My Journey

Hello my blogger friends, forgive me for taking so long to right after my incredible journey, it took me a while to process and reflect on my trip.

 First of all, I'm healthy and fine, and was not able to Summit, however I was able to get to 11,500 feet in altitude, so high, so fun. The weather wasn't all that great, not enough snow on Mount Shasta which made the trek a bit rough. Mount Shasta is a volcano, without snow coverage it becomes a bit slippery with its stones, almost similar to chunky sand.
When I headed to the Summit I felt like I could touch the stars. I know this will sound a bit silly, but one night I had to leave my tent to pee. Saying it was dark would be an understatement. The night was black like I have never seen before with the brightest stars up in the sky, at one point I actually thought could touch one of the stars, it was a moment I will treasure forever!!
Our leaders Dave and B ( as we called him), were kind, patient. It's pretty amazing that they have Summited as much as twice a week.
The Climbers that I met were so nice , friendly and fun...except for one. I won't say much about her only that I hope Mount Shasta filled her heart with kindness because she came empty.
All of the Breast Cancer Fund people and volunteers made us feel so appreciated and special. So much food, food and more food.
I am extremely humbled by this journey, not only was I able to raise over $12,800.00 dollar from Family and Friends but this entire experience made me realize that kindness and support is so very important. We tend to focus on so much 'stuff" that we have when a smile/kindness is what we need. For three days on my Summit I had 1 bowl and 1 spoon and all my clothes in my back pack, I was fine, that's all I needed.
I will be forever grateful at the opportunity I have been given, and when asked will I try this again? I respond..." I never say never".
As I say good-bye for now, I thank-you for being a part of my journey, well wishes to you always, and try things that you have never tried before, it so exciting, and remember, You are the only one who is stopping yourself !!
Be well & be kind,
Nancy

All my needs in my back pack for three days.

Beautiful Mount Shasta !!






My Leaders: Dave and B

Here at last..

Morning blogger friends, its here at last, I leave tomorrow for Mount Shasta! Wow, time flew by once again. As I sit here and look back, I think of all  the people I have met and spoken with. Reporters who found interest in my journey, Bollingbrook, Suburban Life, Lisle Suburban Life, Naperville Sun and yesterday the Chicago Tribune. People who would come up to me while training and ask me where I'm headed, the tears as they share there Breast Cancer story, the thank-you's, the prayers and well wishes, its been incredible... and not to mention all the tears that streamed down my face.To think there is more yet to come as I summit.


I was asked yesterday by the reporter from the Chicago Tribune if I was nervous, "No, can't say I am", I said. "I made a promise to myself to show up as strong as I can. There are two things I have no control over and that is weather and elevation, why  waste energy on it, I can say I'm very excited".

I am so very humbled, and blessed for all the people in my life. Monday night I was meeting a few friends of mine for a "send off" dinner. I walk in the restaurant and 12 of my family and friends were sitting there, surprise!!.... how lucky am I!! It was a great "send off".

I will be meeting my "Roomie", Jill, and the airport tomorrow in California. Though we've only met once, spoke on the phone once, and a few texts back and forth, I feel like I have known her forever.

We 27 "Climbers" do share a special friendship, I look forward to Sunday evening when we have our opening Ceremony and all will be there.

Know that I will be praying for you all as I reach for the top of Mount Shasta. It is said that the mountain is a very powerful, spiritual, and has tremendous energy. First, I am going to thank the mountain for inviting me, then I will be asking the mountain to fill me with its magic to help me summit.


   

Last hike before my Climb with my "Mountain Mentor". I can't believe this man has summited 50 -14ers,that's mountaineer talk. That means he has climbed 50 mountains at the elevation of 14 thousand feet above sea level and has 3 more to go to. And to think I'm at my first...gees, I have a long way to go to catch up.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Mountain Mentor is the reason I am as strong as I am today to summit"!

Last training  at Swallow Cliff with my sister Sue. Thank you Sue for always joining me when you were able too, love ya!! You "rocked" those stairs when you never thought you would be able too!!

As I come to a close for now, know that I will do my very best to complete the summit. I am happy my journey is here and look forward to sharing with you my experience when I return. Until next time,

Be well my friends, love you all!!


"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore".-Christopher Columbus

Less than two weeks and counting

Hello friends, yup, less than two weeks and counting. A little nervous but very EXCITED!!

Training has been going well except for today....rain, rain and more rain. Next week I will be tapering ( I hope), that always seems to be the hardest for me. I always ask myself, " Did I train enough, did I push enough, did I, did I?? etc."

I feel ready, I have worked hard, as I'm sure all the "Climbers" have.

