See "Will" Run

Calaveras Big Trees State Park is one of my favorite places and camping there this weekend was a blast. Seventeen of us on a two hour road trip to the solitude of the forest for a weekend of friendship, wine, and hiking.

On Saturday, we took the South Grove Trail, a five mile hike with a 400 ft. change in elevation to see the largest tree in the forest. Don’t let that 400 ft. change in elevation fool you, our trail ascended and descended more times than a politician of questionable morals pants.

It probably wouldn’t have been as hard had my friend Mary and I not been running part of the time. The men grew tired of waiting for the other campers in our group to arrive, so they left Mary and me on a bench with a Walkie Talkie to wait for them.

After about fifteen minutes, they called us on the Walkie Talkie us to say that they had taken a wrong turn, go figure, but ended up finding our fellow campers. They instructed Mary and me to go across the bridge instead of turning left as they had and that they would backtrack the ½ mile or so to the bridge. “Roger that.” Mary and I exchanged glances “so who’s the leader now?” I mocked. From that moment on it became a footrace to stay ahead of them.

“Ahh maniacal Caren, I LIKE HER” said Mary. “Take deep breathes to send the oxygen all the way to the bottom of your lungs” she coached as I struggled with the high altitude running. Whenever we could hear their voices we would immediately pick up our pace and run. At every signpost they would call us on the Walkie Talkie for a location check. They just couldn’t believe that we were on the same trail and that they couldn’t catch us.

We made it to Agassiz, the biggest tree in the forest just minutes before they arrived. They were certain that we had found a shortcut. But there was no shortcut, only the iron will of two determined competitors. It is true that “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. “ -Mahatma Gandhi

Today, my ankles are asking my “Will” “did you think you were some kind Billy Goat who could stand on the side of a mountain?” Ouch, ouch, ouch, but so worth it!

Inner Fitness

Exercise is my nemesis. I have been in and out shape for nearly fifty five years. As I grow older, I want to keep moving, running, dancing, jumping (not that much jumping) but you get the idea. I want to keep my body limber and my muscles strong, but I resist an exercise routine.

Last fall was the closest I've come to a consistent commitment in years, but I “fell off the wagon.” Where is my “inner coach” when I need her?

I’m wondering if my problem is the word “exercise” or the word “routine.” My days free flow and create themselves many times, but I don’t think I’m allergic to routines. I think it’s the E-word “exercise.” It carries so much negative connotation for me, all the broken promises to myself.

Yesterday, I tried unsuccessfully to motivate myself to take a long walk or go to the gym. Then I remembered a trick I learned last February on my Florida trip. I stopped calling it “exercise or gym” and started calling it “meditation.” Knowing myself better is something I value, so spending an hour dedicated to “meditating” on me seems worthwhile and something I don’t resist.

The “meditation” just happens to take place at California Family Fitness on the wave machine where I practice being in the present moment. Yeah, I can still use headphones and watch the HGTV if I want to or listen to the music channel, but it’s “me” time. Time dedicated to finding me or losing me, whichever I need at that moment.

Is there a goal or an intention that keeps eluding you? Try looking at it through new eyes. Use a new word, one that aligns with your purpose and see if that small shift in words, creates a big shift in your perception. It did for me.