Finding Your True North

I have set a personal goal to make this the most physically active time of my life. Not because I have any illusions of athletic prowess, but because I finally have the time to train, maintain and engage in ways that I did not during the height of my working and child rearing years. 

No more of those rapid workouts in hotel gyms with creaky equipment where you cobble together just enough exercise to mitigate the impact of the steak and cocktail dinner with board members or clients the night before.  My treat for myself is to find interesting physical quests in unique places and make sure I am in good enough shape not just to finish, but to enjoy.

Earlier this year, my daughter, Eve, and I reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,340 feet.

The climb required no technical, just three months of dedicated training and a lot of mental will power.

The pleasure I have gained from feeling clear headed and strong again is its own elixir. And — oh, by the way — those cocktail and steak dinners taste even more delicious as part of a celebration of the completion of the quest.

I am plotting other hikes or bike rides on the calendar, working out months in advance. I would love to hear your best experiences and what you recommend.