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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Mar 16, 2007 - 09:54am PT
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This thread needs a portrait of the man.
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paganmonkeyboy
Trad climber
the blighted lands of hatu
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Mar 16, 2007 - 10:19am PT
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"Ultimately it all boils down to what kind of relationship we have with ourselves, and in giving up nocitine I learned that there was something rather huge standing between me and me."
One small step/giant leap closer to inner peace...when one doesn't have to be doing, just *being*...
hang in there - it does get easier...its like the guidebook always says out here -'thin holds and sketchy pro lead to easier climbing, above...'
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Crag
Trad climber
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Mar 16, 2007 - 10:25am PT
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John,
I grew up in house with a smoker but I didn’t start smoking until I left home. Sitting in a bar next to a new found friend he lights-up. A Marlboro red, the smell reminded me of home. Before I new it I was smoking ˝ pack of Reds a day as if I had smoked most of my young life. Fast forward….at the age of 43 I am nicotine free, (1 year & 3months) and have zero cravings even after climbing which used to be ritual of sorts.
Toward the end of my smoking career I was strictly a social smoker or situational. Even had people tell me they wished they could smoke like me. It never really developed into a pack-a- day habit but I must confess that I did enjoy it for the most part. I used to fool myself that if some of the greatest climbers are/were smokers it can’t really be all that bad. When I first read Touching the Void and the comment “we’re glad we didn’t bring cigarettes” was proof to me that I could still be very active and a smoker.
I still wish I could smoke but I know first hand how detrimental it can be to ones life. About 2 years ago I started road biking mainly for fun and fitness and although it may just a placebo I believe the increased cardio effort has helped clear my system and reduced my cravings. Either that or going down hill at 50mph has only replaced what nicotine used to supply. I truly believe to make a long lasting change cold turkey is the only way to go. (YMMV)
Best of luck
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2007 - 10:38am PT
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Damn, Ricky, that's really pulling deeply from the way-back machine for that belaying shot. Where is that, anyhow? Idyllwild?
Note the cig. in my right hand - almost hiding, but there nonetheless. Crazy, ain't it?
JL
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JLP
Social climber
Fargo, MN
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Mar 16, 2007 - 02:13pm PT
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" When I first read Touching the Void and the comment “we’re glad we didn’t bring cigarettes” was proof to me that I could still be very active and a smoker."
I actually had the opposite experience. I tried to slog up the side of a real mountain for my first time in winter. Not only did it nearly kill me, the contrast between my efforts and the efforts of those around me was very apparent, more so than I had imagined it could be.
In the end, if "active" to you means humping a day pack up to the base of a climb, then smoking isn't going to have a very significant effect - especially if "smoker" means around a 1/2 pack or less a day. However, if "active" means doing even the occasional marathon, trail race, backcountry ski run, winter ascent, etc., then smoking more than 1/2 pack a day is most definitely going to push you to the back of the pack. Nobody I know who does these latter, more intensive aerobic activities very well smokes, or ever has.
JLP
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A(ndanother) Crowley
Gym climber
YourNightmares
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Mar 16, 2007 - 03:03pm PT
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LMAO!
John, I always knew you were a pussy, ever since you cried when you had to lead my pitch on Stoner's Highway.
Spare us the whining, please!
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Mar 16, 2007 - 03:06pm PT
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Crag
Trad climber
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Mar 16, 2007 - 03:35pm PT
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JLP, I fully understand your point of view and yes admittedly when I was younger I felt I could achieve I high state of aerobic acitvity without the smoking holding me back...yes foolish youngster I was. Still I am amzed at the photos and things Iv'e seen first hand.
http://www.bicycle-gifts.com/jpg/q45.jpg
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Mar 16, 2007 - 07:51pm PT
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Hey Largo,
Sounds like you are dealing with it, and not a moment too soon. Your friends and family will really feel so much better to see that you're taking care of yourself better healthwise, and trying to kick some nasty habits. It is amazing how much stress we all place on our families and friends when we don't take care of ourselves.
So, quit for yourself, and quit for your family and friends. It isn't over, and it is never easy, but you're making the right decision.
My father-in-law in his seventies, retired Air Force Lt. Col. and pilot, smoked up until the day he went in for open heart by-pass surgery. He smoked just before the actual procedure. He was instructed not too, but he did it anyway. We nearly lost him due to complications during the post-surgery recovery with a serious case of pnuemonia. They wouldn't have operated if they knew he lit-up just moments before the operation. That's a serious no go. My father-in-law is a brave man, and so are you. He battles everyday, but he is smoke free now for the last 7 + years.
Man is an addictive creature. We should all just pick the right addictions. Climbing is a good one ;-))
By the way, you don't have to quit coffee, just go decaf. I did several years ago, and I'm much less stressed and my heart doesn't race without all the caffine now. I love the ritual of a cup of coffee in the morning. Decaf is fine.
Good job and keep it up. Friends and family are rooting for ya.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Mar 16, 2007 - 07:52pm PT
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Yay Hankster!
Good think everyone's kicking their habits now....If any of you are thinking of going to the SushiFest, all I can say is: DON'T RELAPSE! Imagine if 4 or 5 of "us" were there, at day 3 in withdrawal....
SushiFIGHT, more likely!
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Mar 16, 2007 - 07:53pm PT
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Sometimes a few pictures helps.
JDF
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Mar 16, 2007 - 07:54pm PT
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paganmonkeyboy
Trad climber
the blighted lands of hatu
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Mar 16, 2007 - 08:53pm PT
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that's sick juan...
though we do appreciate the thought ;-)
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2007 - 10:25pm PT
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Hankster is going off a can of Copenhagen a day habbit and that's a freaking truckload of nicotine to simply quite cold turkey. I swear a can of Cope has got the equivalent of about sixty cigaretts worth of nic. You're my hero, Hankster.
JL
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder
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Mar 16, 2007 - 10:27pm PT
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I know this guy - a neighbor of mine, he quit before I did. He was doin' - this is no lie - three to four packs of Camel straights a day. Saw him walking around looking a bit shaky for a while but he did it, straight up cold turkey. He's like 54.
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2007 - 10:55pm PT
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Three to four packs of Camel straights a day is like 60 to 80 hacks a day, or basically 4-5 hacks an hour. That's smoking the whole freaking day, stopping only to take a drink and a leak and then one more hack. Geeze, no wonder the guy was looking a "little shakey." I can't even imagine his internal state comming off that much nic cold turkey.
JL
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snakefoot
climber
cali
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Mar 16, 2007 - 10:59pm PT
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jdf, that looks like candida, not really smoking related, but nice visual anyway.
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder
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Mar 16, 2007 - 10:59pm PT
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It's true, this guy would go out for a smoke - I'd see him on his front porch all the time, he'd fire down 2 smokes back to back.
A little while later, he'd be out there again.
Said he quit because he didn't want to die.
Hey, where the hell is Yerian?
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