Thank you Richard! I don't think I'll be there at Citizen's Bank in September. But I should be at the West Va. Trifecta. I hope you and your son have a great race. Aroo!
After reviewing your post again, I particularly like number 5. I think part of being Hard is taking risks. Going outside without a plan or a map is a good start. I lived many years in Europe and spent a lot of time hiking through Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and some remote parts of Europe. It’s great fun, you meet all sorts of interesting people from all over the world — with one exception, America. The only time I would run into Americans would be in a large group of people who were being shuttled around by buses. They would take short hikes and be picked up by said bus in a couple of miles. Even at dinner, they would be all clustered at the same table, not interacting with anybody other than their trip mates. They might as well be somewhere in the US, because they sure weren’t getting much exposure to other cultures or people in Europe. There is no reason that I can think of to go with a guided group. The trails are extremely well marked and the guidebooks are many and the trails have enough people on them that if you get into trouble, someone will help you. Not to mention that cell coverage is ubiquitous, regardless of where you are. All it takes is a little bit of planning, some confidence and a sense of adventure. In this case I would take a map ;)
Well put. Only once was I ever part of a guided group. It was so awful that we left the trip (even though it was paid for) and just did our own thing the rest of the time. You can also get trail maps for just about anywhere now on your phone too if you needed it.
Re:maps on the phone. Very true, I suggest though that people use a map. Most are works of art, Switzerland in particular. Reading a map is a very useful skill. I have a beautiful collection of maps as reminders of where I’ve been and where I wish to return. The phone and gps are very useful as a backup.
Excellent post Gwendolyn! I confess, when I saw the headline, I was sure the 4 letter word was going to be DIRT.
I’m particularly fond of your point about watching people on their phones while you’re not on your phone. Today I watched a person walk across a street, without a glance away from their phone. They crossed as though their iPhone provided a force field to protect them from Evil. (Or perhaps self inflicted stupidity)
I confess I’ve purchased a simple phone, but I’ve not yet had the courage to forgo my iPhone.
Thanks Marshall. I watch those same people park on the side of the road to hike near where I live, staring at their phones while they let their dogs on leashes stray into traffic. They are typically wearing shoes with no traction.... not the kind of hard we're talking about!
Great suggestions on five doable discomforts. It's truly a muscle that starts with the boring basics and builds from there!
Thanks Sarah. I like "boring basics" - that's a nice way to look at it.
Love the cover !!!
By the way / any chance you are doing the citizens bank spartan in September.
My son and I will be there.
STAY ON OFFENSE 💪.
Thank you Richard! I don't think I'll be there at Citizen's Bank in September. But I should be at the West Va. Trifecta. I hope you and your son have a great race. Aroo!
After reviewing your post again, I particularly like number 5. I think part of being Hard is taking risks. Going outside without a plan or a map is a good start. I lived many years in Europe and spent a lot of time hiking through Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and some remote parts of Europe. It’s great fun, you meet all sorts of interesting people from all over the world — with one exception, America. The only time I would run into Americans would be in a large group of people who were being shuttled around by buses. They would take short hikes and be picked up by said bus in a couple of miles. Even at dinner, they would be all clustered at the same table, not interacting with anybody other than their trip mates. They might as well be somewhere in the US, because they sure weren’t getting much exposure to other cultures or people in Europe. There is no reason that I can think of to go with a guided group. The trails are extremely well marked and the guidebooks are many and the trails have enough people on them that if you get into trouble, someone will help you. Not to mention that cell coverage is ubiquitous, regardless of where you are. All it takes is a little bit of planning, some confidence and a sense of adventure. In this case I would take a map ;)
Well put. Only once was I ever part of a guided group. It was so awful that we left the trip (even though it was paid for) and just did our own thing the rest of the time. You can also get trail maps for just about anywhere now on your phone too if you needed it.
Re:maps on the phone. Very true, I suggest though that people use a map. Most are works of art, Switzerland in particular. Reading a map is a very useful skill. I have a beautiful collection of maps as reminders of where I’ve been and where I wish to return. The phone and gps are very useful as a backup.
I am definitely buying the paperback edition. I listened the audio edition and enjoyed it very much.
Fantastic! Thank you Ed.
Excellent post Gwendolyn! I confess, when I saw the headline, I was sure the 4 letter word was going to be DIRT.
I’m particularly fond of your point about watching people on their phones while you’re not on your phone. Today I watched a person walk across a street, without a glance away from their phone. They crossed as though their iPhone provided a force field to protect them from Evil. (Or perhaps self inflicted stupidity)
I confess I’ve purchased a simple phone, but I’ve not yet had the courage to forgo my iPhone.
I love the cover!
Thanks Marshall. I watch those same people park on the side of the road to hike near where I live, staring at their phones while they let their dogs on leashes stray into traffic. They are typically wearing shoes with no traction.... not the kind of hard we're talking about!