Flying in the face of the coronavirus

Just as the coronavirus was starting to hit the news wires, I was packing for a journey thousands of miles away in New Zealand. Travel restrictions were announced for those entering from China, thankfully we booked a flight that didn’t include a layover in China (although with the considerable price drop I had thought about it). When it came time to actually board the plane for the first leg from New York to Los Angeles, the virus was relatively contained to China, with a few outlying cases all with a connection to China. 

Whenever I travel, I try to be more diligent about washing my hands and keeping my immunity strong, for this trip I took a few extra measures. For about 5 days before our travel date, I popped a probiotic pill each day. I figured the extra measure would keep the gut health in check and hopefully ward off any wayward germ that entered my system. 

Since landing in New Zealand, the spread of the virus has broken the borders of China and taken off in northern Italy, and beyond. Reports of escalated sales of face mask and cleaning supplies in the States have reached the news here in New Zealand. The balance of sanitation and taking extreme measures to protect oneself is a difficult path to navigate in these uncertain times. 

If anything is clear in the face of the coronavirus, it’s that we are a global economy. Passing the port in Wellington, there are thousands of logs sitting because they can’t ship to China. Tourism in NZ is heavily supported by Chinese visitors, who are now not allowed across their borders. 

Logs pilEd up waiting for export

A natural reaction is to fear the unknown elements of this virus, and opt for isolation. With all of our knowledge of disease, plagues are not supposed to be a modern occurrence. The reality is that no one is guaranteed of a tomorrow, with all of the safety measures, inventions, and knowledge, we still live in a decaying world. 

The risk to life seems greater today because it has a name and, with the internet, we know it is far-reaching. As I board a plane in a few days to return to the States, I’ll once again wash my hands a lot, keep the hand sanitizer close, and try not to touch my face. The risk of getting the coronavirus may be greater being out and about, but there are so many other risks with higher probability of happening (like driving in a car), and so far those haven’t kept me confined. 

Exploring the world - one country, one community, one adventure at a time!
~Michelle

Preparing for a Steep Adventure

No matter how steep the adventure, there is a certain amount of preparation required to successfully complete, and enjoy, the journey. Getting to the final destination will be a reward of preparation, determination, and accomplishment. Anyone that signs up with Steep Adventures will be coached in training for the upcoming challenge.

Training ideas will be suggestions for getting ready for the challenge. Putting in the preparation time will be rewarded when the challenge begins. During the months leading up to my climb to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, my training regimen was weaved into the daily demands of life, but there was always a nagging feeling that it was not enough. Feeling fully prepared for an adventure is quite an elusive feeling, just know that every effort to train will be appreciated during the journey.

Do activity that you love and involve others in your training. Accountability will keep you motivated and having fun in the process. Sign up for events, there is nothing like the outlay of money to keep one motivated to train. Cross training will also help to keep variety in your workout, and ensure a range of muscles are prepared for the journey.

Above all remember, a Steep Adventure challenge is about enjoying the entire process of reaching the goal, both physically and in support of the cause!