Sunday, September 27, 2009

Climb High, Sleep Low: TA's Everest 2010 Weekly Update September 27, 2009

Good Morning to All,

 

I often receive kudos for what I do.  This morning I am giving myself kudos for what I am not doing.  It's a beautiful Sunday morning and I want nothing more than to be out on a big run.  Instead, I'm sitting in my writing chair.  Why?  Because my legs still haven't recovered from Thursday's big climb endurance day (http://bit.ly/jkR4h).  After the double climbs (more likely the descents) of Signal Hill, Cuckhold Head, and Quidi Vidi Hill, some kneecap and Achilles pain is lingering and I really trying to be smart about training injuries this time round.

 

In line with my intent for this to be a "Mountain of Learning", I want to try to apply all the lessons I've learned from past attempts and this week's lesson is that it is better to take time off early for things to heal than push through.  A hard lesson since it is gorgeous outside and I really want to run.  I console myself knowing that I am going on a gentle hike this afternoon and hope to replace some running this week with pool time.  "I'm six months out from the climb and there is lots of time to get ready!" is the mantra that keeps me in my chair this morning.

 

Another big installment for the expedition was due this week so that a big motivator to spend some time working on my sponsorship invitation.  In the past, I would have called it a "package" but now I am more comfy with the invitation because I see the importance of inviting people to both come along on and invest in the expedition.  It makes a tremendous difference to have assistance with the mountain-sized project on many levels.  I have fond memories of during my first attempt, supporters dropping off pre-cooked meals so I wouldn't have to cook, friends saving batteries to power my headlamp, students donating their spare change, and folks buying expedition toques like they were the latest fashion hit.

 

You can visit my sponsorship invitation here at this link (http://bit.ly/KUom6).  Check it out and if you have any suggestions to improve it or if you have any ideas of where I can send it to or people I can meet with to discuss it with–please drop me a line.  It does really take a village to climb a mountain and I know there is lots of expertise in my community of support.  Seeking sponsorship and financial support for expeditions is one of the toughest things for me to do…I'd rather go climb Signal Hill a hundred times (smile, chuckle).

 

TA Loeffler Toques.jpgWe also finalized the logo for the expeditions.  Using your feedback and some of the realities of embroidery thread, the logo is now is the same red, blue, and green of my adventures that move logo.  Both have their inspiration in prayer flags and it felt right to be truer to those colours in the end.  I'm really pleased with it and like the sense of connection to previous expeditions it has.  I can't wear to wear it and I think they are starting to get this batch of toques sown on Monday.  Some folks already have their orders in!  The toques will sell for $20 all in (plus shipping if you need them mailed).

 

 

Along with working on sponsorship, I've been surfing around looking at airfares, equipment, and training.  Heck, this week, in line with my intention to push my limits, I even went to a Zumba class!  More like dance than any other exercise class I've ever attended, it was pretty entertaining I'm sure to watch me try to move my hips to the Latin-American inspired music…if I can Zumba, anything is possible!  I had trouble keeping my heart rate up, I grabbed a skipping rope and tried to make the moves while jumping up and down. 

 

I close my presentations by sharing a number of lessons that the mountains have taught me.  When climbing at high altitude, we often have to "Climb High, Sleep Low."  This facilitates our acclimatization and I think work hardens us to the frustrations of going over the same ground over and over again.  One of the ways that I train both mentally and physically for this is through intervals.  Periods of intense activity are alternated with periods of rest.  I've added intervals back into my training mix by running them on the backside of Signal Hill.  Thursday morning as I was going up and down the hill and almost stepped in some doggie doo, I was reminded of a classic piece of writing I did while training for Denali.  I'll close my update by sharing it once again.

 

Learning from Doggie Doo

 

Thursdays mean intervals.  Intervals are another word for suffering.  They involve running up the backside of Signal Hill at close to max heart rate for 5 one-minute intervals and then running uphill for 3 three-minute intervals at 85% of max heart rate.  Basically-it's one big sucking wind experience that humbles the body, mind and soul. 

