SkyRise Chicago, Willis Tower 2012

Photo taken after the race this morning.

One only has those first few minutes after a race, in which it's appropriate to wear your participant medal, so after leaving Willis Tower, I proudly march into Anne Sather's Sunday morning crowd, so adorned.

There is nothing poetic about actually climbing the steps of one hundred and three floors.  This is my thought as I ravenously (as in greedy for gratification and protein) devour an avocado wrap and cottage cheese for breakfast.

I express this observation to my husband and daughter sitting across from me and my shiny gold medal draped around my neck. 

I also wonder, "What can I possibly write in a blog about my experience?"  It was step after step, flight after flight, floor after floor, yes, again and again, the same...struggle, over and over.  At least that's the case from about floor 13 or 14 on.  The first few floors always feel great.  They move right along, I breath normally-- just another day walking up some steps.

By floor 25, I hit the wall my mind builds, which says, if I don't stop to catch my breath, I can't go on.  I indulge, but ever so briefly.  And thus begins my pattern.

Today holds a new variable.

 

 

While standing in line to begin the race, who pops up by my side but Jesse, my trainer. He ran at 7:00 a.m. with the elites.  I ask how he did, and in his humble way he answers, "Good, but not great."  I find out later that he won the race by climbing the 2,109 steps in 13:59! Very impressive. 

I begin to realize what his presence in line means--he's going to go up again, with me. I worked hard this last week, to put aside my fears and negative thoughts about the  climb, so I try not to think, "Oh no, my trainer will be with me, what if I go too slow? Will I be embarrassed? What am I going to do?" and instead tell myself, the reality is that Jesse wants to help.  He wants to support me. A couple deep breaths later, we cross the start line.

I'm proud of my pace for the first half of the race.  For where I am right now, it is just fine.  I also know that it feels like I've given everything I have, and it's only Floor 52. 

I have to do it again, ...another 51 floors. 

This time I take a little longer break, and thus begins my pattern for the second half.

What am I thinking in the final challenges?  Not even sure.  I'm not holding onto completely cohesive intentions and plans in those moments.  However, one complete and very cohesive factor is Jesse next to me in the stairwell.  I wonder what he's thinking.  I wonder how it must feel for him to take the stairs so very slowly compared to his running speed. 

Also, because he's there, I make sure if I do stop, that it's absolutely necessary.  I make sure I get going again as quickly as possible.  I keep moving even though arms and legs are saying, "No," and nausea is ever-present.  The non-poetic for sure.

Jesse's decision to be there, lets me know I'm ok. I can do this, no matter what.

He didn't say those things. Didn't have to. I was there with all my vulnerabilities, my age, my history, my dreams, the work that I've put in, the work I haven't, and my determination.

Now that it's over, I see more than my struggle on each step. 
Whether I thought I wanted it or not, whether I thought I needed or deserved it or not, I experienced true support, offered without judgement.

Perhaps poetic after all.


P.S.  When I finally looked up my time, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in the middle of the pack of women in the 60 - 69 age group. The winner in my group climbed 103 floors in 27:49,  I finished in the middle of the group with 53:32.  The times went all the way up to one and a half, two and a half, and three and a half hours.

For fun I counted how many women I beat in the different age groups. 
I was faster than 32 others in the 50 - 59 group,
faster than 37 others in the 40 - 49 group,
faster than 51 women in the 30 - 39 ,
and faster than 35 women in the 20 - 29 age group. 

Next time, hopefully I won't have to do this silly calculating...instead I will simply report on a great improvement in my own time!

Minutes after reaching the top.

Seconds after finishing.

P.E.A.C.E.

The clouds finally parted this morning and now I can see all the way to the top of the Willis Tower.

Recently my sky was overcast with self-judgement.  For every day I cleared away the negativity, another day appeared laced with it.  For each moment I affirmed the positive way forward, another moment of fear crept in.  I used all my tools to escape this spiral, but they weren't strong enough to wipe away the disappointment.  The accusatory tape in my head played like a broken record --You aren't where you wanted to be by now. You were supposed to lose more weight. You can't do what you wanted to do. -- over and over.

