"If your goals don't scare you, they aren't big enough!"
In January I wrote my first blog of 2018 titled New Year, New Goal. I was excited to share with you my goal to break three hours in the marathon. We at Run Gum believe that setting goals are important, but we also believe that these goals should be designed to get you out of your comfort zone, to push your limits.
One of my goals in 2018 is to break three hours in the marathon. To do so, I will have to push my limits in training and on race day.
After more than twenty years of competitive running, I am very familiar with this kind of limit testing!
However, I do also like to test myself in other ways.
If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, then you know I have a passion for mountain climbing. Over the last couple years, I have tackled peaks such as Mt. Baker, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Rainier.
I love climbing because it tests me both physically and mentally. The happiness I experience standing on top of a new peak is very similar to the way I feel after finishing a race. And like racing, nothing gives me more pleasure than setting a new personal record or "PR."
Currently, my altitude PR comes from a mountain in central Mexico called the Nevado de Toluca.
This beautiful snow-capped peak is situated 15,354ft above sea level, and I climbed it in my early twenties. It has been so long since I last set an altitude PR and I feel compelled to test my limits once again.
I know just where to do so: Indonesia!
Tomorrow (February 7th) I fly to the island of New Guinea in the South Pacific to climb Puncak Jaya. This giant limestone peak, also known as Carstensz Pyramid, stands 16,024ft tall.
Dense jungles inhabited by indigenous peoples surround it, and cannibalism was practiced in the area as recently as 2012.
Like I said, if your goals don't scare you, they aren't big enough. I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't just a little bit nervous to attempt this climb.
I'll be off the grid for a few weeks but should have some great stories to share when I get back.
Your friend in running (and climbing!),
Nick