 

The first interval...I ran very hard and got a ways up the hill.  Near the end of the minute, I passed some doggie doo.  I noted it in my mind.  Beeper rang, I walked down hill past the doggie doo -not quite back to the spot where I started.

 

The second interval...Ran hard, passed the doggie doo earlier in the run, got higher up the hill.  Beeper rang, walked down past the doggie doo again but not as far down as interval one.

 

The third interval...sucking big wind, passing doggie doo, getting higher on the hill...I realized that I was enjoying running the same strip of trail over and over again-a new experience-have always liked circle routes more than out and back noticed that I kept passing the same doggie doo over and over again...had some universal sense that we are all passing by doggie doo -it was metaphoric connection to our issues/burdens/stuck spots...also some sense of doggie doo as karma and needing to pass it by several times until we are done with it.

 

The fourth interval...really sucking big wind, passed the doggie doo, got higher on hill...realized that passing the same way, passing the doggie doo filled me with a sense of comfort, surrender and acceptance instead of shame and disappointment...with each interval, I passed the doggie doo sooner and easier than the time before...

 

The fifth interval...feeling like my lungs were going to escape through my nose, heart beating like wildfire, leaping over the doggie doo–celebrate the end of the 1 minute intervals...take the rest period to walk all the way to the bottom of the hill...

 

Begin again...running uphill...slightly slower for much longer...have a new definition for suffering...keep feet moving...pass the doggie doo...rejoice...keep feet moving...

 

Repeat two more times...get to highest spot on the hill today...think I've finally passed the doggie doo for good...look down...there is a new pile of doggie doo to pass...

 

In the writing, it doesn't seem nearly as profound as it felt at the time...there was just such a sense of relief and compassion in the moment of realization of universal doggie doo...that and surrendering into going over the same ground over and over again but moving a bit further forward each time...both were quite moving and filled me with joy and excitement....Life lessons come in many forms...though never did I think that doggie doo could teach me so much.

 

 

Watch where you are stepping and have a good week,

 

TA

 

(See you on the 8th)



Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Choosing the Mountain: TA's Weekly Update 9-22-09

Happy Autumn or Spring!

 

We're having a delightful fall day here with warmth, sunshine, and the full possibilities that harvest season brings.  Sitting here in my favourite chair sipping on mint tea taken from our deck garden boxes, roasting sweet potatoes and apples for soup, and enjoying a blueberry muffin as a post workout snack.  Training is going well and I seem to be harvesting strength and endurance gains from the work planted thus far.  All feels right on such a lovely day!

 

It's been a big few days with three presentations in four days, paying the contractor for the renovation work, and shipping off my next payment installment to Peak Freaks for my Everest expedition.  Once again, I feel like I'm on a diving board hoping that having taken the step into the abyss that there will be water to catch me softly at the end of the drop.

 

I'm pretty confident there is, because despite the challenges of choosing the enormous task of climbing Everest once again, I have the experience of the first attempt to both learn from and trust.  There was water last time.

 

As I was speaking to the Cancer Survivor Reception at the Placentia Relay for Life over this past weekend, I was struck by the word, "choice."  I am choosing this path.  I am choosing to climb and to undertake the risk and suffering that that entails.  One survivor spoke at the reception saying, "I would have never chosen cancer but I am grateful for the lessons and life change it brought to me."  There seems to be greater ease in accepting learning that comes from challenges we choose rather than those that are thrust upon us by circumstance, illness, or accident.  In speaking with several cancer survivors of late, I was moved by their grace in embracing what had been dealt to them.

 

A few weeks back I spoke at the Prostate Canada Cancer Network National Conference.  This group was the beneficiary of my fundraising efforts with my Elbrus climb and I truly wished my dad could have been there that night to be surrounded by such a strong community of supporters.  Thanks again to all who contributed to the PCCN in honour of "Elbrus–Climbing for my Dad."  So many people came up afterward and wished my dad well–I wanted to bottle up all that warmth and care and send it to my dad in Edmonton.  As I say often, when we take on our own Everests, we have no idea of where the path will lead.

