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On Top of the World The mountain was steep and rocky. The summit towered above 14,000 feet. As I gazed up at the peak from an altitude of around 12,000 feet, those additional couple thousand feet up the mountain seemed a gazillion miles away. The scene was both exhilarating and breathtaking! The mountain, in all her majesty, beckoned to my fellow hikers and me.
The hike demanded total concentration with each step that I took, so that I might lessen my chances of stumbling and accidentally ending up sprawled at the foot of the mountain. Yet, in spite of my cautious progress, I could tell that my body was receiving an incredible workout. Every leg muscle worked together to support my body weight and to bring me closer to the summit. My heart rate increased and made me aware of how hard it, too, was working. My abs and my buns were taut, as they reminded me of their participation in this incredible endeavor. My entire body embraced its liveliness! A few hours later, I stood atop the mountain, gazing out at other mountain peaks in the distance and down into the valley from whence I had come. What an amazing feeling of accomplishment I felt at that moment! I had made it to the top! Several weeks prior to the planned hike, I began training for the adventure. I increased the intensity and the length of my workouts a little each week. I included a variety of exercises to prepare all parts of my body for the big event. Among the exercises I chose to incorporate into my regimen were running up and down hills, strength-training, bicycling, Pilates exercises, as well as lots of evening walks. I engaged in one or more of these exercises at least 6 times per week. If I had not trained for the mountain hike ahead of time, I'm pretty sure I never would have made it to the summit of that 14,000 foot mountain. And, although descending the mountain was easier than going up, a good deal of leg, lung, and heart power were still needed to perform that task. Since I am not typically a mountain-climber, I am extremely proud of myself for taking on this challenge and seeing it through successfully! You, too, can climb mountains or accept other similar challenges! Just don't forget to prepare for your challenge beforehand with a good fitness training routine! And, be sure to take along with you plenty of desire, determination, drive, excitement, and sense of adventure! Happy adventuring! (And, remember to consult with your health professional before beginning any exercise program!) Cyndi Schoenhals
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Dressed in warm, comfortable hiking attire, my daypack filled with supplies and strapped on my back, I set off with my friends on our hike up the mountain. The trail (when there was one) was steep and rocky. Wind gusts were strong enough to practically blow me down! And, of course, not being accustomed to that altitude, my lungs felt a bit oxygen-challenged. So, I ascended at a nice, easy pace.______________________________________________________
Just Me,
Freddie Scoggan (CFI HFS SN)
170 West 3rd Street
Corning NY 14830
1-607-684-0484
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