How did I not know about this? Celebrating BIG next year. Thanks Dawn!
Background
The International Year of Mountains was held in 2002 and with the aim of raising awareness and triggering action on issues relating to sustainable mountain development. The leading agency was the Food and Agriculture Organization. The International Year of Mountains was launched at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York on December 11, 2001.
On December 20, 2002, as the International Year of Mountains drew to a close, the UN designated December 11 as International Mountain Day and encouraged the international community to organize events to highlight the importance of sustainable mountain development on this date. International Mountain Day was first observed on December 11, 2003. Each year International Mountain Day has a particular theme. Previous themes have focused on freshwater, peace, biodiversity or climate change.
Symbols
The symbol of International Mountain Day consists of three equilateral triangles, each orientated with two points on a single imaginary horizontal line and one point directed upwards. The triangles are mainly black and represent mountains. The triangle on the left has a blue “diamond” shape at the top, representing ice or snow at the top of a mountain. The middle triangle has an orange circle at its center, representing resources that are mined from inside mountains. The triangle on the right has a small green triangle at its lower right-hand point.This represents the crops that grow on mountains. Under the three triangles is a black stripe containing the words “11 December” and the words “International Mountain Day” in two shades of United Nations’ use of the color blue.
Everest
Inspiration & motivation – key to maintaining consistency & keeping my head in the game.
Much easier to drop off & miss a run (or 2 or 3) than to stick it day after day. I’ve got my go-to guy – endurance runner Kilian Jornet…but when looking to consistency, gotta look to the ladies.
Tammy, Monumental Marathon
We all have friends who FitBit every daily workout on FaceBook. Run mileage, cross fit WODs, maps of their neighborhood treks – annoying, huh? Day in, day out – Tammy’s 4.3 mile run, some impossible rope climb, pics with the weekend run group, race photos.
Somewhere in the process however, I got over being annoyed, set a goal & joined a gym. If ever asked why I started marathoning – it was Tammy. Ran our first full together this November…my 14th marathon, 2nd sub-4 & a new PR. Ice in my veins – thanks sis!
-
- Had just seen the 26 mile marker up ahead. At this point, I was running 5:1 intervals and knew I was so close. Time to pick up the pace and look strong coming in.
-
- This was when I saw that beautiful finish banner. I knew it was in the bag! I was so relieved. Was just trying to hold it together so I’d have a good picture and not embarrass myself. This is what 7 months of hard training looks like. Goal achieved. FINALLY.
-
- Yep, pure joy!
Stacy, Marathon Maniacs
Briefly met Stacy after finishing marathon #11 in Scottsbluff NE. Admiration grew as I followed her journey on social media. Shared a Southwest flight to Tulsa last month (Route 66 Marathon), then 2 weeks later randomly bumped into Stacy [at DIA] while returning from Delaware (Stacy raced in San Antonio). Great life spirit. This lady keeps me inspired – & organized.
Thanks to Stacy my 2015 marathon calendar is set – 26 new states on the horizon. We next collide in Miami.
To anyone out there – find your passion, your dream, your goal, and GO ALL IN! Whether you want to run a mile, or take an art class, or bake the best chili at the county fair – do what makes you happy and LIVE YOUR LIFE. Surround yourself by those who do what you want to do. They were once beginners as well. To anyone hesitant of taking a leap into the unknown, just ask yourself: “How bad do you want it?”
Running to Alaska: Stacy Bolyard (full article)
Sally, Western States 100
The obvious connection here is running. The inspiration is endurance running – where I see myself in another 2 years. Sally’s video ‘Western Time’ is more than a gal & a lotta miles. Hooked on her personal journey & ambition to compete/complete/finish Top 10 in Western States (100 Mile endurance run). Super INSPIRED!
Sue, Life Below Zero
Been addicted to NatGeo’s Life Below Zero all season – & Sue Aikens is the primary reason. Each ‘Life’ individual adds something unique to the show’s success – but it’s Sue’s no nonsense, no excuse, straight talk that shines. Personally [I’m] a bit too pollyanna – too rah rah & upbeat – so I appreciate Sue’s contrast. NatGeo doesn’t gloss over that strong personality. An entrepreneur working in the Arctic Circle (operates fueling station, Kavik River Camp), this lady subsistence hunts &’s a thinker. Tough chick; I’m a FAN.
https://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/life-below-zero/articles/sue-aikens/
Two years in a row, I’ve seen a NatGeo Adventurer of the Year in person – here in Boulder.
I met last year’s winner Kilian Jornet at a book signing, in Colorado competing at the 100K Ultra Race of Champions. This year [saw] nominee Ueli Steck at historic Boulder Theatre benefiting the American Alpine Club.
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR PRESENTS Ueli Steck: The Swiss Machine
Legendary Speed Climber to Tour the US with Proceeds to Benefit the American Alpine Club
The American Alpine Club (AAC) is pleased to announce a speaking tour by legendary speed climber Ueli Steck. Presented by Mountain Hardwear, with proceeds to benefit the AAC, the highly acclaimed “Swiss Machine” will present a visually stunning and interactive slideshow about his experiences climbing the world’s largest mountains, setting speed records without oxygen, training in the Swiss Alps and helping Mountain Hardwear fabricate better clothing systems for all his pursuits.
Ueli Steck is best known for his solo speed climbs of the infamous Eiger Nordwand, the Matterhorn, and more recently, the south face of Annapurna.
(sold out) December 5, National Geographic Society, Washington DC
(sold out) December 6, Harvard University, Boston, MA
December 7, Symphony Space, New York City, NY
(sold out) December 8, Boulder Theatre, Boulder, CO
While our population stats don’t match major city venues, Boulder County is proportionately over-represented by triathletes, climbers, mountaineers, hikers, marathoners, endurance athletes & cyclists. One of many benefits to living in Boulder County.
Tonite I kicked back, watched [videos] & listened to Ueli talk mountaineering, climbing, endurance & technique.
Training for my next BIG life event 🙂
- 2012 – 52 different hikes in 52 weeks
- 2013 – first full marathon in Alaska
- 2014 – Ironman Boulder
- 2015 – TBA
Gonna keep 2015 plans under wraps a few more weeks while I coordinate logistics & details. Might have thought 26 marathons in a calendar year was the BIG goal next year – nope 🙂 Crazy excited – seriously folks, this is B-I-G!
Dream; stay inspired. Absolutely anything is possible!
