creating a habit...10 minutes at a time

I'm am going to start a habit today...i'm going to write 10 minutes a day, everyday, about something related to training and fitness.

the idea came from my 'accountability club' a group of close friends who meet to discuss personal goals and strategies and we each give suggestions and feedback.  sometimes we need to help shape each others ideas and goals or simply give a clear direction.  one of many of my goals was to get a handle on the pouring in of paperwork on my home desk.  it got to a point that it would stress me out just to look at it.  i brought this concern to the table and the suggestion was to do 10 minutes every day UNTIL ITS DONE!  and it's working.  i've worked on my desk for 10minutes everyday for the last 3 weeks and missed 2 days (but i made up those 10 minutes).  my pile is down and every week i throw a large wastebasket.  i think i have about two more weeks of this and i will have a clear desk :)...sanity back to my life.  it is like have a dirty window and then getting your car wash - you can see so much better.  When i sit to 'clean my desk' i usually have a glass of wine or cup of coffee put on some calm or groovy tones and set a timer.  it is me against the clock and i jam!

so i decided to apply the same to my blog.  i usually try to get myself to write when the kids are asleep, bills are paid, clothes are put away, etc.  and as i see the days go by between post it acutally makes it harder to get back on the horse.  i start to doubt and make up excuses.  i don't have wine or coffee, just some music and i'm in my PJs and the clock is ticking away.

one item of business i need and want to address is the write up for the recent endurance mountain bike race i did about a month ago - the stagecoach 400.  the race starts in Idyllwild (mountains near SD) and drops down to the desert and up the desert (did i mention oven like temperature).  then up some more into the local Laguna/Cuyamaca mountains.  down the mountains into Jamul and Chula Vista until we reach downtown San Diego.  we travel up the coast to Torrey Pines and cross through the trails up to Escondido.  From Escondido it's 100 miles of climbing...about 12,000 feet of climbing.  We had five days to complete and i made it to the last minute.  me and about 25 other riders.  i was one of the last.  about 15 others didn't make it.

oh...there's the 10 minute timer.  so fast....

hasta manana!
chi

Mt. Whitney - Time to start Training

Securing a permit is the first part of the Mt. Whitney planning.  This year, permits go thru an online lottery - a first for the US forest service.  I'm excited to say that this year, I will be taking two trips up Whitney during Labor Day weekend.  The first is for a private group but the second is open for anyone willing, wanting, and able to commit for a four-month training (begins in May) and a one-day summit.

The permit is for September 3rd.  

If you are interested in training, please click on the "SERVICES & ACTIVITIES" tab for more information on costs, training, and dates.  Training hikes begin in May with an eight-mile hike.

Time to rally!  Who's in?

Chi 

A Wish Has Been Granted

For over two years I have planned a trip to Chile.  It was an important trip for me for one major reason: to connect to my father's roots.  My father was born and raised with a good education in Santiago, Chile till the age of 18 when he came to San Diego.  He fought in Vietnam* (a green beret), met my mom in the San Diego, and had three girls.  I was the youngest.  That was what I knew of my dad.

That wasn't everything.  I understood Spanish fluently but spoke broken Spanish.  I ate not just Hispanic food but 'different' food that my friends didn't know or like.  That food was empanadas, tomato salad, and pastel de choclo.  My parents were conservative and we did a lot together as a family including sports, camping, and traveling.  Family was first; that I knew.

In March 2012, I went to Chile for the first time with my parents leaving my three girls in San Diego carefully watched by dear friends and my sisters.  For a mother, this is a big sacrifice.  As a daughter, it was a rite.

The trip filled in holes of my past and of my distant memories created new love and appreciation for my family and heritage.  I had a valuable and unique time with my parents, met wonderful people along the way, and reunited with family.  

Being an outdoor coach comes not just from my energy and passion for moving fast.  It comes from connecting with nature, the people, and the food of the land. 

Loving Life!

Chi

*correction: my dad clarified his status in the war - "I was trained by the Special Forces (Green Beret) and Rangers, and I became an Army Intelligent in Jungle Warefare, and i was assigned to an elite unit, The 11th Air Assault Division".  Now I know a little bit more.