A Bunch of Margaritas

The Thing I’m Doing This Year #3

While I’ve decided that this goal is impossible, I kind of like that I’ve set a goal sufficiently high enough to be a true challenge. And because I think it’s impossible, it will be all the sweeter when I do it.

I’ve listed all the cons. I do have a few pros. One, while I haven’t hiked for four years, I’ve logged thousands of miles on my bike and hundreds of miles running.

While I have allergies and asthma, now unlike before, I have two inhalers to expand my lung capacity, just like an Olympian. Okay, so that’s only two pros … wait, I almost forgot my secret weapons, my new magic shoes, my Brooks Cascadia 8, the world’s best trail running shoes according to Runner’s World.

Plus, they look cool and I’ve always felt that it’s better to look good than to feel good.

Anyways, I was supposed to hike on Barr Trail on Sunday, but I ended up running on the treadmill instead. On Saturday, to prepare, I bought a bunch of trail food at REI and even got a new CamelPak to cart water up the hill on my back. Hands-free hiking. But then Rose and I went out to watch the second half of the Florida Gators playing in the Final Four. I proceeded to have a bunch of margaritas.

Needless to say, when I got up at 10a, I was in no shape to hike or even, as it turns out, get out of bed.

Why do I need to make my goals public? It sort of forces me to actually do them.

During the week, I messaged back-and-forth with my friend Caroline Williams and the long-and-the-short of it … I agreed to hike the Incline at 5a on Wednesday, April 16. I’ve never hiked the Incline before. Should be interesting.

Meanwhile, I’ve made some progress on the stair machine in the past two weeks. I went from 160 floors on March 24 and 205 on April 7.

March 24            160 floors           56 steps/min.
April 2                176 floors            61 steps/min.
April 4                187 floors           66 steps/min.
April 7                205 floors           71 steps/min.

I don’t particularly enjoy the stair machine; it’s hard for me and I sweat buckets. Of course, I’m happy with the steady incremental improvement and the stair machine helps prepare you for trails, but it is not the same experience as being outside.

While there are no bears at the YMCA, there are no handrails in nature.

And on a side note, in case you were wondering, the answer is no, I’m won’t be getting any fucking walking sticks.

The next installation … ‘Walking on Hot Coals’

I’m doing the Tour de Cure this fall.
For more information, to join or donate, go here.

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One Response to A Bunch of Margaritas

  1. Pingback: The Thing I’m Doing This Year | snyderemarks.com

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