No title - Day 10

Day 10 - Feb. 28, 2014 at 5:36 a.m. (245/215) 77 minutes

77 minutes. Ran most of the way. Just a matter of will power! 

You can do it - Day 9

Day 9 - Feb. 27, 2014 5:29am (245/215) 70 Minutes

Today was a hard go. I just kept telling myself I could do it and reminding myself why. I really had to focus on my short goals to keep the road moving.  In the end I am proud of my progress.  

Running - Day 8

Day 8 - Feb. 26, 2014 NO PIC (247/215) 65 Minutes

Today I remembered I knew how to run! 65 minutes in the dark! I would say I ran 1/3 of the way!!

Sometimes when it is darkest you can see the most - Day 7

Day 7 - Feb. 25, 2014 at 5:14 a.m. (250/215) 80 Minutes

You may be asking why am I out there in the middle of the night. Shorts answer. It was the only time to do it and fit in all my other responsibilities. I have to admit it was pretty wild. It was REAL dark. Fortunately the snow reflects back so you can always see where the path is however not necessarily what the terrain is like. You really learn a lot about the trail. If you are familiar with the path like I am you learn to rely on what you already know, and take clues from other sources. For example I was able to not go off the path at one section, because my niece had pointed that spot out to me a few days ago. I like to think it is the same in life. When life has a shroud over you(usually your the one holding it down) you rely on your instincts and familiar objects/situations to guide your way. Completing task like this really helps your self esteem. Much like it feels when you finally left that shroud up away from your face. Sorry for the late blog, see you tomorrow.

The Speed of Trust - Day 6

Day 6 - Feb. 24, 2014 at 6:44 a.m. (251/215) 60 minutes

On day one, I did this trek in 90 minutes. Today I did it in 60!! What was the difference between now and then.... I trusted myself to get it done! After 5 days of consistent effort and repeated results I know what I am capable of, and have a better understanding of my surroundings. Given the proper motivation and a little bit of understanding, there is nothing you cannot achieve!  Trust in yourself and be who you want to be. Have a great day my friends.

Its a beautiful - Day 5

Day 5 - Feb. 23, 2014 at 11:54 a.m. (253/215)

Had a great day on George Cove Mtn. My niece and nephew and their puppy dog joined me today.  Great fun! We all slept in, and made our way out in the latter part of the morning. Plus 6 degrees Celsius and and a warm, but firm wind from the west. Good time had by all.... It was a beautiful day, don't let them slip away!!

Thank you - Day 4

Day 4 - Feb. 22, 2014 at 9:03 a.m. (253/215)

Today I am taking a moment of peace and quiet up here on top of George Cove Mtn. I  am saying thank you to everyone who has helped me through this life... the future is such an exciting proposition!  I look forward to the ever expanding possibilities of our relationships!

A little help from my friends - Day 3

 Day 3 - Feb. 21, 2014 at 7:47 a.m. (253/215)

On day 3 I have had the great fortune to hike with my good friend Brent Beshara. It really was a pleasure. Having a hiking partner, was a nice break, and allowed me to get out of my head. We had a great conversation the whole way up and back. The pace was a lot quicker than normal, which was awesome. I was up out of bed at 5:00 a.m. and did all my chores. We got out on the road by 7:10, got to the top by 7:45,  and stopped for breakfast at 8:30 at The Pantry. Home again by 9:30. The whole day is still ahead of me!!

Things I was reminded of today:

1 - It's beneficial to enjoy the company of good people

2 - If you get up and on the go early, you get a lot more done by 9:30 a.m, and you have the rest of the day to your leisure.

The Force - Day 2

Day 2 -  Feb. 20, 2014, 10:54 a.m. (254/215)

I promise that in the next 58 days there will be posts that consist of... I went up the mountain, here's the picture, I came down the mountain. Bob's your uncle. Today is not that day...lol

I think I was about 15 or 16 when I first realized this phenomenon. I am sure that there were earlier occurrences, this time frame is when I remember first. I remember playing football, and the field speaking to me. I didn't know how to describe it like that back then, but that was what was happening. Time would slow and I would automatically know where the other teams play was going to happen. Marvelous really. I have had it happen again many times over the years, for example when I scuba dive and I let go and follow the sea life, or the motion of the plants, and it leads me to something wonderful, or when I play music, and the music takes you somewhere you had never been before. I have read about mountains like Everest talking to its climbers and the wind talking to sailers. Today George Cove Mountain spoke to me. I first noticed it on my way to the entrance when I spotted two Eagles dancing in the wind at the peak, as if to say you got the right idea come on up. When I got on the trail I was worried that last nights snowstorm would hinder my progress. Instead the mountain spoke to me and said I have put this snow here to help you get a better footing, and left some of your footprints from yesterday to make you feel secure and show you where to go. She said, the trees have agreed to keep their snow covered branches down so that you can cling to them to help you get up. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy to get up, I stopped many times to composed myself behind a thunderous belch of heavy breathing. Many times!! At one point I was intentionally crawling on my knees to get up, and sliding on my ass to get down. As I slid I would laugh to myself...Arrest Arrest Arrest, as if I were a big time mountain climber, or as if I even had an ice axe. Then after my few minutes at the summit, picture taken, I made my way down, the mountain gave me the greatest lesson of all. That during times of distress like going up the mountain you are more focused and essentially safer. You watch each move you make and your focus becomes very exact. When you are in times of ease, like coming down the mountain, you need to constantly slow yourself and be mindful of the objective. For as I started my way down, with a sigh of relief for a making it up, I began to slip and fall and slide, having to once again hold on to my friends the trees for stability. Shortly I made it down, but the focus that I had from my way up was not there. The mountain spoke to me one more time as I walked back to my house, she told me I was on the right path. On the way to George Cove Mtn, I saw a car that looked just like my friends, and I said to myself if I knew their licence plate number I would be able to distinguish them from the thousands of identical cars that pass me daily. Well anyway...on my way home, in almost the exact same spot, well let's just say that person's license plate ends in 992!   Synchronicity at its best.

Here are the 4 things the mountain reminded me of today:

1 - Even if you have to crawl on your knees, always keep moving forward. Any progress is better than no progress. Never give up!

2 - When things appear to be at their easiest is when you want to be most attentive to your goals. Because your focus is easily defused.

3 - There are forces and people out there willing to help, as long as you are willing to accept that help.

4 - That I am indeed on the right path!

My 60 Day Annapurna - Day 1

Day 1 - February 19th at 950 a.m. (256/215) 90 minutes

Hi all, I just wanted to tell you about something I am doing. I call it my 60 Day Annapurna. Recently I read a book by the world famous Alpinist Ed Veistures called "No Shortcut To The Top". In it he recounts a story and philosophy from another climber named Mourice Herzog. The gist is that inside everyone they have an Annapurna to overcome.

I have challenged myself to climb George Cove Mtn in Holyrood every day for the next 60 days. Regardless of the weather, or any obligations I may have. Actually the full trip is to walk from my house, to the mountain top and return. Today it took me 90 minutes. The ice covered path called on all the skills I had learned from Ed's book.

Why you may you ask am I doing this? Well that I will disclose at the end of the 60 days. Stay tuned for a daily blog post and updated photo from the summit.
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