Having a supportive tribe

 

A tribe that plays together...

This past Saturday, I joined the work athletics team for a practice run. Yes, run, although it is more of a shuffle in my world! Anyway, the team was supposed to start at 05:00, and I had my alarm set to be there on time. And when the alarm went off, I didn’t press snooze; I pressed stop and turned, ready to continue with my sleep, as I felt too tired to punish myself like that. I couldn’t sleep and decided to wake up anyway. As I was preparing myself, I started seeing updates from members and got the fuel I needed to do this!

Sometimes showing up is the only choice

I had a doctor’s appointment that day, so I  needed a change of clothes. Since time was not on my side, I had to do everything in a rush. And each time I had to leave, I realised I had forgotten something. This happened so often that I wondered if it was even worth it. The last straw was when I tripped and fell! Need I mention how falling unsettles me, given my fragile structure now? Instead of seeing that as a sign that maybe it was time for a rain check, the rebel in me was more determined to show up. When I arrived at the venue, I got unnerved as it was still a tad dark, and while there were cars, no one was in sight. I knew long-distance runners had a different route but expected to find the short-distance tribe. I felt a bit dejected as I reflected on how everything seemed to go wrong before I left. And then I had a light bulb moment! I was being delayed so I could arrive when it was not too dark since I would be alone! Coincidence? Synchronicity? In my world, it will be the latter. Anyway… that’s not what I’m writing about!

A little support goes a long way

Over the years, I have participated in several marathons as a walker and have always been in awe of the different teams running as a group, mostly singing while I’m gasping for air (shuffling, not running). I learned later that those groups are called buses. And it is those buses that ensure that all members finish the race! I also noticed that there would be normal water stops, but there would also be some special stops provided for specific team members only, with the attendants there cheering members on. The camaraderie and the support have always been a marvel to watch. Only this past weekend did I get a glimpse of how the foundation of such a support structure is laid. It takes commitment and sacrifice from members who choose not to train and support their fellow runners during their training. It takes members who choose to attend a marathon they are not taking part in to support their team members. It takes runners who finish running short distances and wait at the finish line to cheer their team members running long distances. It is stuff like this that tends to pull at my heartstrings.

In hiking, a selfie moment can sometimes be all the cheering you need (Photo courtesy of Keo wa Aforika)

A little appreciation for the helpers

This led me back to a moment back in 2015 when a friend was injured during a weekend hike. This injury happened on the first day of a two-day hike, and she was not about to abandon such a serious mission just to be x-rayed and put on a moon boot. As is the culture of hikers, everyone did their bit to ensure she was comfortable. Everything except convincing her that it was not a good idea not to be checked immediately, especially given that she was at an age where spare parts were scarce. Among the helpers was one big-hearted soul (may her soul continue to rest in peace) who was a lover and a cheerleader of note. My experience over the weekend made me appreciate her again. It was her nature to make sure everyone was okay.  She opted not to hike on the second day to take care of the injured hiker. Some hikers offered to stay with them. When the rest of the group left that morning, she was cheering us on, almost crying as she wished us well and reminded us how much she loved us all. After her passing, a video of this moment was circulated widely across social media platforms. I’m only realising now how big her role was. She was not just that person who enjoyed traveling with hikers while she was not going to hike. Not only did she keep the fireside busy with her humour, but she also ensured hikers were fed!

Members of my tribe can be creative with their photos (Photo courtesy of Tony Sibanda)

Being held

I have received a lot of support in my hiking journey. I have mentioned that this started as a wobbly journey due to my fear of heights and bodies of water. And yet, through the support of fellow hikers who had to hold me or even carry my bag, I could overcome most of those fears. When watching the Comrades Marathon, one witnesses strength, resilience and character. The selflessness I have seen with runners carrying each other to the finish line says much about this tribe. I have realised that running needs mental strength, as does hiking. You are as good as your physical, mental and emotional fitness during a hike. It is, therefore, important to attend to those. In addition to your fitness, your tribe will determine how you experience a hike. Your support to others will determine how they experience a hike. 

 At 5 200m altitude! I thought I was going to die. 

Sometimes hiking can be torture

I don’t think my body ever experienced torture like it did when I hiked the Anchascocha trail in Peru. For anyone who wants to know when I’m doing Kilimanjaro, I’m not sure. With my weak lungs and my struggle with altitude in Peru, I may just have to accept that it is not for me. And I’m saying this, knowing very well that there is absolutely nothing wrong in changing my view at some point. Anyway, I feel I could have done with better support on this hike, but I cannot forget how two guys had to drag me to the Rainbow Mountain. I remember at 20 meters, one of the guys saying to me, you can go back if you want. I was done; but I looked at him and asked, are you mad? Dealing with altitude needs serious fitness; but even fit hikers can struggle with that. A supportive tribe is still key, but being physically fit and mentally ready to deal with altitude is vital. 

 

The view is always worth the rough climb.