Finally, after two sleepless nights, the spring is back in my step!  Basically in a hypnagogic state (the transitional stage between wakefulness and sleep) I used these nights to repeat affirmations and visualize my climb.  Affirming with, "I'm Prepared, I'm Energized, I'm At Peace, I'm Confident, I'm Excited about life," repeating until I lost track.  Visualizing the morning of the climb, the rush and excitement, one step after another reaching up, counting ten steps and turning on the landing for the second flight of ten, twenty for each floor, counting, moving from my core, breathing easily, every ten floors feeling a new burst of energy...on and on into the night I imagined. 

Yesterday I contemplated giving up my spot to someone else.  In moments of weakness, I really wanted to do just that.  In the end, I could not.

My friend Scott, encouraged me by relating how many millions of people could not climb this tower (he estimated 285 million Americans), Jackie cheered me on saying how great it will feel simply reaching the top floor, walking out onto the observation deck -- getting to the top no matter how long it takes.  Jesse advised it will be excellent training for future climbs this winter.  Peg always tells me I inspire her. Harold and Melinda comment, "You notice we're not climbing 2,109 steps this weekend!  It's amazing you're just doing it!"

Kathy reminded me of the blog entry where I shared how five or six years ago I could barely dress in the morning, or straighten up to walk through airports after a flight, or reach for my luggage, and now I don't suffer from any of those problems.  And finally, this morning my Pilates trainer, Corinne, informed me, "You are stronger than you realize!" 

Enough power to turn on the light switch!   It occurred to me in that instant,  I am stronger than I realize, because I've been clouded from my own reality by self-judgement from so very many years of past conditioning.

Ok, so I won't necessarily have a fast time on Sunday.  But I looked up the times from last year's 60 - 69 yr. old women participants, observing that their times ranged from 19 minutes and 27 seconds, to 2 hours, 5 minutes and 28 seconds.  I'll fall in the middle.

My trainer, Jesse, also shared a new way to approach issues when self-judgement is a temptation.  He said to look at the situation as a gift.  Find the gift.
 
I had something major to learn  through this process. I've been given the gift of experiencing all the turns in my road since last May. Down each one of those roads there has been discovery and opportunities for growth.
 
7:30 Sunday morning I'll walk across the starting line toward the stairs, yes, activating the timing chip on my shoe which records how long it takes to get to the 103rd floor of the tallest building in the western hemisphere.  

Walking across that mat also signals the start of my adventure--my time to learn what it is to push myself beyond what I think is possible, my time to persevere, to overcome, and to be filled with joy and exultation at the accomplishment.

Encouragers in this entry, clockwise from top left: 

Jackie/Cheryl, Jesse, Cheryl/Harold/Melinda, Willis Tower, Corinne, Scott, and Kathy/Cheryl/Peg

Karyn's on Green --Review and Family Birthday Celebration

Contemporary. Stylish. Vegan. With delicious food and a vibrant bar scene, Karyn’s on Green is making vegan sexy in the midst of Chicago’s traditional Greektown neighborhood. Serving lunch, dinner and drinks in an atmosphere so chic you’ll forget it’s good for you… and the planet.  http://www.karynsongreen.com/

 

On my birthday Saturday, we visit Chicago's Karyn's on Green for the first time.

 

I like it the moment we walk in the door.  The background music could be one of Harold's playlists, and the dimly-lit large open room is very inviting.  The staff is friendly and helpful-- the best service I have experienced in a restaurant in a long time.  Since we are exploring transitioning to a vegan diet, we still have a lot of questions.  Our server goes out of her way to listen, explain, and also accommodate Harold's nut allergy, which is definitely more of a minefield in a vegan restaurant.  

 

To begin,  I choose the "Black Thai Affair"--Hendricks Gin, muddled blackberries, fresh Thai basil, fresh lemonade and Prosecco--cool, refreshing, bright start to the meal.  Harold has a Manhattan with a full-bodied bourbon, made and aged in-house. Ever since, he talks about how great that drink was and how he'd love to have it again some day with a cigar!

