"You've got to follow your passion. You've got to figure out what it is you love--who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dream."
FINALLY!!!! Yes after trying to get up Mt. Whitney 2 other times this year I made it. Third times a charm.
In June there was way to much snow and I was not skilled in self arrest so bailed heading up towards the chute.
Just looking at that, I thought going up is no biggie, but coming down I could die.
Try number two was in July, driving out to Lone Pine my roommate got a call the house had been robbed so we drove back home.
This time come hell or high water we would make it up the mountain and we did.
We had a plan to summit Mt. Muir too but the boulder field looked sketchy to me since I was a little loopy from the altitude I think. It is a class 3+ climb which normally I shouldn't have not had an issue but I had a headache and just didn't feel comfortable.
I came to the conclusion later that I need to summit Mt. Muir first then head to Whitney. The 3 reports I read were of people doing Muir first then walking the easy trail to the top of Whitney. Metal note that's what I will do next time.
I was happy to have made my 7th summit with max on my pack. He too has been up 7 times although it wasn't the same Max it was his smaller brother ;-))))
The next day the plan was New Army pass to Langley. My back was hurting pretty much when we got going. My pack was pressing on my lower back and it was uncomfortable. I had slipped coming down Whitney so I must of hurt it then. That's the only thing I can think of.
We headed up to the lakes and to the base of New Army pass. The weather was a bit iffy and it actually hailed a little on us. I saw the clouds forming and was not feeling great about heading up. My back was really hurting but I was still trying to push myself. Some guys were coming down saying they saw lightening. The clouds were looking scary and I realized if I went up and had to out run a storm I couldn't do it since my back was killing me.
I told Jerry to head up and I turned around.
I have spent a lot of time in the Sierras and know that I hate being caught in storms something I have dealt with so many times.
I know the mountains will always be there for me to return. So down I went.

I had fun even though I didn't make Langley I will get it done next time. The Sierras are a magical place for me and they were a huge part on shaping me into the wilderness girl that I am. They helped save me after my mothers death and my divorce. I will spend many more years to come exploring in those mountains.
There will always be a force that draws me into them.
I am looking forward to being out in them next year for 30 days ;-)))

"Pain is your friend; it is your ally. Pain reminds you to finish the job and get the hell home. Pain tells you when you have been seriously wounded. And you know what the best thing about pain is? It tells you you're not dead yet!"
Wasatch 100 #6 not this time. Looks like I'm stuck at number 5 until next year.
It just wasn't my day only made it to mile 53 ;-(

I wish I had taken notice of the early warning signs, I may have finished. But like I always say would of, could of, should of ;-) make no excuses it is what is is.
We run this distance only because it's a challenge we don't know what the day will bring so we set off to do battle with our own demons and sometimes they win.
I felt the early warning signs of a bladder infection coming on last Wednesday but figured it was because I was having my mistral cycle I know TMI. I should of been taking extra UT vibrance and drinking more water but didn't.
I felt strong going into Wasatch #6 for me and #2 for Andy. I was super excited to be running with my sweetie.


The weather was awesome at the start not to cold ;-) we headed up the big climb chinscrapper and I was steady ;-) We made it to Grobbens corner the first aid in good time we were ahead of our split. By the second aidstation I wasn't thinking, i only filled my hand held and not my bladder. Going through the section before Bountiful B it was super over grown I hit my ankle bone on a rock or branch a couple times. It started hurting from all the twisting but I was still moving well.

I was looking forward to my Popsicle at mile 35. by the time we got there I was feeling my bladder pain coming on. I stayed positive and didn't say anything to Andy. Just wanted to drink some cranberry juice at Big mountain where we would see our crew girl Sallie. Who BTW was so helpful ;-)
We were about 25 min. ahead of pace when we left at this point I started feeling worse. I still didn't say anything to Andy. I have run 500 mile of this course so knew if I was feeling this bad now how the hell could I make all the climbs to the finish ;-( I hit a low and got depressed. I wanted to tell Andy but wanted him to go on.
I finally mentioned what was going on and he felt bad for me. I really struggled so I knew he knew, I was in bad shape.
We had plenty of time to finish but that wasn't the issue the pain was getting bad and I was peeing blood. When it happens this early for me in a race I know I can't regroup.
I felt bad because not only was I not going to finish Andy was going to DNF because of me.
He said something that really somehow made me feel so loved. I know he loves me but for him to say he came to run with me to spend time on the trails with me,and that he was going to stop too, because he was here to spend time with me. Made me feel very loved and supported by him. He was fresh and could of easily done well.
My little Peanut is the best boyfriend in the whole wide world. I am the lucky one.

So we stopped at Lambs and headed back to sleep in SLC. And spend some time together.
That night the rest of our gang Linda and Shannon dropped too. George got cut early on. We all went there to finish but it wasn't our day but we were all very happy to have gotten the chance to spend time with the Wasatch mountains ;-)

I will come out of this stronger just like I always do. Everything happens for a reason ;-)

Thanks for all your support friends.