truthisms
A backstage pass to my adventure experiences
Ever wonder what I think about while hiking, trail running, skiing, climbing, frolicking, and generally falling down mountains? Or, I guess a bit more interestingly, what happens on the way to a summit or just before a cool pic? I know, I know. You only get to see the epic views in photos and peruse the highlight reels of my adventure tales. Now, I’m letting you in close to the stream of consciousness along the routes.
Hint: it ain’t purty.
On Falling
“Falling upwards is still progress.”
Sometimes footwear doesn’t help
How often do I fall? Ask my adventure buddy, Dani, and she will admit the truth—every time we’ve adventured together I have either fallen or scraped a body part on fallen trees or been swiped in the face from branches. Some of the falling is lucky enough to be during the uphill struggle though. And to that, I offered her the quote from above.
I’m ok with falling and falling as often as I do. After all, we dancers are trained how to fall. My main goals constitutes keeping my teeth in tact. Half from vanity, sure, but the other half from the sheer fear of the expense. Ok, and maybe a teeny bit of fear for the pain. Isn’t pain to the face the most intense?
So what causes me to fall so often? Am I too big for my britches and moving too quickly? Am I not picking up my feet? Staring off into the distance sideways enjoying the view rather than paying attention to where I am stepping? Making poor route decisions? ding ding ding You guessed it! The answer is E. all of the above. Often I joke with adventure buddies that I shouldn’t lift my eyes from my toes but can’t stop gawking at the view. Then, during Tuesday’s ballet class I repeat the same refrain as every class with, “Look up and out at the audience! I promise you’re feet know what they’re doing.” Hmmmm, but do they? Really?!
Finally, what do I think about as I sprawl down mountains? Other than lifting my chin and “this will hurt,” nothing. My mind goes completely blank. I tend to think this is my body’s natural “let’s see how this goes and then we’ll make an assessment” vibe from my brain on self preservation. Immediately followed by me popping up and shouting, “I’m still aliiiiiive.” duh Don’t worry. You, too, can brush off the embarrassment in style.
Bad Selfies
No description necessary for this theme. I suppose practice over the years yields better results but I’m still not a fan of this style of photography. Enjoy the many questioning faces of Sprite below where you will observe the true disdain and exhaustion of the trails traveled.
Intrusive Thoughts
Sprite using flowers as an excuse to stop running uphill
I’ll admit it. Uphill is deemed a “battle” because it is just as mentally taxing as it is physically arduous. My mind struggles as much as yours does during the torment. I promise! Although more interesting than running on long, flat stretches and therefore more appealing, my thoughts still question my life choices during the upward grind. I usually start counting trees and coming up with small goals. “All you have to do is make it to that fallen log.” “That downhill is gonna feel soooooo good!” “If you make it up this hill without stopping you can have a milkshake today. Ok, and maybe fries too.” And my personal fave, “This is what dreams are made of.”
When hiking, the climbs are significantly easier so my thoughts follow philosophical wanderings. Often, I wish my thoughts could be recorded. They seem profound. I’m guessing it’s the view and altitude combo. However, there are times that even I struggle and wonder why I opted for such an ambitious and demanding trail. In these moments, my intrusive thoughts do win. Anger prevails. I sigh. A LOT. I question my abilities, my physicality, my grit. Then, upon the summit I question my questioning.
I’ve begun to realize if I get the least bit agitated, I’m hungry. But the thing with me is that I don’t want to stop. I refuse to stop! I’m not the take-a-break kind of hiker/trail runner/adventurer. It would solve my dilemmas yet, I can’t get myself to do it. I want my snackies on the summit and summit only. I’ve gotten better about eating while hiking though and learned to be a bit less frustrated at my body for wanting food along the route. And improved increasing my protein content before, during, and after adventuring. How’s that for self-regulating?
Most live by the creed, “Mind over matter.” But I think for me, I live in opposition and my body always wins. My mind grumbles while my body knows it needs movement. Remarkably, it always gets me to the summit and back to the car despite my mind wanting to flee at the first sound of a branch breaking or bear scat sighting. My legs get me up steep inclines and across scree. My arms pump as needed to balance me and my hands clap loudly together around corners to warn varmints I’m headed their way.
Reminder: these are occurrences while adventuring alone. When I’m in a group, I’m quite a bit more laid back because it’s all about the socializing. This means, don’t be intimidated to adventure with me. I choose trails wisely for those that join me. I acknowledge the experience is about being together and enjoying where we’re at together. When’s our next adventure together and where are we going?!