Lessons from Adventure Racing

Mid-week, having a dysfunctional week again! I was reflecting on a few photo's from an adventure race on the Isle of Rodriguez in 2019 during the Expedition Africa Race which reflects some of the values or virtues we hold dear at Farmacy Outdoors and talk about in out trips.

Connection: "Nothing is noble if it's done unwillingly or under compulsion. Every noble deed is voluntary" Seneca Moral Letters. 66.16b

We are on day 3 or 4 of an adventure race paddling & sailing these heavy boats around an island and certain teams were caught high & dry with the tide changes. These boats were not moveable with four people & they were effectively out of the 7 day race.We didn't have to help them [it's a race ] but something compelled us to step-up because one day it could be us. You don't have to do the right thing, you want to , you get to ,there is a difference! Many individuals seek lower ground like water...try be true to your values...connection with your fellow kind is everything, people are depending on you..Show Up..we are made for co-operation ...synergia is energy to render works held in common...it is what gets us Up and Out of bed each day. Note to self..Gotta keep this one close to my heart at the moment as Im certainly not feeling this these past few weeks.

Mind or Self:

What is our self? Is it a response from stored memory that fills the brain, the result of thought or something deeper? What is for certain is that we are not going to be able to see it as long as we are confused about it because we don't seek it or spend time to find it. An analogy I heard and like is : The lights in a city burn so bright that you can't see the universe , there is one but you can't see it so you argue it doesn't exist, indeed the bright lights become the universe , and if someone spoke about stars you would say they are daft they don't exist, but then if you turn off the lights and stop all the noise the true universe would begin to show [sounds a little like what happened during Covid hey?].Perhaps there is some true being, but it doesn't show itself

through all the noise & flashing lights that modern civilisation has built up. Paddling that heavy laden boat with bikes on it all night with 3 close-knit team mates gave me insight in trust, navigation , teamwork and plenty of dark time to see the universe and self-reflect and slow-down ...we all need time like this to self-reflect away from the noise and correct out course in life. This is what we aim to do in our trips, slow-down find the space in our busy lives.

Self-belief/Spirit:

You are what your mind tells you, your actions are the projection of your inner self-talk which at times will be negative. Nothing changes unless we take action..we must try!There is no time for negative self talk on a Via Ferrata like this one on Rodriguez , you are metres up on a cliff face locked to a vertical wall and every step counts..the concentration and self-belief have to be there for you..the talk is only positive... if you believe you can you will.. you must. Its important to challenge our self-beliefs and find discomfort and overcome with help from trusted friends, the feeling of accomplishment is like sweet honey...its not just dopamine its oxytocin, the bonding experience of friendship & self-awareness of how strong and wonderful your body is when everyone else but mostly yourself were telling you how shit you are but you got the job done..you stepped up..you had a go. That is a truely wonderful feeling. See you out there. Dave

#outdoor health

#barrington coast health & adventure

#be the change