Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Where's the happy medium? Questions...

Yesterday, we went paintballing for my good friend's birthday. It was an absolute blast. I got to crawl around on my belly in the woods with a gun slung over my back and shoot at my friends. I had sweat in my eyes and mud under my nails. I crawled into a thistle patch and through piles of fallen cotton wood (to which i'm very allergic). I haven't had so much fun in months. I'm paying for it today. I thought I did everything right. I stretched all day, drank lots of water and popped a vicodin before I went (the MTX still just isn't kicking in).
Yeah.. I know.. All that was awefully silly of me. I pushed myself too far to fast. But it was worth it! (And to be fair, all of my friends are pretty sore too)
My question is this:
I know someone on here backpacks and is rather active in outdoor activities. My boyfriend and I would like to take a backpacking trip this summer (Either Pictured Rocks in the UP Michigan or possibly the Badlands) Neither are all that easy of terrain (esp. the badlands). I used to backpack years ago, but haven't in quite some time. I'm not even as afraid of carrying the pack and walking the distances as much as I am of sleeping on the ground.
How do I go about this? What is the most comfortable way? Will I be miserable? I don't want this disease to get in the way of my fun having, but I also don't want to get out in the middle of nowhere and be rendered immobile. Any tips would be appreciated!

Do it while you can Pretend each day is your last.
Really, the best way is to start out by making sure you are in the best physical shape you can be in before you go. Walk everday adding more distance each week. After about 2 weeks, add your backpack and take those walks. Make sure you stretch alot. Eat right, drink lots of water and work on strengthening your large muscle groups. I don't know how big your backpack is and what you can get in it so I would start at a large store like Dicks sporting goods to find the right sleeping stuff and combination of gear. It's been a long time since I did any of that so I won't be much help on the camping equipment part, but, I can help you get into shape for it. Plan it, do it, get excited, have fun.
Cindy

Chelsie,

"Tomloops" is the man to ask. Let's see if he pops in. You ought to PM him.

Cristina

Yea you overdid it alright..lol the first thing I heard was I CRAWLED ON MY BELLY..lol

It sounds like you had a great time, and it sounds like you did everything right you just have to remember with AS your body just isn't as tough as somebody that doesn't have it.

Everything you do, do it with all your zest just do it a little more carefully.

The backpacking idea sounds great! It isn't something I would ever be able to do, but I know we have AS'ers that Run, Surf and do all kinds of things, I am sure some of them will answer.

Take it easy,

Lisa

Chelsie, from the sounds of things you did everything right during your paintball experience. You had fun playing around with your friends and, to my mind, that is worth every ounce of added pain the next day (or week).

If you're looking at a backpacking trip, I would suggest doing some weight training, as well as tons of walking (with and without loaded pack). Weight training will help build your endurance as well as making it easier to carry your pack. Do some pec work, upper back, abs and, for balance, add some leg presses and bi/tricep work. You don't have to do super heavy weights. Start out low, but with 3 sets of 12 reps. You'll know fairly quickly if the weight you start with is too heavy or too light, and you can adjust up or down to find the right starting weight for you. Make sure you stretch out to keep the flexibility going. I'm not sure how hilly the areas are that you are considering for your trip, but you might want to get some incline training going as well.

As for sleeping on the ground, unfortunately air mattresses are too heavy to carry, so I would get a memory foam mattress liner or two. They're light, should roll up fairly well and much better than the bare ground under your sleeping bag.

But most important ... have fun, lady!

Hugs,

Hiya Chelsie,
Yup - you definately did overdo it, but sometimes it's just so worth it!
I'm off in the Canadian Rockies on weekends as much as I can, and I'm hoping to get in a bunch of backpacking trips this summer too.
My biggest problem is my feet, so the walking and carrying weight is going to be a big challenge (lots of T3s). I also hike with super light ski/hiking poles. I have a comfy women's North Face sleeping bag that's built for us girls (meaning warmer and wider in the hips so we can move more comfortably). I also have a 3/4 thermarest (I'm short, so I can get away with the 3/4). But I wonder if doubling up on foamies would be better.
When I've gone camping in the past, I've piled blankets and clothes and whatever else I can find underneath me, but I'm not sure what I'll do if I'm backpacking! I once did a week long kayaking trip where we packed hot water bottles to fill up with hot water heated over the campfire - kept us toasty at night and really helped my neck.
I've also seen people pack and sleep in hammocks too - not sure if that would work for or against you. I don't think I could swing that. ooh bad pun.
I pack a ton of meds with me - including morphine, just in case. I think I should pack some muscle relaxants to take at night too - they'll help the aches and knock me out so I'll get some good zzzzs. I'll leave it to my friends to do the bear-watching for me then! ha!

You can never really predict when a flareup will occur but it sounds like you are doing the right things by staying active and doing your stretches. I'm more concerned with the enjoyment you got from shooting at your friends. Could there be some underlying hatred?
I say go on your trip and have a good time.

Steve

Heck I'm so twisted with my AS Ithought I'd nver camp again or sleep out or hike. Last yer my younger brother invited me on a camping trip. I loved the idea but knew sleepingon the grond in a sleeping bag would kill me.

I brought a water pillow. I brought a rather large sleeping and did fine. I guess what I'm saying is with the right preparation you can do anything.

I stayed up later than everyone else because I knew that too many hours sleeping on he groud would hurt and I was the first one up most days but I survived it and I'm am a mess, so you can find a way. Just prepare well.

Gidday, WOW.....your paintballing adventure really put a smile on my face and like you said it was worth it...no regrets.If you feel that you can do it ,which you do ...dont try and talk yourself out of it by to many what ifs?or maybes?Ireckon that just sheer adrenalin and the exercise carting the back-pack around will contribute to a great nights sleep out under the stars. How absolutly wonderful it sounds.You could also try out the 'crash dummy test ' out in the back yard with the foam rollout mattress or the hammock before you go.Can,t wait to here about it so let us know what happens and ENJOY yourself.take care jude2

Megan, I forgot about the trekking poles. Man do they ever come in handy!!

Hugs,