The Rhythm of Success

Posted on May 31, 2012 by jessicacardwell

A few weeks ago, my husband and I had a rare opportunity to climb without our son tagging along to the gym.  Now that I’ve overcome my fear of belaying my husband (2 twists in the rope helps boost my confidence!), we were looking forward to some focused climbing time.

Only I bombed.  For some unknown reason, my brain was not in the game that day.  I was getting short of breath, failing to execute simple moves, and that compounded my exasperation.  I wondered if it had anything to do with my time off from injuring my shoulder.

As I considered why I was so off, the closest comparison and explanation I could come up with was that my rhythm was off.  When I play piano, I have a certain ritual of arranging the bench, the music, even my hair.  I do it without thinking.  I didn’t even know it existed until my biggest fan (my mom) pointed it out to me.  These simple arrangements allowed my mind to focus, distractions to fade, and I could execute my performance with excellence.

This was not the case for climbing that day.  It went something like this:

Bouldering at the Climbing Gym

“On belay?”

“Belay is on.”

“Climbing.”

“Climb on.”  I climb up two holds.

My wedding ring is still on!  How did I forget to take it off?  I reach with my right hand, move my left foot into position.

It sure is grinding into my finger. Climb a few more feet.

Which of these holds is actually on this route?  There are 5 different colors here!  Move another move up.

I hope I don’t hurt my shoulder.

Not the most helpful, focused internal dialogue.

While I’ve been taught to tie in and go through the climbing commands and checks to ensure safety, I don’t think I’ve yet embraced the process as my mental preparation.

The more I climb the more I believe climbing is 50% mental and 50% physical.  If I don’t have it together in my head, its better to not even get on the wall.

For much of my life, playing piano meant that distractions would fade, music would surround me and for a time I’d be transported elsewhere.  It wasn’t my experience when I first started however.

I hope that as I progress in climbing, that when I hear “climb on”, distractions disappear, my thoughts fade away and I send with confidence.

Until next time, send on.

[Also: I have to apologize publicly to my husband for my last post.  It was never my intention to paint him as someone who is inept.  In fact he is quite the opposite.  He is truly inspiring for all the trials and challenges he perseveres through.  I thought I was being funny in my last post, but I realized later that it could be interpreted as mean spirited or demeaning, and that is certainly not my intent.  My first post on this blog more accurately describes how I view him.]

Categories: Climbing, Insight | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Importance of Passion

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Jayson

Hi, my name is Jayson and I used to regularly write for this blog! I’m the one who puts Bionic in The Bionic Chronicles. I’ve had to re-focus my time and attention elsewhere which prohibits me from contributing to this blog as often as I desired. Thankfully my wife has taken over and done a fantastic job, I enjoy her writing better than my own and I think you would all agree.

I went to the climbing gym the other today to relieve some stress and get a good workout in, however I failed to acquire both of those goals. I left wondering why my time at the gym lacked any satisfaction what made the experience such a horrible one. I thought that maybe it was because of my shoulder not being able to make some of the reaches, maybe it was my feet not being able to stay on the holds because of my disability, maybe both. Then I remembered that I have experienced both of those before but continued to climb on, so why was today any different? Then it came to me, I was climbing alone and I didn’t get into this activity as a loner.

This is where my passion lies.

This led me down a path of discovery about myself and about passion and the importance of having that in one’s life. I work in a field which is driven by performance, results, and numbers. I have taken this approach at times to many of my outdoor endeavors. Trek the miles, climb the routes, tick off the problems, go farther, faster, climb higher and harder and it has become all about the results. So what happens when you don’t achieve those results? Why does falling at the crux of a problem devastate you and destroy your whole day of climbing? I’d venture to say it’s because you lost your passion for it, and replace it with a duty/job mentality……. I’ve done the same thing.

I’ve found that some of the most amazing times I’ve experienced has been with my family when we don’t have an agenda. When we’re not necessarily trying to accomplish some great feat of outdoor prowess. When we can stop and throw rocks into a lake or river. When we can take our shoes off and wade through a waterfall and stream, when we’re having fun at the climbing gym going after fun routes and not necessarily trying to test our mettle. When we’re playing my wife’s favorite game “Can I climb that?”.

