My Irish Grandmother Minna Dominica was tiny and quick like a bird. She had long silver hair coiled in a bun - she was fit and she was feisty. But the thing that stands out most vividly in my childhood memories is that she was still climbing olive trees in her 80s.I've been thinking about this lately, why climbing trees is generally seen as an adventure for an eight year old but very uncool by the time we hit our teens - and how often have you ever come across an adult up a tree?In these days of a multi-billion dollar fitness industry - think expensive designer brand workout gear, scientifically designed runners and equipment, and gym memberships - why...
Bushwalking on an clear and sunny autumn morning. 25 kms before lunch with a few challenging hills thrown in. Kookaburras and an assortment of other birds with a better song range, dingoes enjoying the morning sunshine as I walked around the perimeter fence of their wildlife park, a couple of koalas, and a group of very small kangaroos gathered in a clearing - I felt like I had wandered into a kangaroo playgroup. The plus is that as well being immersed in such sublime surroundings, bushwalking is a damn fine way to get a good dose of exercise. I find too that walking with consistent effort and developing a steady pace synchronises my breathing with my movement. In fact...
I have just discovered The Society for Barefoot Living. The group even has a Facebook Page - who would have thought! I would find it almost impossible to go completely shoeless, especially to give up my walking boots, but I certainly do love barefooting. Love that 'grounding' feeling of sand, rocks or grass under my feet - of feeling free and yet connected. And now word is that as well as being good for our soul, it's good for our health as well to kick off those Jimmy Choos - that being barefoot on the earth helps to ease away aches and pains, reduces inflammation, soothes our busy brains and helps us sleep - that it increases energy, improves blood...
A few years ago if someone had told me I would be able to run 5 kilometres - and that I would do this with a mob of 300 people, I would have smiled politely and shook my head. I was the kind of kid at school who did pretty well in the classroom but was a dismal also-ran on sports day. But somehow in my late 60s I decided to give it a go. In the beginning only a few paces and I was puffing but somehow over time and with grit and determination I finally made 5 kms without stopping. Believe me, if I can do it then it's achievable! And now I catch up with around 300...
Note to self: do not run downhill on bush paths when you are wearing walking boots and backpack. I walked further than I planned on the weekend and time was running out for a coconut chai catch up with a friend. Seemed a good idea to run downhill on the way back, to make up some time. An easy loping pace felt pretty good but a few loose stones and I was splattered. Ended up with a rather impressive skinned knee, grazing on my hand and wrist, and subsequent bruising on my shoulder, hip and thigh. I hit the ground with my shoulder and also took much of the impact on my wrist so I consider myself fortunate to escape...
