I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid.
Instead, I run towards it because the only way to escape fear
is to trample it beneath your foot. -Nadia Comaneci
Some people consider me an adventure traveller. (I think they confuse adventure with active.) The thing is – I am over fifty, many pounds overweight and seriously out of shape. I guess the difference is that I don’t let those shortcomings dictate my activities. On the other hand I also understand my limitations and will opt out when necessary.
In Belize, I’ve explored remote Mayan Ruins (Caracol), snorkeled with sting rays and completed the Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Crystal Sepluchre) cave tour. Afterwards I read the cave tour is recommended for those that are extreme adventure lovers. Honestly, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and also the most rewarding. The night before I had to fight that little voice in my head that told me that I was too old, too fat and too weak to do it. The night after I soaked in an epson salt bath to sooth sore muscles.
A trip to the Galapagos meant hours every day in the water snorkeling or on land hiking. The first time we went into the water our guides gave me a swim vest, convinced they would be rescuing me in short time.
“Fat floats” I said and jumped into the deep without them.
Later I was the the last one out of the water not wanting the experience to end. The struggle was to get me back on the boat as I lacked the upper body strength to pull myself up. Two guides finally pulled me up and over the rim of the boat. I jumped up from the boat floor, threw my hands up in the air and announced, “I’m in”. Giggles from all and we set off to our next destination.
On a different trip to Belize I fell while horseback riding and broke a rib. It didn’t stop me from hiking up a mountain the next day and exploring a small cave with the largest collection of Mayan pottery in the country. It did stop me from zip lining and scuba diving.
I would have another chance to zip line in Costa Rica. Instead an old hip/back issue reared its ugly head and I could barely stand up straight. I felt it was prudent to get a massage instead. My travel companions returned with tales of flipping upside down and doing the tantrum Superman ride. I felt the burn of jealousy but knew I had made the right decision.
Later in my trip there was another opportunity to zipline, this time through the cloud forrest. My physical ailments had much improved with the help of two massages, daily stretches, swimming and wearing my orthopedics (even when they didn’t go with my outfit).
A family from Vancouver joined my travel companion and me on our adventure. The mother of the group was scared of heights. As she and I waited for our group to do the Tarzan swing I told her, “You don’t have to do it”. She looked at me and said, “Yes I do.”
I understood. I held no trepidation of heights or soaring across the treetops. My concern was my physical limitations, climbing the hills to the next line in the humidity and the altitude effecting my breathing.
You know what? We both survived. We faced our fears and the exhilaration of conquering them left us with a feeling of accomplishment that could not be contained.
I challenge you to face your limitations and fears head on. Don’t spend you days lounging on the beach while your family climbs Mayan ruins or snorkels the Barrier Reef. Its okay to go slow. The reward may be bruises and aching muscles but the realization that you can still do it is priceless. It may even motivate you to hit the gym when you get back home.
Go forth and explore.
To be tested is good.
The challenged life may be
the best therapist. -Gail Sheehy
Photo Credits:
Fausto Augusto Perez
Paul Pawlicki
Paul Pawlicki