Crazy making…That’s what I’ve been going through in the last few weeks. Real, set your head spinning, crazy making.

You see…I seemed to have developed a case of insomnia due to getting better and not backing off some of my adrenal support supplements. At the time though I had no idea that this was the cause. All I knew is my sleep patterns where not so great anymore…then one night I actually didn’t sleep a wink. I freaked, called my doc and said “give me something…lorazepam, Ambien…anything”. Well, she obliged me with both and I was off to lala land…

I feel in love with Ambien for the 10 days she prescribed it. I was sleeping again. Only problem, after those 10 days I was chasing sleep again. I asked for more and she again obliged, and that knock ya out sleep was mine again.

You might be thinking…so what’s the problem??? Being sensitive to meds and such, I then developed the side effect of anxiety. Mind you, I have never been an anxious person and here I was with jaw aching, body rattling anxiety!!!

I finally had a moment of clarity and realized the Ambien was the cause and quickly stopped it. Around this time I had just done all the tests to see how I was recovering from Adrenal Fatigue…The good news is my adrenal function is back in range and all other levels were also!!!
That is except my overnight cortisol levels which were sky high! (15 when the range is 1-3). No wonder I wasn’t sleeping!!!

That’s when my nutritionist and I decide it was time to stop all supplements and focus on bringing down my overnight cortisol levels. I’m about 4 days into this at the moment. So far, I sleep great one night, next night I’m challenged with having a hard time falling asleep…..

Now I’m a firm believer in silver linings and growing from every experience. From this experience so far I’m taking a greater understanding for the people I work with who have mental illness. What it’s like to be on meds and have side effects. What it’s like to have sleep challenges, and mainly how messed up having anxiety is!! How hard it can be.

I know it’s going to be a few weeks. I’ve been off Ambien 10 days, off Lorazepam for 5 days, and off supplements for 4 days. One thing I would share from this…if you ever hit a rough patch…Ambien is a wicked drug!!! Hang in there and try to get through it without medication! As my nutritionist told me “no one ever died from not sleeping”. Boy that helped to hear that…

Right now, its Sunday and I’m writing this sitting on a plane bound to Hartford, Ct. Work is sending me to a DBT training for a week. I’m going to spend 40 hours learning Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Perfect timing I’d say!!!

I love how God, the Universe, whatever you call it- always gives us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it!!! I’m right where I’m suppose to be, experiencing exactly what I’m suppose to be experiencing. I know this will pass and I will be a better person for it.

With challenges comes the opportunity to grow. Isn’t that why we do this crazy thing we call triathlon? For the challenge, the growth. Well, I’m just getting to grow in a different way!!!!

Bring it on!!! I’m an Ironman!

Friends are the best!

Last night I reached out and stopped isolating and went out to dinner with my 3 closest friends.  We went out to Little India and had the best dinner and conversation that I’ve had in months.

You see, I’ve really isolated myself since getting Adrenal Fatigue.  First because I had no energy for anything but work…and then because of the weight gain.  I felt uncomfortable to be around people I know because I was no longer the fit, athlete I’ve been for many years. 

Well, my friends quickly kicked my butt out of that frame of mind!  In a nutshell, they made it known that they didn’t even notice; they were not cady and going to be comparing me to before; and they loved me any way no matter what!  Now how could I ask for anything more than that.  And to be honest- being out last night was exactly what I needed. 

Today I feel as if the sun is a bit brighter and the weight is a little less on my shoulders.  It’s amazing when I reach out and spend time with friends how much that can change things for me.  After months of isolating I am making an effort to stay in touch with my friends and be more social.  

Another nice thing is everyone is done with  their season now…so they can join me on my very easy 1 hour workouts…..There are some advantages to Fall…..

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted on my blog. It seems that since I haven’t been training I don’t feel as if I have a lot to write about. I feel as if I don’t have anything interesting to say unless I’ve run 30 miles or something.

