Sometimes you have those days that turn out to be so very different than you expected them to be. Wednesday was one of those days. We welcomed houseguest Tuesday evening, and I thought I might do a bit of climbing with them in the morning, but then I expected to return to my typical routine - take a hike/go for a run, do some work and head to the gym for some evening climbing with Brian. Instead, we decided to solo the Second Flatiron, a six-hundred or so foot climb up one of Boulder's most notable landmarks. To the best of my recollection, I have not soloed anything before (read: climb without a rope or protection/gear). The only part that unnerved me, however, was the 'jump.' This was a point where, along the climb, you are required to leap across a divide in the rocks. I decided the benefits outweighed the cost/risk/fear, and I joined Brian, Alex and Cait, our houseguest, and Josh, another Sconnie native and AdRock climber living the d...
A few weeks ago I began physical therapy. My ankle has been slowly improving; the same did not hold true for my attitude early last week. My therapist asked me to do this specific exercise where I had to focus on the position of my knees, ankles and hips all at the same time; additionally, I had to do two other movements. Because my ankle is weak and because I struggled to keep every instruction clear in my mind while ignoring the discomfort I was feeling, I couldn't do what he was asking. Believe me, I was trying. My frustration was growing, and I know my therapist was becoming annoyed with me. He kept barking instructions, and I kept thinking I better keep it together or I might just yell/cry right on the spot. I nearly had a rage blackout when he told me that since I wasn't doing it right, I should simply try a few more sets of 10. Realizing how negative I was, I figured there must be something to learn from this horrid moment. And he...
On Saturday, May 6, I returned to half marathon racing. It had been quite a hiatus, and my previous half marathon, was completed with a blown out IT band, so I did have to balance high hopes and realistic expectations. After all, a lot has changed since that last race. They say that age is just a number, and by that logic, a half marathon is just miles. 13.1 long and hilly miles in this case, and now officially in the next decade of my life. Yeah, yeah, just a number. Last year, still in my 30s, I toyed with the idea of returning to racing and with running the Door County Half Marathon. We were in Peninsula State Park for our annual Mother’s Day weekend, and the race was taking place. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to get back to some really good training. Our plan - always - is to be in Door County for our Mother’s Day celebration, so why not sign up?! Well, back to numbers. Two children, one partner, too many hours at work each week, one bike ride/race to each weekend, an...
Thanks for the fun new year's day! Back in Minocqua. :(
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