Fitness Goals - Week 4

Doing Yoga on every weekday now! And I feel like my body is more sculpted, toned, but definitely more aware, and flexible. Also been eating lentils daily, wish really flushes me out (if you know what I mean!). It is great to be in tune with my body again. However I did sign up for a 'Yoga for Climbers' class which focuses on muscles, stretching, healing and building. It is a mixture of a flow, balancing, and relaxation.

We start off slow, and then go into Surya Namaskar (sun salutation). Then we do variations of warriors, twists and some of the balancing poses. Of course my favorite pose is Savasana, the lights go dim, soothing music playing in the background, and pass out! However this gives me the kick to get on with my weekly workouts. I want to see improvements in ME!

The weekly visits to the Chiropractor have been awesome, along with the yoga. Also I may soon be able to climb again! I am still on the elliptical however, but pushing the heart rate a little above 150. I also took a chance and began running on the treadmill for 5 minutes only, however my chiropractor advised me against it. :-P

Yoga is definitely great, and so is eating healthy. As apple a day, lentil soup, avoiding carbs and starch, and focusing on proteins. :-)

Breathe!

check out my blog on how to make healthy lentil soup.

Warrior poses in stick figures!

Warrior 1

Let's Get Healthy

It's time to get back in shape, for me, at least.

I have had some health issues for a quite a few months now, as a result I have gained weight, have high blood pressure, and haven't been able to do the active things I love doing. I don't want to go into details of the nature of the health issue, but I am sure many of you are aware, and dealing with a family crisis back in India. The weight gain has been due to hormonal imbalances, organs not working right, and depression as a result of pain, and hormones. In order for the body to function exercise is important, however if you are in so much pain you can't move (which I have experienced), exercise is difficult. So the hormonal imbalance, Pain, and lack of exercise (doing things I love), all result in inability to burn fat, calories. Also when you are in that state, you don't really want to eat healthy.

For  the next couple of months I will blog about how to get back into shape to hike, yoga, climb, dance, and run. Get into that peak physical condition - shape, cardiovascular, muscular, mental level which I had but a year ago. I am starting from ground zero and with astounding high blood pressure (side effect of meds? Doc is working with me to narrow the cause). If you want to get into shape and do things like biking 40 miles etc. stick with me and hopefully by spring we should be in shape (hopefully sooner, for I long to go back country hiking and camping this winter).

First off I am totally cleaning up my diet - low sodium, which means mostly cooking at home, using fresh ingredients- VEGGIES! Researching (Wikipedia/Google) the nutrition of the ingredients, adding little to zero salt. Using spices for flavoring, and not eating out as much.
I will have some alcohol (beer, wine) on weekends. I never indulge in caffeine other than Earl Grey.
Eating lots of fruits.
Oh did I mention this miraculous but nasty thing called Oatmeal? It helps reduce blood pressure among other things, it is so good for weight loss, but after eating it for 3 years (when I lived at home) it just sounds kind of gross to me. Yes lots and lots of oatmeal.

Starting off these next few weeks: slow and easy Yoga and Pilates, walking or elliptical for 30 minutes to an hour, some light weights to get the arms and back, back in shape, and breathing exercises (Kapalbhati - I learnt it at the Sivananda Yoga Center, Chennai, Google or ask me to learn more and see if it is right for you).

During the work day: watch posture, walk as much as you can, drink lots of water (yes I forget this simple task) and let's not forget sneaking in some... OATMEAL!

 Breathe!

False Emotion Appearing Real - FEAR

False Emotion Appearing Real - FEAR
Something my sister told me once, I don't know where she heard it, however it was her response to me expressing insecurities. She helped me through the process explaining that it's in my mind and not true, and once I realized that I was free. I was not captured by my own fear.

Truly what do we fear, it is an emotional reaction to help us preserve our selves, often unfounded. We make ourselves believe things, and we begin to protect ourselves. That could be good or bad, but realizing the process of this (metacognition) is utterly valuable, for it then opens doorways which we otherwise would not have been able to cross.

