New and Experienced Climbers Over 50 #10

seamus mcshane wrote: 
Also Lori.
Please keep posting your progress with climbing/relocation/life.
Very inspiring for many of us.
The beginner’s mind paradigm keeps us perpetually
curious.
It feeds our inner rat.

Sharing here has felt extremely selfish... and I have long wanted to apologize.  But I also thought, if I would be willing to be transparent and share my experiences as a newcomer, it might encourage others--and the veteran climbers could do their own sharing, about things I have no experience.  There's been a wealth of information here, over these 10,000 posts.  I never saw that happening, but geez... there are books of knowledge here now, many times over. 

I'm sort of in a countdown phase here at my house... two weeks to go before we head out to Josh for a month to look for a place, and to climb WAY too many days.  I'm looking at my calendar and thinking, this is just wrong. I hadn't really thought it out... the number of people I'll be meeting up with, not to mention some guided days.  

I got a phone call from my doctor yesterday telling me that recent testing shows I am in a state of adrenal exhaustion.  My cortisol levels have tanked, all throughout the day--far below any normal values.  I'm not surprised but this isn't a great time for it.  It explains the fatigue, constant napping, and shitty mood.  It's also just a stressful time, for many of us... a virus moving through the world, and the DOW plunging... my savings is there, and I have watched it plummet all week.  I put my little dog, Poppy down... and for some reason, can't get over it.  We had never really bonded.  She was very sick there at the end, and so that was the thing to do.  But I keep walking in the house and thinking she's here, and perhaps she is, in spirit.  (Below, a happy memory, when I took her to the lake in my gym bag... and before I knew it she had escaped, dived into the lake and was swimming out to sea. I had to swim out to get her, grab her by the sruff of the neck... sopping wet...   )

So... 'extreme self care'.... is what we should all be doing, all the time.  Besides continuing to pack and prepare, today perhaps is a good day to pull out all my ropes, rack, quiver of shoes, and paw over them all and get them ready for some serious use!  Maybe some time out in the sun, catching a tan... and put some hearty food on the back burner for dinner.  Tony is worried.  He's being quiet and solicitous and trying to figure out how to treat me.  it's very sweet.  

The one thing that brings a smile, and a little extra energy right now is the thought of those Houser routes.   I can wake up for that.

 

Lori - I just want to put this here for you to consider regarding the adrenal fatigue diagnosis, particularly if you are considering treating it with anything other than stress management and rest. The symptoms you are experiencing sound like an appropriate response to all that you are going through (major life transition, recent loss of your ex) plus training hard (you frequently say you are taking a break, but it seems that never happens from your posts - not more than a few days off anyway).

It worries me that normal responses to inordinate amounts of stress are being medicalized through a diagnosis that is not recognized by endocrinologists. I recognize this perspective might be considered overstepping, I just wanted to provide it as something to consider.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-adrenal-fatigue-real-2018022813344

Be kind to yourself, and say hello to Tony for us.

ErikaNW wrote: Lori - I just want to put this here for you to consider regarding the adrenal fatigue diagnosis, particularly if you are considering treating it with anything other than stress management and rest. The symptoms you are experiencing sound like an appropriate response to all that you are going through (major life transition, recent loss of your ex) plus training hard (you frequently say you are taking a break, but it seems that never happens from your posts - not more than a few days off anyway).

It worries me that normal responses to inordinate amounts of stress are being medicalized through a diagnosis that is not recognized by endocrinologists. I recognize this perspective might be considered overstepping, I just wanted to provide it as something to consider.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-adrenal-fatigue-real-2018022813344

Be kind to yourself, and say hello to Tony for us.

Erika... just happened to see your post before logging off.  I really appreciate your thoughts and no, not overstepping.  I toggle between my “holistic doctor” and my Kaiser Primary and Endocrinologist always trying to move along a middle path.  In this case everyone is in agreement.  I’ve had this problem almost since birth, been on cortisone (Predisone) a number of times and trying to avoid it now... although my labs are not good. I’ll be seeing my Endo on Monday... everything else looks SO good (diabetes, thyroid, cholesterol) I’m just hoping we’ll find a gentle fix.

It is scary but familiar and the reason why I have been so inactive since late December. Other than my session with Ryan two times a week I just haven’t moved—certainly no exercise.  Not sure how to avoid the stress of packing and moving... just pack, nap, pack, nap... chill.   Thank you for the link! Appreciate it. 

Lori, I think it's a tough time for most of us, even without the major life changes you're going through -- the primaries and upcoming election, coronavirus, the market tanking. Lots of self-care is needed. I succumbed to blintzes yesterday, loaded with cherry pie filling, despite my pcp's warning that I need to cut down on sugar. Have you ever heard of someone who weighs 90-95 lbs getting type 2 diabetes? Apparently I'm a candidate. And I thought my biggest problem was all the sour cream.