Benjamin winning this round of “Can I Climb It?”

[Sidebar] For those of you who have never played let me tell you the rules, one person scouts around, whether on a walk, hike, or even in the car and finds something that looks like you can throw a rope on it, or a crash pad under it and then you debate about whether you can climb it. There’s even an urban edition. [End Sidebar]

When we’ve come into a situation and a time together without a specific goal and without a specific reason it is far greater experience. When we are able to let our passion run free we glean the most out of every moment. No goals, no time limits, no worries or concerns. Pure passion, pure joy, pure fun and excitement.

It was an eye opening experience for me, something that I never want to forget. Keep the passion in our adventures by keeping the work mindset out of it. Yes, goals are important and they are a good thing. We have several this year, the big one being that as a family we hike 100 trail miles in 2012. We’re almost half-way through the year, but only one-quarter of the way to our goal, but the fun we’ve had (some hikes more then others) and the memories we’ve made are worth far more then the achievement of getting to the century mark.

Keep the passion, enjoy the journey, and until next time….. Adventure On!

This is what getting outside is all about.

Categories: 100 miles in 2012, Climbing, Hiking, Insight, Outdoor Recreation | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Missing the Mark

Posted on May 10, 2012 by jessicacardwell

In our attempt to hike 100 miles as family this year, many lessons are presenting themselves.  Contrary to popular belief, young children can cover more than 1 mile on a hike.  Our 5 year old has made it up to 5 and a half miles at a relaxed pace (learn about some of our tricks). Two weeks after discovering this, we inadvertently put it to the test.

On the trail

One Saturday we started a hike mid afternoon in an area we had never hiked before.  A few short miles from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge seemed like a good idea for a short 2 mile hike.

I’d recently been on a kick of watching wilderness survival shows on Netflix (such as Man Woman Wild) so I joked about taking a firestarter, makeshift shelter, headlamps and other assorted survival gear.  My husband pointed out that we would not be far from a major freeway and an international airport and suggested in no uncertain terms that all we should take was water and snacks.  At the last minute, I threw in our brand new trekking poles to see how our son would manage with them.  Also at the last minute, my husband decided to throw rocks, a cot, and other assorted bulky items into his pack.  Why? Because he’s crazy . . . and he thought it’d be a great idea to test himself and “train” for future backpacking.  No better time than a short 2 mile hike, right?

After picking up our trail map, neglecting to stop at a bathroom, and adjusting our poles we were off and away.  We soon came to a fork in the trail.  Our map only showed one trail, so after best guesses by assessing the terrain, we kept moving. This happened a handful of times.  Due to trail maintenance, signage wasn’t great, but major markers were still in existence.  We kept watching for the trail marker for our turn around point, however, we realized somewhere along the way that we ended up on a bike trail.

Testing out the trekking poles and his new REI pack

This bike trail seemed to be parallel to our original trail.  Convinced we would still cross the marker that we had determined would be a turn around point, we pressed on.  When we realized we could hear freeway traffic and there was no longer water along our left, we had blown past our goal by over a mile.  It was now dinner time and it would be fairly dark in an hour and a half.

Our average speed for hiking with our 5 year old has historically been about a mile per 45-60 mintues.  This includes stopping to take in the beauty that surrounds us and water and snack breaks.  We calculated that we had 2.5 miles to go in 90 minutes.

Now my headlamp suggestion wasn’t looking so foolish.  I offered to jog back to our vehicle and have them take the much shorter hike out to a road, as both of my traveling partners were starting to feel worn.  My husband declined and we started at a fast clip back to the parking lot.

Surprisingly, we made it back with 30 minutes of daylight to spare.  Although it wasn’t without a great deal of complaining (I’ll let you guess if it was just the young one or both :) ) All of our hiking trying to meet our goal has conditioned our son for the trail more than we had realized.  Jayson was a little worse for the wear as he had his light hikers on and not his backpacking boots.  Oh yes, and the rocks in his pack.  Being properly outfitted for “training” exercises is all the more important when one has a disability.  He was thankful for his amazingly insightful wife that remembered our trekking poles.