So what have I been up to that might be interesting?

Two weeks ago I was in a 4 day training called Pathways To Leadership. I was sent by my company along with 19 other employees. We spent the whole time learning tools to help us be better members of our community, work, and at home.

Two tools (out of 17) that I have found to be extremely helpful are the Energy Map and Homeward Bound Framework.

The Enegry Mapis about being aware of where you are focusing your engery?  Are you on the “Back Side”  which means you are focusing on What’s not working;  What I don’t like about you/me/it;  the Problem.  Now this was good for me because I have been focused on the Back side.  I’ve been focusing on what I don’t like about me, and what’s not working right now.  I’ve been focused on the problem of having Adrenal Fatigue.

Learning about the Energy Map has helped me daily to stay on the “Front Side”.  This means I now focus on What’s working;  What I do like about you/me/it; and I’m focused on the Solution.  I have the objective to get better and I am executing a plan for that. Now if I wake up and put on my pants that barely fit any more, I think of the fact that I am healthier today than I was two months ago when  first diagnosed with Adrenal Fatigue.  I also can catch myself throughout the day in many situation when my thoughts wander to the Back Side.  I can now be aware of switching my thinking to the Front Side.

The other great tool that I learned was Homeward Bound Framework.  Now I really recommend doing this every evening as you’re headed home.  Stop somewhere when your about 5 mins from home and ask yourself these 4 questions.

1. What did I learn today that’s going to be valuable?    2.  What did I do well today?   3. What are the 3 greatest blessings in my life?  4.  How can I be the best mom, dad, spouse, friend I’ve ever been tonight?

I strongly suggest trying this because the results will be amazing.  I have found that my whole attitude shifts and I am in such a different place when I walk through my front door.

The next two days I was in a DBT training. This is a type of therapy where the main premise is Mindfulness. DBT is a cross between Eastern philosophy and behavioral therapy.

One of the main skills I learned in the training was the “half smile”.
The “half smile” is a skill to use when you’re having a rough time or your thoughts are drifting to the negative.

The Worlds Most Famous "Half Smile"

To do the “half smile” you ever so slightly lift the corners of your mouth into a light smile. Go ahead try it….how does it feel? Do you feel a little lighter inside???

I may not have had any exercise inspired insights to share over the past two months, but I thought I would share these tools with you all. Go ahead- give them a try. I mean- what have you got to loose??? OR should I say- what have you got to gain????

Holy cow.  This past Sunday was Ironman Louisville and boy am I tired  (hahahah). 

Let me tell ya how it went!

The Swim was interesting.  A total of 800 yrds on Thursday started off this Ironman …..

The Big Swim!

Followed by a total of 60 mins Friday on my bike while sitting on the trainer.  My average heart rate was a whopping 84 bpm!! 

Fat Bottomed....yeap!

 Next I was off for the final leg…a walk with the dog!  After all that swimming, biking, I had to get the walk in!  How was I going to finish 30 mins of walking the dog????

In all seriousness……Who would have thought that I would be sitting out my second Ironman?  I never would have.  This was a kinda hard week…knowing that Wed I would have been leaving, Sunday I would have been racing. 

But that is how life goes isn’t it?  Instead I had a spectacular strength training workout and a lovely restorative yoga class. 

Yeap, I’m back to “training”.  Although not in the way we triathletes are use to.  My “program” looks like this

Monday: 30 min easy walk in the morning, Restorative Yoga in the pm.  Tuesday: Rest   Wednesday: 30 min easy walk in the AM, Strength Training during lunch. Thursday: 30 min swim at lunch; Friday: Rest; Saturday: Restorative Yoga; Sunday: Strength Training  and a 1 hr spin on the trainer.                                                                                                                                                                    

I must say it feels nice to be following a program again.  Oh ya, and with that…I’ve hired a new coach!!!  Her name is Cary Kinross-Wright with Endurance Performance Coaching! 

