Let them hike

The winter months in Alaska can be hard.  Last year we did our share of strapping on ice cleats and doing some winter hiking when we could. But I feel like a wimp in the winter. This year I had a pretty intense surgery and decided to do it in the winter, instead of the summer, so I was recovering when it was cold and dreary instead of the best time of the year. 

As far as winter days in Alaska- today was about as good as it gets. And there isn't anyone who could complain about the views. Today was a pretty big milestone for me. I went on my first "hike" since surgery. And it kicked my butt.  Just months ago I was doing walking an average of 15,000 steps a day. When the weather was nice we were regularly hiking 10 miles or more up the steep steep trails around the island. 
​It's amazing how fast you lose your stamina. While it was only a 2 1/2 mile hike that left me out of breath- I'm trying to remind myself that only 2 months ago walking across the room was a feat.  We have just about 3 months before summer shenanigans so I have my work cut out for me.  I need to come up with a solid plan to stay motivated. Being active, or inactive, can become a habit. I didn't think twice about it all summer- because it was habit. Now, I'm used to being kind of a bum because I had to. 

Today's struggle was real...