9 years 3 months - Barry's Bootcamp

Wednesday - December 22, 2021

I started Barry's Bootcamp! The only treadmill and only time I actually run! The treadmill there provides bounce and cushion into my running step. I actually don't feel pain during my runs in class. No aches after either. So far so good with an hour class and about a 10 minutes total of running.

I've also been doing a lot of hiking during nice hot days. Also a lot of walking. I'm noticing my max amount of steps in a day is 13k steps. Anything more will cause my ankle to ache. I'd feel tired and achy for a day or two after. I'm also making sure I wear good hiking trail shoes so I don't slip.

I look forward to more hikes and workouts to come in the new year! More Body Combat, Turbo Kick, Hiking, and Barry's classes! I haven't been back to the gym and so far continue virtual at-home workouts. Next is to get into cycling, which I will soon pick up a bike from a friend.

Best of luck to all in the new year! Happy New Year!

8 years - Ankleversary!

Today marks 8 years since the day I broke my ankle (fibula) and had surgery two days later and came out with a plate and 9 screws, still in there! Looking at it from an angle, you can see the nails protruding, and can definitely feel it when I run my fingers down the scar. Since covid lock down, I recently started taking weekend city urban hikes. I can now last as long as 4 hours max with some sitting breaks in between. I did find myself with a little limp and some aching. I think 3 hours is my limit really, because I do feel tired and sore. No pain. No pinch, or well I do get a random pinch here and there still. And when it rains or gets cold, I feel the arthritis kick in. The hard ache pinch. It’s like a gnawing Pressure feeling. I’m much stronger now with the walks. 

I’ve also started minimum 3x a week Turbo kick live Zoom classes, which has been fun and a great workout. I’m able to do the Jumps, and burpees fine. However, I still am careful and don’t do full air jumps, just slight smaller jumps for my safety. Still nervous to roll or land wrong. I am able to lay on the ankle in bed, still haven’t or needed to wear heals but I do find myself buying more wedge shoes. 

Midyear sale and I bought myself 5 pairs of shoes! It’s been a few months and ai haven’t worn any! 3 wedges, and 2 sneakers haha. Ob yea, I do now buy sneakers with great cushioned insoles and support. 

My scar looks the same, sometimes it still gets a bit itchy, and this time I got a mosquito bite.

Don’t mind my sock tan. I still have my forever bruise on the inside of my ankle from when it was also dislocated with torn ligaments. That darker area on the inside ankle point. I’ll never forget how long it took to heal ligaments. That’s now twice with torn ligaments. First time I tore ligaments was from rock climbing and an ankle fracture. The surgeon said he’d have to look inside when it was open for ORIF to know if he needed to reconnect my ligaments, which he didn’t need to do. That’s just my normal now. 

I’ll continue my favorite weekend beach walks and hikes! No brace needed! As long as I have good sneakers with foam, I can walk comfortably. Running is still something I prefer not to do because of the hard stomping on concrete is really uncomfortable pressure I can feel. Unless I’m at a track, but I haven’t gone to ine in a while. Beach walk hikes it is. And turbo kick classes. Stay safe all!

7 years 10 months - Hiked 10 miles today!

Today, I did a 10 miles city hike through Lover’s Lane in the Presidio. I then walked to the Inspirational Point and on the way back, through Lyon Street steps. It took me a total of 3.5 hours round trip back home. 

I felt tired on my last hour home, a bit achy in the ankle, no pain. Glad I sat for a bit to clean out the sand in my shoe. I’m enjoying these weekend walks while social distancing in these tough Covid-19 times we’re in the middle of. When will it ever end? 

Another exercise I’ve been addicted to lately is Turbo Kick live on Zoom and recorded classes on YouTube. I’m doing my best to stay healthy and trying to get fit. So far my ankle is holding up but it will never be 100% like it use to. At least I’m mobile without a limp!

More walks to come! 

Lover’s Lane

Inspiration Point

Steps

Lyon Street

5 years 7 months - Hiked 12 miles and now my ankle has a pinch pain

Saturday - April 14, 2018

It was a perfect sunny day for a hike at Sweeney Ridge Trail! We had planned a 7.7 mile hike and it became a 12 mile total hike instead because we also headed to Mori Point! There were steep hills coming back up. I felt fine and tired. My ankle did feel a bit tired and no limp! Once I got home, I started feeling a random pinch pain whenever I took a step. I guess a 12 mile hike was a bit too long. It would've been better if we stuck with the original 7.7 mile hike. Time to rest up my ankle. I'm proud that I was able to walk about 22,000 steps without a brace or poles. Just trail hiking shoes! But more hikes to come! 

 

 

 

5 years 4 months - Happy New Year! I hiked Koko Head!

Tuesday - January 9, 2018

Happy New Year! 