Oh boy Lori you sure know how to load your stress wagon.  No wonder the mules are getting tired hauling all that up hill.  But I think you see the top of the hill, only a month away...

Throw some of the weight off of the wagon.  The Corona Virus will pass. The stock market will recover.  You don't need to change vehicles right now.  

Remember to be kind to yourself. 

Old lady H wrote:

Messing around at the gym....

My new gym has fixed gear on the top ropes. They chose Madrock Safeguards for the belay end. They are similar to a grigri, but use an ATC hand position. In theory, you shouldn't need to override the device to feed slack. I liked the reviews, so I bought one to play with. I have heavy partners most of the time, and yes, I own a grigri, but I'm not comfortable lead belaying with it. I also own an Alpine Up (thanks rgold!!), but it is still an unknown to most people.

In buying the Lifeguard, my thought is it is enough like a grigri to ease the fears of those who think a dinky old lady can't catch a refrigerator with an ATC. And, those reliable ATC hands (that have caught heavy loads) can keep their muscle memory.

So? I didn't record day one, with the ropes I usually use, but I was pretty satisfied with everything I did to the device/rope combination. I didn't have a partner, so it wasn't quite like actual belays, but good enough to continue. I also left the Lifeguard at the gym for the staff to torture at will.

Day two, I brought in the skinniest stuff I own: a 9.2 dry treated rope (so slick I have trouble even coiling it), and my static line, which is even thinner. I rigged them to use my own weight, and went hands free. Yeah, yeah, never let go of the brake....but I wanted to set up as much "stupud" as I could, toward the extreme range.

At some point, I'd like to rig that ice rope for a single line rappel, see how that goes. I think that can be arranged, too, when I have a partner for a top rope backup.

Orange rope is the 9.2 single rated, yellow is the skinnier static line. The rigging (with an ascender) is what I used to be on for setting, by the way. PITA.

https://youtu.be/XtpiHgvbfkQ

https://youtu.be/LO7Bghjvnb4

Best, Helen

Dallas R wrote: Oh boy Lori you sure know how to load your stress wagon.  No wonder the mules are getting tired hauling all that up hill.  But I think you see the top of the hill, only a month away...

Throw some of the weight off of the wagon.  The Corona Virus will pass. The stock market will recover.  You don't need to change vehicles right now.  

Remember to be kind to yourself. 

This, times....lots. 

Best, Helen

Lovely, random things just drop out of the blue, also. Friend and I simply stopped at this nearby brewpub last year about this time, when basketball playoffs were going. We did not expect what then happened!!

https://youtu.be/3-R68R8Xhbw

By the way, this place is owned by a very ​mobile, active, guy in a wheelchair.....from a climbing accident years ago. He still pursues tons of stuff, hard, although not climbing. He uses his climbing equipment these days for hunting! A tree blind, I'm assuming. His restaurant offers elk burgers. ;-)

Best, Helen

I was expecting a nice warm day instead we got no sun, cold and windy.  Still it was much better than a day in the office.

Lon Harter wrote: I was expecting a nice warm day instead we got no sun, cold and windy.  Still it was much better than a day in the office.

Nice! That will be the go/no go debate today! No sun....hmmmm. How windy? How cold? At least we have the gym to fall back on! Neither of us have that pesky work thing to worry about anymore. Which means we can always wait until next week and head out during the week, when the sun is back.

I learned the hard way this week, that climbing after my trainer wrings me out at the gym is, well, laughable. Oops.

Still trying to get around to getting y'all a vid of that pink route in the corner...lol!

Or outside. Next trip, I'm thinking I'll start messing with the gear some.

My immediate task is to wrestle myself out from under Mr. Sox, the giant, old, marmalade puss who views me as his personal well padded heating pad.

Best, Helen

I am READY to get back CLIMBING!

Cosmiccragsman AKA Dwain wrote: I am READY to get back CLIMBING!

Dwain. Go back to bed.   

Cosmiccragsman AKA Dwain wrote: I am READY to get back CLIMBING!

I want those trousers. How much for the trousers? 

Apart from mustard and bone broth, we don't seem to have too many conversations on here about nutrition, and we all know how important that is to our strength, stamina and even mental health, especially as we get older.
Also, I feel one or two of us could do with some cheering up,  so I think a Cooking With Carl lesson is possibly timely?

Step 1. Put some fucking meat and some fucking veggies in a clay fucking pot.
HINT: Chop them up first!