 

I choose the Prix Fixe menu in my attempt to be brave and try selections way outside my comfort zone.  The results, for me, are irregular.  For the first course, I have to call on my inner-mother's voice as it tells me to finish what is on my plate.  I'm able to eat it, but though I like mushrooms, I am not a fan of the squid-like wild mushrooms, really dislike the huckleberries, and never figure out what the roasted salsify is. 

 

Harold creatively selects  a "side" since all the appetizers have nuts in them.  His first course turns out to be my favorite bites of the evening, "Quinoa Hush Puppies."  I don't even like regular hush puppies, but these little meatball look-alikes have the lightest, most crisp outer shell, surrounding the most satisfying inner goodness--almost like a poppy seed muffin inside, but not as sweet--just right!

 

My second course far out-ranks my first.  The special black bean soup of the day, with cayenne and three little tortilla strips is perfect.  Lots of heat, but equally flavorful.  Harold's butternut squash soup is the creamiest blend of fall flavors.  Throughout the meal, I have to keep reminding myself there is no milk, cream, butter or eggs in anything. No animal products period. We switch soups half way through, delighted with each.

Third course, Rapini salad's Tahini dressing makes me think of a word I learned from the Food Network--umami.  Umami has a mild but lasting aftertaste difficult to describe. It induces salivation and a sensation of furriness on the tongue, stimulating the throat, the roof and the back of the mouth.  However, furriness could be misleading.  I think of it as a very rich, thickly-smooth taste experience.

 

Fourth and main course finds me coveting Harold's selection again.  The few bites of mine that have the apple butter and the sourdough puree are fine, but overall, the cauliflower and brussel sprouts are bitter to the point of distasteful.  Harold's barbecue seitan (a vegetarian wheat "meat") and corn bread stuffing, while unlike any we ever tasted before, are very satisfying. We both look forward to revisiting that combination.

 

Finally, my chocolate torte takes top billing right up there with the hush puppies!  I love chocolate, but not just any old chocolate.  If I'm going to indulge, it must be strong and rich, making an impact that's more than worth the calories.  This torte goes beyond anything I imagined it could be.

 

Arriving home at the end of the evening, puttering around as the meal completely settles in our bodies and our memories, I experience a new feeling.  Not certain I have the right words for it yet. Perhaps it was my imagination, but I found myself saying, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but I sense something different than I usually feel after a meal. As silly as it sounds, I feel cleaner somehow. Ha! I feel good."

 

The mind is a powerful thing!

 

So is more careful, thoughtful, healthy, mindful eating.

  

 

I was fortunate to have two great birthday dinners this year. The first was a culinary discovery.  The second was a family's loving gift, which also included a wonderful culinary experience!

 

Sunday, our grown children who live in the Chicago area prepare a home cooked dinner to celebrate.  These are important times in life...the time when family comes together in appreciation of one another, to share a meal and continue nourishing relationships.

 

When I receive a tornado warning on my cell phone that afternoon, I call Melinda to see if she also received the, "Take Cover Now!" message.  One whole wall of her place is windows and she is already cooking away in her kitchen across from them.  With one look out her fourteenth floor balcony she can see the ominous weather coming from quite a distance.  Minutes later it's on top of her.

 

My youngest, Harold M. and wife Leslie, live out of state.  The rest of us gather at Melinda's place a couple hours later, Matt and Rachel bringing along the food he's prepared.  They also received the tornado warning that afternoon.  I sit watching their final preparations, so grateful for our time together, comfortable inside the darkened windows, peaceful as winds roar on the other side of the glass. 

 

A twenty degree drop in temperature reminds me more than ever that it's October...the month I love the most, for it's colors, the apples and cider, pumpkins and jackets...the month I love the most -- for everyone in our family, all five of us, were born in October. 

 

We talk, we laugh, ask questions, give assurances, and thoroughly enjoy the meal of specially chosen recipes created with love.  I'll savor leftovers the next day, remembering our warm evening together.

 

Final note: 

 

Melinda made a birthday cake from scratch for the occasion...a carrot cake, but of course with no nuts for her dad.  We learn that Harold has lived his whole life without ever tasting carrot cake because of his nut allergy.  He can't believe there are no nuts in the cake--there are always nuts in carrot cake! He gave up eating sugar in February this year.  But Sunday night, for the first time ever, he experiences the warm

yum-i-ness of homemade carrot cake...and loves it! 