My fear: climbing. And yes I am a climber.
Every time I am up there, the fear that I will fall clutches at me. I can't make a difficult move, I over analyze it. I stop trying, because I am too busy thinking, and my hands begin to sweat, my mind thinks, ' now i will definitely slip and fall'... the circle of fear begins. The whole time I know that my belayer has me, and I truly have nothing to worry about. We check the gear, we double checked everything, so this fear is for the sake of fearing? Silly me.
I am working hard on mentally overcoming this. I can climb outdoors fine, I just can't deal with the exposure (example: a cliff, my bane Seneca Rocks, WV, and other such "structures").

So how do we work with our "FEARs"  and get over it?

1- stop thinking (distract yourself - read, draw, movie, friends, puppy... any number of things. use your imagination!)
2- when you are in that position of "FEAR" / scared/ anxiety/ stress - think about what it really is "False Emotion Appearing Real". Question it, logically, understand it, understand yourself.
3- Face it - if you are afraid of spiders - go to a petting zoo and pet one; dogs - go find a puppy and ask to play with it; being alone - go spend a day with your favorite person (yourself) and do it more often; the basement - put on the lights, take a knife with you and go downstairs and then realize how silly you are
4- there are things we are all afraid of, and there's nothing to be ashamed of. My silliest fears are clowns, balloons, thunder, and fireworks (they all go pop/boom which startles me, and makes me rather upset. the clown uses balloons to make pop sounds which are supposed to be funny? associated fear). So what I try to do is I expect it every second, and become less afraid. I Try. But once you accept your fear, face it, come to terms and understand it, it gets easier from there.

I'm still "afraid" of climbing up Seneca Rocks, but I will do it someday. I have to understand that although the exposure is pretty crazy, it is doable, and my belayer has got me (the thought still makes me sick). One key aspect of me overcoming this is me becoming a better climber and having more confidence. Once I can do "difficult" moves, I should think that the rock is no problem for me. Hearing 5.8 or 5.9 level climbing right now, does scare me a little. So I start small and dream big, and work hard to get there!

breathe

My sister spinning poi

To Be a Writer

I wanted to be a writer ever since I had an imagination, and I could scribble characters which were alphabets to me. I first expressed myself by drawing, and then writing. My little 3 year old head had such thought and imaginations; I was fed books, cartoons, movies... and my brain would create a new world for myself from those ideas. It was truly glorious. I have always wanted to share it with the world.

The catch is, being a writer is like being an artist... you might as well be a poet or a penniless sitar player (Moulin Rouge reference). The profession of being a "Writer" was not in my parents vocabulary. Like all Indian parents, the idealized profession for their kids is: Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer. So hackneyed, so trite, yet it is the norm; so sad. However other occupations that lead to an abundance of wealth, and a "normal" life is acceptable, in example - business person, computer technology, research, etc. As long as you are able to follow the formula- Graduate, Get a Good Job (which pays enough to sustain you, parents, spouse and children, accomplish the following- buy house, car, get kids college educated, paid time off etc.). Cookie cutter houses, cookie cutter lifestyle. Life pattern: set. This is the best and safe route: take it. Best advice ever?

I like being safe, but I don't want the above. I've been searching my whole life, for more than what is presented to us by society, family, media, popular culture... There is more, but it's a risky jump away from my clutches. My family and society have never accepted this route/ idea, it's not safe, we don't know where it will lead, it is unconventional. (Just a tiny insight into my inner struggles with identity, family, cultures, life, and self).

Writing, though many a writers do exist, is still an unconventional career. How will I make it work? I am used to a certain lifestyle. Am I willing to give it up and live below my standards to become that independent yet awesome writer I yearn to be. No one believes I can, but I believe in me. Yet I have been seeking support for years now. That is the path I need to take, when no one has faith, I do, and I go with it. I know people who believe in God know God believes in them and it makes it easier. So I will just have to create my own imaginary being, maybe it's gonna be Higgs.

Writers need time, and space, and that's another lifestyle change most families have a hard time accepting. The aloofness, the quiet, ie. why would someone want to go solo, away from family and friends? Especially for a very chatty/clingy/emotionally dependent  family. It is funny cause we start out life as us, and then we mold to our families, and then realize we have to become us again. I always was quiet, shy, introspective, and friendly; somewhere that changed and I became social and chatty, and now I long to revert back to default settings.

