I turned 38 last weekend. And looking back at this past year, I realized that I've been more injury prone than ever before. Not more accident prone - but more likely to get hurt from the trips and tumbles that I normally perform while trying to take a walk. And I think its not just age. I've relied heavily on doing the sports I love - climbing and skiing - to remain fit and capable to do the sports I love. And I don't think its enough anymore, if it ever was. Last October, I was climbing at my personal best, despite a broken toe. Twelve months later, and I seem to struggle at three full grades below last October, and somehow 20 lbs has inched its way onto my belly.
I spent September being a good partner, unpacking while PG made the money that's paying our bills. We're almost unpacked, and I feel like I can now finally take some time for myself. I re-joined my old yoga studio, 8 Limbs Yoga, to try to put some flexibility into my 2x4 frame. I've made a commitment to hit the climbing gym twice a week. And I decided to try something new - Crossfit.
The people I know participating in Crossfit sometimes act like they're members of some cult, talking about "burpees" and "frans" and some "paleo-diet" thing. Still, something must be in their water bottles because they all look fitter then they did a year ago. So I'm taking a sip of the Kool Aid. I'm going to give crossfit a dedicated practice, twice a week, until I leave for Antarctica. My goal is simply to increase, in some sustainable way, my basic, core fitness. I don't expect it to make me a better skier or climber. I'm really inspired by Will Gadd's training blog. I will need to actually ski and climb. But maybe if I was a bit stronger I could have avoided hitting that tree in February, or taking that highball fall bouldering in May, or that scary pendulum in July.