I just got back from spending new years with my friends in Hawaii! I had such a great time, minus catching the nasty cold that's been going around. 

I went on one hike called the Koko Head, my first time hiking this with the hardware in my ankle. I was nervous but ambitious. I was curious how I felt afterwards. The steep upwards uneven steps was never ending. I had no problem going up. 

I finally made it to the top without issues! No pain! No soreness! No problem! I felt so accomplished and happy I made it! Even better, my ankle was happy! From 100 to 1000 steps! It took about an hour with my slow pace and many breaks for the view and water. 

After a break at the top, coming down was a different story. The steps were big, steep, and uneven. My legs were tired. Jello legs. At the beginning I started out with my right foot stepping down. The pressing stepping down was a bit much. It started to pinch at the wrong angles when I stepped down. Then my body weight was adding to the stress on my ankle while stepping/hopping down. Some parts of it I even had to crawl down because the steps were too far. It then got a bit too much. I changed sides and had to step down with my left foot first. By the time I reached the end, I started to limp a tiny bit because of the soreness. I wasn't in pain though. Just tired and the few times I felt the pinch pain while stepping down with my right ankle. My foot wasn't meant to bend that way stepping down with the hardware on. It felt awkward. However, I did it! I'd do it again! Probably once I'm in better shape. I'm more aware now how I step with the hardware in my ankle. I love hiking and it's always been a challenge to get back to it. But it is the greatest workout to stretch out my ankle! I love it! I look forward to my next hike! 

Happy 2018! 

5 Years Ankleversary!

Sunday - September 24, 2017

Happy 5 years Ankleversary to me! 

I can't believe another year just flew by. I've progressed and met a few more milestones this year! I'm still bionic with a plate and 9 nails, retired from wearing 3 inch stilettos (but I can wear 3 inch wedged shoes!), and my scar is still 3.5 inches long. 

For the first time in years, this was the year I was finally comfortable enough to sleep on this ankle. Full ankle against the bed! This was something I've waited for a very long time! I've always felt sensitive before and it took this long for me to finally get use to laying my ankle onto a surface with weight! However, some boots that cover up to my ankle still bother me if it is too tight. Even shows with ankle straps bother me if it's too tight so I avoid them completely unless the straps are under my ankle. Just nothing on it feels good. So yes, I am still sad about retiring from snowboarding. I just can't do it. 

While I also miss running, I've completely retired from that as well. It was too much to run. Before my accident, I use to run about 4 times a week. I miss it so much! Now I'm adjusting to getting older and the weight gain because my activity level isn't as active as I was before with all that running. However, I have increased my gym visits. I do take a lot of classes. Twice a week Cycling, Zumba, Body Combat, and the Elliptical machine on days I don't have a class. The best class for my ankle is Cycling. Sometimes ankle does get tired from all the jumps and steps from Zumba and Body Combat. 

I finally bought a Fitbit this year to encourage myself to walk more. I did over 12K steps today! It's always a battle with my friends so it's definitely a motivator. I'm just cautious about getting older and wanting to build a stronger ankle. So I've been walking more. Walking to work, hiking, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

                  

Once in a while when I walk a bit too long or carry things that are too heavy, I do feel pressure in my ankle. I'll walk and randomly feel a tiny pinch or my ankle just buckles in a quick spasm like pain. It's weird. But the most important part is trying to stay healthy and working out when I can to make my ankle stronger. I can wear 2 inch heels but nothing higher. However, I can wear wedges if I want more height. That extra support really does help me feel confident in walking safely. I'm excited for this new year to see what new things I'll try. Updates to come! The cold and rainy days are near. I'm curious to find out how my arthritis will feel. Winter is coming! I also can't wait to watch Game of Thrones haha!

2 years 7 months - Alamere Falls Hike, came home with a sore ankle!

Saturday April 4, 2015

Alamere Falls was one of the most beautiful hike's I've ever done. Minus the poison oak along the trails. There were wide and narrow trails.

Towards the end of the trail, we had to do a bit of rock climbing down to the beach. There were also a few beautiful waterfalls! 

The final part down to the beach was almost a 90 degree climb down. There was a lot of loose rock too, so everyone had to becareful and wait for people to go up and down.

Down by the beach, there was this big waterfall where everyone went to take pictures.

This time I didn't wear my ankle brace or bring my hiking poles. Mostly because I misplaced the brace and forgot to bring the poles. It was a quick last minute rush decision to go this morning. I was definitely feeling tired by the time I got to the beach. We walked along soil, uneven paths, gravel, rocks, acorns, leaves, and sand! The entire hike was uneven pavement. It was a workout for sure for my ankle. Waterfall was our reward at the end, with a vietnamese sandwich for a late lunch.