Being with the tribe

I will be going on a weekend hike soon after two or more years of absence, not out of choice. Life happens, and I have learned not to force anything. Again, in my world, everything happens for a reason. I am looking forward to reconnecting with nature. I am looking forward to watching the stars (elements allowing) by the fireside and sharing some hilarious stories shared only around the fire. I’m looking forward to hearing wild animals calling at night. And while I’m looking forward to all these, I am looking forward to sharing space and food with my tribe and the support that goes with that. That support can be someone walking with you when you cannot keep up with the group's pace. Someone encouraging you when you start questioning the wisdom of subjecting yourself to rough terrains when you could have joined a choir. You may, at some point, question your decision to leave your comfortable bed to be tortured in the bush. Believe me, it is normal. We do that, and as soon as we finish the trail, the first question becomes, when and where are we hiking next?

You may be the one that has to switch on the geyser.

At the end

I hope in your journey, you will be made to feel like you belong to a tribe. And here, I’m not referring to belonging to a specific group. Being a hiker makes you part of a bigger hiking tribe. And the support you will receive will not be limited to those you know. I hope you, too, will open your heart and make other hikers feel part of a tribe. And while at that, may we never forget what we owe to nature and our environment. Let’s respect nature and keep our environment clean. Let's preserve it for future generations. One step at a time!

Td

Each to their own… or not?

 

I must confess I wanted to post this before the end of February, as I promised to write two posts a month. Then I had to remember my advice. The past few weeks have been hectic as I became a grandma at the end of January. This left less time to do most things, including writing – and I’m not complaining. And that is just how life goes. Occasionally, we are reminded that we are not in charge and that it’s okay to slow down when necessary. Anyway… here we go!

My attempt at healthy living started with joining an aerobics club a few years back. Except for the high-impact exercises, which included step, we did a bit of weight training and toning. It was beautiful, and I enjoyed that. My body, even though it was much heavier when I started, did a good job of carrying me at the time.

I was later introduced to other forms of exercise and even joined hiking. I then realised that no amount of jumping up and down at the gym would prepare me for what the mountains have in store for me. Hiking requires stamina, and walking uphill on varying terrain plus long distances demands strong cardiovascular endurance. I needed more. I  needed to walk more to build my endurance for long distances and develop my cardiovascular strength. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned hiker , you cannot afford to slack on your fitness. I learned that the hard way!

Walking is an effective exercise that's also gentle on your knees.

My friend and I once pulled a very costly stunt. We decided to join a hiking trip to Monk’s Cowl, in the Drakensberg - straight from our coaches. Our guide, having taken us to another trail in the berg, trusted our fitness and told us, “You girls have what it takes!” Boy, did we have a rude awakening! We arrived last at the camp, and the guide was kind enough to let us know that, throughout his guiding career, he’s never had anyone reach that camp after sunset. Ouch!  And that was not the only time we were last. We (the same friend and I) once registered for a half marathon (walking) at a night race, and we were so behind that we had to be escorted. By the way, these are stories often shared around the fire during a hike.

And we continue to explore divergent terrains, this time armed with the requisite fitness.

Anyway, this piece is not about hiking fitness but rather about whether people should stick to one sport (for lack of a better word). I’ve made myself a messenger here because I’ve heard people questioning why some people run, cycle, hike, and swim, among others. My question is, why limit yourself? Okay, I do not run! I do not have knees for running, and since I’m also aware that there may be no spare parts for my model, I try not to do anything that may require replacing some of my body parts. So, you can imagine how much I cringe each time I see people running on trails.

A fellow hiker says human beings are not made for running. And that’s him justifying why he would never run in his life. And another fellow hiker feels running on a trail is just madness. And he doesn’t understand why some people think hikers are mad for leaving their homes to torture themselves in the mountains, exposing themselves to a lot of danger in the process. In the same way, other people don’t understand why people would just chase the wind for so many kilometres. That it doesn’t make sense to you doesn’t make it stupid. You find someone questioning why you hike, yet they walk for hours trying to get a small white ball into a hole. I can go on and on. And people pay a lot of money to watch some of those seemingly ‘stupid’ sports.

So, should golfers not hike, or runners not play golf? I think we all have different tastes and limits. My experience is runners are used to speed; they get bored on hiking trails. They just want to get to the end, while for me, hiking is about taking it easy and making time to absorb nature and smell each moment. Would I have the patience to hold a stick and practice a swing to hit a small ball, hoping it will land in a hole or somewhere closer? Nope! And I have nothing against those who do that. In the same way that I do not have issues with people who cycle. I know my bum, well-cushioned as it is, doesn’t like repetitive movements, so no saddle for me! But for those whose bums are happy with the saddle, knock yourselves out!

I admire those who do triathlons. I admire runners, and I know my teammates (I just joined a work athletics club) look forward to me graduating from walking to running Comrades marathon. I may attend the Comrades marathon at some point but only to support them!

At the end

We are diverse, and so are our choices. We choose what works and makes us happy. I am all for ease and happiness. If it delights me, I will give it my all. If it feels like punishment, it’s not sustainable. Choose your poison and find a mix of what makes your hiking better. One step at a time.

Td