Here I am with my two friends, "Mountain Mentor", Tarek Husayni and Boulder at Water fall Glen, hiking a beautiful nine mile loop. I can't say it enough...without his guidance I don't know if I would be as ready to "Summit" as I am today. I have been picking his brain for many months on training, food, water, etc. This particular lesson was on breathing at high altitude. He's a humble man, so when I mention how terrific he has been to me, he changes the subject.



                                                                

I have met the most interesting people on this journey of mine. With my 40lb. backpack and my walking sticks, people always come up to me and ask what I'm training for. This particular day my sister, Sue, and I met up with a gal named Joanna. She is a Mountaineer and I was telling her all about the Breast Cancer Fund and Climb Against the Odds 2014.The very next day I happened to bump into her at Swallow Cliff (stairs). She said that she hasn't stopped thinking about the "Climb". Yup, I think I found a climber for 2015. I let her know that I'm here to help in any way I can.

 

On Monday, Memorial Day I met my good friend Bern at Swallow Cliff for a morning of stairs. We bumped into Mel and Dave, what a great couple they are, chatted a bit then continued.  Between the heat and the crowds, unfortunately after 17 repeats I need to go home. I wasn't feeling well and I knew better than to continue. The very next day I returned and completed 30 repeats with my 40lb pack..hooray!!


 

You are looking at my training hill in Lisle, a ski hill. It doesn't look like much but believe me, it's a decent hill. I come here once a week for a 40 repeat with my 40lb pack, walking sticks, water, food and my good friend, my I pod. As I continued with my hill, up and down, up and down, a young gal came up to me and asked me what I'm training for, once again I tell my story. Courtney is her name,this young face, also a Breast Cancer survivor. I am climbing for you too Courtney!!

 

I am so very humbled, as of today my total donations are at $12,107.50, my goal was $6000.00. Thank-you my special friends!!

 

" Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away" .....May Angelou

   

Cut Above..... Bolingbrook Hairdresser will make climb to fight cancer

Go figure, I'm training away and low and behold I get a phone call from Bolingbrook Suburban Life wanting to do a story about my climb on June 15th. wow, so thrilled to get the publicity. Thank you Arlene for all your PR...you're the best!!

Then a week later Lisle Suburban Life called and yesterday Naperville will be talking with me. Wow so thrilled........

See the link below with the story..

be well, and talk with you soon,

Nancy

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/articles/2014/05/02/fca46e6b11a24008867e5611349f2fcd/index.xml

Colorado

Hello friends, training is going well, at least I think so. As I continue this journey of mine, I was told by my mountain mentor that I needed an elevation hike so off to Colorado I went to visit our good friend E. I was able to have my two pals Laura and Waddler join me for the visit. I can never get enough of Colorado..it is magnificent! I feel that everyone who lives there is healthy and happy. How nice it would be to look upon the Mountains and decide which one should I climb today?

 From the left..... E, Waddler and Laura. When we weren't hiking we were laughing, almost split my stomach laughing so hard!!

Nothing easy about hiking in Colorado...



Thank-you friends for a great trip!!!


"The test we must set for ourselves is not to march alone but to march in such a way that others wish to join us.".....Hubert Huphrey

Mount Tamalpalis

Hello blogger friends,
A few weeks ago I had an opportunity to hike on Mount Tamalpais  California with some of the "Climb Against the Odds" team members that will be joining me on Mount Shasta, what a great group of people. I was also able to visit two very dear friends of mine, Deb & frank. What a great time we had.

 We hiked for 6 hours with a 10 minute rest every hour. I would be lying if I said it was easy but I was able to keep up. It was a great day, the sun was shining and the sky was a beautiful blue. Step, by, step, one foot in front of the other, "just stay focused", I said to myself, " you can do this". The hike was even more enjoyable because I was able to get to know a really great person..thank- Shelia for staying with me.

The team should only know I had lost sleep for 2 weeks before this hike. You see, I live in Illinois...last time I looked...no Mountains. I have using all the options I have, Shallow cliff, for stairs, and Water Fall Glen, for hiking. I had no idea if I was ready, or able to join in.

When a got to the end of the hike and saw my friend Deb waiting in the car. My eyes filled with tears. "Oh yes", I said, " I will be climbing Mount Shasta"!!

 

I have said it before and I will say it again, if it wasn't for my " Mountain Mentor"  I would never be able to do what I'm doing, he's the BEST!! and I am so very grateful.

 

 

 

"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach."        Benjamin Mays

 

 

Spring is here!!

Hello fellow Blogger friends, Spring is here and the weather has been great for training, not too hot and not too cold, time to get in a 6 mile run...Hooray!!!

 
 









Many thanks to my dear friend Waddler who got me back in the pool, boy, o, boy did that feel good, there is a lot to be said about muscle memory. Looking forward to more swim time.

Ahhh now for a little rest...

