have you done an interesting Colorado hike? Please share and give me ideas.

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to check our show notes for links to inspiration items and ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

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Quote “A new year can begin only because the old year ends.” Madeleine L'Engle

Welcome to the Sensory Strides podcast. Observations of the world through activity, reading, listening, and everything else.

As we wrap up 2020 my thoughts turn to the new year and what goal to set. When I simplified my goals for 2020 to take a rest year, I had no idea that I would still struggle to meet them. While I covered a lot of miles this year, 382 at this point with 265 of those since September, I did not complete 52 hikes – many of my miles covered the same stretches of pavement. I also did not complete the geocache challenge I planned to do with my mom – although we did have a couple of great caching days and she worked on the goal without me many days.

https://www.geocaching.com/

Looking towards 2021, I’m not confident how well live races will occur, so I’ve looked towards other activities to engage my soul and keep me moving. I want to do the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim challenge, but I’ve learned you really need to start planning for that 2 years in advance. Since shuttle service between the North and South rim is still spotty, it adds additional logistical challenges that I am not willing to take on.

Rim To Rim - The Grand Canyon Experience | The Grand Canyon Experience

While researching the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim, I found a second challenge that would take me somewhere I’ve wanted to visit. When my daughter was in high school, we visited Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, but didn’t make it to the other parks in Utah. There is a Zion Rim to Rim challenge also. This fits much more cleanly into my challenging yet realistic criteria. A bonus is my husband is willing to do this one with me.

Rim to Rim® - Zion | Rim To Rim - The Grand Canyon Experience

I’m looking forward to visiting the other parks I haven’t been to as we visit Utah, not just Zion.

The Mighty 5 | Visit Utah

If the Missoula Marathon happens this year, I would love to participate in memory and celebration of Tony Banovich the Race Director who passed away this summer and meet Dimity and Sarah from Another Mother Runner in person.

- Missoula MarathonMissoula Marathon

Here’s looking forward to resuming travel and racing in 2021.

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to check our show notes for links to inspiration items and ... don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

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Twitter @sherylmrobinson

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