 

We have to make exceptions once in awhile.  I think after sixty-one years, he deserves to taste his daughter's carrot cake, sugar or no sugar...and we all join in.  

 

Happy Birthday Family!

 

 

 

 

Exploring Food As Medicine Tonight

Getting ready to watch  Forks Over Knives  this evening.

"Forks Over Knives" examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.

Working with the photos as I prepare to post today's meals and snacks, I contemplate how firmly eating meat is entrenched in my diet.  I continue to investigate the possibility of making this profound change, but every time I'm close to giving up animal-based foods, I find myself backing away, returning to the familiar.

This will be interesting.

 

Breakfast:  Chia Pudding (Chia seeds and unsweetened Almond Milk) with Fresh Fruit

 

 

 

Snacks: Fruit/Nut/Oats bar, Kind Bar, and Salmon Quiche bites (leftover from yesterday's lunch.)

 

 

 

Lunch: Last of the Stuffed Peppers

Supper:  Beats, Beans, Sweet Potato, Onions and a skinless Chicken thigh.

 

Pictures Speak Louder Than Words

It's working already. Knowing I have to post a picture of everything I eat, I add a Kale/Broccoli/Beet Salad to my dinner tonight.  Prior to this plan I simply would have taken a double helping of the leftover stuffed peppers.  To my delight the salad is delicious. Beets may not be everyone's favorite, but they certainly are mine!

 

Breakfast: 2/3 cup Almond Cluster Cereal with Unsweetened Almond Milk

Lunch Appointment:  Salmon Dill Quiche (only ate half) and Fresh Fruit

Dinner:  1/2 Leftover Stuffed Pepper and Kale/Beet/Broccoli Salad

 

 

 

 

Today's Snacks: Nuts and Dried Fruit at Pilates Open House,

Decaf Coffee, and Egg White Salad/Hummus/Mini Edamame Crackers

 

 

Time to go make some Chia Pudding for tomorrow... 

...and get through the evening without another snack. 

No  more pictures today! 

 

A "First" and Accountability

The Willis Tower climb is November 4th. I returned from a very enjoyable vacation in Vegas yesterday. In terms of calories and healthy food choices however, I ate moderately well, not very well!  Luckily we walked a lot and I kept my early morning appointments with myself at the gym and spa.

Now I must employ my best method of accountability. For me that's photographing everything I eat--the good, the bad and the ugly.  For some reason this works. 

Breakfast:  Two poached eggs, strawberries and Ezekiel sprouted grain toast.

 Did use butter today.

 

Sesame thins and Hummus morning Snack.

Lunch:  Turkey wrap, thins and an apple.

The "ugly"...still munching on a goodie brought back from Vegas

for afternoon snack.

Supper:  Making a batch of stuffed peppers with

ground turkey, onions, garlic, peppers, beans, tomatoes, brown rice and

seasonings--salt, pepper, chili powder, ground chipotle and Italian herbs.

Proud of my 99-cent purchase--a package of day-old peppers! 

The plan is to improve each day.

 

P.S.  Last week before I left for Las Vegas, in my training session with Jesse I ran half a mile without stopping!!  This is a big FIRST for me.  We joyfully toasted the moment with our bottles of water, then resumed running.

 

“I would not give a fig for the simplicity on this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.”

                                                               ~~Oliver Wendell Holmes


Smiling, my small group athletic trainer Peter, declared,
"You're taking a complex approach to your training!"

"Yes I am," I answered.  "My complex approach is that I am fine!"

We laughed over our exchange as Jesse and I prepared to go to work this morning.

On Saturday I had gone all-out through Peter's circuits, in spite of several stations including twisting moves.  On Monday morning he asked how I was feeling and I mentioned a little bit of spasm activity going on mid-back, but thought it was getting better.  Then I proceeded to spin class, followed by an hour of step class, after which I felt great!

