My Body Can Do Hard Things...

While in Mexico in March, I climbed a very steep path up a hill for 40 minutes (or was it a mountain?  Who is to say?). Then I descended deep into the earth in search of ancient carvings inside of a massive and beautiful cave cut into the top.  

This is Mexico, so there were no proper steps.  No handrails or warnings.  No waiver to sign or helmet to wear.  And the delightful Javier, who led us on our hike exclaimed that it was 'easy' and we were 'almost there' and encouraged all of us 'chicas' to follow him.  It was one of those excursions that reminded me that I am not as fit as I would like to be right now.  Maybe not even as fit as I think I am.  I was panting and sweating and leaning on my walking stick an awful lot both on the way up and on the way down.  But I couldn't help but be incredibly grateful for my body's ability to do most of the things that I ask it to do.  That day I asked it to go on a 'moderate' hike and it obliged.  It took me to the top of a hill with a beautiful view.

And then it took me deep into the earth to chant 'ohm' with several wonderful women in its cavern.  My body scrambled over rocks so that I could see the carvings left behind by visitors 4,000 years ago.  Then it brought me back to the ocean dirtier, sweatier, more tired but so very pleased with my experience.  

As we descended the hill, with my legs quivering like Jello, I thought about my Grandmother who never missed a chance to go swimming with her grandkids having us hold the straps of her ancient blue swimsuit while she dove under the water.  Who willed her body to roll rocks down the hill at our family lake property to help us build a retaining wall when she was 80 years old!  I thought about my Mother who bravely fought cancer and won when she was younger than I am now.  Who has had a knee replacement and shoulder surgeries to keep her tacked together but who absolutely never misses a chance for an adventure.  These women are my inspiration.  Their example is the reason that it would never occur to me to shy away from an adventurous hike into a cave in Mexico or up a true mountain in Norway.  Their example is the reason that I laced up sneakers and started running for the first time as a 30 year old new mother and that I'm delving into a real yoga practice in my 40's.  I desperately want to be that 80 year old woman annually hiking Besseggen or running another Ragnar.  To accomplish these goals, I am recommitting to keeping my body healthy and strong.  I see more yoga, more training runs and more kettlebell in my future.  Anyone want to join me?