How to stop beating yourself up for being a "slow" hiker
male hiker leaning on trekking poles watching sunset
OK, I don't normally post Instagram posts as blog posts. But this one got such a great response, I really wanted to share it with more of you.
Apparently a lot of us feel this way sometimes!
I was inspired to write the original Instagram post after hiking to Ice Lakes in Colorado with some friends.
It was supposed to be this beautiful, relaxing day hike. But for some reason, everyone was stressing out about their speed and fitness.
One friend who is usually very fast was carrying some heavy camera equipment. So he actually fell behind a bit and then started stressing out about it.
He was like, "Maybe my hiking days are over." Sigh. Srsly.
When we got back the car, I immediately dashed off this post, because I think it is time for all of us to stop stressing out over this shit.
So without further ado, here's what I wrote.
Do you ever rage against yourself for being too slow?
If not, don’t worry. It will probably happen at least once as you get older!
If you’ve been there, I totally feel you! Self loathing just seems to be in my nature. I am constantly staring at my splits on Strava and wondering why I am so slow-fat-old-bad. And thinking I’m clearly a worse human than someone whose split is 60 seconds faster!
What helps?
I think it starts with unconditional love (for yourself).
If no one ever gave this to you, or if you mostly got attention for your achievements — being in the best reading group in first grade, etc. — you may need to work at this.
But know that you don’t have to DO anything to matter.
You don’t have to send a 5.10.
You don’t have to run a negative split in an ultra.
You don’t have to climb a mountain.
You are worthy RIGHT NOW.
Yes, even while binging the Interwebs in your living room in your yoga pants.
You don’t get to decide when you are finally worthy. You are and always have been.
When you love yourself unconditionally, your life will change.
Instead of constantly competing with others and yourself, you will finally give your body the grace, rest, and compassion it needs.
You will stop constantly racing yourself and finally go at a healthy pace that builds you up!
And that’s when training gets really fun and mind blowing.
Additional chicken soup for the slow hiker's soul:
Want to hike faster?
My FREE Training Plan Workbook walks you through a simple, six-step process to help you design a fitness program that gets results. Fill out the form below to get your copy.
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Originally published Sept. 24, 2019.