There where some things that I felt I needed and was on the hunt for a new coach that incorporated strength training and recovery into their training plans.    I also wanted a coach who has worked with athletes coming back from Adrenal Fatigue.  So when I met with Cary and she told me she was also diagnosed with Adrenal Fatigue and know a lot about it…first hand.  I knew it would be a perfect match!  I’m looking forward to a new perspective on training and getting healthy again and feel I’m in the right hands to make a great comeback for next season.

Ironmans come and go.  Hopefully this will be the last one I have to sit out.  In the mean time, I’m becoming addicted to Restorative Yoga and who knows what more I’ll learn about myself.

Life can take us in many different directions.  We also get opportunities to decide which directions we might take.

I was thinking about this a lot last week.  I decided to post a “direction” question on Facebook each day and see what people responded.
The questions where: left or right; up or down; forward or backward; yes or no.

Lately with having to stop being an athlete I feel as if I’m headed in a direction I didn’t decide on. What I DO get to decide on is what direction(s) I take from here.
Do I decide to go left or right? Do I go left and follow the path of no training and lots of rest? Or do I go right and just keep training and rest a bit more than I use to?

Do I decide to go up or down? Do I stay up and keep a positive attitude and trust that at the end of this I will be in a better place? That something good will come out of this time? Or do I get down and wallow in self pity? Do I think life sucks and why me, my life is over?

Do I decide forward or backward?  Do I look forward and believe in what lies before me is exactly what I need to do and where I need to be?  Or do I look backwards and kick myself in the @$$ for not realizing that something was wrong sooner?  For not taking more time off after the Ironman, for not……the list goes on?

Do I decide yes or no?  Do I say yes to what is being suggested I do? Do I say yes to the new and different adventure I’m on as my body heals?  Or do I say NO!  I’m not going to listen to anyone and I’m going to do it MY way and the heck with you all!     Or….. is it that I say No to exercise and Yes to resting and recovery?

There are so many moments in life, both big and small, where we get to choose the direction we will take.  We are constantly deciding the ups and downs, yes and nos, left and rights, forwards and backwards.  They come at us, and we don’t even know they’re there.  We just decide.  And then there are the times when life leads us in the direction we didn’t really want, and we take some time to think, and then make the decision on how we are going to be.

It’s not always easy.  It’s not always pretty.  And sometimes we might decide one thing and then switch our minds….but the beauty of life is, that we do have the chance to choose.  We do have the chance to be.

Just be-ing

We’re all survivors.  I was thinking about this the past few days. We are all survivors of some challenge, obstacle, health issue or trauma.  As a therapist it is amazing how many people have some sort of big obstacle they have over come and survived in their life.  In my life, I have yet to meet a person who has not survived something that at one point seemed insurmountable.

The reason I’ve been thinking about this due to what I am going through with my health right now.  It is by no means a big huge thing…but still, it’s tough.  My life and activities as I’ve known them are not happening for the moment.  I’m not able to do what I love to do.  As I write that I realize, “but you have a lot of things you love to do”!  How quickly I forget.  Only problem is a ton of the things I love to do revolve around being outdoors and being active.

For a profession, I’m a mental health theapist.  On a daily basis I counsel people who have challenges far greater than mine.  The people I counsel deal with persistent mental illness and being discriminated against constantly. When I think of that, suddenly my little Adrenal Fatigue seems pretty minor.  The clients I work with amaze me every day with how they perservere and how they manage to get through a day sometimes.

Isn’t it interesting how in the big scheme of things, we all face challenges in our life…it just is up to us to walk through them.  And- it’s a choice we make- if we walk through a challenge with grace or we go kicking and screaming.  From the examples I’ve had in my life watching others, I’m choosing to walk through this current challenge with grace.  Ok- as much as possible.  I may end up kicking and screaming a bit a few times.  Which way do you chose?

