May 02 2012
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Get Up & Shape-Up: Inching Towards Intermediate

Continuing our “Get Up & Shape-Up” blog series, this week will focus on pumping up your routine a little bit to further test your abilities and hopefully segue yourself into that intermediate level you’ve been looking to achieve. And no worries if you’re not there yet. As I said before, and will continue to say, use these recommendations as guides to help you work at your own pace. The great thing about CREC is that the majority of these classes and activities are available at the facility year round, so you won’t have to worry too much about missing your opportunity.

Now that we’ve had some warmer-than-usual days on and off for a good few weeks, you should find those tennis shoes waking up right alongside you each morning. Remember that this sample schedule is all about getting the gears in motion towards creating the healthiest you possible–and making sure that you look forward to those mornings, rather than dread them.

Stepping up to an intermediate level doesn’t have to be intimidating either–especially if you’re just venturing out of your beginner comfort level. Incrementing to a more steady routine and building up the confidence to do so is what this blog series is all about! And while progressing to slightly more intense regime is great, don’t forget that every body needs some TLC as well. Caitlin Anderson, a Group X Instructor and CREC Personal Trainer, recommends that,

“Just like with someone who has jumped from doing nothing to taking a walk once a week–you don’t want to take on too much at one time.”

Last week’s schedule was all about taking that first step off the couch and onto the CREC floor. This week let’s try and kick it up a few notches by venturing into a schedule that follows the slightly more intensive world of CREC.

Monday
[Informal Rec] Basketball (11:30AM-12:30AM)
[Group X] Cycle/Krank (5:15PM-6PM)

Tuesday
[Inclusive] Cardio & Agility (1:15PM-2PM)
[Aquatics] Open Swim (8:30PM-10PM)

Wednesday
[Rec Clubs] Crew (6AM-7:15AM)**
[ODP] Belay Class (1PM-3PM)*

Thursday
[Aquatics] Water Bootcamp (12:45PM-1:30PM)
[Group X] Nia (4PM-5PM)

Friday
[Informal Rec] Badminton (4PM-5PM)
[Rec Clubs] Ultimate Frisbee (5PM-6:30PM)**

Saturday
[ODP] French’s Dome Climbing (5/12)*
[Inclusive] Wheelchair Sports (10AM-12PM)

Sunday
[Intramurals] 20.20.20 Mini Triathlon Relay (5/20, 10:30AM-2PM)*
[Group X] Zumba (5PM-6PM)

And remember, don’t be fearful to either work closer to the beginner level or (if you’re feeling up to the challenge), trying out an activity that you feel may test your abilities a little more. In the end you might fine that you’re further than you thought, or that working a slow and steady pace is more attune to what your body is looking for. Either way, engaging some of this schedule into your routine can only help solidify the confidence in proudly labeling your fitness regime at an “intermediate” level.

* = Includes an additional fee and/or prior registration, please visit our 2012 Spring Term Schedule for more details.
** = Please visit the list of Rec Clubs to contact club leaders regarding practice schedules and any additional dues.

All Campus Rec activities and events can accommodate any and all types of skills and levels. For general questions, contact Campus Rec at 503-725-2931 or campusrec@pdx.edu. Campus Rec makes every effort to be accessible to all abilities. For accommodations for facilities, activities, and programs please contact Jen Armbruster at 503-725-2927 or j.armbruster@pdx.edu

Natalie Caceres is the Student Marketing Coordinator at Campus Rec. Although she has full days all week, she is committed to encouraging solid workouts that even the busiest individuals can experience. This year alone she has ventured out of her comfort zone and tried new things as Group X’s popular Cycle/Krank class and even formed her own Intramural Volleyball team!

Apr 24 2012
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Get Up & Shape-Up: A Beginner’s Guide

Ah the start of Spring. The birds are chirping, the cherry blossoms are blooming, and dreadfully so—we start realizing that we need to jump on that “Healthier You” New Year’s resolution. Granted winter encourages our much-needed hibernation, it shouldn’t make us curl-up like Spongebob’s pet snail Franklin when passing by a gym.

