Today I pulled the trigger and I am now a registered climber with our climb company Climbkili. Already I feel triumphant over many of my fears. I am no longer “thinking about it.” I am a registered climber. I have spent literally hours and hours poring over YouTube videos, tripadvisor.com reports, and blogs from past climbers all in an attempt to decide if I “really” think I can do this.
The verdict is - I think it will be one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. Not the actual summit, but the 8 days on the side of a mountain, enduring rain, heat, sub zero temperatures, blustery winds, bugs, mud, dust, exhaustion, fatigue, burning lungs, pounding head, blistered feet, thrashed muscles, aching back, greasy hair, smelly clothes and sleeping on the ground in a tent. I am banking on sheer determination to keep me putting one foot in front of the other as we make our way up the mountain. Nothing will stop me.
I am trusting that my determination and disciplined training in preparation will also help me become mentally prepared. I have notes on my shower door to remind me to attack each day because we have a mountain to climb and God expects nothing but the best from us. There are stats on my bathroom mirror reminding me that every pound lost is one less pound I have to carry 19,341 feet! Make good choices! My car reeks of sweaty boots, muddy trekking poles and my dusty back pack just in case my day gives way to an extra couple of hours to get in an unplanned hike.
All of this focus is not only helping me become better physically but it is helping me be a better leader at ISF. My days are filled with laser sharp focus of what needs to happen for us to reach our recruiting, fundraising and mobilization goals. This climb is bringing me back to the level of excitement I felt 20 years ago when I could not sleep in anticipation of what I would see God do the following day. I am so grateful for a God that created humans in a way that He can breathe excitement into our spirits that can fuel us to accomplish amazing things.
The verdict is - I think it will be one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. Not the actual summit, but the 8 days on the side of a mountain, enduring rain, heat, sub zero temperatures, blustery winds, bugs, mud, dust, exhaustion, fatigue, burning lungs, pounding head, blistered feet, thrashed muscles, aching back, greasy hair, smelly clothes and sleeping on the ground in a tent. I am banking on sheer determination to keep me putting one foot in front of the other as we make our way up the mountain. Nothing will stop me.
I am trusting that my determination and disciplined training in preparation will also help me become mentally prepared. I have notes on my shower door to remind me to attack each day because we have a mountain to climb and God expects nothing but the best from us. There are stats on my bathroom mirror reminding me that every pound lost is one less pound I have to carry 19,341 feet! Make good choices! My car reeks of sweaty boots, muddy trekking poles and my dusty back pack just in case my day gives way to an extra couple of hours to get in an unplanned hike.
All of this focus is not only helping me become better physically but it is helping me be a better leader at ISF. My days are filled with laser sharp focus of what needs to happen for us to reach our recruiting, fundraising and mobilization goals. This climb is bringing me back to the level of excitement I felt 20 years ago when I could not sleep in anticipation of what I would see God do the following day. I am so grateful for a God that created humans in a way that He can breathe excitement into our spirits that can fuel us to accomplish amazing things.
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