As I’ve cruised the broadband highway looking for information about Adrenal Fatigue- I came upon this blog post by a MD. 

This is by far the best info I have seen. 

By Vicki Wade
Have you recently experienced a

major stress in your life, be it illness, job, death, children, etc? After this stress, have you felt as though you just cannot seem to get yourself together, or at least back to where you used to be? Are you usually tired when you wake up, but still “too wired” to fall asleep at night? Is it hard for you to relax or to get exercise? Do you find that you get sick more often and take a long time to get well? If so, then you, like many other Americans may be experiencing symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue.

Adrenal fatigue is not a new condition. People have been experiencing this condition for years. Although there is increasing physician awareness, many are not familiar with adrenal fatigue as a distinct syndrome. Because of this lack of knowledge, patients suffer because they are not properly diagnosed or treated.

Adrenal fatigue is a condition in which the adrenal glands function at a sub-optimal level when patients are at rest, under stress, or in response to consistent, intermittent, or sporadic demands. The adrenal glands are two small glands that sit over the kidneys and are responsible for secreting over 50 different hormones—including epinephrine, cortisol, progesterone, DHEA, estrogen, and testosterone. Over the past century, adrenal fatigue has been recognized as Non-Addison’s hypoadrenia, subclinical hypoadrenia, neurasthenia, adrenal neurasthenia, and adrenal apathy.

Generally patients who present with adrenal fatigue can often be heard saying, “After______, I was never the same.” The onset of adrenal fatigue often occurs because of financial pressures, infections, emotional stress, smoking, drugs, poor eating habits, sugar and white flour products, unemployment and several other stressors. After experiencing many of these events over a long period of time, the adrenal glands tend to produce less cortisol, the body’s master stress hormone. Cortisol’s main role in the body is to enable us to handle stress and maintain our immune systems. The adrenal gland’s struggle to meet the high demands of cortisol production eventually leads to adrenal fatigue.

Patients with adrenal fatigue have a distinct energy pattern. They are usually very fatigued in the morning, not really waking up until 10 AM, and will not usually feel fully awake until after a noon meal. They experience a diurnal lull in their cortisol (the stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland) and as a result, they feel low during the afternoon, generally around 2-4 PM. Patients generally begin to feel better after 6 PM; however, they are usually tired after 9 and in bed by 11 PM These patients find that they work best late at night or early in the morning.

Some key signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue include salt cravings, increased blood sugar under stress, increased PMS, perimenopausal, or menopausal symptoms under stress, mild depression, lack of energy, decreased ability to handle stress, muscle weakness, absent mindedness, decreased sex drive, mild constipation alternating with diarrhea, as well as many others.

Although there no specific tests that will provide a true diagnosis of adrenal fatigue there are tests that may contribute to an assessment, such as a postural hypotension test, an AM cortisol test, or an ACTH stimulation test. It is customary for a physician to assess the adrenals together with thyroid tests to rule out insufficiency, which sometimes occurs in long-standing hypothyroidism.

A single determination of plasma cortisol or 24-hour urinary free cortisol excretion is not useful and may be misleading in diagnosing adrenal insufficiency. However, if the patient is severely stressed or in shock, a single depressed plasma cortisol determination is highly suggestive. An elevated plasma ACTH level in association with a low plasma cortisol level is diagnostic.

Treatment for adrenal fatigue is relatively simple. Lifestyle modifications can be initiated to treat this condition. Simple changes such as more laughter (increases the parasympathetic supply to the adrenals), small breaks to lie down, increased relaxation, regular meals, exercise (avoiding any highly competitive events), early bedtimes and sleeping until at least 9 AM whenever possible can all benefit those experiencing adrenal fatigue.