As soon as I saw Peter this morning, I made sure to let him know there will be no need for modifications in class on Saturday.  His comment about my "complex approach" to my training may have referred to my different workouts he'd observed, but I chose to make light of the comment, to keep it simple.

After working through everything this month, on the other side of my complexity...

I'm working.
I'm fine.

~~~~~~~~~

--Broke through a self-imposed limit running with Jesse this morning. Yes!
--Looking forward to 4:15 step/power/balance & flexibility workout
  this afternoon.

Still thoroughly enjoying the Blueberry Chia Seed Jam (recipe in previous blog entry.)

Part 6 & 7, Short and Sweet!

#6  What's Next
#7  Do I Give Up This Crazy Dream?

************

#6 Answer:  Work
#7 Answer:  What kind of a question is that?

I have the fever now! 

The fall weather, inspiration from friend Scott Stanley's fantastic win in a Dallas tower this last weekend, Jesse leaves in a few days for  L.A.'s U.S. Bank climb... 
energy creating energy...I'm pumped!

In my second week of two-a-day workouts, and wanting more.

The dream has only just begun.

*********

 

 

Delicious, Super-Easy 

 

Blueberry Chia Seed Jam

 

Serve on your favorite toast (mine is Ezekiel 7 Sprouted Grains),
pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, healthy muffins...
so many options...
great right out of the jar!

Blend the juice of 4 oranges,
with 1 1/2 cups blueberries,
then shake vigorously after adding 7 teaspoons of chia seeds.

Cover in glass jars and chill in refrigerator. 
After 15 minutes, stir briskly,
then maybe once more about 10 minutes later. 

The next day you have a wonderful fresh-fruit, chia seed  jam. 

(Recipe from "The Facelift Diet" on Facebook.)

The Big Question -- Part 5

1) Why am I doing this?
2) What trips me up?
3) Is it even possible to do better?
4) Am I capable of doing more, faster?
5) What makes me stop?
6) What's next?
7) Do I give up this crazy dream?



Quick answer:  I haven't put in enough work...trained hard enough.   Extreme success requires extreme preparation!



Longer, contemplative answer:

A recent Facebook message queries, "Tell me, what seems to hold you back? Do your legs tire, or does your cardiovascular system get overloaded?"

I click inside the "Reply" box, but have no answer for the keyboard.  I think, well of course it's my cardiovascular system. However, this year, I'm stronger in that area than last. I stop on the stairwell less frequently, therefore my legs are feeling new levels of stress.  I go back and forth, but formulate no reply.

The questions follow me over the next few days, evolving into one issue,
"What makes me stop?"

I stop following a healthy eating plan each time I reach a weight goal.
I stop writing, sometimes for a few days, others, months at a time.
I stop trying to get my book published.
I stop building my client base...
Stop. Stop. Stop.

In addition to these areas, even the very physical act of raising one foot in front of the other, climbing a flight of stairs, is stopped by doubts and fear.

That's what holds me back.

My doubts arise from self-judgement.  

I tighten in fear of my cardiovascular system failing me.  
I doubt the strength of my legs which have always taken me readily to the top in the past. 

At the beginning of a stair climb, joyful exhilaration blocks out the negatives.  Fear can only exist when joy leaves the stairwell.  

Perhaps joy is too much to ask at floor fifty-nine, seventy-nine or eighty-nine...
To keep pushing hard at those points? 
To keep going then? 
Time for faith. Time for grace. 
Time to find every positive inner resource possible,
to replace any doubts or fear.

I have a lot to learn.  I suspect athletes develop this positive mental attitude over years of training and performance.

Each challenge is an open possibility and I get to determine the outcome.

I determine it by my choices of food to fuel my body, the amount of rest I get, how much water I drink, my training, my workouts, my trust, my faith and my vision.

If I climb with the (borrowed from Scott Jurick) mantra, "This is what I came for," each step is my opportunity to reach new heights.

If  3  is who I am,  1  +  2  =  3

1.  Put in the work.
2.  Believe and stay positive.
 
In Rich Roll's book, Finding Ultra, his wife's words of encouragement at the start of his five marathons in five days:
"Remember it's already done;
all you have to do is show up,
stay present
and show us who you really are."

********

100% Positive Experience, every step of the way,