Lessons learned from this specific adventure:

1. Always stop for a bathroom break before getting on the trail, no matter how short you plan it to be. (This hike solidified  my plans to purchase a Go Girl.)

2. Keep headlamps and more snacks than you think you need in everyone’s pack, especially if getting a start later in the day.

3. Monitor husband’s “training” exercises.

4. Trusting maps and signs to determine a turn around point on a hike is not reliable.  Its good to have a turn around time determined before the hike is started.

5. Adult trekking poles do work for kids (and will grow with them!), but teaching them to use them properly is another post for another time.

Have any of you encountered some unexpected situations while hiking?  Please share in the comments!

Until next time, hike on.

Categories: 100 miles in 2012, Hiking | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

First Ascents

Posted on April 5, 2012 by jessicacardwell

It’s been over a month since our last post.  We’ve been busy living rather than blogging, and my husband has some non-outdoor projects he’s been focused on.  We also realized that we could be slipping into the dangerous area of focusing on creating content rather than enjoying life and what we love, a concept that Jon Acuff recently blogged about.  So while our posts may be more infrequent for a time, rest assured, we’ll be back at some point or another.

A few weeks ago, we spent a gorgeous spring day exploring a local climbing area, Interstate Park.  Unfortunately there was no climbing for the adults since we were both healing from shoulder issues.

The first few moves of Banana Cookie (with intensive spotting from me!)

And the minor detail of not yet owning a rope and anchors.  That’s right, no free soloing for us. We were relegated to hiking and trying not to drool while watching others climb.  This didn’t prevent our son from topping out on a first ascent of a boulder problem he named “Banana Cookie”.  We are tentatively calling it a VK (for kindergartner) and for locals who dare to try it’s located off the Echo Canyon trail on the Wisconsin side of the park.

As we don’t yet own crash pads, the endeavor was accomplished with an intensive two spotter method.  When I realized he was actually going to make it to the top and my arms couldn’t reach that high, my husband jumped in to spot from the bottom, and I climbed up the back of the boulder to be ready to reach down from the top if needed.

One move before the mantle finish of Banana Cookie.

So now my son, at 5 years old, is the first in the Cardwell household to climb (for real) on real rock and top out a boulder.

100 miles update

We are now down to 81.6 miles to go for the remainder of 2012.   We’ve found out that we can actually do longer hikes now that all 3 of us have trekking poles.  It’s a psychological advantage that we are milking for all its worth.  Even though the little guy still really doesn’t know how to use them, he believes he can hike farther now. :)

Banana Cookie Boulder Problem

Categories: 100 miles in 2012, Climbing, Hiking | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Camping: New Uses for Old Things

Posted on March 2, 2012 by jessicacardwell

With spring getting closer and closer, I have been eagerly awaiting our first camping trip of 2012. Winter has been unusually mild for most of the country, Minnesota included, and  I’m hoping that it means we’ll be out camping sooner than we usually do.  (And no, I don’t camp in the winter as much as my husband has lobbied for it.  I’m just not that hard core.)

Like me, you might be itching for that first trip as well.  So when the weather doesn’t let one camp, some do what my husband does, which is spend time shopping for gear (he’s a bit obsessed if you didn’t already know).  But there’s good news!  You can find items around your house and give them a second life in your camping gear!

Besides being a fan of the outdoors, I’m a fan of Real Simple magazine, and they have a running column of new uses for old things.  So without further ado, here is my version of new uses for old things:

1. Diaper bag as a Picnic Basket/Food Storage

First I need to point out the obvious: this will need to be stored in your car if you are camping in bear country.  Unless you are filming a documentary about what not to do at a campground, then you can place it strategically in front of your camera.

My husband is the genius behind this idea.  We had an old diaper bag that I didn’t really care for, but didn’t want to donate it to Goodwill because our last name was written in big black letters with permanent marker.  My husband writes this compulsively on almost everything we own.  Anyway, we were packing for a camping trip and we didn’t have anything to store our dry goods.  It worked perfectly as there are smaller pockets for storing granola bars, oatmeal, chocolate for smores, condiment packets, etc. and larger pockets for items that take up a bit more space.  Our old diaper bag now is a standard part of our camping gear.