I want to write, I can't wait to. My mind is a mess, 29 years of ideas floating around, unharnessed, connecting at points, needs filing and organization so bad. I wish I could hire an assistant to help go into the deep dark cupboards in the back, which has fresh ideas locked away, and bring them to the forefront. I need to grease up my writing hand and pick up a pencil, eraser and sharpener and draw the thought flows down

In the middle of the 29 years of mental story planning and building, a lot happened - personal growth, life, college, education, college English classes, artistic influences, dark times,  travels, meeting people from all walks of life, experiences and relationships. All this influenced me tremendously in my blog writings and non- online writings. Especially the "imagination- killer"; I love fiction, fantasy and everything beyond this world, that keep us locked in a so called reality with rules and such (law's of physics, science, religion, politics, civics etc.). This person was so grounded, that he condoned my imagination, that "pretending" was silly. However all thinking is imagining anyway, (later I realized). For a while though my imagination was killed, and I sought to be grounded in reality (which I might say is boring, and can make you age faster than the higgs boson!).

This is my choice. This is what I will do.
I will write.

Breathe


PS: found this when I was researching short life spans (reference, see last paragraph of blog)
Animals with short life spans - http://akorra.com/2010/03/04/top-10-shortest-living-organisms/

This happens to humans when they tune into "Reality" too much.




So what should I write?

From Groupie to Climber

Trying to become a better climber... some people are born with it, some people have to train more, not due to physical ability, but due to mental restraints. That's what holds me back a lot.

I have an awesome climbing Guru, who I have learnt to trust, and it has been hard because the line is not tight, and yet he tells me not to worry about falling cause he's got my back. The line is slack!

I'm not scared of falling to the ground, I'm scared of banging into the wall, or a few bumps or that initial fall... even though its just a few inches, or feet.

Motivating myself to climb, I love it once I start doing it and it's going well, but when I am stuck, and it's an indoor rock climbing gym, the humidity between me and the wall builds up, sweaty palms, the stench of my own sweat, and MY OWN inability to get to the top - frustrates me. Next thing I know I am in a grizzly mode. However I'm getting closer to the top, my arms are shaky, adrenalin and other hormones pumping through my blood; How can I give up now?

No way missy, we are going to follow the red route to the top (ok I might rainbow it, since I need to slowly perfect the technique).

My climbing guru told me "climbing is like a road, first few times you might get lost, it will take you longer. but the more you practice the route, the faster and easier it becomes"...

Thus my "projects" are born. From one project to another I climb, till perfection and I blossom as a climber.
The seeds of "being a climber" were planted, now I need to be cultivated and then finally harvested! What helps more with motivation is knowing that I will be learning more, and not just stopping at indoor, top rope climbing.

The next step of my cultivation was -  lead climbing. I have climbed outdoors, and depending on the difficulty level, I can do pretty well, or pretty terribly. I did terribly at Seneca Rocks, WV, mainly because I was NOT mentally prepared for the exposure. Lead climbing is great but remembering the rules of placing the carabiners, is important for safety. Then comes technique, strength and stamina, like any sport, and this takes practice. Down climbing is important for both lead, and training for strength and stamina (although torturous and often feels like a punishment). After down climbing, one realizes what a joy rappelling is. No wonder rappelling is more common than climbing in some places!

I am still learning, and there is no end to learning when climbing, there is a whole world out there to climb!

If you haven't climbed yet try it! If you are afraid of heights, try it! If you can't then hang out with climbing people they are awesome!

Climb on
 and

Breathe!

Climbing the Spantic peak 7027 m - Karakoram Pakistan

Tonsai - thailand

Bouldering in Big Bend

 

My climbing guru also says "Breathe! Breathe like you are having a baby! I can't hear you breathing!"

Fittness Journal - Understanding Calories Simplified

So this week I have been pretty healthy and active.
I ate chipoltle twice: (no sour cream), yes on the guacamole, and I picked brown rice, carnitas meat, the corn salsa and mild tomato salsa. Little bit of cheese. All in the bowl.
Then I also ate sandwiches for lunch all week, which was probably bad because of the bread.
One night I had one slice of pizza, and a smoothie (see recipe in my blog piece).
Breakfast consists of hot tea, banana, and trail mix (which i keep at my desk, and make at home).


