Post-Climb Epiphanies

I'm at the Seattle international airport at 4 am, and my trip is coming to an end. It wasn't what I thought it would be. I was not successful at summitting Mt. Rainier, but it's ok. I made it far enough, at least that's what I've convinced myself of.  I learned a lot about myself  in those few days. These are things I should already have known ( at least at my mildly advanced age), but now they're definitive.

1. I no longer want to pursue adrenaline rushing types of activities. No more ice mountain climbing (I will do non technical mountains though), zip-lining, intensive sea kayaking in Great White shark infested waters, etc. I don't have to prove anything anymore.Scaring the living heebee- jeebees out of myself isn't that much fun.

2. I prefer to act as an observer and not as a conqueror. I want to absorb and appreciate what's around me. I saw a cute little marmot on the way up to the ice field, but I didn't have time to take a photo of it or even stop and enjoy his presence. That bothered me tremendously.

3. I am competitive, but not with everything, and that's ok. I'm a competitive birder, photographer, kayaker.

4. I like being alive. I don't need to push my limits in order to appreciate the dwindling years that remain.

5. I need to do more yoga. Seriously.

6. I push myself to achieve things  because even if I make it only half way, it's further than I otherwise would've gotten. If I shoot for the stars and only make it to the moon, well, hell, I made it to the moon!

7. I don't know where I'm going or what I'm going to accomplish, but goals are good, no matter how seemingly minor they are. They keep me focused. I'm in better physical shape now than I've been since I was 18 years old simply because I had a goal.

8. Going up a mountain is 50 times easier than going down. Up just requires physical stamina. Down requires that you reach into your gut, grab on, and convince yourself every moment that you must do this. Up is optional.  There is no choice when going down.

So, there we have it. Lessons learned. Let's just hope I remember them. It really was worth it because I got to eat all sorts of yummy food this week.

I've got my priorities in order.

Preparing for a mountain climb

I live in probably the flattest part of the United States. It makes training for mountain climbing a bit problematic. I live at about 4 feet above sea level. The highest point in my state is 345 feet above sea level, and it's a long hike from home. So I have to improvise.

Ok, let's backup a minute. Why am I training for a mountain climb? I plan on climbing Mt. Rainier in Washington at the beginning of September, and it's probably a wise idea to train for a hike in the snow and ice up to 14000 feet above sea level.

I have spent the last 12 weeks getting ready for this adventure, and I don't know if I trained properly. I think there are a few things I should have focused on with more dogged determination. I have practiced carrying a backpack on hikes, but only 30 pounds. My pack may be 40 pounds loaded down. Ugh.

Balance.  I should have done more yoga and balance exercises. My sense of balance is not the greatest, as my Wii Fit continually tells me. My pathetic little Mii hangs  her head in shame after trying to hit soccer balls with her noggin.

Core. I should have focused on my obliques, back, and hip flexors. Carrying that backpack requires a lot of core strength, and after any of my hikes with a pack, I feel those body parts intensely.

But it's down to 6 days before my hike up Mt. Rainier, and there isn't much I can do to improve from this point.  I really have to dial down my exercise intensity now since my goal for the next few days is to not injure myself.  I will focus on other things like packing my food, weighing my items, learning how to properly pack a backpack, trying on my many layers of clothing.