What's on your Thursday Menu?

G'morning all!

I am back and alive. The trek to Machu Picchu was def a bucket list trip and I am so happy we did it. We climbed up to 15,190 feet elevation and descended to 6,500 feet so there was a lot of up and down.

I ate a couple of humble pies during the trip but first let me set the scene. Our group was composed of:

Couple#1 - in their early 30s and both CrossFit instructors.

Couple#2 - Australians (in their early 30s) who go around the world hiking, and he was a hiking guide back in NZ.

Couple #3 - Mother daughter duo: mom a marathoner, daughter a West Point grad who does Ironman races for fun. By the end of the trip we nicknamed the daughter Terminator. This girl never changed her pace, was never out of breath, and was just cruising whether we were going up or down.

And then there was us!!!!

Humble pie 1 - on the first day in the afternoon we had a "short" hike with a 1,200 elevation change in about 3/4 of a mile. Can you say steep? I had a hard time with the steepness. On the way down due to the gravel I was going very slow because I didn't want to slip. Didn't know the guide was assessing us. At dinner that night he was telling us about the day after and the difficulty of the hike; how we should hit certain marks at certain time in order to be able to reach campsite at night before dark. Then he turns to me and says you will take the horse for the first 4 miles up (the total for second day was about 15 miles). I was devastated and so frustrated with myself. It took me back to when I was heavy and out of shape, and always worried to be the weak link on outings with my family. I was frustrated that I was still in that category.

Humble pie 2 - Once at the top and off the horse I kept telling myself don't fall behind, don't be the last one. At one point the path was a little bit flat and I was talking to somebody behind me. I made the mistake of actually turning my head while walking/talking and tripped on a sniper rock. I went down in a one arm Superman pose, road rash on my left upper arm, left side, left hip, left shins and left hand. The guys ran towards me to help me get up but I was so pissed at myself that I yelled at them I'm OK, I can get up on my own. I was worried the guide would totally kick me out of the hike, after the fiasco of the day before. The rest of the day I was just in my head berating myself and just being pissed. That night at campsite while alone I did a good cry, got it out of my system, and at dinner I apologized to the guys who had tried helping me.

I'm sharing all of this not to ask for your sympathy, but to let you know it was a f'ing hard hike but I made it. Bruised and blistered all over but I made it. I was in a group of super fit and athletic group, and for the most part I kept up with all of them. Maybe limping and crying inside (on day 2) but I made it. By the fourth day I had so much bandage around my toes (due to blisters) that I could hardly fit my feet into the shoes but I kept going.

Now that I confessed to my shortcomings I can tell you it was a great trip and I will share all the gorgeous sceneries we saw.

QOTD: soft tshirt (soft due to several washing) and sweat pants.

My meals yesterday:

• Coffee
• Starbucks coffee + quest bar
• Epic Chicken
• Hb eggs + quest chips
• E: travel day

Happy jr Fri-yay!

Just think of what you have accomplished! This never would have been possible without all your hard work and determination. I'm so proud of you and you have to know that you kicked all of our asses x10!!

You are so strong and so tough and I am so proud of you. I had a manager a few years ago who trained with her husband and they both climbed Mt. Everest. People who acomplish something like that have learned to stick it out though the adversity and after that nothing is too difficult for them to accomplish.

Very true. Now my usual trail where I run seems so easy.

You are amazing! To keep going when you were frustrated and angry, to apologize to the people that might have gotten in the crossfire of your frustration, to hike through the pain -- simply incredible! So many people wouldn't event try and you did it all!!

Thanks!

If they knew where you came from, they would have been just as proud as we are of you.

I honestly couldn't care less what they thought of me, I was just humbled that I am not as fit as I thought I was. Which is good, this will make me work even harder.

Such a rock star. I'd be proud as hell if I were you! You have worked hard to gain all that strength. Great job.