Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:45 am hannegan & granite mountains - 2009-08-23
overcome -verb (used with object)
1. to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat: to overcome the enemy.
2. to prevail over (opposition, a debility, temptations, etc.); surmount: to overcome one's weaknesses.
…i stopped to take a photo of the lush green valley below and icy glacier above on ruth peak that had been in my eye for several minutes. erin b and my roommate, the crazy canadian (TCC), pressed ahead on the trail, opening up a gap. upon resuming hiking, and without even thinking about it, my pace quickened. i felt the pump. i felt the speed. in my mind, only one thought crossed as i closed the gap:
i’m back. i’m back. i’m f-cking back!
what follows in this report does not fall into the beta category. instead, it falls into the personal experience category.
nine weeks may not seem like a long time. a lot of people get caught up in the hustle of life and nine weeks fly by like it was nine minutes. my last nine haven’t really flown; no, they must’ve lost their wings and replaced them with rusty wheels that barely turn. at least that’s what it’s felt like at times.
nine weeks ago i was hit by a truck making an illegal turn while biking to work. one half second sooner and i might not be typing at all.
in that instant, life was put on pause. anything that mattered before that moment no longer registered. it’s like some giant reset button was hit. until this sunday, it was still on pause. now, however, i think its recording again.
mountains have a different impact on all of us. some go out for summits while others head for lakes. there are the kind that stick to trails and the ones that just can’t wait to get off of them. flowers might appeal to one, but to another they’re just in the way of the geology below. each element is uniquely cherished by each unique individual, either consciously or not. for some, mountains offer little more than a hobby, while others make them their passion.
i definitely fall in the passion crowd.
while lying on the gurney in the ER after the ambulance dropped me off, muscles spasming uncontrollably and excruciatingly painfully around my fractured femur , i made a phone call even before the pain meds had set in or the x-rays were taken. i called hollywood: “hollywood, i’ve been in an accident and ... uhh ... won’t be able to climb primus with you guys this weekend.” the tears in my cracking voice matched those in my eyes. they were similar, though less powerful, than those i had a few minutes later when i called hotpantz with whom i planned to share many mountain experiences this summer. knowing that i would have a loss of the mountains was nearly as painful as the physical injury itself.
the next day, surgery took place and a beefy plate was put on my bone with a nice set of screws. from that point on, the healing and recovery could start. support throughout has been nothing short of humbling. thank you all that have offered your kind words and thoughts and actions. and also since that day has been a never ending series of mini-milestones.
mini-milestones
-8 weeks ago: released from hospital.
-7 weeks ago: returned to work and began PT. my leg and muscles barely worked. it was like a dead log. i used the stationary bike and pedaled a blistering 30 rpm pace complete with pain and uncontrollable tears from the mere action: a pedal stroke… this is something i’ve done nearly 10 million times over the course of the past six years, but none were ever quite like this.
-6 weeks ago: 60 rpm on the bike. i can bend my knee without too much pain.
-5 weeks ago: 80 rpm on the bike. most of my quad muscles can now be engaged, though that groin and adductor, they still don’t like me.
-4 weeks ago: 120 rpm on the bike. i can sit down on the ground without the assistance of others.
-3.5 weeks ago: the flying crutchman trip.
-3 weeks ago: 140 rpm on the bike (preparing for my fixed-gear bike). the 6-week x-ray confirms bones are aligned and where they need to be. partial weight bearing begins.
-1.5 weeks ago: return home to WI for my dad’s wedding. one of my best friends says: “well if there’s anyone that can will himself to heal quickly and get back to walking, it’s you.” the next day i walk without crutches.
-1 week ago: walk down the aisle at my dad’s wedding to stand next to him as his best man. emotions from the situation are out of control.
-5 days ago: take my road bike out for its first ride in nine weeks. while putting air in the tires as it leaned against my car, my mind makes the mental note of its frailty and exposure.
-4 days ago: experience the sensation of ‘life seeping back into me.’
-1 day ago: hike 14 miles and 5000 ft.
it’s been one remarkable experience. i’ve watched my body shut down ¼ of itself, only to recover at a remarkable rate. the emotional rollercoaster has been interesting to say the least; hotpantz has been instrumental in this realm. i’ve felt isolation and frustration like never before. my mind is overworked from the intense focus on making sure i had good placement of the crutches, watching out for others that aren't so aware, and the constant presence of pain in my body.
but, for the first time in my life, i feel like my body is pretty damn impressive given the rate at which i’m recovering.
it’s not over, of course, but i’m currently at a point now that i never could have envisioned while lying in that hospital bed, unable to move more than an inch or so.
the trip itself was gorgeous. i see why it’s such a popular destination, though on this day, we saw less than ten people. blueberries were out everywhere and just about perfect. TCC completed his first ever mountain hike, which, at 10 miles and 3000’, is a pretty good first effort. he even got rewarded with a 3-hour nap while erin b and i tagged granite and picked blueberries for him.
the ridge to granite was fun. it was intermittent goat trail and brush-whacking – a couple trees too. i loved the color of the bright green plant life and milky white and gray granite boulders and outcrops. sporadic benches of heather and even some high elevation grass (EL 6500’) pieced in the rest. it seemed to be a blend of the ridge to columbia peak (from twin lakes trail) and gothic basin. wonderful. granite mountain is definitely a worthy side trip.
a day later, my body feels not unlike it did following the siathlon, but that’s fine. i’ll take temporary discomfort, bugs, rain, heat, and anything else any day of the week over what i had in front of me for a good deal of the last nine weeks.
damn, it’s good to be back!
-------------- “to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” -steve prefontaine
Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:03 am Re: hannegan & granite mountains - 2009-08-23
iron wrote:
mountains have a different impact on all of us. some go out for summits while others head for lakes. there are the kind that stick to trails and the ones that just can’t wait to get off of them. flowers might appeal to one, but to another they’re just in the way of the geology below. each element is uniquely cherished by each unique individual, either consciously or not. for some, mountains offer little more than a hobby, while others make them their passion.
Wow... awesome trail report. Good to see you back in the mountains (well not that I saw you before, I am new to the site, but I am happy you healed enough to hike again). I found the paragraph I quoted above very powerful and your passion definitely shows. Love those pictures too!
Welcome back iron!! Glad to hear you're back this soon. I know it has been a long ride for you, but most people would still be in bed. You'll be lapping Si soon again. Nice TR too.
-------------- "There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country."
Teddy Roosevelt August 6, 1912
Iron, Your first hike after being laid up for nine weeks (except for the flying crutchman episode) is enough to make most of us stiff and sore for days. Where can I buy a bit of the stuff that makes you go go.
-------------- This thing called work is interfering with my play
well done iron, i must say your previous iron man reports have been an inspiration for me to get my smoke free butt on my bike every day just to breath again.
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Which, of course, I am.
Where can I buy a bit of the stuff that makes you go go. 