Worry not though, that’s where CREC jumps in and can help on your way to a healthier-looking-you. And while there’s a wealth of opportunities at our shnazzy facility, it can be hard to pick and choose given our often crazy schedules. And even worse for those of us who don’t know our way around a rock wall or treadmill—we need that extra little push. But maintaining consistency by working in some form of exercise a day can certainly help you one-step closer to having that extra kick in your step. It’s not only a mental test in discipline and fortitude, but a physical one as well. While walking from class to class is a start, let’s really jumpstart you from that novice status to a strong beginner one.

But maintaining consistency by working in some form of exercise a day can certainly help you one-step closer to having that extra kick in your step.

To give you a break in trying to work out a schedule that will hit all the right areas (if you know what I mean), I’ve gone ahead and created a sample one for you. This weekly plan is intended for all levels of skill and endurance, especially for beginners. Trust me, you don’t have to be a runner, cyclist or yoga-enthusiast to stay on this schedule. I myself only run sporadically…Okay fine, I only ran once last term–semantics.

I’m excited to share a couple options, each day of the week, that allow us beginners to not only feel like we’re jumping on a physically empowering journey, but more importantly confident in the abilities of our skills we may have not otherwise known.

MONDAY
[Group X] Hatha Yoga (7:30AM-8:30AM)
[Inclusive] Adaptive Climbing (4PM-7PM)

TUESDAY
[Aquatics] Comfort in the Water (5:15PM-6PM)*
[Rec Clubs] Tango [8PM-9:30PM]**

WEDNESDAY
[Informal Rec] Badminton (12PM-1PM)
[Group X] Zumba (6:15PM-7PM)

THURSDAY
[Group X] Gentle Yoga (11AM-12PM)
[ODP] Beginner Movement (12PM-1PM)

FRIDAY
[Rec Clubs] Tennis (6:30PM-8:30PM)**
[Aquatics] Open Swim (5PM-9PM)

SATURDAY
[Inclusive] Goalball (8AM-10AM)
[ODP] Rocky Butte Service Trip (5/5)

SUNDAY
[Inclusive] Adaptive Sea Kayak Trip (5/6)*
[Group X] Vinyasa Yoga (3PM-6PM)

* = Includes an additional fee, please visit our 2012 Spring Term Schedule for more details.
** = Please visit the list of Rec Clubs to contact club leaders regarding practice schedules and any additional dues.

For those that need a little push, this sample schedule is an awesome method to adapt—which shows that working out can not only make you feel better, but doable if you set yourself to it! Plus by the end of Spring you could finally eye that advanced class…

All Campus Rec activities and events can accommodate any and all types of skills and levels. For general questions, contact Campus Rec at 503-725-2931 or campusrec@pdx.edu. Campus Rec makes every effort to be accessible to all abilities. For accommodations for facilities, activities, and programs please contact Jen Armbruster at 503-725-2927 or j.armbruster@pdx.edu

Natalie Caceres is the new Student Marketing Coordinator at Campus Rec. Although she has full days all week, she is committed to encouraging solid workouts that even the busiest individuals can experience. This year alone she has ventured out of her comfort zone and tried new things as Group X’s popular Cycle/Krank class and even formed her own Intramural Volleyball team!

Apr 20 2012
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The Most Amazing Marketing Team Yet!

We see advertisements, signs, and promotional materials every day. The mall, directories, parks, the movies, in the bus, you name it. We look for these when we need quick information on where to find tomato sauce in the grocery store or what time yoga starts on Wednesdays. How often do you take a moment to ponder how many hours are spent behind the scenes creating these colorful, catchy, and informative materials? Campus Recreation is no exception to this.

After working closely with our Marketing Team, there is a new found appreciation for the time, energy, and commitment it takes to promote our programs and educate our members on various events on campus and within our department. What we’ve learned is that a good marketing team is constantly informed with new technology, pays close attention to detail and logistics, and can efficiently communicate between many individuals at one time to execute and deliver effective and creative forms of advertising that meet our department’s and university’s needs.

This article is dedicated to our marketing team. While they spend their time promoting other programs, we would like to take a moment and shine some light on the individuals who make it possible to encourage others to get involved in activities that promote health and wellness.

