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This is not an April Fool's joke. I spent the first Sunday in April skiing in Southern California. While Los Angeles lay below blanketed by clouds, I enjoyed the sun far above at the Mt. Baldy Ski Resort. Spring skiing is an exercise of hope over experience. Much of the range had lost snow cover although there was still good depth on Thunder Mountain's trails, which launch from 8,587 feet, higher than any point east of the Mississippi.
On the Slopes,
Just Outside of LA
April 6. 2008
Like many Americans I've confronted a rough economic patch. We are feeling the foreshocks of an economic earthquake that could rival the Great Depression, yet our current leaders seem blindsided. For me at least, the pressure seems to be easing slightly. In some respects I feel like a bear emerging from hibernation, but while our ursine cousins lose weight during the winter, I've put on a few pounds. In an ideal world hard times shouldn't affect one's fitness. However three factors are at work here. First, healthy food costs significantly more than readily available high calorie fast food, as I learned in a study cited in February's Reverse Aging News. Secondly, I've come to realize that I'm influenced by Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD. Despite being born in Boston, I've instinctively now spent most of my life in the South. I've tried to compensate. Although chocolate is a mood elevator, even dark bars are highly caloric. Finally I've seen some intriguing research that I'm citing in this month's Reverse Aging News examining how humans have a psychological limit to deprivation when confronting must do tasks. Self knowledge is the first step in coping with the land mines that life sets for you. Still, I take pride in the few gems that I've facetted such as writing and producing "Reverse Aging Now."
It was a demanding challenge, that I couldn't have completed without the able, enthusiastic participation of my Associate Producer, Carolisa Pomerantz. For her unstinting support, and invaluable perspective, I am eternally grateful.
Today the bottom line for me is simple. With exactly five months to go for the Los Angeles Triathlon, it's time for me to apply the same discipline that I did last year while I drink deeply in the increasing light, warmth, and joy of a lush spring.