Sunday - Bicycling 3 miles, painting the deck
Monday - Bicycling 6 miles, Frisbee, painting the deck
Tuesday - Ran 2 miles
Wednesday - Bicycled 5 miles
Thursday - Climbing (approx 150 ft). but it works out my whole body, stamina, strength, muscle memory, and cardio-vascular
Friday - Run or Bicycle or Yoga
Saturday - Run / Bicycle/ Hike

Also: Ran up and down the stairs at work - Tuesday - Friday (at-least 5 times).

For activities like Yoga and Climbing the calories is hard to calculate. However if you are doing it right, and for an hour, with four 3 minute breaks, I think it would burn 300 - 500 calories.

I don't really count calories, but I make sure I am not over eating calories (ice creams, desserts, burgers, fried foods - french fries, pizza and pasta). It's important to understand your daily caloric intake needed for survival and functioning (mentally and physically), this is different from person to person, due to a multitude of factors (genes, metabolism, lifestyle, body type, work, age, weight, height etc.). Also see my blog on eating right.

Calories is the amount of energy you expend, it relates to how much and what you eat, because what we eat becomes energy. Our bodies burn/use up sugar and fat for energy. So we always want to eat as much as we burn, and in case of chubbier people - eat less energy food (calories/ fat) than we burn. This is so that the body starts using the reserves - fat. Fat is lighter than muscle, but it takes up way more space than muscle (unless you want to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, in that case it's a whole different story, but we still need to burn off all the fat first, otherwise the muscle gets built under the fat and just looks bulky). Once again we all have different bodies and different body chemistry's, rates of metabolism. So understand you body, but also learn to discipline it and control it ie. cravings, being hungry all the time, etc. These mean you aren't doing something right.

Pine Nuts are awesome cause it helps you get the good fat, and also helps you feel full. Thus making you feel less hungry. A palm full a day, should be good to help you through the day.

Healthy eating!

Active Living!

and


Breathe

Pine Nuts

 

Setting Goals

It's a crappy day.

After this crap who really cares anyway right?

So I check in with Mun to see what's going on, if he will meet up for climbing.

He will! and he is aiming for "the gauntlet" climbing 24 routes.
Insane I think.

I set my goal for 5 routes. Less than mediocre. I might have to up the ante just a bit.



Thinking about it just gets my adrenalin going and my heart pumping faster.


It's only shitty because I let it be, and it spiraled downward from there.

I forced myself to smile more and it slowly turned up... yes sure enough. The sun is out, people were friendlier. Laughs all around!





Tomorrow:

List of things to do at work
smile a lot, greet everyone
send out love to the universe

Breathe

Battle Wounds!

My Climbing Guru- Carlos, Climbs!

Walking Alone

Although I am blessed with many wonderful people in my life, who love, care and support me there are times I have to walk the valley of darkness alone.

The day when the true test is thrust upon me; and due to circumstances, situations and life's eb and flow, those are moments I face alone. I have to get my own back.

From I seek out friends, family, and help I can get. Sometimes the help comes from the most unlikely source. Sometimes the support I need does not come at all.

These are moments when I see everyone's true colors.

These are the times I realize my own potential, which I hide from myself.

I am ready for the next easy hike, and the tougher climb after it.

Usually I try to use my own images, but lately I have googled some, and this is what I got for "Valley of Darkness" Images. Battlestar Galactica! Made me smile!

Breathe!

Climb to Brighter Heights

Just when you think you've hit rock bottom, things will start looking up (look up to the light); and when things start looking up, it gets your spirits high; when your spirits get high and with a little bit of effort and that renewed positive attitude - more good things will start happening to you. And then just like the saying goes - when it rains, it pours!!
Climb to positivity - it isn't always easy but so worth the honest effort! Try it today!
(I really tried making this with all the right "sayings")

 

 

Be Still, Be Present

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

- Lao Tzu -

 

 

 

 

Picture Courtest Iloveclimbing@facebook - Dana Augustin playing with the block of La Grave La Meije FRANCE. Photo: Jerome Josserand

Aliens and Hexes

As a child, I always loved climbing stuff. Maybe humans have a natural inclination to climb. I climbed buildings, football goal posts, trees, walls, rocks/boulders etc.
Then somewhere the climbing stopped as it was inappropriate all of a sudden.
I wanted to start climbing again when I saw the rock wall at the University of Akron and wanted to get in shape to climb. I thought it was all arm strength. Little did I know it involved so so so much more.