climbing Cathedral Rock Trail last October with friends and family.

 

"Faster?" Part 4

1) Why am I doing this?
2) What trips me up?
3) Is it even possible to do better?
4) Am I capable of doing more, faster?
5) What makes me stop?
6) What's next?
7) Do I give up this crazy dream?

Continuing to explore these questions in reference to my pursuit of stair climbing:
 
Sixty years old, no background in fitness or athletic activities, diagnosed five years ago with a degenerative arthritis called Facet Joint Disease, as well as ten years ago with holes in my bronchial tubes causing Irreversible Airways Disease, I ask the question, "Am I capable of climbing faster?"
 
I do not need expert medical opinion, professional fitness advice, or age-related possibility studies in order to answer this question.
 
I need only one thing.  Honesty.
 
If I'm honest,  I recognize my body fat percentage is way too high. 
 

Biggest bottom line,

all else aside...

when I lose fifteen pounds, there is no doubt whatsoever,

I will be faster on the stairs.

 

********

 
Now for the "asides" --
 
1)  Five years ago I awoke in pain every morning, had great difficulty reaching down to step into a pair of pants.  I walked through airports after a flight, very slowly, all bent over.  At baggage claim, I had to sit waiting, while someone else retrieved my luggage.  Advil, muscle relaxers and pain medication were staples.

Research on my diagnosis said it would get worse over time, and the only thing available for it would be pain control once the pain became unbearable (like a shot directly into your spine!)

No.

For four years I worked to strengthen everything around the middle and lower spine problem areas. I lost 50 pounds.  My self-prescribed treatment plan was training in the gym, private Pilates sessions, regular chiropractic adjustments and deep tissue massage, rounded out by believing I would get better and better.  To make it happen, I set goals I'd never even contemplated when I was much younger, and I met them.
 
Today I go to bed and wake up the next day, pain free. I travel alone when necessary, walking briskly and confidently through airports, easily retrieving my own luggage! 

I climb stairs in 90+ floor towers.  I feel fantastic afterward!

Advil? Only on a rare occasion.  Now, the only time I'm aware the problem exists, is when I do not use my core and other muscles optimally in specific types of twisting motions, or on elevation.  Period.

So much for degenerative! 

2)  The Irreversible Airways Disease is a little trickier.
Currently I haven't worked up to running one mile yet without stopping. I am finally able to keep running for 8 -10 minutes at a time though.  That's huge for me!  When I'm discouraged, Jesse simply says, "You have to learn to crawl before you can walk," and we keep plugging away.

Also, currently I stop every 15 to 20 floors on a stair climb, double over and quickly use self-hypnosis techniques to calm my desperate gasps for air.  This slows me down. This year we are working on moving to a place where I do not have to stop. 

3)  Age...irrelevant.  Too many examples out there of men and women in their sixties and older, performing at incredible levels.  In Born to Run, Christopher McDougall explains that long distance runners reach their peak at age 64!

4) A lifetime of unhealthy patterns in the areas of diet and exercise must all be shifted.  I progress, I regress.  My biggest frontier is in the area of diet.   A work in progress.  When it's conquered, the 15 pounds will be gone, and  I will be faster.

Next question please.

With Jesse
June 2012

 

Is It Even Possible To Do Better? -- Part 3

From self-help, motivational, and inspirational speakers, books, and programs, to the enormous weight loss industry; from fitness instructors and trainers, to counselors and therapists, teachers and coaches, to schools, religions, and sciences--we are an industrious people who count on the premise that one can do better. We preach it, we sell it, we buy it.  A part of each heartbeat hints our possibilities, like a clock ticking relentlessly.  We can tune it out, or we can listen, and act, before our time runs out.

 

When my times in the stairwell aren't improving, discouraged, I ask the question.  When I revert to former, uninspired ways, I ask the question. When I do not see the progress I'd hoped to see, I ask the question, "Is it even possible to do better?"

 

Then the answers come flying in, like special messenger doves.  I remove the pigeon posts--small tubes--from their legs and extract the light, thin, rolled-up paper. Spreading it open between my fingers, I read the first one:

 

 

