What Needs To Happen In The Next Eight Weeks
1. I need to get kilometers on my shoes and legs.
2. I need to sort my daughters birthday which I’m going to miss.
3. I have to get to Pretoria and rent all the gear I’ll be using on the mountain.
4. I have to get my head in the game.
5. I have to be packed and ready for Aardklop before I get on the plane.
This list may seem simple and short but it’s not easy getting down to business while you still running a normal every day life and schedule.
1 - I Need Kilometres On My Legs
I’ve been training to get my lower body stronger. I havent really put much effort into getting kilometres on my legs or shoes.
I went for a ten kilometre walk about three weeks ago and it went really well. I wasn’t tired and I never felt the shoes. Just to explain to you, these shoe's are super strong, rock hard, comes all the way up to the ankle, water proof and obviously hiking shoes. I have no experience in any of the above mentioned. I was actually really impressed with myself, however last week was a different story. I went for another walk, this time pushed over ten kilometres and found myself at a place where I don’t want to be while climbing that mountain. My shins and back muscles killed me for days to follow.
My shins were burning like fire, my legs were fine, my lungs were fine but my ankles and shins were finished. Those light weight hiking shoes turned on me and changed from light comfy shoes to bricks within minutes after I met the ten kilometre mark.
I went on another long walk although I like to call it a hike (through the streets of our town) and finished strong at fifteen kilometres, only this time my feet and ankles were fine and my thighs were killing me. It feels like I have bruises all over my legs.
I need to add kilometres to my legs but more importantly to my shoes. Definitely something to get use to. I am making progress and I keep telling myself I still have time.
My mom suggested I wear my shoes during the day, every day and I might just do this.
2 - Missing My Daughters Birthday
This is the hardest part for me about the trip. I’m missing Nika’s ninth birthday and she’s not making it any easier for me. I am reminded by this every single day.
I have mom guilt about this and a lot of it but no matter how we tried to shift and reschedule our trip it never worked out. I am planning to spoil her through out her big day, on her big day and I’m hoping all my little surprises throughout the day will make her feel extra special and loved.
I need to get my ducks in a row, and I need to make all the different arrangements with all the different people to surprise her throughout the day with little hearts desires. This is my biggest mission at the moment. My number one top priority. If I have this correctly I won't even be able to speak to her on her special day, its the day we start our summit and almost 24 hour walk.
3 - Get To Pretoria
We are not buying the gear we will never use again, we will be renting it from a company in Pretoria.
As soon as my mom is back from Ghana we will be heading there together. The good news for me is the fact that she’s done this before and knows exactly what I need and what I won’t need.
This needs to go on the “to do” list asap.
4 - I Have To Get My Head In The Game
I’ll be honest, I have good days and I have bad days. I have days where I think it’s going to be easy and then I have moments where my throat wants to close just thinking about it.
My head has to be right. I can’t climb this mountain with my body only. It’s a mental climb and if I’m going to make it, I need to prepare myself mentally.
Here’s the thing - when my mom did it they didn’t know what to expect and although it was really tuff and hard, they sort of went with the flow. One step at a time. I know (more or less from the pictures they have painted) what's coming, they have shared their struggles and their mental challenges with me, so with all that stuck in my head I have to keep my focus and stay on the right trail with my thoughts.
The power of the mind is a strong force we have to deal with.
5 - Be Packed And Ready For Aardklop
I’m taking my business, Muppie Lounge to Aardklop this year and am leaving the day after we return from Tanzania. There will be no time for any packing or finalizing anything.
It will have to be ready so that I can just load the car and go. This means I have to put the same amount of time and energy into this as I need to put into my training. Biggest problem here is I can't start packing because I'm still in the designing process of the next two ranges... coming soon.
Kilimanjaro Is More Than Just A Mountain I realise today that this is not just a matter of making a decision and doing it. It’s a serious climb but I’m ready for it. I actually can’t wait to start the climb just to get finished. I am looking forward to spending time with my dad. I am looking forward to spending time with God. I won't lie to you, I am nervous. I am fragile in thoughts some times. But with that said I know I am strong enough in mind and body and I know I can do this. It's just the waiting period, the runway towards the big departure that is maybe messing with my mind a bit. This is not just any little mountain but I know if I conquer this one thing in my life I will open many doors of confidence and opportunity within myself. I can do this!!! I can do this!
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