[at-l] Re: AT-L digest, Vol 1 #10 - 47 msgs

[SLIM" <bogey1@cplx.net (SLIM)]

Great wisdom from Jim & Ginny.
I can no longer wear shoes other than hiking boots or barefoot.
My feet kill me after only an hour. Dress shoes suck.
Pumps, spiked heels. But I just do not look right at Church
with my brown Asolo's or my gray One Sports with a
cute little gray wool suit.  That's bad enough, then there's the frilly
little blue paisley dress.  No jokes about cross-dressing, Felix. Trust me,
I am female even if I don't shave my pits/legs.
Note: Watch out for calcium depletion whenever you have aches in the
lower extremities.  That has been my history.  I believe, as Ginny & Jim,
that
your body is readjusting to the slow lane.  Your bone mass has probably
increased.  Scientists who have examined mummies can determine by
their bone structure that they carried heavy burdens. Maybe that's what you
did.
I walk at least 3 fast miles every day. It helps keep your body's fluidity
and
minimizes pain.
See a sports specialist doctor if you are terribly concerned.
My heart aches more than my legs, though. I miss the A.T.
SLIM

> I'm starting to get some aches and pains in my hips,
> knees to a lesser extent, and one of my calf muscles
> along my shin. It seems to be muscular in the sense
> that my joints don't hurt when sitting still. I had
> none of these problems while hiking, in fact not
> much in the way of leg problems at all. Also, they
> started happening in November almost a month and
> a half after summitting Mt. K. I just got a negative
> on lyme if that's what you might be thinking. Does
> anyone out there have similar experience after a
> thru-hike or know of someone who has?  Does anyone
> out there know of resources (books, doctors with
> A.T. diagnosis experience, etc.) that I can check
> into?
>
> I'm 33 and have no history of arithitic or other
> leg problems of any kind.
>
> In general, what is to be expected as wear and tear
> that shows up after a thru-hike?
>
> thanks,
> Turbo Turtle
>
>
>
> Ben -
> Welcome to the club.  Ginny and I are having some of the same problems.
> Some possibilities -
> 1. Weight gain - redistributes the stresses on your joints and muscles.
> It's the same as what happens when you start backpacking - the weight of
the
> pack puts stress on joints and muscles that you're not accustomed to - so
> they hurt.  It's been know to drive people off the Trail.  While you were
on
> the Trial (no misspelling there) you probably lost weight - and your body
> got used to operating at that weight.  If you've gained weight since
coming
> back then your body 'might' be readjusting.
>
> 2. Your body was used to walking 10, 15, 20 mpd (i.e. - exercising at high
> volume).  You've probably not done that since you got back.  Same story -
> your body is readjusting, ligaments are shortening, muscles tightening,
> metabolism slowing down, etc.  It hurts.
>
> 3.  Haven't a clue - I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV.  But I
> have been through this a couple times, I'm a first class analyst - and
> that's some of what I've come up with as possibilities.  If it doesn't fit
> for you, then go see a good sports doctor.  Maybe a good idea even if it
> does fit.
>
> Solution - for us - keep on walking.  Not 20 mile days - 5, 10 miles
works.
> Once, twice a week - more if you can manage it.  Even 2 or 3 miles helps.
> It keeps the body 'lubricated' and 'rust-free' - loose.  It's also good
for
> the knees if you don't push the speed.  2 mph works - 4-5 mph just does
more
> damage. Works for knees, too.  We both had blown out knees when we
finished
> the AT.  A year after finishing, we had to abort a trip in PA because
> someone was driving a railroad spike into my left knee with every step.
But
> we kept on hiking - gently.  And 4 years later we were in Colorado, 2
years
> later we were on the CDT.  For me, walking is life.  When I stop hiking -
> well, you don't wanta go there - and neither do I.
>
> Would it work for you?  I don't know - but it can't hurt.  Walking is
always
> good.
>
> Walk softly,
> Jim