Then the second:

 

 

And the third:

 

 

 

Well, OK, they found their way to me from the Internet. Technically there were no messenger doves.

 

Refusing to let doubts sap anymore energy, I accept who I am, and where I am in this process.  It may not be where I envisioned six months ago, so I adjust.  It's my journey. I accept. I forgive. I move on.

 

Having asked the question, the answer I already knew is affirmed. 

 

I sing my song: 

 

"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday."

 

 

 

Yes, I can do better.

 

 

 

P.S.  This morning Jesse (my trainer) shared an inspiration from a recent sermon he heard about change. A piece of it served as one more messenger dove today.  Paraphrased:  If you keep getting on the blue line (one of Chicago's transit rail lines) you can never reach a destination which is only served by the green line! 

 

I've switched tracks...TODAY began my two-a-day workouts, leading up to November 4th.  First one was at 8:45 a.m. Sure felt good when the second one was over at 7 p.m. tonight!

 

 

 

**********

 

 

 

 

Photos from moments of anticipation before a climb:

 

Getting in line at the John Hancock building.   2/12

 

Leaving for the cab over to the Stratosphere.  3/12

 

Thrilled at the surprise shirts my family wore ("Team Cheryl") to support my climb.  2/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Listening To An Inner Voice, Part 2

1)  Why am I doing this?
2)  What trips me up?
3)  Is it even possible to do better?
4)  Am I capable of doing more, faster?
5)  What makes me stop?
6)  What's next?
7)  Do I give up this crazy dream?


Recently my inner voice has been racing from thought to thought so furiously fast I can't keep up!  Time to jump onto the moving train and answer Part 2's question, "What trips me up?"

My opposite of  tripped up :

Everything flowing smoothly, 

keeping a good balance, 

moving forward 

without hesitation or interruption.

Examples from the kitchen...

Preparation
--I reach for a baggie to store some dripping leftover, and there are plenty at my fingertips. I need a colander to strain cooked apples once a year and find it instantly in the back of a cupboard. Or, the avocado peeled is every bit of prime ripened creaminess I hoped it would be.
--Each necessary ingredient comes together for a new recipe.

Pace
--The blender purrs along till my smoothie is perfect, no frozen fruit or too-powdery blade jams.
--Menu items for a meal, finish to completion and are ready to serve at the exact same time.

Examples from writing...

Desire  
--I want to do this.
Ease 
--I simply start, continue, adjust, organize, and finish satisfied.
Inner good feeling 
--I'm in the exact right spot, in line with my voice, time, space, and subconscious, allowing discovery.
Learning  
At the conclusion, I know something I did not know when I began.


On The Stairs:

Preparation  
--Proper training and nutrition, clothing, shoes, and I-pod if allowed. Rested and hydrated.
Pace  
--Not starting out too fast, knowing my times at each quarter of the race.
--Having a floor near the end of the race where I plan to push harder.
Desire
--Totally pumped!  Excited, ready to experience what I prepared for, along with all the climbers around me also looking forward to the climb. Indeed, desire mixed with adrenaline...I want to do this!
Ease
--I have a plan, I begin, move forward, making adjustments when necessary, and finish on top of the world...high as can be!
Inner good feeling
--In a place I've never been before, doing something in my past I never dreamed I'd do, giving my subconscious a repetitive job it loves, supported, pushing boundaries, breaking free.
Learning
--Always a unique climb, much to learn about what I'm capable of or not, and what I can work to achieve on the next one.  I know new levels of gratitude and what it means to be alive.

"What trips me up?"
The opposite of all the above!


Question #5 will explore these more deeply. 
For now, Question #2,  here's the list...

...the unbalancing, hesitation causing, 

stagnant non-flowing things that can trip me up:

Not sticking to the training plan. 

Eating sugar. 

Not getting enough rest or drinking enough water.

Starting out too fast. 

Losing track of my time. 

Thinking I don't have the energy left to make a push at the end.

Doubts. 

Fears. 

Not adhering to my plan. 

Forgetting to appreciate my unique opportunity.

Closing in and closing down, instead of opening to all the possibility.

A more realistic end-of-race photo!