This spring I set myself a goal to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the top of Africa. I have wanted to get fitter and I knew that setting myself a goal will keep me motivated and get me out to exercise on a regular basis.

I set myself a very high goal

I realized that I didn’t just want to get fit, but I needed a sense of achievement.  I needed to feel that I can do things, big things, anything…

I went on long walks 3 times a week, made sure to hit the hills in our town. 3-6 miles each time during the week, 10 miles on the weekend. I walked in the rain, which I would never do otherwise. I made walking a priority and made time for it in my schedule.

Climbing up Kilimanjaro

I got fitter, but really not physically fit enough for the demanding climb up Kilimanjaro.

Our hike was 8 days long. By end of day 3 I was exhausted, my muscles were sore, but I was determined, I was REALLY determined.

Each day we slowly climbed higher and higher on the mountain. With the elevation, the air got thinner and our breaths shorter.

Day 4, the huge blisters on my feet have gained me new respect from our guides.

Day 6, we climbed to base camp, 4680 meters/15,239 feet. Had a rest in the afternoon and at 11:30pm we started our climb to the summit 5895 meters/19,341 feet.  It was dark outside; we used our headlights to guide us on our path and also enjoyed the light from the full moon. It was cold, very cold, even by Boston standards. I was wearing 6 layers on top, and 4 on bottom (including 2 down jackets and snow pants). We were lucky, and it was not a windy day. As long as we kept moving it was ok.

As we were climbing, the path was steep and icy. I would look at it and think “Oh my God, how am I going to come down this?”

Focus on the big goal

I very quickly realized that if I wanted to get to the top I could not think about the way down. I had to focus on the summit only.

Every time a thought about the down sneaked in, I would dismiss it and say to myself: ”You are going to make it to the summit”.

A third of the way up, it is the middle of the night, and I am already extremely tiered and physically exhausted. We stopped for a snack and hot tea, and it was hard to continue.

Adrenaline must have kept me going.

We reached the summit just before 8:00am. It was cold and to avoid altitude sickness kicking in, we only spent a few minutes at the top. Stopping for a long rest is not an option. Once you stop, you get cold quickly and feel how tiered you really are.

I struggled getting down. I had no energy left in me. On the steep parts I held on to our guide for support. We got back to base camp at 1:30pm. We had been going for 14 hours straight at this point. The problem was, this was not it for the day. We had to move out of base camp to lower altitude. With nothing left in me I went to lie down. I could not sleep. I felt that I just had to get this over and done with. I spent the last 3 miles of the day’s descent holding on to my husband and son. I was so exhausted I was sick the whole way down. When we got to our camp for the night, at 6:30pm, after more than 18 hours of hiking, I crashed in our tent and did not come out till the next morning.

I was re-energized after my sleep, and able to hike out the remaining 13.5 km/8.3miles. The fact that I was soon to have a much needed shower was definitely helpful. In the hard parts I was chanting to myself, and sometimes out loud, “shower, shower”.

I have renewed confidence in my ability to do what I set my mind to

I am very proud of myself.

My husband has declared renewed respect for my determination.

I now feel I can do anything I set my mind to.

The effect is continuing.

Since returning I have decided to start running. I am now training for a 10K (and I am no runner). I am running 3 times a week. When it gets hard I tell my self:

I can do this!

I have done way worse!

It is only 30 min, not 18 hours….

I reached for the sky, the top of Africa. I am going to continue reaching high to new skies.

Set yourself high goals. Not only will you reach those, but you will also feel re-energized to do more!

Thank you to my husband, Bart, and son, Arden, for joining me on this adventure, and enduring the trek at my slow pace.

Thank you to Top Climbers Expedition for an amazing crew that supported us throughout the trek.