Experiencing the world (from a physical perspective)

One of the things I've learned over our travels over the last decades is that I've often wished I'd done more hiking ahead of time or walked more.  I've not been a slouch in the walking department over the years,  but I'm thinking about how 10 miles a day and steep up-and-down hills is a bit different!

A decent level of fitness is necessary to enjoy experiencing the world, regardless, whether you're trooping around European cities or hiking in Patagonia or walking though a nature reserve in Laos.

This last year, well, there were more demands on my fitness than I ever imagined there'd be. 

I'm fine hiking and walking, I'd always thought, but last summer in Quebec -- kayaking and biking -- both activities that I hadn't done much before --kayaking infrequently and biking not for decades.  I was whooped.  My arms were exhausted, I was tired, but it was so fun, I kept on going.

Kayaking!

So I dutifully started going back to the gym last fall to build up my upper body strength again (such as it's ever been), to try to make bicycling not so hard.  I stepped up my walking, too.

So, I was "sort of" ready for our X-C skiing excursions this winter.  At first, an hour totally exhausted me, but it was really great to be out there.  By the time we left (after almost 2 months), we sometimes skiied for 2 hours.  I was still exhausted, but was definitely feeling stronger.

So, it was interesting to experience how "fit" I've felt, now, back in Asheville, both doing my minimal weight workout (hey, I can lift much heavier weights!  woo, hoo!) 

Walking has seemed easier as well, and my first excursion out on my new bike this morning, purchased last summer -- it was great fun.  I was still pooped afterwards, but my arms were much stronger, thanks to the skiing this winter.

I'll be trying to keep it up!

Out skiing with our short Altai Hok skis