Step 2. Sprinkle on some fucking beer.
HINT: Remove cans before cooking!

Step 3. Place in oven, turned up to level fucking fifty or something.
HINT: Remove cans from oven!

Step 4. Cook the fucking fucker.

(my wife is away on a holiday so I'm struggling to remain alive) 

It's always good to learn something about fucking nutrition, but some tips on climbing nutrition would also be helpful.

Lori Milas wrote:

Dwain. Go back to bed.   

Lololol
Lori, don't you dare Narcan my high!

The climbing pants aren't for sale, Carl!
\

This has been me for the last 4 years.
Looking at climbing thru the computer screen.
I am tired of living my climbing life on the computer.
The next  2 months of recuperating from the surgery
is going to be LONG and I can't wait till I am dancing on the rock again!

Cosmiccragsman AKA Dwain wrote: This has been me for the last 4 years.
Looking at climbing thru the computer screen.
I am tired of living my climbing life on the computer.
The next  2 months of recuperating from the surgery
is going to be LONG and I can't wait till I am dancing on the rock again!

Dwain... you know that this is exactly what any 20 year old thinks goes on here... a bunch of geezers in tie-dye.  BUT, truth be told, you could probably outclimb any of them.  So, bring it on! 

Rgold... nutrition, and now sports nutrition has been a real passion of mine.  It's well worth talking about, if you or anyone is truly interested.  Add in age... it becomes a bit complex.  Probably most people just never think about it, and do fine with eating whatever is in front of them.  I had to work out some numbers, and particularly on climbing days, add some things to have enough energy to climb well and not crash later.  If you were talking about 'nutrition' while out actually spending a day on the rock... I'm still working on that one for myself.  I find that for whatever reason I wind up bringing home most of the snacks and lunch I left with.  

I have figured out the hydration part though... at least during gym climbing or for a single day out... one litre of water, 2 Nuun sports tabs, and 1 Ener-C packet.  Electrolytes and a few minerals make the day go so much better.  

Carl. Your stew/brew is unacceptable since YOU only eat kidney beans--much as I tried to talk you out of it some 8,000 posts ago.  You are a vegan who sips Withania tea.  I have pictures to prove it.  WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?  

Wendy... I guess anyone can become Type 2.  I'd be real interested to know what your doctor bases his warnings on.  There are some thoughts that morning blood sugars above 100 are indicators of Type 2 onset.  Others disagree.  There are a lot of Type 2's on my various Facebook Diabetes pages, and lots of information there.  My first thought, though, for almost everyone would be that Blood Sugar meters are really cheap these days, $25 or so, and taking your own blood sugar is so easy, testing yourself now and then just to get some averages is a sound idea, if you are not already doing so.   Hard data means a lot.  It's a lot of worry and effort to change your diet and lifestyle based upon a random reading or two. 

Just a morning musing... I received a beautiful off-line letter and video from one of our group here, reminding me that nature and (for me) Joshua Tree is a healing presence.  It certainly has been for me in the past.  Whether it's a day in the mountains just roaming, or a day in the desert hiking and climbing, nature seems to heal all ills.  I think it's something we all share in common.  

Today I'm going to head out and find some of that healing nature.  At this moment, I see NO WAY to be packed and out of here on the appointed day.  I'll just let the universe work this out.  I plan to find some trees.    

Lori Milas wrote: Wendy... I guess anyone can become Type 2.  I'd be real interested to know what your doctor bases his warnings on.  There are some thoughts that morning blood sugars above 100 are indicators of Type 2 onset.  Others disagree.  There are a lot of Type 2's on my various Facebook Diabetes pages, and lots of information there.  My first thought, though, for almost everyone would be that Blood Sugar meters are really cheap these days, $25 or so, and taking your own blood sugar is so easy, testing yourself now and then just to get some averages is a sound idea, if you are not already doing so.   Hard data means a lot.  It's a lot of worry and effort to change your diet and lifestyle based upon a random reading or two.

Lori, I've had high blood sugar readings for years and only take it semi-seriously. Many years ago, a previous doctor actually had me take a test which, if I remember correctly, involved drinking something sugary and then taking several blood readings. They showed that my body was metabolizing the sugar okay (if that's the right way to describe it). My current doctor is a she, BTW. And she wasn't alarmed and didn't recommend testing, just that I cut down. I'm not likely to change either my lifestyle or diet too much. I read up a little on all the recommendations, but at the end of the day I'm too sybaritic to incorporate foods I don't much care for on a regular basis. I'm probably at the other end of the healthy eating spectrum from most people on this thread. Maybe even a test case for bad eating habits and just getting by on dumb luck so far.