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