A diet that would be conducive to treating adrenal fatigue includes one that combines unrefined carbohydrates (whole grains) with protein and oils (nuts and seeds) at most meals—olive, walnut, fiber, flax and high-quality fish oil. It is also important for patients to eat regular meals, chew food well, and eat by 10 AM and again for lunch. Patients should look to avoid any hydrogenated fats, caffeine, chocolate, white carbohydrates, and junk foods. Diets should have a heavy emphasis on vegetables. It may be of additional benefit that patients add salt to their diet, especially upon rising and at least a half-hour before their lowest energy point of the day. (Preferably, 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoonful of sea salt, Celtic salt, or sea salt w/kelp powder added to an 8 oz glass of water). In adrenal fatigue, one should not follow the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid, as these patients tolerate fewer carbohydrates and need more protein.

The addition of nutritional supplements may also offer additional benefits to patients experiencing adrenal fatigue. They should consider the addition of:
• Vitamin C 2,000-4,000 mg/day Sustained Release
• Vitamin E w/mixed tocopherols 800 IU/day
• Vitamin B complex
• Niacin (125-150 mg/day) – as inositol hexaniacinate
• B-6 (150 mg/day)
• Pantothenic acid (1200-1500 mg/day)
• Magnesium citrate (400-1200 mg)
• Liquid trace minerals (zinc, manganese, selenium, chromium, molybdenum, copper, iodine)– calming effect
• If depression is present – Add SAM.e 200 mg bid; DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) 500 mg bid

Some herbal remedies that have been noted as possible therapies include Licorice, Ashwagandha, Maca, Siberian Ginseng, Korean Ginseng. Note: Licorice can and, if taken over time, does have a propensity to elevate blood pressure. It should not be used in persons with a history of hypertension, renal failure, or who currently use digitalis preparations such as digoxin.

Under the supervision of a physician hormone supplementation with DHEA, Pregnenolone, and Progesterone may also offer some benefits. There are several glandular extracts on the market that contain adrenal, hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, and gonadal that are also often recommended. Sometimes the initiation of hydrocortisone (Cortef®) may be necessary as a replacement hormone when cortisol is not being produced by the adrenals. While the initiation of corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone may have quick and dramatic results, they can sometimes make the adrenals weaker rather than stronger. As a result, the initiation of hydrocortisone is usually a last resort. It is important to note that patients may have to undergo treatment for 6 months to 2 years.

While a cortisol measurement may be helpful to confirm any thoughts or ideas that a patient may have decreased adrenal function, typically blood cortisol levels would be tested along with blood levels of potassium, and sodium. If the pituitary gland is the cause of adrenal failure electrolyte levels are usually normal. Practitioners usually pay attention to extremely low cortisol levels, which generally diagnoses Addison’s disease—a condition in which the adrenal glands are completely depleted, also considered a medical emergency.

This last Thursday I met again with the nutritionist who is guiding me through getting my adrenals back on track (along with Dr Shyelle).  I got some good news…and not so good news.

I've officially got Adrenal Fatigue

The good news is my adrenals are not so far gone that they are barely functioning.  They are not functioning great, but not horrendous.  (I’ve got mild Adrenal Fatigue).  There is a lot of hope that I will be much better soon and able to get in the training for next June’s Ironman.

The not so good news is…..I basically can not exercise for at least two months.  Seriously.  No exercise as I know it!  Wow…what a mind f#^$.  Holy cow, from Ironman training to basically nothing.  Yeap.  I can only “exercise” 5 days a week.  I put “exercise” because what I can do is really limited. 

What I’ve found out is basically I can’t get my heart rate over 90 BPM for any sustained length of time.  I CAN do- easy yoga; an easy walk; easy weight workout; and easy Pilates.  That’s it.  And nothing can be longer than 30 mins 45 tops!  Is that wild or what.  From 7 hr bike rides to 30 minute walks.  Well, turn my world up side down!

So…what am I going to do?  As I got this news and learned more about adrenal fatigue over the past few weeks, I’ve realized I can either continue to feel like crap- or I can do what these professionals are saying.  I’ve opted to follow their plan.  A little exercise, as much sleep as possible, and nutrition that supports adrenal restoration. 

