From Revelation to Routine

My ambitious training program lasted precisely one day. The weather in the Puget Sound area hit all-time record highs of 103 degrees at the airport and 106 at our home in Woodinville. Even more uncharacteristic and more intolerable was the fact that it did not cool off much at night. I could hardly work at my computer much less climb steep hills for exercise.

It stayed that way for a week or so, and then I recommenced my exercise -- for two days. It was just too easy to become distracted.

About this time my long-time friend and climbing buddy of years ago was in town. I told him of my ambitious idea, and said that if I went, so would he. In July, when I made my decision to go, I told him I was serious. So was he.

Physically, Brian is very fit. Muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness are superb. But other than doing an occasional day hike when he is in town, he has done little in the outdoors these past 30 years. In that respect, he is soft.

I am the inverse. I am in pretty good shape, but not like Brian. But I have stayed quite active in the outdoors and am used to it.

We make a good pair, mentoring each other in complementary ways.

Since making my pronouncement, Colin is now leaning toward going as well. Our team is forming!

And my training is becoming quite consistent. I get some amount and some form of cardiovascular exercise almost every day. Reading about Denali, reading about climbs, and just thinking about actually pulling off this monumental task all combine to make me want to exercise.