Day one of Kilimanjaro preparation was Monday September 13th.

While in Breckenridge this summer, a hiking friend, Diana Dettmering, asked if I wanted to join a group of her friends to hike Kilimanjaro in September of 2010.  Several of these ladies would use the event to celebrate 70 year birthdays.  My response was "No, I don't live in Breckenridge like the rest of you and I would not have the benefit of acclimitization"! However, the seed had been planted and in the weeks that followed I began to imagine the possibility.  As I began to research Kilimanjaro and weigh the pros and cons, it because clear that I had excitement and fear.  It was exciting to dream about the journey of getting in shape, sharing a dream with other like minded women, and the fear of not reaching the summit after a year of planning.  It was also the fear of a "sometimes nagging foot" and would "plantar fascitis rear it's ugly head"!!!!!!!!!!!!

So it is with these and many other thoughts that I begin doing something to prepare for this year long journey of "getting into shape to climb Kilimanjaro.  My plan is not fully organized but I have been a physical education instructor and done a few triathlons over the years and know the basics of getting into shape. 

I, too, will turn 70 in November of 2010 and it scares the "you know what" out of me to even say it out loud.  Months ago as I was pondering this "unmentionable decade" I thought it would lessen the impact of turning 70 if I planned several "fun and adventure filled" events.  Did I mention that I love adventure!!!!!!!!!!!  And I love, love, surprises.  So, I am surprised that I was invited on this "Kili" journey and I am even more surprised that I want to do it as I suffer from various forms of altitude sickness when I travel to Breckenridge.  Yes, it is with apprehension, exhilaration, and great anticipation that I think of various ways to get in shape and begin my journey with perhaps a dozen other women, many of which I do not know.

Swimming 10 laps at 6 am, lifting a few arm weights and doing 30 + 20 crunches on an incline board was my start on Monday, September 13th.  40 crunches on the incline board is the norm for me when I go to the gym regularly.  (I had not been there since June 30th.)  I then met Barb M. at Shawnee Mission Park for one walking lap of 4.5 miles around the lake followed by one lap on the bike.  That may seem like a lot for day one but Barb  and I had done lots of biking and hiking while in Breckenridge during July and August.  It was a good beginning!!!!!