This is going to be a new adventure.  Right now I’m doing ok with the not exercising.  Honestly because I’m really tired.  I don’t mind sleeping and resting right now.  In a month from now, as I begin to feel better…it may be another story. 

It’s hard to not be out there training with all my friends…and it will take some effort on my part to stay connected.  I’m kinda looking forward to this adventure.  I call it an adventure because what will occur is unknown.  I’m sure I will change through this process and I’m kinda looking forward to what those changes may be. 

Sometime when I think about the name I gave my blog over one year ago- Going The Distance- I thought the name would represent all the miles I would cover training for and racing in an Ironman.  Little did I know those words would hold true in so many different areas of my life….and with that—-

I’ve got a confession.  I’m kinda embarrassed about publicizing this, yet I will in the hopes that it may help someone in the future. 

I’ve decided not to do Ironman Loiusville this year.  I have canceled the race, flight and lodging.  There is no turning back and changing my mind. 

Why you may ask……and here is the why….

Remember back in April when I wrote the postabout my first race of the season?  Well, looking back I think that was an indicator of how things would go this season. 

This whole season, since April I have just NOT felt “right”.  At first I chalked it up to being depressed following my Dad’s passing.  But as the months went on things got worse.  My workouts got worse, my zest for life got worse, my energy got worse….

I went from having good workouts that I felt stellar in to barely making it through one.  And afterwards I would be exhausted.  And if I did a “big” workout..forget about it. I was wiped out for a few days!  Not only did my workouts suffer, but I started putting on weight.  Well, fat really.  And I was eating “clean” and not pigging out! 

As the weeks went on I finally had that intuitive thought that “somethings not right.  This isn’t just mental, but something physical is not right with me.”  My guess was that something was going on hormonally (I’m officially through menopause a few months back) and I began asking people for referrals. 

I found a nutritionist and a Dr who specializes in hormones and promptly went to work with them to get to the bottom of things.  Well, it turns out that my adrenal glands are not functioning at full capacity and therefore my hormones (which where already low) are all screwy.  Plus my cortisol levels are wacky hence all the abdominal fat that has appeared without the benefit of eating tons of ice cream or something fun like that!

By the time I met with these professionals, I was barely able to get through a work day, let alone a workout….I just knew that an Ironman this year would put me in a much worse deficit….so, see ya later Louisville!  This was not an easy choice.  I mean it was hard to let go of doing another Ironman.  I really wanted to do it, but knew my body would be in worse condition if I did. From what these professionals I’m paying good money told me, I made the right decision.

So what does all that me for Go Doreen???  Well,  I immediately started a hormone protocol with Bio-identical hormones.  The very next day I was feeling better…no $HIT!  Not fabulous, but I felt rested for the first time in months.  I’m also starting to work with the nutritionist on how to support my glands using food to do so.  It will be a process, but hey, it’s better than the alternative of NOTHING.

What else this means is that Ironman Louisville has  been substituted for Coeur d’Alene!!!!!  Yeap, I’m signed up for IMCDA 2011!  I am so psyched about that. 

So the game plan is, to take the next few months to do things that are fun for me.  Keep my base with the swim, bike, run, but scale things down a bit to let my body heal.  I hiked a 13er a few weeks ago and this past weekend rode the Boulder 70.3 bike course and felt great!  I have not felt that good in a workout in months! 

I’m also going to be doing the Harvest Moon Long Course in Sept and Nationals Long Course in Oct.  This is all dependent though on how I’m feeling and how the tests come back.  But if all goes well these will send me into my training for IMCDA.  I feel hopeful that I will come out of this strong and feeling like myself again.  It helps a lot knowing that CDA is on the books for next year, since I’m out of IM this year.