We took the liberty to ask some people about their experiences working with the Campus Rec Marketing team. This is what they said:

“The Marketing Team is an essential piece of Campus Rec! The team is so helpful, dedicated and talented. They have helped me on countless occasions including putting together our youth swim lesson bags and water bottles. It was a great experience to get to work with them on this project; it was fun to watch their close attention to detail and keep working until everything was absolutely perfect. Their positive attitudes are refreshing and inspiring. As a team they reflect Campus Rec values and guiding principles. I do not know what I would do without all our marketing peeps! Thanks for being amazing!” –Hanna Shulda with Aquatics

“The Marketing department has been very helpful working with us at the Outdoor Program. Clara’s been great with last minute requests. Kate designs amazing posters for us. Juan makes fun videos. Tracey was a huge help planning the Healthy U hike. Thanks Folks!”  –Outdoor Program

“Where would we be without the Marketing team? They work so hard to help us promote all of our fitness events creating wonderful posters, designing and printing our Group X schedules, and keeping the website up to date. There is never a request that goes unanswered or unsupported. Thank you for all you do Marketing!!” –Caitlin Anderson with Fitness 

“They’re the unsung heroes that help out every part of Campus Rec.” –Todd Bauch

“I am a person who acknowledges the attention to detail and appreciate the artistic touches I see in the Rec Center. I find myself continually noticing the color and design of the posters and am impressed by all the cool stuff Campus Rec posts on Facebook. It’s totes my favorite place on campus.” –Amy Keo, PSU Student

Thank you Marketing! Because of you, magic happens!

Apr 03 2012
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Success through Failure – The Journey of a Reluctant Yogi (Revisited)

Let’s face it, looking around the yoga class I just finished, it would be easy for me to say, “I suck.” My heels still don’t touch the floor in the Downward Dog pose. My thoughts are anything but meditative. If the instructor begins to chant, I’m mentally running for the door. There are definitely things stacked up against me becoming a pop-culture image of a yogi – male, 6’2”, 210 lbs., 45 years old. Twenty-five plus years of hiking, kayaking, bike riding, skiing, rafting, and climbing have created strong but tight muscles. But, to actually say that I suck couldn’t be further from the truth.

There are definitely things stacked up against me becoming a pop-culture image of a yogi

Without yoga, life has demonstrated that my body would be in pain. Nonetheless, I can’t own the perspective that “I get to go to yoga” – that it is fun. That is what Albert, my instructor for the last seven years, encourages me to believe. The best I can do is say, “I have to go to yoga so that I get to do the other things that I enjoy. I’ve made peace with bit of life maintenance. I have to go to yoga.”

A few years ago, I read the book Success through Failure – the Paradox of Design. Its theme was the simple concept that we must fail in order to succeed in the future. Failure is one of the greatest motivators of change, learning and evolution. Of course, the book uses some catastrophic engineering failures – collapsed bridges and NASA accidents – to make its point. Reading this book helped me intellectualize that failure was OK. Emotionally though I wasn’t OK with it. Failing is scary and puts knicks in my “Look-Good” – the image that I want to portray to the world. Stepping to the front of my yoga mat does not strengthen my Look-Good. I’ve had to make peace with that too.

Failing is scary and puts knicks in my “Look-Good”

Of all the activities I participate in, sitting at a desk in front of a computer was the one that led to my catastrophic failure. Sitting at a desk is bad for you. Sitting at a desk while still trying to participate in weekends full of adventure activities is worse and eventually led to jolting back spasms that would drop me to the floor. Two or three of these failures inspired me to do something different – follow my wife to her yoga class instructed by Albert.

As fortune would have it, Albert held the perspective that yoga could be a tool used to keep your body ready to pursue the activities that you enjoy. He taught the importance of flexibility and strength – pushing the flexible people to get strong while he pushed me to get flexible. He taught the importance of acknowledging where you are at today, physically and mentally and being OK with it but not accepting it as permanent. These lessons began my journey.

He also taught me the importance of acknowledging where you are today, physically and mentally, and being okay with it.

Two days ago, I realized my next lesson. I technically fail every time I set foot on the yoga mat. I initiate a series of Micro Failures; I never achieve the full realization of any of the poses. However, in these tiny failures have come my successes. These micro failures have allowed me to maintain the physical ability to pursue the activities I enjoy. Through all of them, I have learned that my Look-Good can survive failure. Because of each of them, I recover quicker from activities that push my physical ability. Most importantly, each of these micro failures encourages me to come back to the mat again, maybe more frequently and surely with the attitude, “I can’t do this yet.” But one day…

Todd serves as the Associate Director of Operations and Student Development at PSU’s Campus Rec. After his daily yoga class at the Rec Center, Todd enjoys parading through the office in his yoga attire. It greatly improves his “Look-Good.”

