Competition

The miles are adding up and they are being split between the comfy running shoes and the not so pretty hiking boots. Just one problem... there is too much competing for my time! Oh to be a Canucks fan, forced to watch and cheer for 7 games per series and still find time to hike and work out?! Well, I must admit, though I am feeling stronger in my hikes, I am feeling somewhat fatigued from all the stress of being a true Canadian hockey fan.

Thanks!

Thanks for checking out my blog! I'm getting really excited about the trip and all the conversations it has started with people! It's cool to learn just how many people want to help a "cause" of some sort but aren't sure who to help/support or how to get connected. I'm humbled by the interest people are having in wanting to support my journey knowing that the funds raised will go directly to help children! Just today I met a stranger in Shopper's Drug Mart who saw a letterhead for my trip (was mailing off more documents) and just asked what it was all about. I told her and gave her the blog site and hey - who knows - maybe she'll check it out tonight! It's so awesome how everything is falling into place.

The Power of Thought

Hiked on a trail near Deep Cove this weekend and honesty, got worried about 15 seconds into the hike.

It was uphill and, well, my training has been relatively flat to date! My breathing was laboured, the sweat was starting to glisten on my forehead and the quads, oh the quads were burning. Those powerful negative thoughts flooded in and I wondered - what have I done?!
Just a few minutes up and the path flattened, I breathed a sigh of relief (caught my breath) and thought perhaps I could do this. The trees were massive, the cool air refreshing and once we got to the look out it was absolutely worth it! The hike wasn't all that hard, actually I really loved it and cannot wait to do it again!
It's those thoughts, the negative thoughts that take hold and refuse to let go. That is the most frightening part of this journey for me - that I will be bombarded with the negative thoughts and talk myself into a fear so deep that I get stuck. I am thankful that I had this little gimps of negativity because it has shown me just how much work I need to do on the mental preparation part. That I cannot forget to put as much into the mental preparation as I do into the physical preparation.
Tonight, I am writing out some reminders - things to memorize so that when the going gets tough, I am armed with some positive thoughts.

These Boots Were Made For Walking...

Blah.

I took off the beloved running shoes for the first time today and laced up the hiking boots.

The hiking boots that are not fashionable.

The hiking boots that are not pretty.

The hiking boots that and are not fun.

One would think that for the price of them there'd be some fun in them...somewhere...

Nope.

Test hike one was at Campbell Valley Park today and, well, ugly though they are - I think they'll work. Something amazing happened as I looked down at the ugly boots on my feet and I imagined them slowly but surely making their way to the top of Africa. I imagined me on my final ascent. Boots scuffed, dirty and well worn in, walking, no carrying, me confidently and assuredly up to the summit.

Somehow the ugliness of the boots fell away and the beauty of the journey overwhelmed me.

These are the boots that are going to become my BFF, my most important possession for 9 days and will celebrate most intimately with me, the success of the climb.

These boots were made for walking, and that's just what we'll do.

Donating

Thank you for the outpouring of encouragement and support that many of you have sent me (emails and fb msgs have been amazing today!)

I am working on a few glitches with setting up options for donating but will have it sorted out soon and will provide more information about that once it is available.

I am so blessed to have so many people both near and far who are in support of this journey.

Thank you.

100 Days From Now...

My visit to a primary school in Ghana, Africa in 2004. This is where my heart for children in Africa was stretched.

I fell in love with these children and knew my life had been forever changed.

Mt. Kili - 100 days from now we will meet for the first time. There will likely be some

blood, immeasurable amounts of sweat and undoubtably tears.

In 100 days, I will be completing my final gear check and preparing for the greatest adventure of my life. Here's hoping the jet lag will be under control, the gear securely packed, and my nerves will calm.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, here I am! (Ok, will be in 100 days)

I began this adventure in the fall of 2010 when I decided I'd go visit my friend, Christie, in Malawi. Christie has been working along side a village for the past 5 years and has seen the community develop and thrive. Originally, I was going to go to Malawi to see my dear friend, and her project, and leave it at that.

But, you've met me, right?!

No such thing as "leave it at that" in my world... My mind began to spin, my imagination stretched and my dream began. I could climb Mt. Kilimanjaro as a fund raiser before I visit Christie in Malawi. A fund raiser to support children both locally and globally.

Over the next few months I began researching tours up Mt. Kilimanjaro (Mt. Kili from here on in) and decided that if I'm going all the way there to climb the mountain, I may as well do a safari. Of course! So, the safari was added. Then I learned that to fly into Mt. Kili airport, I would need to fly in on KLM - originating from Amsterdam. Well, how perfect is that?! I have family in Amsterdam. So, I sent of an email and voila, my trip was extended to include a visit with family before heading into Africa.

Today, 100 days out, my trip has been booked, my training is underway and my fundraising (despite a few glitches in getting going) is close to ready for launch.

I am a dreamer, and I dream big. I believe that I can do anything that I set my mind to. I love children and have a heart for Africa. When this all mixed up together, I discovered that I am only one, but still I am one and I am choosing to complete this adventure to help children and families both locally and globally.

Please stay with me and follow my blog and my adventure. Please pray for me as I plan, train and prepare both physically and mentally for the greatest challenge of my life. Please dare to dream along side me that together, we can change the world.

Here we go!