2015 Presidential Traverse

I could write a mini-series of posts based on this experience...what not to pack for dinner when you have to eat while driving, my crazy dreams, less distance doesn’t necessarily mean less time, trail angels, a lesson in mental toughness and the feeling of accomplishment now that the journey is complete.

It's amazing the number of people who don’t know the location of Mount Washington, nor that it is the highest peak in the Northeast. 

My traverse covered roughly twenty miles over the course of two days and included seven summits over 4,000 feet. 

Currently, I am very sore, catching up on sleep and extremely thankful that I am no longer stepping on miles upon miles of rocks. 

I’ll check back in soon, but until then, here is the only picture I have of myself...still smiling (on Mount Madison) so you know it was early on.

the blue zone

From August to November I was in a pretty good groove at the gym. They closed for renovations on December 15th. Two weeks turned into four and as of today there is still no concrete reopening date.

While many people have been inconvenienced by having their fitness routine disrupted, I am starting to realize that it was very good thing for me.

I had a conversation with one of my doctors this week, who happens to be a long distance runner. He said that most people who train inevitably fall into this place where they aren’t working hard, but they aren’t resting either...and that’s exactly where I was.

Looking back, I realize that the groove was actually a rut.

It’s important to shake things up from time to time, with all of our routines. As a creature of habit, I can tell you that doing so is definitely beneficial.

don't get comfortable

One of my co-workers at the ropes course said something to a group over the summer...learning occurs when you step outside of your comfort zone.

Those words resonated with me. I was reminded of it yesterday.

During a Bikram yoga class, the instructor made a reference to the recent earthquake in Turkey. She mentioned that they’re still pulling people, alive, from the rubble. Those people are in an uncomfortable position and they don’t have a choice.

We come to this class by choice. We place ourselves in uncomfortable positions to test our edge, to see how far we can go, how long we can hold a posture. She reminded us that many people are in uncomfortable positions and they don’t have any other choice.

Here’s to stepping outside of our comfort zones and learning from those uncomfortable situations.