Mar 26 2012
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fun

Coasting

We, Campus Rec staff, love new experiences and we love our Pacific Northwest! Some of us in the Marketing Department hadn’t yet been to the Oregon coast to see Haystack Rock. (Say what??) So we planned a day trip for our little group! Here’s some proof of our excursion!
We ate lunch at the amazing Morris’ Fireside. Don’t believe the yelp reviews, staff is super friendly. Here’s Jesse and Clara with her mondo blackbean burger!
Heading down to the beach, we found this fine fisherman directing the way.
Chris found his new job.

The rock!
Of course we had to visit the sweet shops, indulging in caramel popcorn!
Clara was so excited for the wind. So we went to the local kite shop
and she got this lovely kite to fly on the beach. Success!
The Michaels were looking dapper, farther south down the beach at Oswald.
All together, a wonderful day with the Marketing crew!
Kate McPike is the Student Graphic Designer in Campus Rec’s Marketing Department. While she was mainly behind the camera on this trip to the coast, you can still catch a glimpse of her lovely painted nails holding the caramel popcorn. Proof she was in fact in on the adventure.  
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Mar 12 2012
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active

To Spin or Not to Spin

The idea of getting on a spin bike and inflicting pain on my already out of shape legs was not something I was psyched about. I pictured that cruel and totally fit instructor yelling at everyone to, “Climb that hill!” And of course, I imagined myself as that one embarrassed patron collapsing on the bike while everyone else pedals as though they’re ready to join Lance Armstrong on the Tour de France.

These of course, were my assumptions of a cycle class. So when a friend asked me at the beginning of this term if I wanted to start taking a Group X Cycle class with her every Friday, my immediate thought was, “Are you crazy?” My subconscious inner-couch potato devilishly laughed at the idea. Somehow though my mouth uttered the opposite when I remarked, “That sounds like fun!” I was sure I had just committed to making a total fool of myself—confident I would last maybe five minutes on the bike before embarrassingly wobbling off.

Yep, this would be the beginning of the end of ever showing my face again at the Rec Center. I could envision my picture in a display case on the fourth floor with text underneath reading, “Girl Who Couldn’t Finish a Cycle Class.” Three months later though, after taking classes on and off all term, I can say (and proudly so) that there isn’t any other form of exercise I prefer more than the Group X Cycle classes here at Campus Rec. Here are three reasons why:

You can go at your own pace

  • The incredibly accommodating Group X instructors let you know right off the bat that it’s okay to pedal at whatever speed you’re comfortable with. So if you’re feeling a little less energetic that day and want to cycle at a relaxed pace, that’s okay. Or if you’re training for an upcoming Ironman and want a challenge, go for it. Plus the instructors are well aware of who is new and who is more experienced. They’ll never push you outside your comfort zone unless you want to go there.

You get fit rather quickly

  • I’ve tried it all: running, rock climbing, yoga, Pilates, swimming, Bikram Yoga, the Bar Method. You name it; I’ve taken classes in it. With most of them I didn’t see the results I wanted. (And if I did, it took serious time and commitment.) Group X Cycle classes on the other hand are just 45-minutes long, can easily fit in your schedule (thanks to several different time slots offered), and will yield some serious toning rather quickly. Into my second week I could see my body was beginning to produce some satisfactory changes. I’ll spare you the details, but let’s just say that my legs don’t give out when walking up to the fourth floor of Cramer anymore. (And we all know how painful that can be.)

It’s fun! Really!

  • Granted I’ve only taken classes from Group X instructors Caitlin A. and Sarah, but let me just say that these gals have spot-on music tastes that make each pedal stroke seem as though the song was created just for that portion of the class. I’ll never listen to Cee Lo Green’s “Bright Lights Bigger City” again without wanting to find the nearest bike and hop on it. There’s just something about the instructor’s encouraging words that make you want to come back each week. And based on everyone’s smiles by the end of class, I think my sentiments are not alone.

I know, I know, it seems a bit preachy—but I’m serious. I’ve never been in better shape and never had more fun actually participating in something that is good for my body. I don’t think I’ll be heading back to my old workout routine anytime soon. Even after I graduate I’ll be on the hunt for the nearest cycle class I can join. And who knows? Maybe I’ll eventually get to that Lance Armstrong level… oh never mind.

