Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Starting the Climb

Sometimes when we are working towards a goal a mountain appears in front of us. You know, the seemingly insurmountable obstacle that stands between where you are now and where you want to go. I wish this were the case for me right now. I know how to put one foot in front of the other and climb up a mountain. This time instead of a mountain I am faced with a sheer rock face something like this.


My rock face isn't lurking in the distance, it is right in front of me and causing a kink in my neck. Every time I go out for a run right now there it is looming, showing me that I need to start setting a course. I am searching the Internet for Beta on how to proceed on this route I have selected as I am sure someone must have set the ropes and I can just follow. Right now I am confident in my ability to get my mileage up but the crux of the climb comes in getting my speed where I want it to be. I hope to maintain my safety and eliminate all subjective hazards along the way. I may Bivouac for a time at a certain point, but I am determined that I will reach the zenith and enjoy the view. I will be aware of the gravity of this undertaking everyday and I will be free climbing. I promise that I will not bail, even though I am a complete gumby. I will work on overcoming my acrophobia and I will keep looking for my next move towards the top. The one part of this climb that I am confident about is rappelling back to my base! For now, I will avoid further kinking my neck and will just look at the start of the climb not the end point.

'Never measure the height of a mountain until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was.'



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