June 2nd – June 8th 2024: “Kneel Bouldering = Knouldering?”

6/2

Alright, so it happened!!! I made it over to Jake and Carley’s! It was so cool, I did so many firsts! It was also really emotional, driving over there from the freeway. I actually teared up on the way over there.

While I got off the freeway, I noticed how much had changed off Locust in the past year. It was surreal, really. I have such a vivid memory of that stretch of road because that is the street I always drove on, on my way to work, on my morning commute. I honestly have some vivid memories of being on the DRZ on this stretch of the road, as well as the Tacoma, and the heavy Chevy. And for that matter, the road I drove back on as well. It was really wild, driving through the neighborhood before Riverwest, and seeing the changes. Seeing the new restaurants, and new construction.

This was awesome! Jake helped me test it out and get a feeling for what it was like on the bouldering pads and crawling around! I was really glad that I was able to actually drive myself over to visit a friend all by myself!! It’s seriously has been just over a year, and I’m finally getting back to doing that! It felt so good.

It was also just a really successful time trying this out! I knew my legs weren’t going to be the most cooperative, but fortunately I was able to get them moving a little bit and I was able to pull myself up! that was the straightest I have been (at least on my knees) this entire time!

10:03pm, that was probably one of the most chaotic times ever I have unsuccessfully ever done something…. It took me at least 6 tries to get off the couch. This is why I don’t go on the couch…. Goodness that was defeating!

Also, having a clogged tear duct has got to be one of the most annoying sensations that I’ve had to deal with right now. It’s a pest. I am not sure why all the things in my body are trying to fail at once. This frustrates me a bit more than most could realize.

Okay. Enough is enough for the day. I’m tired. My butt is tingly and I need to get some rest.

6/3

My hip flexors are opening up and my glutes are activating finally!! But this has created an interesting state where I’m having a tricky time getting up because of it???

It’s definitely a good problem to be having, I think k that time spent over at Jake’s help kick some of this stuff into gear?

6/4

So, I didn’t nap at all yesterday, I got a full nights rest, and I woke up at a normal time of 5:57am for me! It feels good to get a *mostly full night of rest! I understand that I don’t always get to be in the most comfortable position at night, but I really try to get as comfortable as I can!

I got up, took a shower, and am started with my day. I started this morning with some Mental Practice (MP) exercise, did that for 20min, and then I really wanted to start finding some scholarly articles on this as well. turns out I found something even more relevant, and that was a study on MP for gait training! Which is exactly what I am doing! So I spent around 30 minutes or so reading about this, and although the research right now is early, it’s all very promising! There aren’t a lot of large sample size studies, because this is all still relatively new! It’s also interesting how it’s hard to isolate MP exercises with actual physical exercises. Usually, these two exercises are paired together. But what’s interesting, is how when you pair both, you get better results than just with physical exercises alone!

I like to research this, because it’s all so relevant to me.

2 a day kinda day!

2 minutes, 10 seconds!!! I can’t believe it!!!! That was insane! And I wasn’t going that fast! What a time to be able to get into the car and break the wheelchair down! I’m proud of myself!

Also, I have been hitting it hard at the gym and my back and arms and entire body has been feeling so well doing this!

6/5

These 2-a-days have been great! I really like this activity level I am at!

6/6

We left for Michigan!

Welp, this 7hr drive turned into 10hrs 45min…… that was not fun, but I drove the whole thing!! I’m really glad I was able to do this! I’m so excited that I have gotten myself back driving!

6/7

Just a nice day for a haircut, time spent with Dad at Thee Office Pub, and then time at home! Mom had made a really tasty dinner for us!

6/8

Wow, what a wonderful day! Visiting with the family has been absolutely great!

White horse Inn time! Big dinner with the family!