Natalie Caceres is a self-proclaimed “cycle class newbie” and is loving every minute! (Can you tell?) When she’s not working out in a Group X class you can find her working hard as an Office Assistant in the Campus Rec main office. She’s totally stoked about this blog and can’t wait to post more over the next few months before she graduates in June.

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Mar 05 2012
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Ropes, Rocks, and Rough Weather

For most excited rock wall enthusiasts, the experience of climbing on real rock is quite like the Holy Grail. They aspire to find their own foot and hand holds, instead of looking for brightly colored tape. They want to feel the difference between smooth basalt, grainy granite, and prickly tuff, and they want to get to the top of a cliff face, look over their shoulders, and see the sparkling waters of the Colombia River Gorge, the reddish plains of Eastern Oregon, or the white summit of Mt. Hood.

For these reasons, the Outdoor Program hosts Rock Climbing II: Introduction to Outdoor Rock Climbing, a two-day seminar where students learn the basics of building rope anchors, rappelling, and discussing the good judgment required to be a respectable rock climber. In Februrary, seven PSU students and three student trip leaders spent a full Saturday in the ASRC climbing gym, tying knots, discussing gear, practicing rappelling, and working through potential scenarios, all with a focus on the critical thinking climbers need to stay alive and have fun. All that, in preparation for a full Sunday at Broughton Bluff, a popular local climbing site in the Gorge, just past Troutdale.

When we arrived at Broughton, the clouds were drifting closer and the air was getting heavier. We slung our packs, full of ropes and all manner of clinking and clanging climbing gear, and trudged up the steep, but short, path to the so-called “Hanging Gardens”–an excellent spot for new climbers, since they can walk right up to the edge and set their ropes. We set up our three stations to practice our three main goals for the weekend, and I volunteered myself for hanging out on the edge, inviting students to carefully climb up and over while attached to a tether, and there they would build two different kinds of anchors on the permanent bolts drilled into the rock.

As soon as I climbed over the side, the wind almost knocked me over. It was cold and unexpected, and I put both my hoods up and zipped my jacket all the way up to my throat. Then I put on a huge smile and invited my first student to climber over, providing the necessary coaching and assistance the whole way.

It is true that during the two hours I sat on that ledge supervising the anchor-building, rain started to sprinkle, propelled by the wind so that each drop stung my face. It is also true that snow started to fall intermittently, letting me know exactly why I couldn’t feel my toes. It is also true that I complained more about the cold than my students did.

But you know what else is true? Every student built impeccable anchors, tied beautiful knots, and explained to me in detail why they had made the decisions they did. Each student was startled by the cold, but I had the pleasure of watching all the discomfort drain from their faces as they focused intently on the task at hand.

With the weather mocking us and the wet rock prohibiting any actual climbing, I am still amazed by the awesome attitudes and unwavering motivation I saw this past weekend. To be a rock climber, you must be determined and you must be passionate. All the students participating that weekend had all that, and much more. Each one laughed and smiled, even while crouched on a thirty-foot cliff face, with the wind buffeting them this way and that, and the snow melting on their jackets. To me, this is what the world of outdoor recreation is all about, and the people you meet in this world are inspiring and dedicated. Now they are one step closer to finding the Grail, and I am that much happier to be working where I do.

Lorena Jasis-Wallace is a Trip Leader, as well as the Climbing Center Student Coordinator, for the PSU Outdoor Program. She is honored to be a part of the ODP, and hopes others will take the plunge and give it a try. 

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Feb 27 2012
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fun

Running Incognito

It was December 31, 2010 and instead of sitting around watching Time Square festivities unfold on television, I had decided to give my couch the night off. I even convinced my parents, who were visiting at the time, to join me. So we all signed up to race in The First Run & Walk. An annual event, the race takes place in downtown Portland, Oregon on New Year’s Eve. Its two distances (5k and 1.5m) both follow SW Naito Parkway along the bank of the Willamette River. The view would be spectacular, if the race were run during daylight hours. Not to be disappointed though, the runners themselves provide some equally amazing scenery.

