Comb Ridge: My Spiritual Rebirth

I recently went to Comb Ridge where I had an incredible experience. I have had experiences like this before but this was just incredible. I wrote in my journal about it to help myself remember the feelings of the places I visited. Ranier Maria Rilke wrote, "...Tell a wise person, or keep silent, because the massman will mock it right away." I feel like this is no more applicable than to this situation. I am glad that the only people that read this are those who care about me because I am going to write things I didn't expect to tell people.

While I was out, I was able to watch the sunrise on Comb Ridge and write in my journal . Although I don't like poetry, I have always been impressed with the way it can express so much with so few words. I wrote my first poem while watching the sun rise.

Awaken

As the sun rises

to awaken the Sleeping Ute

And the Navajo flautest

stirs the depth of my soul

my mind, my heart, become unconcealed.

The rock balances on the spire

and peace with serenity rises.

The awakened arises to greet it.

On the trip, we saw so many ruins and homes of the Native Americans. Finding these was incredible. It showed me that this land is not just beautiful but it supports life and it is sacred. The only thoughts I have been able to write down that I felt came even close to portraying my thoughts were written once I was home from the trip:

"As a young teenager, I spent several weeks pedaling my way through the desert of Southern and Central Utah. The colors, the scents, and experiences embedded themselves into my identity. It was not until my recent return to Comb Ridge that I reawakened that part of my soul. So many times I have tried to explain the reasons why nature feels sacred to me. Upon returning, I realize that interacting with the life-forms that sustain my life and discovering the mutual repsect that lies between us brings me into a state of wholeness and conciousness that I am not often acquainted with. This wholeness brings on a new respect for all the relationships I have- human, nature, meta-physical, and imaginative alike."

If you think what I am saying here is silly or contrived, my only response is to ask you, "When was the last time you were in the desert?" You must go there, sit in solitude, and breathe with the land. Only then will you understand my emotions and my respect for the land so many want to take away. Protect these lands. We are flattening our earth and exploiting our land and as a result, it is disappering under our fingertips.

Pumpkinman 2009

I just got home from my first olympic distance triathlon at Lake Mead, NV. The quick recap- I had a good race I was 1/1 in my age division and 17/71 female across the line. My final time was 3:26:52. My goal was under 3:20...to my credit, the bike was 3 miles longer than I had anticipated. 3 miles of 4% uphill grade makes a difference in time.

Enough with the excuses.

What went well:

1. The bike. I had the 16th fastest bike split. The course was about 70% uphill with the average grade being 5-6% uphill. I passed a lot of people on the bike and I give the credit for my success to the bike.

2. The transitions. I can't seem to get these under 1:00, but they are shorter than other people's and I seem to make up a lot of time here.

3. My nutrition. I didn't have any cramping during the bike or the run. With 90 degree heat, I was worried about that.

4. Drinking water. I am not good at doing this while I work out. In fact, I have thrown up more than once. Not on Saturday.

5. My finish place. I was stoked to be in the top 20 women.

Here is what was bad.

1. My tube exploded before the start. This meant I was left with no spare if I flatted in the race.

2. The chord on my odometer came out in the first 100 meters of the bike. I was left relying on my heart rate monitor to make sure I was working hard.

3. My swim- I still suck in the water.

4. My run- not as quick as I was hoping for. The bike took a lot out of me.

5. No one showed up to race me! I was the only female in the 20-24 year old age division. What?

What I learned:

1. More bike-run bricks.

2. Swim 4x/week.

3. Always have a backup. With the tube and the odometer. At least I had my HRM.

No matter what, I had a great time and I consider my first olympic distance a success. Thanks especially to my faithful husband who took a billion pictures for/of me and cheered me on the whole way. Thanks, babe, I can't do this without you.

Instructions: GO TO THE SWELL

I am in a class right now, Cognition in the Wild, that is changing my life. The reading we do are spectacular. Then we go to the desert twice in the semester to practice what we have read about. The best thing about this class is that it keeps promoting the idea that designing an outdoor fitness program that does not include a gym is actually worthy of a try and it keeps showing me that doing so has the potential, not to change the world, but to help humankind become healthier and happier.

Our first fieldtrip was in and around Goblin Valley, UT. We travelled to the San Rafael Swell. I have not spent a lot of time there before but the trip was great. I decided that I could take clients on fieldtrips like that as a 'bootcamp.' Submerging yourself in the outdoors and seeing how the world has changed over time, and humankind with it, is an amazing way to put life into perspective and an even better way to motivate yourself to submerge yourself in the wilderness and absorb the healing powers of the wild. I wish that the pictures did more justice to the trip, but they just don't. Enjoy anyway. And GET OUTSIDE !