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Climbed a mountain and then some!

The Cardio Queen resurfaces – Day 4 almost 5

Sorry I haven’t blogged in a couple of days. A BIG thanks to those who have checked in on the blog. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your comments here. I read them every night before I go to bed.

Days 2 and 3 at Fitness North were incredibly tough for me.The cardio workouts are beyond intense. I had waves of nausea for 2 days straight, and on Wednesday I was in so much pain I literally thought I was going to die. No kidding.

That said, the pain came from an incredible experience climbing Oberg Mountain…in snowshoes…in the cold…accompanied by our program director Leif the entire way. YES, I climbed a mountain! OMG, it wasn’t pretty but I got the job done and it feels great. Leif was fantastic the way he encouraged, coaxed, prodded and supported me during some tough moments — though my whining, tears, and even a spell of anxiety/difficulty breathing. It was by far the hardest thing I have done to date. But I did it! And it is indeed an experience I won’t forget.

We’ve now snowshoed for 2 hours per day for three days straight – Britton Peak, Leveaux Mountain, Oberg Mountain up the mountain, and today Oberg Mountain the foot trails. We’re doing cardio circuits, pool cardio and more 5-6 hours on top of those two hiking hours and there is no stopping. Every inch of my body hurts, but particularly my knees and back. Yet each day we are pushed past any personal limits or “I cant’s” and we do it.

The meals are great and we have a food plan and prepare the food in our condos on our own so we’re learning all of the nutrition aspects too. The end of our first week is nearing and I honestly can’t wait. Though part of our group goes home Sunday, I need that free day to check back in to life and get some real rest.

I wish I had something more clever or funny to blog about. To be honest, I am just doing the workouts, changing clothes about 100 times per day, eating what they tell us, and sleeping. So far, almost no time at all to fit in personal time, and I have to admit the emotional part of the journey hasn’t really been getting addressed either.

It is just one foot, one snowshoe, one cardio workout in front of the other. One day, one step at a time. Keep the encouragement coming — I sure could use it.

Lori

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16 Comments Post a comment
  1. Ana #

    Hi Lori – what a boundary expanding challenge! It is great that you are sticking with it. It will get easier! xoxo Ana

    December 3, 2010
  2. Mary Beth #

    Oh, Lori… I can nearly feel your exhaustion because you speak about it so authentically! At the same time, I really can't know what you're experiencing because it is so intense and deeply personal! What I can't imagine personally, at least I can stand as your witness in awe! You're climbing mountains… and somewhere in there is a “mountaintop experience” that will be yours alone! … Roll with the pain rather than fight it! This is the hardest part and you're pressing through! Each next step is progress! It all counts and it all matters! … Loving you, Mary Beth

    December 3, 2010
  3. Keep on pushing woman!! You know what? I think you are addressing those emotions, I can feel it reading your writings, it may be a little indirect right now so just keep going like you wrote: one step at a time. You are on your path and I feel a mighty powerful woman is going to emerge!

    December 3, 2010
  4. AWESOME, Lori! I am so happy to hear that you've been to the top of those mountains. They are some of my favorite places, as you know. I am thinking of you every day, wishing you strength and courage every step of the way. It all sounds incredibly tough, and yet the breakthroughs immensely rewarding. Looking forward to hiking and snowshoeing and DANCING with you in the near future 🙂

    December 4, 2010
  5. Hey there, I commented earlier but it did not post, so I will write again! I agree with Maggie, I think your emotional process is happening as you journey thru and press on…AND please use Sunday to rest and reflect, but NOT to reenter your world. Allow work to continue to function without you and stay focused on what rest looks like as you renew and refresh for next week.

    I am so proud of you and can honestly say, I have a real sense for what your going through. Press on my friend AND enjoy!

    December 4, 2010
  6. Anonymous #

    OMG how amazing. I so commend you for doing this. It takes incredible courage and stamina. I could not even imagine the difficulty. I am seeing you in the background up there on this computer screen looking out over the world at the top of the mountain saying I DID IT! Love you MOM

    December 4, 2010
  7. Hey Lori, I second Trish's plea that you set aside Sunday entirely for YOU. I hope you will schedule some luxurious spa treatments, sit and look at the lake, reflect, and RELAX, among other things. BTW, you have a fantastic team at MtM who are doing a great job of holding down the fort in your absence! 🙂

    December 4, 2010
  8. Cindy #

    Congrats Schaef, I can't say that I have had any mountain top experiences this week and you have had a bunch! Keep going. We lions are in your corner.

    December 4, 2010
  9. Anonymous #

    Lori, Thanks for sharing your journey. One foot in front of the other sounds like it is VERY hard work. I admire your commitment and courage to keep on this journey. I am really looking forward to giving you a big hug on the 13th! Your fan, Marcia

    December 4, 2010
  10. Mary Beth #

    Lori… my dear friend… I see that you are not posting and I can only assume that you are consumed in the demands of your experience! You must remember that I am with you during this entire, grueling time… and even if you're not showing up here, you are alive in my heart as I imagine your pain and your progress, your slumps and your heights, your sorrows and your joys, your nausea and your newfound health! You KNOW you're doing the right stuff… and I'm cheering you along every step of the way!!! I'm helping you “keep Lori first” by holding your back and supporting you!!! Loving you lots!!! xxx Mary Beth

    December 5, 2010
  11. Ana #

    Hi Lor – checking in. Hope today is a lovely and luxurious day of rest. xo Ana

    December 5, 2010
  12. Laura Golubeva #

    Hey, Lori, what an incredible journey, what a life changing experience. I am following you and thinking of you, and wishing you perseverance in your endevour. By climbing those mountains, by stepping into the pool, after 20 years, you're pushing those boundaries. You're moving forward to where you want to be! Way to go!
    Laura

    December 5, 2010
  13. Anonymous #

    To the mountaintop – and beyond, in so many ways!
    Way to go, Lori. Did I tell you I climbed a mountain in Arizona? Thought my heart would leap out of my chest, and twice I tried to flee back down when my colleagues weren't looking. But forge ahead, I did. What a glorious view and sense of accomplishment at the top. I imagine you are – though aches and pain – feeling a sense of jubilation and tremendous achievement, perhaps unlike anything or anytime before. And rightly so. Bravo!
    Onward and upward – always,
    Jeanne

    December 5, 2010
  14. JeanneV #

    Gosh – I stand in awe of you my dear!! This is so cool. I have been keeping my end of the deal with watching what I eat and getting in those cardio routines, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that I have not pushed myself as hard as you are. Way to go Lori!! You are my champion!! Keep on climbing in week 2!! ROAR!!

    December 5, 2010
  15. Lori, I'm so proud of you. You not only climbed one mountain you climbed many! I now you were worried about how you were going to handle it all and as tough and hard as it sounds, you are handling it. This week was a big step for you. You took it, tackled it and survived. Now that you know you have this kind of strength in you, take that knowledge and confidence into week two and dominate!

    December 6, 2010
  16. Karen J #

    Way to go Shaefie! You've made it through a whole week. You can do the next one with one lung tied behind your back!
    Keep climbing… we'll keep ROARing!!

    December 6, 2010

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