2. Clorox Wipes Container Reused as a dispenser for plastic bags

As much as I would like to remember our reusable bags every time we go to the grocery store or department store, inevitably they are at times left behind and we accumulate a small army of plastic bags.  We reuse plastic bags as much as possible, and one use we have for them is as trash bags when camping. I came across this idea and pinned it on on Pinterest one day and it struck me as an excellent way to stay organized at the camp site. [You can find the original blogger's post and instructions here: Tatertots and Jello]  If your family doesn’t use cleaning wipes, we’ve found that an empty oatmeal container will do the trick as well.

We don’t generate much trash at our campsite so a full trashbag feels like overkill. Its the perfect size to make sure we don’t leave anything behind.  When camping in bear country they come in handy since all trash and food items need to be cleaned up thoroughly after every meal.  If we were to use a regular size garbage bag, it would feel like we are dumping a ton of unnecessary plastic in the dumpster since there would be just a bit of trash floating around in the bottom .We also carry one plastic bag to clean up trash when we hike as its a great way to teach children about caring for the world we live in.

3. Plastic Zippered Packaging reused as First Aid Storage

When buying curtains (as well as many other things) sometimes they come in this wonderful zippered plastic pouch.  These are wonderful for reusing in a number of ways, but when it comes to camping, its a great way to store your first aid supplies.  My husband and I generally carry a small kit in each of our daypacks, and I have an additional one made up with extra supplies, sunscreen and bugspray.  The great thing about reusing packaging such as this is that it is highly durable, and since it is clear, you can easily see if any supplies are missing.

What other new uses for old things do you or your family incorporate when camping?  Please comment, share your tips, and camp on!

Categories: Camping, Family Vacation, Outdoor Recreation | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Crafting a Climbing Family

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Jayson

We’re a climbing family now. A new climbing family, but one none the less.

Bouldering at the Climbing Gym

So how did we become a family of rock jockeys? If you take a look at roster you might wonder how a disabled man, his non-athletic wife, and their 5 yr old son became climbers. The process is very interesting one that I’m about to explore.

In The Beginning……

I’ve always been an outdoorsy kind of guy. I grew up camping and hiking, I spent my senior year of high school in Colorado which gave me more exposure to better hiking terrain (I prefer strenuous elevation gain hiking) and always jumped at the chance to hit the trail. I was never one who had the opportunity or even the desire to climb sheer rock faces. I did however climb at 14er (14,000′+ summit) in Colorado and did some peak bagging on my own, this included some class 3 and class 4 scrambling: the closest I had come to climbing….ever. Then it happened, I was crippled in an accident and my days of athletic activity I thought had ended. At least on the levels I desired.

I did a hike or two after my accident but the experience was so exhausting and painful that regardless of the views and the sheer pleasure of hiking it was years before I ever hit the trail again. It would be years before I ever considered getting back to an outdoor life like the one I had.

A Reignited Fire

A few years after my wife and I were married I decided to put together a vacation, our first as a family. I opted to take us out west to Yellowstone National Park, and the Black Hills of South Dakota. While out there, to make a long story short, we hiked Elephant Back Mountain and I discovered that not only did I do FAR better then I expected, but also that my three year old son (almost four) finished strong too. There was a glimmer of hope that with some assistance (ankle and back braces….lots of braces) I could enjoy a life outdoors and maybe try something new.

One of my favorite alpine peaks

It had always been a desire to climb alpine peaks, and in that same trip we visted Grand Teton National Park. As luck would have it that day was the best weather day we had experienced and in early June the Tetons were glistening in the sunshine thanks to snow cover galore. That sealed it for me, I would find a way to the top and I knew the only way was to learn to rock climb. So shortly upon returning home I made a great and mighty effort to get my hands on books and by way of the internet I did my own research. I began sharing this new found (and rekindled) desire with my wife, and a small spark from my fire lit her tinder.

