tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post6931336999747219949..comments2024-03-21T03:56:28.972-06:00Comments on Jill Outside: Thoughts on Unruly BodiesJill Homerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-67638010863445686322018-10-31T11:38:57.709-06:002018-10-31T11:38:57.709-06:00I think one can still participate in the endurance...I think one can still participate in the endurance world while not subscribing to the commonly held beliefs. Though I do think running, in general, suffers the most from the 'you can do anything' delusion. I still like running though. :)<br /><br />Here are more unsolicited book suggestions, but I try to focus on the long term trends rather than the current blips of badness happening. In the big picture there is much to be hopeful for, while still readily admitting that there is much yet to do. Rational Optimism is one term for it. Factfulness by Hans Rosling and Better Angels of our Nature by Steven Pinker are two books I'd highly recommend to everyone.ScottMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17752458575874927522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-62825060691164373982018-10-30T21:43:12.050-06:002018-10-30T21:43:12.050-06:00I remember that conversation. I still need to read...I remember that conversation. I still need to read that book. I agree, endurance culture can become tiresome. I can understand why some folks walk away. Problem is, I'm not quite ready for that yet. I believe these kinks in my mental health could vastly benefit from some good old-fashioned self-transcendence. Right now I'm trying to settle on just looking away from the current ongoing train wreck of current events.Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-18447638138836002442018-10-30T21:38:25.138-06:002018-10-30T21:38:25.138-06:00Torn hamstring ... ouch! I've had a number of ...Torn hamstring ... ouch! I've had a number of injuries in past years that I was able to play through, for the most part, utilizing one of my two sports — running when I had carpal tunnel, cycling when I had a torn LCL, gym time when I'm particularly bruised and battered from a trail-running fall. My Achilles has been giving me on-off grief since June, and I fear more focused running efforts could bring on full-blown tendonitis. Luckily I'm still happy to switch it up. I hope you heal up soon, no surgery needed. Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-46676138033365687622018-10-30T21:33:40.547-06:002018-10-30T21:33:40.547-06:00One of my favorite lyrics, from a song called &quo...One of my favorite lyrics, from a song called "Leave the Lights On" by Field Report: <br /><br />"And the body remembers what the mind forgets<br />Archives every heartbreak and cigarette<br />And these reset bones, they might not hold<br />Yeah but they might yet."Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-80039875340856816472018-10-30T21:32:16.134-06:002018-10-30T21:32:16.134-06:00I remember reading that Hawking was told in his te...I remember reading that Hawking was told in his teens that he only had a couple more years to live. He considered every year after that a bonus ... and it's amazing what he was able to contribute in those decades. <br /><br />For years I was happy believing my body was just a budget-model vehicle that I drove around to experience the world. But recent, rapid swings in my mood and thoughts revealed that there's no real line where the vehicle ends and I begin. My body drives me. And I resent that. <br /><br />Would I be happier if my purpose was curing cancer? Perhaps. During my slumps it takes most of my mental energy to go through the necessary motions of routine and not succumb to despair about the state of the world. The silly running and biking is still my best outlet for joy.Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-40985213174849749792018-10-30T21:14:29.610-06:002018-10-30T21:14:29.610-06:00I know a fair number of 60-something and 70-someth...I know a fair number of 60-something and 70-something folks in my circles who still run 100-milers, multi-day bikepacking, etc. Doubtlessly there's some genetic luck involved, although I'd have to include my own father among the impressively fit 60-somethings, so I can still hope there's some active longevity in my blood. He went through a number of health problems in his 30s and 40s, so that gives me hope as well.<br /><br />But yes, accepting increasing limitations is daunting. My pessimism about the future runs quite dark at times. I battle it constantly, but when I'm experiencing a low, it gets away from me. During these times, I think if I actually live to see 60 and the world isn't literally on fire, it will be a huge win. Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-31661771907766493812018-10-30T20:55:40.042-06:002018-10-30T20:55:40.042-06:00Hey Jill. I've found the prevalence of the &#...Hey Jill. I've found the prevalence of the 'you can do anything if you train/try/believe hard enough' idea a little nauseating in endurance endeavors. It is an interesting subject because willpower and pushing through 'limits' is a necessary part of the process, for certain. But there are limitations. There always are. I think we talked about the "Sports Gene" book while running outside Boulder last year. The stories it tells are fascinating by themselves, but put together it's a huge pile of evidence against the athletic dogma that anyone can do anything. Anyway, I hope you can work through the slumps and make them less frequent. ScottMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17752458575874927522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-36668484510717866292018-10-30T08:40:41.232-06:002018-10-30T08:40:41.232-06:00Going on a mere 5 days, sitting here in God's ...Going on a mere 5 days, sitting here in God's Playground nursing a partially torn hamstring from a misstep while trying to snake up through a slot canyon full of choke stones and deep pools of water. Your lament resonates with at least a degree of understanding regarding frustration and, well, the Hell of less than full speed ahead. Every step is fraught with pain and thoughts of a detached tendon, surgery and is this the beginning of the end. <br />I could only tolerate a single day of rest; after all, I am in Heaven and it needs to be explored Seeing you continue to be Jill Outside in spite of your slump...less distance, slower pace and all...I followed your example and limp off. It sucks, but it beats sitting around. Hopefully time will hold all the answers, right? In the meantime, "toss all of my striving to the wind and just run free, as free as I can, for as long as I’m able." YES! Box Canyon Blog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07032055509766739436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-87290824384470802212018-10-30T07:39:45.829-06:002018-10-30T07:39:45.829-06:00As to injuries, I am living (as are we all) the fa...As to injuries, I am living (as are we all) the fact that pretty much all the injuries from our past will come back to haunt us. That stuff adds up and comes back with a vengeance. Sprained ankles, dislocated shoulders, whiplash (ESPECIALLY WHIPLASH) WILL come back and say HELLO, and then take up permanent residency as an unwelcome squatter in your body. But then again, there's that old saying about "crossing the final finishing line sliding across sideways, shouting YE HAW, WHAT A RIDE!", with your body all broken-down and used up, rather than having played it safe all your life. Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10517087265569164625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-75640418628949389412018-10-29T22:32:31.408-06:002018-10-29T22:32:31.408-06:00Thanks a ton for sharing the anthology. I will def...Thanks a ton for sharing the anthology. I will definitely read those. Hang in there. I definitely admire your commitment to the adventure lifestyle and hear your struggles with your health.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11698397470514452345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-86083190115649518482018-10-29T22:23:31.154-06:002018-10-29T22:23:31.154-06:00I guess how we view our bodies may also depend on ...I guess how we view our bodies may also depend on the purpose of our lives. Perhaps Steven Hawking thought of his wheelchair bound body as means to supply oxygen to his genius brain? And perhaps he was happy with that, who knows? I'm myself perfectly happy with my allergy, asthma and extra fat laden body to take me through 60 hours a week of corporate madness (I mean finding a cure for cancer ;), just to allow me for a 25 mile bike ride or 10 mile run on a weekend. If I asked my body to carry me across winter Alaska, I know how unruly it would become very quickly. Self actualization...OK, I lied about the extra fat, not happy at all!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03059137901941493531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-21649511613654841152018-10-29T21:38:51.077-06:002018-10-29T21:38:51.077-06:00Read The Circadian Code. Dr. Satchin Panda, PhDRead The Circadian Code. Dr. Satchin Panda, PhDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-74301715314024160062018-10-29T14:18:28.980-06:002018-10-29T14:18:28.980-06:00Jill, I wholeheartedly agree with avoiding the ins...Jill, I wholeheartedly agree with avoiding the insane/inane 24 hour news cycle. It all just brings me down and makes me depressed. I think I will follow you in checking out of that madness.Derron Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10110756897965178486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-57149934723249046842018-10-29T11:16:30.700-06:002018-10-29T11:16:30.700-06:00Of course I must comment immediately. Because my u...Of course I must comment immediately. Because my unruliness is the knowledge that old age is lurking. If you even say that people pounce: look at so and so, still skiing at 70! Don't tell yourself you are old and you won't be! Pshaw, you're still young! maybe some kernels of truth, but the reality is that sooner than I'd like, I will have to accept limitations. I don't have any answers to this or what you are going through. Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11166776565191771729noreply@blogger.com