Monday, February 1, 2010

Loathsome

Times are changing, now the poor get fat
But the fever's gonna catch you when the bitch gets back
I'm a bitch, I'm a bitch
Oh the bitch is back
Stone cold sober as a matter of fact

Sir Elton John
Lets start with the good news. Day one is over is the best news. I always delude myself that I have done enough to master the mountain. I never have. It is my nemesis, it kicks my ass, it makes me sore, it had me 2 miles in contemplating bailing at Galoot and turning around. It had me thinking like a thesaurus for every word I could think to describe my failure. Loathsome, embarrassed, detestable, reprehensible, odious, and plain old sad. I don't know why I haven't improved, no I do know, that I don't replicate this hill when I leave and nothing I do on flat land is enough and frankly I don't do enough when I am away. It was a a bad feeling as I struggled. I made it on the road and turned left and kept trudging along much like a hippo climbing a mountain but making progress. It finally dawned on me that yes this sucks but I can do it. It was just about then around 400 yards from the finish line, when they said hike's over time to get in the van. Now a stronger man would have said screw you pick me up at the top, and a stronger man would have said I'm not stopping, I said thank you, open the door, and let me in. I have 50 some more days here and I knew I was going to be hurting and undoubtedly I will tomorrow. It will get better but if it makes you feel better pick one of the above words or choose one of your own because I did fail. I blame Winter :)


The weather here was pretty nice today, Low 30's when we woke up but I was a steaming sweating fool in no time heading up that hill. There are a ton of people here, I don't know the exact amount but easily more than I have ever seen before. Lots more trainers, Lots more hike guides, lots more people attracted by the biggest loser and not nearly as many people who think this would be a great way to train for a marathon. As always the people are wonderful, friendly and supportive. There are lots of people staying multiple weeks 12's and 10's and 8 are not unusual. I want to apologize to Robin who got moved out of room #120 to accommodate demanding Jim. I wouldn't have made her move but I'm happy the staff did.





I hadn't unpacked my camera yet so no pictures today sorry. I will however share my 45 minutes of hell known as step and pump. This class is so hard to me. I am rhythmically challenged, I am step challenged, and I am pain challenged. Hard pumping music, an instructor whom I love, but who seriously will make you puke, and knees already sore from the hike. I honestly wished my step had been a piece of paper. There were two pools of sweat that could have drowned a small child when i was finished. sad thing was I told John he wasn't to let me skip or swap out this class. I regretted that choice about 45 seconds into the class.



Day one is complete. I have a challenge for you guys and it is much easier than step and pump. I will use a lot of lyrics these next 2 months. I want to publish some of your favorites. Email or comment one or some of your favorites and I will use them for sure. Back at it in 12 hours. Until then ice in a few spots and plenty of sleep. Day two awaits, surely I prepared enough for day two. We shall see. Peace. Love, and miss all my past ridge buddies, jim

11 comments:

Jumpstart said...

You are inspiring keep up the good work!! Reading one of your first blogs made me want to come to fitness ridge and I am counting the days till 4/11 have a great stay!!

Teresa

Ingrid, sort of said...

GUG! Step class, my least favorite!This is one of your best lines. EVER! I honestly wished my step had been a piece of paper. Jim, heading in the right direction, that's all that matters :)

karen said...

okay Jim, I have a great idea when you get back, go to Blackhawk and do the 300 stairs there, up and down! It is hard, but...with your fitness level when you get back, why not. Of course, being pregnant I will sit at the top and time you, cheer you on, and offer you a drink of water. What is a pal for. Blackhawk...here we come!

a.better.life said...

Thanks for your entry today Jim. You made me think that my day today doesn't have to define the rest of my year. :-)
Lyrics coming your way.
XO, Becky

Rockyrider said...

As I remember, day 2 is the worst. Hah! I'll never forget your blog when I was on my day 2 and you wrote "Not everyone is happy, not everyone thinks they made the right choice to spend their vacation here", or something like that. But you got me through 2 more weeks, and I can attest to making the right choice.

"Blue days, all of them gone
Nothin but blue skies from now on
(Blue skies smilin at me, nothing but blue skies do I see)"

Enjoy! More to come.

Rachelle said...

Jim
The description of the stop sign hike actually made me breathless (mostly by the panic attack I had while reading it!) ha-ha ~ I'm sure I'll be able to add to your “self deprecating” list of acronyms when I arrive in 3 weeks and will face the same challenge. You are an inspiration – I’m so glad you’re there now and blogging – it will help in my preparation – (even if it’s hyperventilating into a paper sack when I read what your body is going through) . Blessings – see you at the stop sign!

kenny said...

I heart you Jim! You can do it! Mind over matter. You are an athlete like your Terps. They conquer fear and pain just like you. Play through it!

Sabine said...

you should be so proud of yourself. Don't let the mountain beat you......
Today was the first time after what, 18 months, that I clued into your "sweat baby james". For 1 1/2 years I read it as "sweet baby James"
I guess that what a "third" language does to people - sometimes.
Looking forward to many of your blogs. Good night

Sabine

sbp said...

ok, I am so jealous, wish I were there, but Sept will be here soon (?). "Money talks, but it don't sing and dance and it don't walk.. or ."I used to hurry a lot, I used to worry a lot
I used to stay out till the break of day
Oh, that didn't get it,
It was high time I quit it
I just couldn't carry on that way
Oh, I did some damage, I know it's true"

Cat Cee said...

Just joined your blog, but have been seeing you in many pictures since I joined the FB FR group. You are inspiring!! What comes to my mind (which may have been quoted before??)

"Work it, make it, do it, makes us
Harder, better, faster, stronger....
Work it harder, make it better,
Now that don't kill me
Can only make me stronger"
Kanye West

mam said...

OK, I'm coming late to the game and I see that you're going for kind of inspirational lyrics which aren't really my "favorites"...I go for more cynical or funny. But I do offer up this, for your stop sign hikes:

"Well, we know where we're going, but we can't say where we've been. And we know what we're knowing, but we can't say what we've seen. And we're not little children, and we know what we want. And the future is certain, give us time to work it out."

Or:

"People say she's crazy, she's got diamonds on the soles of her shoes. Well, that's one way to lose these walking blues -- diamonds on the soles of her shoes." (Although I'd think that would be kind of painful, actually...Nike airsoles would be much more comfortable.)

And although it's apropos of nothing at all: Lyle, gotta be Lyle for me.

"The mystery masked man was smart; he got himself a Tonto, and Tonto did the dirty work for free. But Tonto, he was smarter, and one day said "Kimosabe, kiss my ass, I bought a boat, I'm going out to sea."

Walk on, my friend.