There has been a lot said on this blog about our training. If there is any distinguishing feature about our group though it is the sheer discrepancy in each of our respective fitness levels. There is a joke which I have shared with anyone willing to hear, much to their dismay. Nas has actual fitness, Nic has mental toughness...I have nothing (the joke predates Amir). There is a sense of bewilderment among some circles at the fact that I climb out of bed every morning, so it is no wonder that I have gotten quite a few quizzical looks whenever I disclosed my plan to climb Kilimanjaro. Even my mother has a lingering belief that this is not really happening. And that's saying something because she is the quintessential supportive Arab woman. This is why it is so important that I write my view of our Kilimanjaro training to represent my people. The few. The proud. THE FAT.
Strict parent (Nic) and fun parent (Nas) have been generous with their description of my feats, on this blog specifically. However it should be said that this mainly stems out of their general preference for constructive criticism. In reality, my greatest achievement so far has been achieving average results. But I'm not going to deny my pride in that.
Growing up I was obese, flat footed, and just outright unathletic. The only sports I ever joined were the basketball in middle school and rugby at university. The first ended upon the immediate realization that's I couldn't dribble the ball for the life of me. For those of you unfamiliar with the game of basketball, dribbling is somewhat extremely important to do almost anything. The second lasted for a full 2 years, where when I was lucky I would get to warm up the bench. My sparkling career ended when I dislocated my shoulder and realized that I'll give sports a 30 year rest until I pick up golf. The prospect of little to no movement has me looking forward to my post retirement sporting career.
This lengthy introduction brings us back to this proud month. This climb has been a revelation. The “average” results I have achieved since the start of our training reflect an exponential increase in my fitness since the start of all this. Running 5Ks in the morning has become a warm up exercise. Climbing 82 stairs, our main form of exercise, has become commonplace. A regular workout is going for around 200 staircases. Granted I do hold the distinct advantage of growing up in Lebanon, where electricity is sparse and stair climbing is the national sport. But fact of the matter 200 staircases is still a lot of stairs. The highlight would have been this week, when I actually beat Nas’s time of climbing with an altitude mask on (sorry NAs :) ). Nic, Ameer and I went on a 5 hour trek of Dubai this weekend the day after doing 200 staircases and while I wouldn't say it was a breeze, I’ll admit I was out again that very same afternoon.
Why am I listing all these? I am definitely not trying to brag here, because anyone with basic fitness would be able to do all the above easy. This is a written monologue of sorts, reflecting my attempt to explain who I have become. This certainly is not the first time I had a crack at an active lifestyle, but it just might be the first time I succeeded at it. The reason, after great reflection, is my light at the end of the tunnel. I want to climb Kilimanjaro. I have tied this hand in hand with our fundraising efforts. I do not want to get there and fail (or die for the matter). I know what all this is leading to.
Since we made our way out of the cave, hunting is not really a daily activity and the only form of survival you need to practice is professional. We have no goals to aspire to. This will sound extremely basic, but I am sure my fat brethren can use all the reminders they can get. SET GOALS! Find your light at the end of the tunnel. Everything will get progressively easier from there on. You will succeed every time. I already am looking for my post Kili-goal because this lifestyle is worth keeping.
Strict parent (Nic) and fun parent (Nas) have been generous with their description of my feats, on this blog specifically. However it should be said that this mainly stems out of their general preference for constructive criticism. In reality, my greatest achievement so far has been achieving average results. But I'm not going to deny my pride in that.
Growing up I was obese, flat footed, and just outright unathletic. The only sports I ever joined were the basketball in middle school and rugby at university. The first ended upon the immediate realization that's I couldn't dribble the ball for the life of me. For those of you unfamiliar with the game of basketball, dribbling is somewhat extremely important to do almost anything. The second lasted for a full 2 years, where when I was lucky I would get to warm up the bench. My sparkling career ended when I dislocated my shoulder and realized that I'll give sports a 30 year rest until I pick up golf. The prospect of little to no movement has me looking forward to my post retirement sporting career.
This lengthy introduction brings us back to this proud month. This climb has been a revelation. The “average” results I have achieved since the start of our training reflect an exponential increase in my fitness since the start of all this. Running 5Ks in the morning has become a warm up exercise. Climbing 82 stairs, our main form of exercise, has become commonplace. A regular workout is going for around 200 staircases. Granted I do hold the distinct advantage of growing up in Lebanon, where electricity is sparse and stair climbing is the national sport. But fact of the matter 200 staircases is still a lot of stairs. The highlight would have been this week, when I actually beat Nas’s time of climbing with an altitude mask on (sorry NAs :) ). Nic, Ameer and I went on a 5 hour trek of Dubai this weekend the day after doing 200 staircases and while I wouldn't say it was a breeze, I’ll admit I was out again that very same afternoon.
Why am I listing all these? I am definitely not trying to brag here, because anyone with basic fitness would be able to do all the above easy. This is a written monologue of sorts, reflecting my attempt to explain who I have become. This certainly is not the first time I had a crack at an active lifestyle, but it just might be the first time I succeeded at it. The reason, after great reflection, is my light at the end of the tunnel. I want to climb Kilimanjaro. I have tied this hand in hand with our fundraising efforts. I do not want to get there and fail (or die for the matter). I know what all this is leading to.
Since we made our way out of the cave, hunting is not really a daily activity and the only form of survival you need to practice is professional. We have no goals to aspire to. This will sound extremely basic, but I am sure my fat brethren can use all the reminders they can get. SET GOALS! Find your light at the end of the tunnel. Everything will get progressively easier from there on. You will succeed every time. I already am looking for my post Kili-goal because this lifestyle is worth keeping.
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