Having ran the previous year, I remembered the overwhelming amount of costumed runners and decided to join in. I selected a Zorro ensemble from my collection of past Halloween outfits. Complete with a black gaucho hat and knee-length cape, I was ready to mingle with the masses.

And masses were there ever! The place was packed. It turns out this event grows by over one hundred entrants every year. This year’s racers numbered 1,147 and the majority were wearing some sort of getup. There were fairies, clowns, bumblebees, and lingerie-clad superheroes. Pirates, kitty cats, and disco divas mingled together as music blasted through the covered patio area.

As nighttime tends to be in Portland, it was pretty darn cold. Much like a polar bear swim, midnight running promotes a level of frosty excitement that racers flock to in insulated droves. Regardless of the multiple layers of warm clothing under our running gear, it was still really chilly. The cloudless night sky was a blessing (no rain), but also provided zero insulation from the upper atmosphere. This resulted in twenty-eight degree air that required advanced warming tactics (a.k.a. hot chocolate) to combat it. Lots and lots of hot chocolate.

With liquid-warmed insides we made our way over to the starting line with the rest of the thousand racers. “Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven…” the announcer yelled over the loudspeaker. “Six… Five… Four…” we all shouted in unison up at the starry night sky. “Three… Two… One… Happy New Year!” everyone yelled as the clock struck midnight and the starting gun went off.

I quickly learned an important lesson about running incognito: While wearing a Zorro mask does help block the icy night air, it also seriously restricts your vision. This made for an interesting style of running that I like to call the “forward crouch while-I-concentrate-on-seeing-my-feet” approach. To enhance my running form (and help convince passersby that my hunched over stance was indeed on purpose) I held up my Zorro rapier and replicated the Z-swishing action he was famous for.

“Look! It’s Zorro!” squealed my fellow racers as I ran past.

After approximately thirty seconds of running in this hunched-over state, the second important lesson of the evening hit me: Gulping beverages right before the start of a race greatly increases your chances of a side-ache. And considering I drank multiple cups of chocolatey-goodness mere moments before commencing with the run, the sloshing in my stomach was to be expected. But I channeled my inner-Zorro and charged on.

We runners followed the 5k course as it wound its way along the river past bridge, after bridge. The streets were sporadically lined with spectators near overflowing parties. Above us, people cheered from their apartment balconies while we ran by. As our surroundings shifted towards the industrial, we reached the turn-around point and began retracing our steps back to the start/finish line. Despite my compromised vision and sloshing stomach, I managed to complete the race. I greatly appreciated the almost completely flat course and I’m sure the more serious runners made PR’s that night. While I wasn’t trying to set one, I did set a PRIC (Personal Record in Costume) at thirty-three minutes, forty seconds.

Note to others: Costumed running is totally fun. Just make sure to consider maneuverability when selecting items from your closet. Sleek leopard outfit… awesome. Wonder Woman apparel… fantastic. Giant full-body cow suit… not so much.

Tracy Turpen is the Marketing Student Coordinator at Campus Rec. While she’s serious about triathlons, she also loves a good old costumed 5k every now and then. In 2011 she broke out five different costumes over the course of the race season. And while her Zorro duds started it all off, they were quickly retired in favor of lighter, less restrictive apparel. 

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Feb 20 2012
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active

Get Your Butt Walking

Get Started

Starting an exercise program is hard. Unless you are a diehard P90Xer or a CrossFit champion, the idea of an exercise program has you running for the hills. (Ironic that you would be running…)

What if there was a low stress, low impact, low commitment way to get healthy? What if all the equipment you needed was yourself? Don’t worry, I am not talking about push-ups, I am talking about walking!

Walking is incredibly low impact, can be done anytime of the day or night, and has the added benefit of being outside (which is proven to reduce stress).  Some of the benefits of walking are:

  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Fantastic weight loss management tool
  • Easier on your body than running
  • If you do it with your friends, it can be a fun social activity
  • Lowers your risk of Type II Diabetes

Treadmills

If you come to the Rec Center you will see many people walking on treadmills. A lot of people prefer to walk on treadmills rather than walk outside.

This has its own set of benefits. Maybe you aren’t sure about the gym. I was intimidated the first time I stepped into the gym. I ended up just running on the treadmill the first couple of visits. Once I realized how laid back and accepting everyone was, I ended up branching out to the different areas the Rec Center has to offer. If I hadn’t come in and gotten started on the treadmill I would have ended up missing out on so much other stuff!

