Don't Blow Chunks

Harney Peak: located in South Dakota- elevation 7244'

Yesterday, my boyfriend and I had the day off and decided to hike Harney Peak for our second time. Last summer, our trip ended badly for me. I was severely dehydrated and spent the day after in bed with a massive headache and parched lips while sipping slowly from a bendy straw. Vowing that the second time would be different, we packed over 5 liters of water and lots of healthy snacks to keep me hydrated and energized. Since I like hiking at a quick pace, we reached the summit in a little over an hour. I felt tired at the top, but better than I did last year. Excited that I had succeeded, we explored for awhile and then started our descent.

Guess what started to happen as we hiked down the peak.

I started to feel awful. Despite the fact that I had drank almost all of the water that we had packed, I had a pounding headache and my legs were shaking. I found a cool stream and dipped a hand towel we had packed to hold on to my head. We had anticipated my sickness and brought ibuprofen. But our attempts to preserve my health were too late. On the drive home, I became increasingly sick until I finally told my boyfriend to pull over so I could puke on the side of the road...and if that wasn't humiliating enough...I was in sight of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and George Washington. Embarrassing.

I know...this story is gross. So why am I telling it? What does it have to do about writing?

As writers, we need to be prepared. But, more importantly, we need to know our limitations.

Both times I hiked Harney Peak, I didn't listen to my body and only compared myself to people who can complete the hike with little or no ill effects. I ignored the fact that I suffer from altitude sickness which I am positive was a contributing factor to my sickness after both hikes.

We need to know ourselves as writers; know our limitations. We can't compare ourselves to the best and assume that we are capable of doing everything that they can. If we haven't taken necessary precautions, considered our strengths and weakness, and practiced beforehand, we will fail miserably if we try to write something that is out of our limit.

Don't ignore your weaknesses. Know them... and fix them. If they can't exactly be fixed...like my altitude sickness... take proper precautions and don't push yourself places that you can't go.

You are capable of reaching your writing summit...without blowing chunks afterwards.