 

At the PCCN conference, I was seated with the conference chair and his wife.  She began the dinner by quizzing me as to where I had grown up, what school I had gone to, and finally for my longer name.  A smile came over her face about the same time I recognized her.  "Mrs Kennedy!" I exclaimed.  "What are you doing here?"

 

Mrs. Kennedy was my Grade Six teacher who I just adorned.  She taught me Language Arts and French during my Smurf collecting phase and through a time of rapid physical and emotional growth.  What a thrill to see her as I am so often filled with such gratitude for those who taught me during the long course of my education.  At one point, I snuck away to the box of books I brought to sell that evening and fished out a copy.  I wrote a short message thanking Donna (oh how hard it is for me to call her that) and presented it to her.  It was a moment I had dreamed of since having my book come out–to present a copy to one of the many teachers who taught me to write.  Almost every time I looked at Mrs. Kennedy during the presentation she was dabbing at her eyes and then it took everything in my power to contain the emotion that welled up in me seeing her well up.  It was an extra special evening because of her presence. 

 

The same week I also dropped by the Health Sciences Centre to visit a student of mine.  He is about half way through an arduous chemotherapy program and he'd expressed interest in reading my book.  Since it can sometimes be hard to find in bookstores these days, I offered to drop one off.  We talked a long time about his cancer and how he's making his way through all of the emotions and challenges of fighting for his life.  I shared stories of tough times on some of the mountains I climbed knowing that nothing I have faced on a mountain comes close to his journey.  I met his mom during the same visit and was once again reminded how widely cancer throws its net and leaves no one uncaught.  I was thrilled to hear this week that a midway CAT scan was showing that the treatment appears to be working for him and I will continue to hold him and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

 

So, over these past weeks I have been radically reminded over and over again of the tenuous and precious nature of my/our existence and how lives, journeys, and families can change in mere moments or over shifting seasons.  I continue to try to be open to all the lessons that come to me for having chosen this path as well as being open to the lessons I haven't chosen.

 

Take care and have a good week,

 

TA

 

PS…Thanks for spreading the word about the Oct. 8th 7:30 launch of Mountains of Learning at the INCO Theatre at MUN.



Monday, September 14, 2009

Climbing Gros Morne

Greetings from Gros Morne,

Some dreams take longer to percolate than others. I had hoped to ascend Gros Morne as part of the Long Range Traverse in 1996 but there were no transmitters available so we were limited to camping at the end of Western Brook Pond. The seed was planted however, and it’s been waiting for the right conditions to finally germinate. Today in a downpour, that seed like many of the mushrooms I studied over the weekend, popped through the forest duff to see the light of day. My, my–I think that paragraph may have had a few too many metaphors but I’m happy to report that after 13 years of wanting and waiting, I finally stood atop the 806 metre iconographic summit of Newfoundland, Gros Morne.

I’d worried that I’d missed another season and thus climbing opportunity. I’m not certain where the summer went–perhaps to renovations and Russia and teaching. When making plans to attend a mushroom foray in Central Newfoundland, Marian and I realized we had a small window of opportunity to make a jaunt over to Rocky Harbour and make the climb. Thanks so much to Todd Wight at the Ocean View Hotel for providing a wonderful basecamp for the climb. Last February, when I spoke at the Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Summit in Corner Brook and Todd had heard that I was wanting to come out for a climb of Gros Morne, he said to be in touch when I was hoping to climb. I’d expressed embarrassment to him that I’d made an attempt on Everest but hadn’t climbed Gros Morne.

With little warning and two bus tours on his doorstep, Todd found room for us at his inn and it’s been such a delight. So often, because I climb at high altitude, climbing means suffering and deprivation. Instead, this climb, I was treated to a wonderful view looking out over the ocean, hot shower, and wonderfully soft sheets. All of which was even better to come “home” to after spending nearly six hours climbing in a downpour. We knew the weather forecast left much to be desired but since this was our only day to climb, we packed lots of layers and made the best of it. Our other option had been camping in the national park campground which would have been fine but what a gift to be treated to the most luxurious base camp I’ve ever climbed from–Thanks again Todd! (http://www.theoceanview.ca/)

I loved the ascent portion of the climb, gaining nearly 2500 feet in 2.5 hours. My knees and ankle complained about coming back down. Found myself fantasizing about the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver where you can gain 3000 feet and then take the gondola back down! I’m pleased with my two climb endurance sessions…they’ve showed me that I’m on track in beginning to ready my mind and body for the challenges ahead.