Walking Isn’t the Only Option

What do you do if walking isn’t an option for you? I can suggest a few things, but please keep in mind that these are not even close to scientific or based on any professional training. Just me and my opinion.

If walking is not something you can or want to do, then your task will be to strip the idea of walking down to its most basic parts and apply it to another activity. For example, look at the list of benefits above and identify another exercise opportunity that has those same benefits.

Perhaps you need a better support structure. If all your friends are skydiving maniacs and you prefer to have you feet set firmly on the ground, chances are you are gonna be miserable every time you get together. The same thing applies with walking and exercise. If walking isn’t something you are interested in doing, but all your friends are trying out for the Olympic Racewalking team, then maybe you should find different exercise buddies.

Having a strong support group can also lead to fun new ideas on how to stay fit and healthy.

Get Out There and Get Healthy

I am certainly no fitness guru, I consider myself incredibly average in that department. So, if I can do it, so can you! Make it fun and remember to breathe.

Mike Shreeve is the Web and Social Media Student Coordinator for PSU Campus Rec. You can find him all over the web spending way too much time engaged in nerdy online activities. Mike welcomes comments and feedback on any and every post he writes. So comment away!

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Feb 16 2012
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inspired

Life in a (Fuel) Bottle

Turn the faucet handle – water.

Adjust the thermostat – warmth.

Turn the knob on the stove – happy belly.

Heck, within a matter of second you can have all three…

We tend to take these essentials for granted. At no time is this more apparent than when our home is a couple divots in a snowdrift. Being part of a snow camping adventure does not include many handles or knobs to turn for instant gratification. But it does provide opportunity to explore your ability to be self-sufficient and happy.

Your tent sits on a platform of snow that you have stomped out with your skis or snowshoes. This is divot number one of the two alluded to earlier. There is a shallow pit dug at the front door that serves as a closet and edge-of-the-bed combo. This pit allows you to sit in the doorway of the tent and take your boots off. You then get to leave them out there under the tent fly to save room inside for you and your three roommates. Once the shoes are off, the tent can serve as your bedroom, guest-room, living room, study, music room, laundry, and dresser – usually all at the same time.

The second divot is your kitchen. But to simply call it a kitchen slights it terribly. It is your public utility district (PUD) and the main provider of your water and energy needs. Some adventure parties have the resources to set up an elegant PUD. They dig out an extensive pit complete with benches, counters, and storage shelves. The really well off erect a tarp to prove additional shelter and warmth. Other communities may not have the resources or the need for such a facility. Quite often such elaborate facilities are reserved for well-established communities that have some sense of permanence. If the community is nomadic in nature and just needing a place for the night, they will like opt to generate energy and water in the afore mentioned “closet” at the entrance to their tent.

No matter the type of facility or amount of resources, people who go snow camping require the same things they need at home: food, water, and warmth. And standing in a snowdrift – excuse me, your PUD – the bottle of stove fuel is the only source available to fill these needs. Yes, a red, one-liter bottle of white gas attached to a fickle, spindly backpacking stove is the only thing that prevents one from freezing to death in a snowy divot, stomped out on the side of a mountain.

Some may argue that the fuel bottle is not your only defense. They may point to the tent, sleeping bag, or four layers of synthetic clothing that you are wearing. As important as these are, they are merely shelter and insulation which slows the chilling process. Without a heat source, your body will cool just like your house does when you have to choose between groceries and furnace oil.

You remember that week a while back when the furnace was “out” – you were in essence winter camping. You couldn’t control the temperature of your environment-at-large so you manipulated your microenvironment. You probably wore warmer clothes, ate more, and enjoyed lots of hot drinks that warmed your hands and belly. You sat close to other sources of heat – the stove, candles, and possibly another person. In fact, life probably became a bit more centered on these sources that filled your immediate needs. I’ll also hazard a guess that it was at this moment, when you were filled with a sense of simplicity, fulfillment, and competence, that the corners of your mouth curled upward into a smile.

Yeah, that is why people go winter camping.

Todd Bauch is Campus Rec’s Associate Director of Operations. Before that he was PSU’s first Outdoor Program Coordinator. Todd enjoys any outdoor activity that takes him (and his family) on a new and exciting adventure… like winter camping! 

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