Training and fundraising continues for #Kilimanjaro
T-22 days! Yes, 22 days! 2-2! XXII! Vingt-deux! Veintidos! I'm not quite sure how we're already in July. I leave in three weeks! It seems surreal.
Of course, with less than a month to go, I got an email on Monday that one of my three fights to Kilimanjaro (segment from Qatar to Kenya) was cancelled, so now I have two very loooooong layovers. I believe my trip will now be closer to 40-42 hours from Dallas until I finally arrive in Tanzania. I'll be exhausted at first, but luckily will have another 36 hours to acclimatize (read: sleep) before we start climbing.
It's been a few weeks since I last blogged - which is for two main reasons. First, I just got back from 10 days of vacation in Italy and Greece; second, because this climb is quickly creeping up on me and honestly is catching me off guard. Nevertheless, I've still been focusing on training and fundraising in the past few weeks.
Aside from personal donations from friends and family, I've been working with two of my fellow climbers from Dallas to fundraise in the Golin office. We hosted a lunch for anyone who donated to our Pangolin fundraiser and managed to raise more than $550 in just a few days. Then last week while I was on vacation, there was a second fundraiser in the office that raised more than $200!
Where does that leave us? Overall, our Save the Pangolin fundraiser is at 84% of our $20,000 goal! I'm at about the same towards my personal goal (Update 7/7: $830 out of $1000!). I really appreciate everyone who has donated so far! Donations have ranged anywhere from $10 - $100, and no matter the amount, every dollar you donate makes a difference. As a reminder, 100% of your donation is for saving the Pangolin - and not for my climbing expenses.
I've also been doing a lot of training for the climb in the past few weeks. I'm trying to diversify the training exercises so my muscles are prepared for the wide variety of climbing environments I'll be encountering on my way up. I'm also trying to mix aerobic and strength exercises to help fight my chances of getting AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
At the gym, I usually start with the elliptical or treadmill to get my blood pumping (and sweat flowing), then moved onto the resistance bike (stationary) to get my calves in shape, but afterwards started including a rowing machine and Stairmaster into the mix. At home, I usually 'hike' 5-7 miles two or three times each week to break in my hiking boots. I've actually started running a few times a month, too. I'm NOT a runner - never have been, nor will I continue after climbing. Crazy enough, I can now run a 5K! While on vacation, I was doing a ton of walking - but tried to supplement it with a few longer workouts in the ship's workout facilities and running the track on-deck. Yes, I was one of those weird people in the gym on vacation! Never thought I'd be one of them :)
Not only am I feeling a little more confident in my physical health, but it's actually helping me mentally prepare for the climb. I've heard (and read) that mental preparedness is almost as important as physical health for this climb. I guess it doesn't hurt to have both :)
I'll start blogging more often as I prepare for this climb, but in the meantime - I still need help reaching my fundraising goal. Please consider donating - doesn't have to be a big amount. $10-$50 makes a big difference. www.bit.ly/GoAllUp
Until next time!
-M
Of course, with less than a month to go, I got an email on Monday that one of my three fights to Kilimanjaro (segment from Qatar to Kenya) was cancelled, so now I have two very loooooong layovers. I believe my trip will now be closer to 40-42 hours from Dallas until I finally arrive in Tanzania. I'll be exhausted at first, but luckily will have another 36 hours to acclimatize (read: sleep) before we start climbing.
It's been a few weeks since I last blogged - which is for two main reasons. First, I just got back from 10 days of vacation in Italy and Greece; second, because this climb is quickly creeping up on me and honestly is catching me off guard. Nevertheless, I've still been focusing on training and fundraising in the past few weeks.
Aside from personal donations from friends and family, I've been working with two of my fellow climbers from Dallas to fundraise in the Golin office. We hosted a lunch for anyone who donated to our Pangolin fundraiser and managed to raise more than $550 in just a few days. Then last week while I was on vacation, there was a second fundraiser in the office that raised more than $200!
Where does that leave us? Overall, our Save the Pangolin fundraiser is at 84% of our $20,000 goal! I'm at about the same towards my personal goal (Update 7/7: $830 out of $1000!). I really appreciate everyone who has donated so far! Donations have ranged anywhere from $10 - $100, and no matter the amount, every dollar you donate makes a difference. As a reminder, 100% of your donation is for saving the Pangolin - and not for my climbing expenses.
I've also been doing a lot of training for the climb in the past few weeks. I'm trying to diversify the training exercises so my muscles are prepared for the wide variety of climbing environments I'll be encountering on my way up. I'm also trying to mix aerobic and strength exercises to help fight my chances of getting AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
At the gym, I usually start with the elliptical or treadmill to get my blood pumping (and sweat flowing), then moved onto the resistance bike (stationary) to get my calves in shape, but afterwards started including a rowing machine and Stairmaster into the mix. At home, I usually 'hike' 5-7 miles two or three times each week to break in my hiking boots. I've actually started running a few times a month, too. I'm NOT a runner - never have been, nor will I continue after climbing. Crazy enough, I can now run a 5K! While on vacation, I was doing a ton of walking - but tried to supplement it with a few longer workouts in the ship's workout facilities and running the track on-deck. Yes, I was one of those weird people in the gym on vacation! Never thought I'd be one of them :)
Not only am I feeling a little more confident in my physical health, but it's actually helping me mentally prepare for the climb. I've heard (and read) that mental preparedness is almost as important as physical health for this climb. I guess it doesn't hurt to have both :)
I'll start blogging more often as I prepare for this climb, but in the meantime - I still need help reaching my fundraising goal. Please consider donating - doesn't have to be a big amount. $10-$50 makes a big difference. www.bit.ly/GoAllUp
Until next time!
-M
Comments
Post a Comment