It’s time to send off a huge installment for the Everest climb next week. You can imagine my disappointment, where in the last week, six speaking engagements (that were going to make a significant contribution to the climbing fund) were cancelled. Add to that the house renos coming in a twice the initial estimate, and my low stress financial road to Everest has grown a few speed bumps. I’m reminding myself that, in the end, “it will all play out in the wash” (mixing a few more metaphors) and there is really no need for stress–just an invitation to get more creative, work a little harder, and stretch myself to ask for support in new venues and settings. As Oma says, “Whatever comes, comes.”

Speaking of Oma, I thought of her often this weekend as I attended the Newfoundland Mushroom Foray. A chance for lay and professional mycologists to get together to learn, seek, share, and talk mushrooms. Marian asked me to come along and I’m glad I went. I am by nature a very curious person and I love to learn new things. I went into the weekend with a history of picking mushrooms with my Oma and Opa when I was a kid but not knowing much about the fungal kingdom. Forty-eight hours in the presence of mushroom aficionados and presto, on the hike today, I was pointing out the Genus Aminita, Russula, and Cortinarius beneath many trees along the trail.

After the big day out in the rain and cold, my eyelids are drooping. Hope you’ve had a good week and I hope to see many of you out for the Launch of Everest 2010: Mountains of Learning on October 8th at the INCO Theatre at MUN at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available from me and at the door.

Thanks for coming along on another fine adventure,

TA

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Mountain of Learning

September is the month of starting again. In the Northern Hemisphere it’s a time of back to school with all the excitement and anxiety of a new school, new grade, new teacher. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s a time of spring where the cold days of winter give way to the possibilities of summer. It’s also the month of my Oma’s birthday. She turned 92 on Wednesday.

In honour of Oma’s birthday, I made her special bacon wilted fresh garden salad and plum cake. I was working from memory on both as it had been years since I watched her make either. I did google “German plum cake” and got some guidance on the cake part of things. Later in the day, when I called Oma I told her that I’d baked plum cake. She wondered if I’d made the streusel topping for it. I said, “Oma, the recipe didn’t have streusel on it and I didn’t know how to make it.” She answered, “You don’t need a recipe, you just take soft butter and hand mix flour and sugar into it until it crumbles and falls apart.” “You make it sound so easy Oma,” I replied.

In talking to Oma, it’s clear that her short term memory loss is getting more pronounced but she was proud that she still remembered the important stuff like eating. When talking recipes, she rattled them off easily with an aplomb that comes from making them hundreds of times. This past Mother’s Day, I had a wonderful conversation with Oma. I was saying how amazing it was to still have my grandmother and she said, “Whatever comes, comes!” I said, “Did you ever think you would live to be 91?” She answered, “Oh no, I thought I would be dead at 60 since everyone in my family died early.”

I asked, “What do you think the secret of your long life is?” She thought a moment and replied, “I walked everywhere. And I never overeat. I eat my veggies. And have some sweets every now and again. I never hit the bottle much. Though schnapps are a good cure for an upset stomach and take everything as it comes.” This from my Oma who has been declaring to me since I was ten that she was dying, who can still out walk me, and who was famous for carrying heavy cement bags at the age of 70.

Oma has had a hard life filled with the challenges of beginning over and over again. She was orphaned at the age of six and had to go live with a new family. She survived World War II but lost her home and all belongings. After the war, she immigrated to Canada beginning her life over once again in a new country spending her first year in indentured servitude. Oma’s spent the last decade living without her dear husband with whom she shared life for over fifty years. If anyone in my life knows about starting again, starting over, picking up pieces and going forward, it is my Oma.

Despite all the hardships she’s faced, Oma is a delightful, generous, and loving person. Her voice brightens whenever I call her on the phone. She still grabs my cheeks, pulls me forward, kisses my forehead, and tells me how much she loves me. Oma has always loved reading and learning new things through books. Whenever I travel through Germany, I always try to bring her back German reading material.

