For the Love of Mt. Whitney

For the last few years, I have made an annual physical goal that is out of my league. Secretly, I would love to lay on a beach and do absolutely nothing, not have to lift a finger and be the laziest person ever. I could be the laziest person and I know it – but most people don’t because I dress it up with lots of interests and goals. The only antidote to my laziness is to make extreme physical goals such as running for marathons or outdoor extravaganza.

Last year, I ran my 3rd marathon, the San Diego Rock n Roll marathon and came in at 5:22. This year in 2010 before I turn 30, I plan to summit the highest peak in the continental US, Mt. Whitney. Yes, it’s probably out of my league. Yes, I will probably need some serious training and I’ve been hibernating in December and January. But, I’m up for it. Below are several reasons why I’m doing it:

(1) Strengthen my will power

Even though being on the cusp of 30 is not that old, and it really isn’t, I am perpetually stuck at 25. That’s the age I see myself as I get older. And the older I get, the more I like to do things that defy what’s normal and conventional – and climbing Mt. Whitney for a 5’2” Asian gal seems to be as untypical for me. I’m up for the physical training of conditioning hikes and the challenging summit. There will be altitude, prospects of thunderstorms, strenuous hiking, elevation gain that I will have to overcome. But I know that stretching my physical comfort will strengthen my mental power and build another notch of confidence in myself. With the right preparation, I think I’ll be alright. I’ll make it to the top.

I want to know what I’m made of. I like a mental challenge and I want to prove that my mind is a muscle I can exercise. Overcoming the training and summit takes mental strength to endure and persevere, and each step of the way builds my confidence and the make up of my identity. I want to be able to say, “ I summit Mt. Whitney.”

(2) Get a natural high

When I get to the top of Mt. Whitney, it will be worth the pains and aches I get from the training and the trails. The sense of accomplishing something out of my league will definitely be a moment that takes my breath away – a natural high. It’s the kind of natural high that runners get, the adrenaline kicks in, as well as that feeling that you can keep running forever – it’s fabulous.

(3) Break the mode of the daily life

Sometimes work, bills, social gatherings, family obligations can make the years go by really fast and we wake and try to squeeze out a few significant events and that can be difficult. Before you know it a decade has gone by and you didn’t do the dare, or you didn’t seize your youth. Having extraordinary goals open my world to new perspectives because I no longer see what everyone else sees.

(4) The training: it’s the only way I’ll go for a run 

I do it for the training. Having a goal to hike up the tallest peak in the continental US will get me into conditioning hikes, running, and muscle toning . I don’t like to work out just to work out, but now I have a reason to work out and get fit. Staying healthy and being fit is much easier when I have an end goal. This is specifically why I do it. I’m naturally inclined to be quite lazy and set a goal big enough gets me moving.

If you’re interested, the lottery process begins in February. This is a great comprehensive website for Mt. Whitney First Timers: Orientation Notes for Whitney First Timers