What I’ve learned during this process, is it’s hard as a dedicated triathlete to listen.  To really listen to our bodies and hear what it’s telling us.  The signs are always there.  I know they were for me, I’d just kept hoping they would go away!  After a few months though I just knew I had to listen and find out what was going on.  I am really glad I did.  It’s not easy to do so.  It’s wasn’t easy to say “I can’t do Louisville this year”.  I mean that was REALLY tough! I wrestled with it for  a long time.  I kept hoping I’d feel better.  But I didn’t…but now I do.  I am starting to feel better.  And I know, I will feel great at some point in the future.  I am glad I’m taking care of myself now, so I can have more fun later!

Yesterday I got out of my biking and running shoes and put on my hikin boots!  I dug out my water filter, camel backpack, headlamp and all the fixins one needs for a 10 hour day and hiking a 13er (a 13er is a 13,000+ foot  peak).  I had made the decision to “bag” the Boulder Peak Tri and instead “bag” a peak! 

Rosalie Peak won and my friend Christyand I were off at 6am to head to the trailhead.  We set off around 8 am for the summit of Rosalie Peak which stands at 13,575 ft. 

Christy and Me at the trailhead

We put on our packs and began the 4000 ft climb to the summit.  This hike takes you through the forest and follows a stream for at least 2000 ft.  At least half of the trip we were in shade, which was great considering it was a HOT day! 

Which way???

We meandered our way up the trail, stopping to refill our water at the last place we crossed the stream before we headed above tree line. 

Filtering water through the water pump

One of the beautiful things about being outdoors is you lose touch with “reality” for awhile.  There is no cell phone, email, texting.  No cars, no noise, no distractions.  There’s just you, your breathing and nature.  There is something so wonderful about being in the back country with no one around.  We saw birds, and rabbits, squirrels and marmots.  I felt at one with myself and I felt at peace.  It’s a sense of peace that I can’t get any where else but out here. 

As we climbed in elevation I could tell we were getting close to tree line.  This was Christy’s first 13er and I enjoyed teaching her how to read a map, a trail, the way the trees change the higher you get in elevation.  I love the forest but I love even more getting above tree line.  I love how when you get above tree line it’s like time has frozen still.  Everything is so delicate and nothing moves.  The plants and trees are small and ancient twisted looking.  It sometimes can seem like you’re on the moon.

Well, we hiked our way above tree line and to the saddle where we would hang a left and cross country it to the summit of Rosalie Peak…only 1600 feet left to climb!

One of the false summits of Rosalie Peak!

We spent the next 1.5 hours hiking up to the summit.  We meandered back and forth in the steeper parts.  We hit false summit after false summit (darn it…dontcha just hate those!)  We finally made it to the REAL summit 4.5 hours after we left the car!  We had arrived!  And as in every true summit fashion, we got to enjoy the beauty for about all of 10 minutes before we had to head down.  Literally minutes after we summited, these big dark clouds moved in from the west and weather was moving in fast. 

Storm moving in...

 With our packs on our backs we headed down the peak toward the main trail.  We picked our way down as thunder started rolling over Mt Evans and the wind started to blow rain on us from far away.  We scurried our way down and made it to tree line and breathed a sigh of relief to be in the coverage of the trees.

The rest of the day was spent heading down down down.  I didn’t realize how much elevation we gained until I had to go back.  It’s so true that downhill is harder.  Yeah, uphill taxes your lungs more, but downhill works all sorts of muscles you don’t even know you have.  We made it back to the car in a respectable 10 hrs round trip.  We had a blast!  I got to do something besides swim, bike and run…and I was able to be in nature for a whole day.

I did come to realize that hiking a peak is great cross training for an Ironman.  You are at it constatly for hours, and your lungs and legs get one heck of a workout.  My legs are sore today.  Sore like afer I run a marathon sore,  and I’m lovin it!  I can’t wait to get out there again and bag myself another peak…..(or two)…..

On Roslaie Peak Summit