So I wanted to have a strong upper body, but it was actually the whole body, mind and spirit. It all had to be in tune in sync with each other - this is what I learned much later.

I finally began climbing in 2009. I would do easy routes at the rock gym. I bought my own shoes and harness, but didn't learn to belay until 2011 summer. Therefore I really got into it in 2011. In 2009 I didn't push myself, mental conditioning was lacking a lot, technique lacked, and didn't handle the challenges enough.

As of 2011: I climbed outdoors, indoors and have see and experienced great heights. Mental conditioning - there is no end to that. Our minds are brilliant yet we have a lot of barriers to overcome. It is much like the matrix - you HAVE to "free you mind" so you have to get over the fact that "I can not" and just do it, because you can! (there are many proofs that one CAN do it, no matter what).

Seneca rocks - The beauty and intensity was mind numbing. I'm still reeling from the experience which I loved, but filled me with a 1000 different emotions, all as intense as the other... love, hate, anger, frustration, fear, self loathing, determination, exhaustion, warmth, cold, dread, fear, dread, love...

I was nervous the whole trip... irrational fears filled me: KKK, aliens, satanic worshipers... yes... I was "fear vomiting", cause I knew I would be stressed by the exposure of the cliff face we would be climbing. We were studying the book of the routes, self saving techniques, etc... funny thing was both aliens and hexes were mentioned on the same page (Seneca Rocks Climbing Guide). So the book makes it sound easy, but you know reality is different. Reality! Its just not a climb, its you, your mind, your body with the earth - doing together, getting to a higher place of consciousness and overcoming obstacles which include the above (your mind, body, spirit and the earth).

I also had a deep drunken conversation with Keith about eating animals, vegetarianism... which gave me a lot to think about and question, about respect, love, friendship, life and death. YES this is LIFE! We think about what nourishes us, where it comes from, it makes us do what we do, and we need to respect it (the food), ourselves, and our bodies.

So in tune with nature, body, mind and deep deep feelings, thoughts, beliefs... = Intense and beautiful.

The beauty and the intensity made me shed a tear or two, but I know its a catharsis I still need to face and let flow.





Breathe.

Changes Occur... Like Seasons

So I feel like it has been ages since I wrote a blog.
It is almost fall.
Things have changed in my life.
I have changed my life.
I decided to change.
Then everything changed.
However I realized it is a lot of hard work.
Exhausting.

It takes persistence. Determination. Perseverance.
Now i realize it takes will. courage and that desire to follow through.

I am tired. However, I will not quit.

I will be like "the little train that could".
"I-think-I-can. I-think-I-can. I-think-I-can"
and if i pursue and keep at it and chug chug chug all the way up the mountain, one day I will be saying "I-thought-I-could. I-thought-I-could"
and "I-knew-I-could" and I will use that power to keep climbing higher hills.

If we give up at hill one, then we are stuck in the valley and never see the view from the summit. The lovely panorama. The mind blowing, eye opening vista that keeps us climbing up more mountains.

So keep climbing, and don't stop. Don't settle for the valley, but enjoy the journeys,experience the seasons and views. It's all one. Don't stop at one place. Accept the change and seek for new.


Find time to relax - breathe - smile!

<3 <3 <3

Finding the Conquering Spirit ... Finding Peace of Mind and Pie

So I have been going to West Virginia three years in a row now!
First time I've gone there without a person who is a significant other! BUT HEY
I was my own significant other! The whole trip took: courage, blood shed, tears, pain, inner strength, outer strength, love and patience.
Long and difficult 5 hours to drive, but so worth it in the end, for friendship and adventure. Ultimately exhaustion, lessons learned, new friends made, and the whole thing was therapeutic in finding the Pree in Me again.

