Setbacks..

Remember me talking about that shakedown hike? Well, it went ok. I did about 42 miles and got into a nice "hiker routine" on that trip. I figured out what worked well where in the pack, etc. However, my [bad] knee started to severely bother me about halfway through the hike. Once back home, I went for a checkup and had some x-rays taken. The screws from a previous surgery are fine and aren't the culprit of my pain. But the pain around my patella still persists. Apparently it was agitated.. My doctor has prescribed anti-inflammatory pills, a topical cream, a knee brace, and some physical therapy.

I've started on all of these in an effort to quickly recover and strengthen my knee. However, I've been told I do not have enough time to get my knee back to 100% before my departure to Georgia, which was supposed to be March 29th. My doctor and PT adviser suggest that I postpone my AT start date by about a week or two. This is tearing at me like you wouldn't believe; I was all ready to go. I will now have to change some reservations and get myself into another "gear-up mentality". :-/

I will say, however, that this is proving to be a test of my will. A will that IS going to see me start the trail--just about 2 weeks late. How could I not go? I've told myself I am going. I've told other people I am going. I've bought gear. I've gone on shakedown hikes. I've created web pages. I'm going, dammit. Now, back to these quad strengthening exercises...