Bringing Us All Together

Through the wonders of modern technology I began to share documentaries and videos of climbers and climbing destinations with my wife. Luckily for me, she loves foreign travel and I began to extol about the Swiss Alps, Patagonia, and other regions of South America especially. I talked about how we could do this as a family and how we could vacation, spend time together, and be active for relatively inexpensively compared to a typical vacation. I talked about the places we could go and things we could see, about how this would be great for instilling a natural and active lifestyle into our children.

Quality gear leave everyone feeling this way

Slowly she began to open up to the idea. I helped to open her mind even further by bribing her with presents of shiny, soft, and feminine gear that made her and our son’s experiences far more comfortable. This of course helped make the transition much easier. However at this time we had not done anything closely resembling climbing, so the plunge had to be taken, but we thought it best to dip into the kiddie pool. A local outfitter had a section of their store with a small bouldering cave. The ceiling were no more then 8′ high and the floor was padded and absorbed a large amount of force. We worked up a sweat and left with our forearms screaming but a glimmer in our eyes. We spent over an hour together having fun and sweating up a storm. We got a workout…and it didn’t even feel like a workout. There was something to this climbing this and we decided to pursue it further. We signed up for a class at this same outfitter and at a cost of $5 (they gave us a $5 coupon for purchases over $25 after the class was over) it was easy to make the move to being a climbing family.

The Finished Product

Here we are just a  few short months after we started. Now we all climb and are members at the local climbing gym. We’ve all got climbing goals and my son is hooked (literally he throws up heel hooks like they’re going out of style). 2-3 times a week you can find us in the gym getting stronger and having fun. We’re talking about taking climbing focused trips and I’m thinking about competing in the 2013 Extremity Games. We subscribe to several climbing magazines, watch videos, follow athletes and are meeting new climbers on twitter and in the gym. We love the community feel of climbing and the opportunity it affords us to be together, get healthy, get outside, and stay active.

It's like the X-Games for disabled athletes

After encouraging my wife to read a few books the possibility even exists for her to consider taking up some modest alpine climbing in the future. She’s discovered her inner-athlete and we’re all defying our self conceived ideas of what we can and cannot do. My son watches the other climbers and I’m amazed by what he has picked up and how he’s getting stronger and going higher and harder with each passing week.

Reflections

When I look back on how we got to this point I find a certain number of tipping points that helped us build a climbing family.

#1. It all starts with passion. Starting anything without passion only leads to one giving up because when it calls for your time and sacrifice you find that it’s just not as important if you’re not passionate about it to begin with.

#2. You must gain knowledge.  I researched and read, studying and listened. I saw what it took and what I needed to do, I counted the costs and found a way to test my mettle before I wasted too much time.

#3. It helps to find multiple benefits. We were already a camping family, so adding hiking, and climbing just seemed logical and we could do all of that in one vacation and the gear could be used for multiple vacations making it cheaper in the long term. Add in the physical benefits, getting outside, being active and away from technology carried a lot of weight.

#4. Got to start slow. We slowly immersed ourselves into this new world and now it’s taking center stage. We sought out easy and inexpensive ways to introduce ourselves. Bought used books, read free websites, and rented gear cheap. We started bouldering which meant we only needed shoes and found a inexpensive class we both could attend.

#5. Make everyone comfortable. From gear to expectations ensure to it that everyone is comfortable with the pace and the practice. When all the family members are happy the chances increase of doing it again and again.

So whether it’s rock climbing, kayaking, BASE jumping, slacklining, or any other outdoor recreation you want to try out crafting an outdoor family is worth the time and effort, just be sure to take the right steps.

So until next time…….Climb On!

Our son showing of his rock jockey skills

Categories: Climbing, Insight, Outdoor Recreation | Tags: , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The 3 Questions That Hold Me Back

Posted on February 16, 2012 by jessicacardwell

I first tried rock climbing in September 2011 after I had been insisting to my husband I was NOT interested in trying.  What changed my mind?  On a camping trip up north we saw climbers on Palisade Head.  We also did some rock scrambling by a waterfall and the experience intrigued me.  My husband has talked at length about his progress from the perspective of being a climber who is disabled, I haven’t shared much from my nonathletic-kinda-afraid-of-heights-I-can’t-believe-I’m-doing-this perspective.