I can breathe again, and know I am strong and able to conquer many tough challenges - yes I might have to be whipped with a rope at times, scrape my elbows and knees, cry a whole new river out of my eyes, yell at myself... but I get there in the end.

Determination, Will, and well belief in my self.

I did some rock climbing ... outdoors this time. It was tough. Discouraging, frustrating at times, but I did it!

Confidence, Courage, and maybe even a little ego!

So onward and upward shall we go!

(here's a little secret ---- after a hard days work we all get Pies and Pints! = Motivation!)

(That is Renee climbing at Rehab/Ferngully, near Fayetville, WV)


Breathe!!!!

Feeling the world with our feet

The Memories and Instinct:

                There is some sort of inherent need to move our bodies. It is most natural in all of us especially when we are children. To run, to play, to dance, to climb, to jump, frolic and leap. As children we can’t sit still, and then slowly our spirits and bodies get tamed.

                We grow up and put on shoes. All sorts of shoes, flip flops, sandals, sneakers, boots, high heels… it is then that we stop exercising our feet the way. They are just there, as an appendage. We use them day to day but do we ever think of them? The toes, the in-between the toes, the ball of the foot, the arch, the heel, the ankle…

                As a child I remember running through the jungles in India, cautious yet very care free. Running fast, wind in my hair, sand flying up behind me… Remember the time you walked barefoot on the beach, and the sand scrubs against the bottom of your feet, gently so. The waves wash over your feet, and you can wiggle your toes into the sand, and it slightly tickles.

                Climbing a tree, we can feel all the different textures of the bark. Using our feet to grasp, hug and cling to the tree limbs, almost monkey like. To dangle our feet from the tree and feel the breeze caress our bare soles. Climbing rocks, feeling the marble of the Taj Mahal under your feet, the hot desert sand, the furry dog. Go ahead take your shoes off, wiggle your toes, and stretch the feet!

                Now by habit we put on shoes before going out, we even wear them indoors. We wear shoes so often that wearing fresh socks is such an exhilarating sensation for our feet! Our shoes do protect us from getting our toes stubbed, protects our feet from all sorts of damages, apart from surviving many other functions. What is missing, however, in this foot-shoe relationship, is the connection between us and the environment. The shoe creates a gap between that. We stop feeling the world with our feet.

The Science:

                I read an article in Cleveland Fitness magazine about barefoot running, and how more people are doing it. It actually helps the feet grow stronger, more muscles are used in the entire body. There is less impact, because instead of striking the ground with the heel each time, you land on the mid to upper parts of the sole (excuse me for I do not know the exact terminology for parts of the foot). Of course barefoot running maybe painful; after so many years of wearing shoes our feet are so tender, soft and sensitive, that most rough and hard surfaces hurt our feet. So I would say start little at a time. However after reading the article I began running, with the thought in my head - heck I did this as a child, I should be able to run miles barefoot. Alas, my thinking was wrong, and to just run 3 miles barefoot on a trail is a bad idea, and can lead to injuries especially when those muscles have not been used in a while. So start by walking short distance, and then increasing slowly. Then jog, and then run, over a longer period of time. There are many videos online, and websites which talk about this, and studies have been done.

                After much research I also found anti-barefoot websites. Seemed like Shoes were the major religion, and barefoot was the anti-religion, it was rather odd to see such hatred against people who just choose not to wear shoes. On a tangent... aren't there tonnes of guys who work outdoors in the summer with no t-shirts on? How is not wearing shoes SUCH A BAD THING? Seems a little extreme. However I think we have done it before, we can try it again.

(for more reading: "Born to Run" - Christopher McDougall;
http://www.chrismcdougall.com/
http://www.barefootrunningbook.com/ ;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot_running#Prominent_barefooters ;
http://therunningbarefoot.com/ ;
http://www.barefootrunner.com/ ;
http://www.barefoot-running.com/ ;
http://www.runbare.com/ ;
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127134241.htm ;
http://www.sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htm ;
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319--6728-0,00.html ;
http://www.runtheplanet.com/trainingracing/training/alternative/barefoot.asp ;
http://zenhabits.net/barefoot-running/ ;
http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/technology/4314401 ;
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/01/28/shoeless_running_may_spare_feet/ ; http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/ ;
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-01/barefoot-running-study-finds-your-sneakers-are-unnatural ; http://ezinearticles.com/?Research-on-Barefoot-Running&id=4343746 ;
http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/04/running-technique-footstrike.html ;
http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-amp-gaming/article/2009-05/running-barefoot ;

