Do Something: Mt Diablo and Round-Up

Hi friends!

I wanted to share the latest thing I have done for “Do Something,” which you can read more about here.  Essentially, it’s a mini-movement where we do something that scares us, however big or small.

I really enjoy running, but an achilles injury sidelined me over 8 weeks ago.  (I blame chasing down my runaway daughter at the zoo…  Mom injury!)  I’m trying to be really smart (in other words, slow) about taking my time getting back into running, so I upped my strength training and have been sticking to walking, elliptical, and my bike for cardio.

Cycling is so fun for me–it’s like cheating exercise–and it’s much easier on my body.  But unlike running, I can’t easily bike with my kids (the oldest two fight the whole time in the trailer, and the baby is too little to come along).  So cycling is left to an occasional weekend when Brad can watch the kids.  That’s all to say, I’m definitely a newbie to this sport and haven’t really pushed myself.

One of the things on my bucket list was to go on a challenging bike ride with a friend.  That opportunity came up the weekend before my birthday, when a good friend invited me and another girlfriend to join her on her ascent up Mt. Diablo, the highest “peak” where we currently live.  I said “yes” before I could think too much about it.

I was still pretty nervous the night before and wondering what on earth I had been thinking to sign up for this. Most people don’t make it all the way to the top their first time, so we didn’t plan on doing the whole thing. But once we got to a certain point on our climb, we decided to go slowly and rest as often as we felt like–and we made it to the top!!!  I know climbing 3,849 feet might not be much for some people, but it was definitely a lot for me, especially on my first official bike-climb.

I sent this to Brad once I got to the top. Did I mention it was super windy?  As in so windy, I fell off my bike multiple times? Despite that, I loved it so, so much though that I’m thinking of switching my marathon goal out for a century instead; especially because my body is kind of falling apart due to the stress of running.  And thank you to Brad who watched the kids alllll morning with nary a complaint so I could conquer my fear of my first mountain climb!

Now, it’s Round-up time!  Here is what some of my friends have been doing to conquer their fears: One friend is leaving her town and job, and going back to school for a second career–so much courage!  Another started tackling a huge reno (kitchen!) all on her own, and she’s pregnant, too.

Finally, my friend Katie did something really awesome!  She has a bum ankle that typically keeps her away from strenuous exercise, but she decided to go on a camping trip to Yosemite anyway with her husband and two young kids. They made it all the way to the top of Vernal falls and she logged over 41,000 steps with little to no pain on her ankle.  Way to go, Katie!

Are you interested in sharing something you’ve done that “scared” you, however big or small?  Please message me at packerprogress@gmail.com so I can include it in my next round-up.

Can’t wait to hear from you!