We were only a little over 2 hours into our hike, and my feet were killing me. It was my first backpacking trip through Crow Pass. We had knocked out 3 of the 23 miles and 2000 ft elevation gain after work Friday afternoon. We set up camp by Crystal Lake. I was so uncomfortable that I wondered if I should bail out of the next 20 miles on my husband, oldest daughter, youngest, her husband, and 2 dogs.
As I drifted to sleep, I reflected on aging, feeling behind in my fitness, and really allowed a good berating by my inner critic. I was slowing the whole group down. They were likely wishing I wasn't there. The thoughts added to the suffering of the day.
Thankfully, though, as we awoke to the beautiful yet foggy and chilly scenery the following day, I was refreshed and determined.
It was only when I was putting on my North Face hikers that I realized I was missing a critical component - my shoe inserts. I had NONE! Not even the standard ones that they came with. I could see the stitching inside the top of the sole. No wonder I was so achy and a bit slow - it wasn't lack of training or age that was the issue. I had been swapping out my PT-prescribed inserts back and forth from my running to my hiking shoes, and somehow, in the excitement of getting out the door, I forgot them altogether. 🤦🏼♀️
Our inner critics are opportunists! Just waiting to find a foothold on an accusation to beat us up. If we were in any number of other situations and a person talked to us like we talked to ourselves, we would identify it as non-productive and get up and walk away. But since that negative self-talk is in our heads - we just accept the things being said as truth.
Once we start to identify what that voice sounds like and the phrases used - it becomes easier to tune in and recognize what's happening, reject the inaccuracies, and change the playlist to something much more useful. What helps you tune into your inner critic? What techniques help you in quieting it?
For the record, I completed the long journey and forded my first river - more on that in a future tale. (I am very thankful to my husband, who became my Sherpa for the last mile or so - photo below.) We made great memories! I now never forget to confirm the presence of shoe inserts. 😉 And I'm quicker to question the accusations being slung at me from within.
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