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20100127/barefoot-running-laced-with-health-benefits ;
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/runningworkouts/a/Barefoot-Running.htm ;
http://www.therunningfront.com/natural-running/beware-of-barefoot-running-injuries/ ;
http://www.foot-health-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17587

        

The Non-Shoe Shoe:

               The Vibram FiveFingers, a little over priced, but an awesome shoe with technology that makes being barefoot fun yet reduces the stress and pain of running barefoot for the first time. There are different types, with different amounts of support, and thickness of the sole. I tried them on and loved it, I was looking for new hiking/running shoes and settled for this. Although I should have started slowly, I kinda jumped into it, and now I'm taking it slowly, after reading about it a lot.

Barefoot:

             Finally, let's say you have urge to go hiking after work and you just don't have your shoes for some reason, go barefoot run on the grassy portions. Just go barefoot!

Climbing! Climb On!

Climbing is something which comes natural to humans as is breathing, walking, running, swimming and sleeping.
When I was a child I did not know how to swim, or so I thought. I remember I never liked going to my swim lessons at the age of 3 or 4 because my swimming teacher was fat, and she had a weird coffee stain on her swimsuit. I always thought that it was so strange. Anyway she would make me put my face in the water, and it was always very scary because her stained swimming suit was in it too. Years later when I was 11 I learnt how to swim. The swim teacher  to jump into the deep end of the pool and if I didn't I saw what he would do. He would say ok go back to the line, however when you turned around, he would grab you and throw you in. Miraculously you already know how to swim! You'll automatically surface and get to the side of the pool. I think 1 in 15 kids didn't swim and they quit and sank to the bottom, in that case the teacher would cuss, and jump in after the kid. The kid would be fine. I jumped in and swam, my sister was thrown in.
Climbing came naturally to my sister and I. She started it however, she would climb doors, walls, anything that went upward. Her problem was coming down. She would begin to cry, and usually jump into my father's arms. I enjoyed climbing trees and interesting shaped buildings. However one day our teacher told us that it wasn't ladylike to climb. The whole fun of climbing trees was the fruit of the labor - tamarinds, palm, mangoes, coconuts, dates... so much yummy fun!

Years later, I have no more upper body strength, and developed fear of heights. I doubt that I can climb anything whatsoever. I wish and wish I could climb the rock wall in the University of Akron rec center, but I never have the guts to or find a buddy to go with.
Recently though I got the opportunity to at Kendall Cliffs, in Summit County. I have been climbing with my friends Renee and Mark. It has been quite the learning experience. In its entirety it is an exhilarating experience. You get a full body work out with the adrenalin rush, team spirit, trust building, strength building and mentally, physically and sometimes intellectually challenging.
The first few times I learnt the "codes" we are supposed to say such as "climbing" "climb on" "belay?" "belay on", how to tie the No. 8 knot. and to secure the harness. Then how to start the climb and use my arms and legs, following the color.
Recently however Renee/ Mark and Jeff stepped it up a notch, and taught be how to use my belay instrument, tie a few more knots, the secret to trying knots, also new techniques in movements, and holds. It sure made it more interesting and challenging. Realization to how much more I need to work on my core muscles, and arms. Also how we must use our arms and legs together. Usually Renee forgets to use her arms, and I forget to use my legs. So we learn from each other. I realized I trust Renee and Mark for belaying and everyone has different belay techniques. It all takes practice.
I started a new wall, and it was a puzzle and challenging. I would climb up four feet and then slip and fall to be caught by the belay person. Swinging like Tarzan (by mistake) from the rope is actually kinda "whoa". This wall had a very slight overhang and it had different kinds of holds... and now my thumbs hurt. Relearning how to climb again, and its fun and you use parts of your brain that we forget to use. We use muscles we didn't know we have!

Exciting! Intriguing! Believing! Achieving!