What about the Adventures?

I’ve been doing a lot of discussion regarding what to eat, what not to eat, etc., then it hit me…What about the Adventures?  What is your Precipice?

I have mentioned before that I’m a Triathlete.  In August, I participated in Ironman Maine 70.3.  For those that don’t know, 70.3 is the number of miles the racers travel under their own power in a single day.  This includes a 1.2-mile Ocean swim, followed by 56 miles on a bike, then a half-marathon, 13.1 miles.  Ten years ago, if you told me I would be able to do this, I would have laughed non-stop for probably an hour…  Then stopped, caught my breath because I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without losing it, and then laughed some more. 

This year, I just did the swim, and the bike portion, which is called the “Aquabike.”  Last year, I flared up some issues with my left knee, and have been unable to run very far without pain.  While I’m talking about pain, there is a difference between discomfort, and pain…  Pain is what you experience when you have an injury, and discomfort is what you feel when you are training and pushing your body to the limit to get better.  Discomfort is good, it means you are working hard and pushing to make yourself stronger.  Pain means you did something wrong which needs to heal.

Healing is Important.

In the interest of healing, I haven’t been running.  Biking, and swimming, yep… some of that.  My wife and I have done several hikes together, but that was when I was in decent running shape.  I could walk uphill just as well as others run downhill.  Two years ago, we did a lot of hiking, culminating the year with a hike up one of the hardest trails in Acadia National Park.  The Precipice trail to the summit of Champlain Mountain.

Precipice holds a special meaning for us.  In August of 2016, we lost a dear friend to a very rare form of Cancer.  Precipice was our friend’s favorite hike.  In October of 2016, many of us came together to hike Precipice on what would have been our friend’s 47^th birthday.  For many, it was their first “real hike” which required vertical climbing. On that day, we all made it up and down safely.  Most were a bit sore, but no major injuries on a risky trail which others have fallen and perished.  Surely, we were being watched over on that day.

This past Saturday, the idea suddenly popped into my head that I needed to go hike Precipice on Monday the 8^th, what would have been my buddy’s 49^th birthday. 

Take a Hike!

So, I did it.  I didn’t tell anyone other than Nicole that I was going.  This was a private journey.  As I said above, I’m not in the best run shape right now, but I was committed to doing this to honor my friend.

I took along a few items with me that were special, I wore my “Champion the Cure” shirt from the year I did my first 100-mile Ride.  I wore my Eagleman 70.3 finisher hat, from my first Ironman 70.3 Race.  The last, and most important item was my Superman wrist band.   Each item has a special connection to my buddy. 

I started out on the climb and came to the first ladder section.  In an odd sort of way, the first ladder is one of the hardest, the rungs are pretty far apart, and since I was alone, I had to navigate it myself.  Ten years ago, if I had even made it that far, there would have been no way I would have made it past this first obstacle.  Back then, I had no chance of hoisting my nearly 300-pound frame up that ladder. But this day, I did it fairly easily.   

I had my iPod going with a playlist I had made several years ago, probably in 2014.  I frequently listen to music during workouts, and rarely pay 100% attention to what is playing, it is there mostly for background noise.  However, out of the blue, I heard Disturbed’s version of the Genesis classic “Land of Confusion” and the following lyrics: “Superman, where are you now?”  I got goosebumps, I knew where Superman was, he was looking over my shoulder making sure I was going to be safe that day.

Halfway There!

I made it to the halfway point and took a picture of the trail sign.  I was overcome with emotion.  All sorts of feelings washed over me.  I missed my buddy. I though of how far I had come, not just on the hike, but how far I had come on my Adventure towards good health.  Plopping down on a rock overlooking the ocean, I just let everything soak in for a few minutes and reflect on everything.  Another group of climbers came by, and for the first, but not last time that day, I was glad I had my sunglasses on.  Joyful tears were flowing…

I continued climbing with a lighter step, but more hard parts were coming.  There were some tight spots, and scrabbling over some more rocks.  Reaching out to some trees, and rocks, I could imagine my buddy reaching out to the same trees or rocks when he was able to climb Precipice.  I had to stop to catch my breath a few times, but there was no chance of turning back… Several ladder sections, then the view opens up and I make it to the summit. 

Champlain mountain isn’t the highest mountain in Maine, not by a long shot.  However, at nearly 1100 feet, it is considered one of the hardest hikes in Acadia National Park.  I’ll say it again, ten years ago, the thought that I would climb Champlain Mountain via the Precipice trail would have been ludicrous.

I sat near the edge to just look out in wonder at the amazing view.  I asked another climber to take a couple pictures as I looked out over the edge.  I’m glad that I had my back turned, and my sunglasses on, again, because a happy tear rolled down my cheek. 

What is your Precipice?

I am able to go on these adventures and appreciate the world around me because I made a conscious change to not be the 298-pound person that I was in A-Ha! Moment #1.  I took that first step to wellness.  Look where it has taken me…  Imagine the things you wish you could do. Imagine the things you want to do that you are currently unable to.

We all have personal challenges which make it hard for us to achieve our goals.  Take the first step to creating a better version of yourself. What are you going to do to make a change, so you can climb your own personal Precipice? 

-Todd

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