We started climbing more regularly in November, just 3 months ago.  In the gym, I’ve been climbing 5.7s and trying 5.8s here and there.  (non-climber?  see this explanation of climbing grades)  As for bouldering (short, un-roped routes), I can usually get most V0 problems after a try or two (or 5, but who’s counting) and I’ve started working on a V1.

While I’m not the most physically fit person, it doesn’t seem to be my fitness that’s holding me back.  It’s my mental game. I’m plagued by 3 internal questions.

What if I can’t?

Bouldering at the Climbing Gym

When I reach a section of a route or problem that I haven’t gotten past before, I feel the anticipation building and I doubt I can do it.  When the doubt sets in, I hesitate, miss the hold and fall.  It’s a huge barrier to giving 100% and committing to my moves.  When I focus on what I think I can’t do, it cheats me from the possibility of what I could do if I gave it my all.

During some climbing sessions I get discouraged by the lack of progress from my holding back, and I proceed to sit back and watch my husband and son climb.  Watching my son requires effort to make sure he doesn’t get in the way of other climbers, and it makes the perfect excuse.

What do people think?

Unfortunately this is a question I’ve had to deal with in other areas of life, and for the most part I’ve squashed it.  Except when it comes to climbing.  I find myself self-conscious and hoping others aren’t watching.  When the gym is busy I find I’m less likely to jump in and climb since there are more people to see my lack of skills.  I try to remind myself: You’re new at this.  You are still learning. However, as a recovering perfectionist my little pep talk doesn’t usually work.  I was naturally inclined to do well in school as a child, going on to become the valedictorian in high school.  Life doesn’t hand out “A’s” as often as I got used to receiving them, and I don’t like appearing as the “D” student of the gym.

What if I fall?

This is a question I deal with more in bouldering.  I’ve only had one bad fall in the gym when my foot got stuck on a hold, but it successfully embarrassed me, startled me and ended my climbing for the evening.  Even on roped routes when I look over my shoulder and see how high I am, I can feel my heart rate increase.  Confession: sometimes at the top of the wall, I have to tell myself to let go.  Even then sometimes one hand still has a white-knuckled grip on the last hold for a few more seconds.

Answering the Questions

So what am I doing about these questions?  I’m trying to think less when I’m on a problem to combat #1.  I slow down when I over think and then I do poorly.  I’m also trying to draw on my musical background and think of the rhythm I create in moving to make it more consistent and less hesitant.  Possibly next week I will climb with @eliz_rocks (check out her blog!) so someone will see me climb and I’ll have to get over myself. :)   As for the fear of falling . . . don’t all climbers continue to deal with that to some degree?

It never ceases to amaze me how climbing can have such a direct correlation to other areas of life, possibly even exposing thoughts and attitudes we believe we’ve successfully overcome.  Have you had to deal with any of these questions, in climbing or other areas of life?  Please share your insights in the comments.

100 Miles in 2012 and Other Updates

Warming up with hot chocolate

During our period of mild weather in Minnesota, I had suggested we take a longer hike to test our junior hiker and train for our upcoming vacation.  We ended up suffering through experiencing refreshing 15 degree weather for 2.5 hours to cover 3.7 miles, bringing our total to 6.2 miles for the year.  It was the quickest pace we’ve ever had on a hike!  The wind picked up about half way through, which encouraged a fast pace back to the truck.

Are you on Facebook? If you haven’t already, you can check out our Facebook page.  And until next time, climb on!

Categories: 100 miles in 2012, Climbing, Insight | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

We’re Guest Posting Again!

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Jayson

Don’t worry loyal readers, we’re not leaving The Bionic Chronicles. Tomorrow check back (or subscribe via RSS) for a post from Jessica about something terrific (she’s keeping it under wraps)! Today though I have the priviledge and tremendous opportunity to be a guest blogger at a wonderful blog Tales of a Mountain Mama Where I’m talking about ‘The Importance of Being an Outdoor Dad” so stop by, support her blog with tons of reads, weigh in on the comment section, and follow her on Twitter if you don’t already, @mtnmamatales.

Check out her blog, click the header and head on over!

