I did it. It took me THREE tries, but I finally made it up to the C!
It taunts me every day I'm in Riverside...
Apparently, every UC school has a huge “C” hidden somewhere. Well, here is Riverside’s! Now it is one of those unspoken “must’s” that if you are a student at UC Riverside, you NEED to make it to the C at least once in your college career. I am NOT a student at UCR, but I work with students there, and I figured, how hard could it be?? I’m not in TOO bad shape.
The first time I hiked up to the C was my first year on staff here at UCR. We barely had any students, but the exciting thing was that this was the first major “women’s” activity our ministry had, which was a sleepover/movie night with the hike to the C early the next morning. Needless to say, I made it probably 2/3 of the way before I could not go any further. The young buckettes I was with quickly scurried up the rest of the way, where they got to enjoy the fruits of their hard work and gaze upon the city of Riverside. I sat on a rock somewhere by myself and threw scathing looks towards the “road-to-Mordor,” AKA the rest of the way up, while some old man made fun of UC Irvine alums for being too weak to handle the hike. Hmph!
Marsha, Mayra, and Allison enjoying the fruits of their youth at the C.
My second attempt took place last January. This failed attempt made more sense, as I was recovering from food poisoning and some other chronic colon problem. I literally blacked out at least three times, saw bright lights, etc. However, I still pushed myself farther than where I had made it previously. As I reluctantly left, I shook my fist at the C, declaring I would conquer it the next time I tried the hike.
Fast forward to last Tuesday. Mind you, RJ and I have been doing Insanity for more than a month, so I should be pretty strong, right? Hiking to the C should be ice cream and cakey cake, right??
Not so happy to try this again...
WRONG. Man, was I the caboose! Well, technically, RJ was the caboose because he was sweet enough to stay behind me just to make sure I didn’t die or anything. But I needed to stop a LOT, while the young kiddos just ran up ahead of me. Shame and dishonor upon my family for being so weak, even in my strong state!
- I am noticeably WAY far behind everyone else…
The reason why I can’t be mad at Shaun T for not preparing me better for this hike is that exercising on level ground works way different muscles than working out vertically. Did you SEE how steep the hike was??? Yah, it’s no picnic. Even doing a billion mountain climbers can’t help me up this mountain. And btw, did I mention that I’m almost 30, darnit! A major difference between this attempt and previous attempts was that this time, it really wasn’t really a matter of whether I would make it to the top, but WHEN I would make it. So Shaun T did his thang. Yah, we’re still cool, Shaun T…we’re still cool.
EXHAUSTION. And Brandon. =)
And I made it. And it was gloooooooorious!! Though not glorious enough for me to consider hiking it again. Once will be enough for a lifetime. But, another 30 before 30 accomplished, with 11 months left to go!
Me, Marsha (one of the freshmen from 3 years ago!), and Jenelle, the lone ladies!
All the young studs that made it up!
Basking in God's glory.
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SO…the updated list:
1. Read the New Testament, Proverbs, and Psalms in one year.
2. Sew an outfit that I’d be proud to wear out.
3. Build a chicken coop with RJ and start raising some chickens in our backyard.
4. Make some SWEET Halloween costumes!
5. Jar something.
6. Run a 5k.
7. Visit Taiwan and Indonesia and reconnect with both RJ and my cultural heritage.
8. Learn basic photography and how to use a photo editing program.
9. Get another tattoo.
10. Start exercising regularly.
11. Stop drinking diet coke.
12. Hike to the C.
13. Write a new song.
14. Re-record my old songs.
15. Finish a baby boy blanket I promised to make a friend back in 2005.
16. Bungee jump, even if it’s at a state fair.
17. Do Insanity in completion.
18. Become proficient in Mandarin.
19. Learn biblical Greek.
20. Climb real rocks at Joshua Tree.
21. Do two full pull ups.
22. Solidify my surfing skills.
23. Karaoke in front of others.
24. Be vegetarian for one month, instituting a one veggie day/week afterwards.
25. Ride a motorcycle. Not necessarily drive one, but ride one.
26. Get published somehow.
27. Go to a bed and breakfast with RJ.
28. Read Lord of the Rings in completion.
29. Go swing dancing with RJ at Coffee Depot.
30. Master the art of throwing a frisbee…BOTH forearm and backhand!
29a. Revised – more educated and proficient about different wines.
Alice you are so crazy! What a list. I think I have 5 things on my list before 30. I only have 5.5 months to go though. You are dedicated!