I, too, am starting again this September. I am beginning the intense and dedicated training that will prepare me to return to Mount Everest. Climbing the world’s highest peak requires a mountain of inspiration. On my last two climbs, I’ve drawn motivation from my parents. On Pumori, I dedicated my efforts to my mom and her journey of living through breast cancer. On Elbrus, I thought often of my dad and his long battle with prostate cancer. For my second attempt on Everest, I am looking to my Oma, my grandmother Frida Loeffler, for the power, confidence, and strength to tackle such an enormous challenge again. In taking on Everest once more, I know much more clearly the sacrifice, the pain, the focus, and the financial realities of climbing the world’s highest mountain. It is that clear picture that makes it both harder and easier to choose to go back. It is in finding my way through the joys and sorrows of starting again that I will turn to my Oma for motivation for I know how often she has had to start again.

I am naming my Everest Expedition “Mountain of Learning.” As per usual, this name is imbued with multiple meanings. For me, the path of climbing mountains has been a deeply spiritual one. I look to learn from all parts of the expedition from training to approach to the actual climb. I am also an educator. A huge part of this journey has been sharing my learning from the mountains with students both young and old. I will continue with my youth outreach programs encouraging young people to be physically active, to have big dreams, and to read big books. I have heard it said that without reading, there can be no dreams so I plan to become an advocate for literacy and reading as well.

The life lessons on this path have been steep and have moved me to greater understandings of many aspects of my life. This path has also allowed me to give back to the community who supports me through some fundraising efforts. My aim in going back to Everest is to continue to seek learning and share it as it comes. In celebration of Oma’s life and love of learning and in fulfilling a decade’s old dream, I am establishing an award at Memorial University of Newfoundland. The award is called the Everest 2010 Mountain of Learning Experiential Education Award.

This endowed award will support students in pursuing experiential education opportunities in support of their degree programs. I know my education was greatly enhanced by attending Outward Bound, the National Outdoor Leadership School, and other such programs. I often hear of students wanting to seek out such opportunities but the cost stands as a barrier. My dream is that the award will reduce some of the obstacles to such experiences and inspire students to enrich their studies by getting outside the classroom.

The award will be funded through a combination of efforts. I am donating a percentage of each speaking engagement proceeds to the award. I am inviting those who are inspired by my second attempt on Everest to support this worthy cause (donations to the award will be tax deductible). Additionally, I will organize fund-raising events during the next eight months (and beyond) to raise the $11,500 necessary to endow the award. I’m hoping to have this base amount raised by the time I return from Mount Everest in June of 2010.

The first opportunity to support my efforts comes on October 8th. I am hosting a public presentation that will raise funds for both the award and for the trekking team that will accompany me to base camp. You are invited to come celebrate the start of a very exciting journey and to enjoy an evening of images, stories, and entertainment. Tickets are available from TA, the trekking team, and the door. The suggested donation for the ticket is $10-$20. The evening starts at 7:30 pm in the INCO Theatre at Memorial University of Newfoundland (room IIC 2001). I hope to see you there and please help spread the word.

As I mentioned above, intense training has begun. I did my first “climb endurance” session on Thursday where I hiked from Cape Spear to town. I covered the distance of 20 kilometres and 3400 feet of elevation gain in about 5 hours and slept very well that night. I am also running, weight training, and going to step aerobics class. Most importantly, I am stretching (something I am quite averse to) in hopes of keeping injuries at bay. The pace of life will continue to accelerate as training and work and fundraising demands build over the next months. I’m up for the challenge, I have you and Oma on my team, and I look forward to the mountain of learning that is coming my way.

Thanks for your continued support-hope to see you on October 8th and I’ll let you know as soon as there exists the ability to donate to the award online and otherwise.
Have a good week,

TA

PS. For those who have been tracking the renos, we’re on the summit ridge nearing the top but recognize there is still plenty of mountain to tackle in the descent (i.e. cleaning up and reclaiming the house).