DISQUS

love that you're feeling great and getting addicted. tris introduced me to the world of the outdoors more than anything else... so psyched for you. here's to training for the oly and the half. ;-)

congrats, andrew. reading this reminded me of a post of zen habits i just read (http://zenhabits.net/2009/02/how-to-create-the-...). it talks about creating abundance in life by giving.

"Give what you got because giving signals “more-than-enoughness.” It signals abundance. When you’re in a state of giving, and giving willingly you’re telling others (and yourself) that there is plenty. That there is more than enough for everyone."

I predict your life, if not already, will be filled with abundance. :)

thank you, thank you for posting such an honest and fun trip report. it's inspiring for me to read this... i love the way you seem to honor all routes--from a 5.6 to 5.11--as individual and unique in their own ways. i love it! and admire the courage you have to find your 'inner bad ass' and to take the risks. thank you for the much-needed reminders and new perspectives. climb on sister! :D

Thanks Andrew.

It's such a good reminder to remember that everyone sucks and continues to evolve their voice over time, experiencing similar cycles of suck-->brilliant-->passable (not always in that order).

I started my blog for me (http://ameliacarolyn.blogspot.com/) and have been having a blast. If others start reading it and finding it helpful, thought-provoking or inspiring, even better.

fun post, sara.

i am a 'them' that has been slowly and steadily morphing into an 'us' over the past 8 years (hadn't run a mile in my life prior to 2000 and now training for a 50M; couldn't make it a mile up a hiking trail and now run up them; thought climbing was an absolutely crazy sport [just couldn't understand it] and now i'm totally hooked).

i appreciate the differences in human nature (am really fascinated by it) and am excited for an extended climbing trip later this year to explore outside my current bubble (there are more of 'us' than 'them' where i live) and solidify my own strength as more 'us' than 'them' while experiencing the confusion, disapproval and non-understanding comments and judgements of 'them.'

i think we all experience different aspects of 'us' and 'them' in all we do if we are independent and strong-of-character at all. i am happy and so much more comfortable with myself as an 'us.' :)

I like to celebrate both mentally and physically. Mentally, I get out my journal and set my intentions for my 'next year.' I look back on the previous year and celebrate all that I've learned and accomplished and experienced and I look ahead at where I am and where I want to go. Physically, for the past 3 years, I've done a 'birthday climb' here in the mountains of CO. I have three good friends that accompany me on a climb that is challenging for me--my intention is to challenge my boundaries and comfort level and "push" myself into the new year. It's been amazing each year and a really precious tradition.

Great, thought-provoking post. Thank you.

I'm curious, though... for all of us that continually get mired in the 'whys' (Why can't I get it together? Why don't I want to do that? Why do I love daisies?... ad nauseum), what do you suggest we ask ourselves instead? What should we focus on? What, in the unsettled moments of our lives when these questions tend to creep in the most, what do you recommend to quell the anxiety?

Hi Sara.

I can totaly relate. I used to do triathlons a few years back, but hadn't entered one since trail running and climbing took over my attention. Last year I decided to enter one with a friend and wasn't as forward-thinking as you regarding trying on the dress (or wetsuit, in my case) ahead of time.

This is not a good idea, btw... I got the wetsuit on, but about one minute into my swim it became quite clear that it no longer fit (like you, my back had developed muscles). It was all I could do to get from buoy to buoy (and I doubled my swim time - yikes!). I really felt like I could've drowned--not a good feeling.

Sold the wetsuit this year and renewed my climbing gym membership. :) Much better!