By 3/4 of the way back, I was slowing down and starting to limp just a bit. The next time I come back, I should really wear my ankle brace because I slipped a few times. Luckily with my left foot. 

Once I got home, I put on a Icy Hot wrap. I realized I wore it inside out, as shown in the image below haha. Sore but happy! I'll be back and more prepared next time!

2 years 5 months - ~10 mile hike at Mission Peak, sore and tired!

Sunday, February 1, 2015

It's Super Bowl Sunday and my friends and I went hiking at Mission Peak! Go Patriots! 

NFL Super Bowl XLIX

Final - Sunday, February 1, 3:30 PM

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

We've all never been and live som close! It was only about an hour drive up north from San Francisco. Bought some delicious vietnamese sandwiches from Sing Sing for breakfast/snack. 

We drove to the other entrance which turns out to be a longer walking route. It was relaxing and still beautiful! 

We walked on cement, gravel, soil, grass, and a tiny rock trail to the top! A lot of uneven paths which was indeed a great workout for my ankle. Because I was told it would take about 2 hours to get to the top, I decided not to bring my walking poles, and to not use my ankle brace. The ankle brace was in my bag! 

It was defnitely a lot of uphill walking. Towards the top, it was a steeper incline. I wished I did bring my poles then. It would have given me that extra support for sure! Next time I'll bring it. 

I made it to the top without any issues! No pain! Started to feel sore and tired though. 

Going down was dangerous, I was so happy to have my trail shoes on. It had great gripping. Going down hills have always been a bit weird for me. I always find myself leaning/walking down towards the left. I'm guessing because of the metal in my right ankle is so straight against the bone, it doesn't really let my ankle bend correctly when I take steps down hills. And when I go uphills, I find that it is more comfortable for me to walk up diagonally versus straight up the hill. By the time I got all the way to the bottom, I definitely felt sore and exhausted. My friends wore their fitbits and recorded their steps. We hiked about 10 miles! I was sort of limping by the end. I'd do it again for more my ankle because I felt great at the end! New Years resolution is to hike more this year! Will bring my poles next time. So much fun and a great workout! I'm ready for the next hike at Muir Woods next week! I'm excited!

1 year 10 months - Hiked Matt Davis Trail at Mt. Tamalpais!

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Today, I went hiking with friends at Mt. Tamalpais, Matt Davis Trail!

My friend gave me 2 trekking Leki poles to help me on the hike! I also wore my brace and it really helped! We hiked for a good 3 hours. I felt great! Got a bit tired towards the end on the uphill back.

It was a perfect day to hike, so much green and shaded trail. There weren't too many people either. The ground was very uneven but I did fine. The only difference hiking now with the hardware in my ankle is that I pay more attention looking down on the floor to see what I'm stepping onto rather then enjoying the view. Still I am happy to be able to hike! No pain! No limping! No soreness either! More hiking to come!

1 year 9 months - Hiked Crater Lake, Oregon on July 4th!

Friday, July 4, 2014

Happy 4th of July! 

A friend of mine and I did a road trip up to Klamath Falls, Oregon to stay with a friend and to hike Crater Lake on July 4th weekend! I had so much fun! We hiked up Garfield Peak Trail, narrow, windy, rocky, and picturesque! It was sooo pretty! Saw snow, water, lots of trees, and fresh air!

This time, I purchased a hiking stick to aid me. I also put on my ankle brace since I've learned my lesson hiking in Tahoe the week before. 

Along our hike, I came across this rock to sit on with the most gorgeous views! My friend snapped a panoramic shot of me. It was the bluest water I've ever seen in my life! 

It was a great 4th of July! Fun fireworks show! 

I got to purchase and light my own fireworks too! It was my first time and it was too much fun haha. 

The next day, my friends and I went back to Crater Lake! This time for the boat tour inside the lake! I was prepared again with my hiking stick and brace. It actually made all the difference! I wasn't even sore that much. What a difference compared to not wearing a brace! 

The hike down to the boat was only about a 25 minute hike. It was so exciting! 

The tour itself was about an hour and a half total. The water was unbelievably clear and blue. Everyone was just so mesmerized. The guided tour was great! We learned so much, so much history and beauty of the changing seasons.

I still couldn't believe there was still snow on the crater and we're in shorts in 80 degrees weather. Something I've never done before. 

After the tour, we went for some scenic drives and stopped at Cloudcap overlook with the view of Wizard Island in Crater Lake! My ankle was happy and surprised to still be able to hike for a second day straight! 

The final hike after, was to Pinnacles Trail. It was an amazing straight, and flat trail with views of the volcano spires. It was a great trip! I'll never ever forget it! Though after the second day of hiking, I did feel more tired in the ankle. Surprised I wasn't crazy sore. Yay! I want to do more hikes! 

Here's a beautiful view of Crater Lake from Garfield's Trail.