Categories: Guest Blogging | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Going Au Natural

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Jayson

I’m just not as young as I used to be. I know it’s difficult to admit but it is true. Being that I’m older doesn’t mean that I am any less un-cool. Okay that’s exactly what it means and my ‘coolness’ factor has sagged and dropped more over the years.

Better than a doctor

When my parents were the age that I am (I turn 35 this year) I thought they were ancient. Of course I was a teenager, so what did I know. I like this age and time in my life. Maturity has finally set in (in most areas of my life), I’m married, a parent, I can still do things that I love, and I’m discovering new things as well. However age has risen up and slapped me in the face to remind me that although I’m still cool (please, let me have this one delusion) I still have to pay the piper. My days of bouncing back are gone.

I write a lot about injury on here because quite frankly, I deal with it a lot. I’m a disabled ‘athlete’. (I put athlete in quotations not because disabled people can’t be athletes, but because I’m taken a great deal of liberty with the definition of that word and it’s application to me.) Because of my physical challenges and the stress of my outdoor endeavors I’ve had to deal with the obstacle of my body not being able to handle what my mind and ambition are willing to toss at it. The fact of the matter is I put more stress on my muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, etc that do work then most people do because of the fact that I have areas of my body that don’t work.

I’ve left many a climbing gym session sore because my feet failed to maintain purchase on a basic simple hold. Not the good sore that accompanies working out, but the sore that screams “I may not function like normal anymore, you might have done some serious damage”. Hiking leads to inflamed and throbbing knees, hips, and back on a regular basis. This leaves me with only one choice: get extra healing help because quitting just isn’t an option.

Me with a sore back, ok my ideal self with a sore back.

Our bodies were designed to metabolize certain nutrients to not only nourish us but also provide certain other benefits. Foods and herbs have been terrific sources for having medicinal qualities that we often overlook. I’m not saying that if you eat an apple or chomp down some kale for lunch you’re going to be cured overnight, but a steady diet of foods, herbs, and certain supplements will yield results. I know personally since I changed my diet of foods I do not get sick as often as I used to. What we eat certainly affects how we perform and how we feel. If you don’t believe me read many of the articles out there about sugar. Here is a great one about the toxicity of sugar. How we breakdown the foods we ingest and use them may not necessarily help to us to scale Mount Everest, tackle Half-Dome, or complete the PCT, but it will assist is us being able to resist injuries and help keep us going in our favorite endeavors.

These just might be the answer to what ails you

Foods can go a long way, but until they discover the wonder fruit that helps a man swallow his pride and realize that he can’t go as hard as the 20-somethings at his local gym, certain pitfalls can’t be avoided. (I’m not finger pointing or calling anyone out it is a purely hypothetical situation). Below I listed a few resources to give you some insight into foods and herbs that might help you recover faster despite how chronologically challenged you are.

My Top Five Foods/Supplements

*Please note* I am not a member of the medical field, I am simply recommending these foods based upon personal experience and the reading I’ve done.

1. Kale -  Great source of vitamins, and it is an anti-inflammatory foods which is beneficial to those with forms of tendinitis and inflamed joints. (hikers, climbers, paddlers, etc)

2. Blueberry - It’s a super food, what doesn’t it do?

3. Blackberries – Anti-bacterial properties, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory

4. Pumpkin Seeds – Contain Magnesium in high contents, which is a great mineral that your body needs.

5. Cinnamon – This spice is a wonderful internal infection fighter. Along with a whole host of other benefits like reduction in muscle soreness, and assisting in the healing process.

Online Resources

Natural Foods - http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/

Herbs - http://www.herbwisdom.com/

Naturopathic Medicine - http://www.naturopathic.org/

So until next time……Eat Healthy!

Categories: Insight, Outdoor Recreation | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We’re Not Home

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Jayson

A wife-approved trail in Yellowstone (Elephant Back Mountain)

Today we’re not on The Bionic Chronicles, we’re over on A Little Campy, “Perfect Morning Coffee At The Campsite”. So come join us over there today for their Tuesday Trailblazer feature and join in the conversation.

Until Next Time….. Adventure On!

Categories: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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