 Heading out to California to get in a practice training on Mt Tam. with some of the climbers on the team. You'll hear from me soon.....be well

"Everyday may not be good but there is something good in everyday."

training progress

Hello blogger friends, I had a really good training week, I can feel that things are starting to fall into place. I have to admit, a while ago I actually thought that perhaps I had made a mistake in thinking I can climb up a mountain and after this weeks training I know I can!!  I am feeling stronger with every work out both physically and mentally.
Sunday I hiked 10 miles with my "Mountain Mentor", my two furry friends, Boulder and Max, along with my sister Heidi.What a beautiful day it was with the sun shining brightly. The snow is melting and the the taste of Spring is in the air.
It's funny how people come into your life when you least expect it. How lucky I am to have "Mountain Mentor". He has such a passion for climbing and I feed off of that. Question after question I ask and take mental notes as he patiently answers all of them.  He has given me wonderful training advice!!           
                       

I know this Winter was a tough one but look at the beautiful path that Laura and I hiked yesterday. The only foot prints were ours,the deers, and perhaps a coyote or two. I was able to get to the stairs today with my 30lb pack, I am on 12 repeats and for those who are keeping track, that means 14 next week...bring it on...

Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better.
Don't wish for fewer problems,wish for more skills.
Don't wish for less challenges,wish for more wisdom........Earl Shoaf

Laura

me, happy as a clam

It feels like Christmas

Look what showed up at the door...it feels like Christmas!! Thank you to North Face for my Prima Loft jacket, Venture jacket, Hyvent pants.Thank you to Leki for the Cressida hiking poles, and also thank you to Osprey for there incredible back pack. These are some of the sponsor's to "Climb Against the Odds 2014".

Started some serious training these past few weeks. I am now carrying 30 lbs in my new Osprey back pack. Heading to REI in the next few days to get a better fit. The straps are pulling a bit on my shoulders.
Once a week I head to Shallow Cliff to do some stairs. I am currently climbing 9 repeats with a hike 8-9 miles immediately after.

I am very lucky to have friends that help me through. Meet my "Mountain Mentor" Tarek, he's the one in the red jacket. He has hiked numerous Mountains all over the country.Tarek has given me wonderful advice, his wisdom and humor as helped a great deal.

My friend Laura, not only a strong hiker but she "rock's" on the bike!
As much as the snow has helped in my training, I'm looking forward to biking with Laura very,very, soon.




My sister, Sue, is keeping me company on my hikes, glad she moved back from Florida.                                            

Whew, I admit, I'm nervous about all this. I just have a keep training as hard as I can avoiding injury...so far so good.
When I feel things are getting to hard I remind myself of all the women and men who are fighting their battled against breast cancer every day. They keep me strong...

Until next time...be well,
nancy

Count your life by smiles not tears, Count your life by friends not years.

         

vacation time

I went from one of the snowiest winters in Chicago's history to a beautiful beach vacation in Huatulco, Mexico for a brief trip away from the cold and snow. We had a great time, played in the surf, snorkeled, ate, drank and recharged our batteries. And laughed a lot. We laughed a frigging lot! 

Here I am during a training session...

And one day later I was soaking up the sun in Mexico!

Training is going really well. I'm spending a lot of time climbing outdoor stairs with a 25-pound backpack, hiking and running some. I'm also lifting a lot of weights. I hear this is all about strength, not distance - a little opposite of what I'm used to!

Thank you to everyone who is following me and supporting me with your donations, thoughts and prayers! I appreciate each of you, and I'm thrilled to be a part of this event!

"Don't go through life, grow though life." 

Be well, 

Snips

Feburary's almost over

Its been a long Winter, people say " The Winter that just won't go away". I did have a chance to get a bit of snow shoeing in thanks to my new friends,a first timer for me. Whew now that's a work out, especially when the people I was with chose not to use the path that as so nicely cleaned for us, nope, they chose the rough way ....I loved it!!!
Hoping the wind chill will stay above zero soon so I can do more outdoor hiking. I'm getting a bit nervous, feeling like I haven't put enough time outside. Planning on a long hike tomorrow.

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.- Franklin Roosevelt

Hiking at Starved Rock

Continuing with my training. Finally had a decent Sunday and where the weather was about zero. Hiked with a my good friend, Laura at Starved Rock. Was ablt to get in three hours. A bit icy, but a lot fun. What a great day for hiking and checking out the eagles. If you are ever in Northern Illinois, visit Starved Rock. It's breathtaking. Then what a wonderful surprise to run into two good friends, Laurie and her husband. Shared a glass of wine with them. "Life is like a ten speed bicycle, most of us have gears we never use" / Charles Schultz.

Hello All, okay I bet your waiting for me to tell you how fabulous my training went this past week. Well, let me say this, the high tempurature was -2 and the wind chill was -45, need I say more, so much for this weeks training. Monday is the day I will continue. I will leave you with this: "Life is a book unwritten-only you hold the pen" Be well and be safe!!...snips