Mt Baker -Day 89 (Paul is the man!)

Three months are past and three more to go. The count down has more to do with getting into shape for the strenuous climb than anything else. Learned that thirty percent of climbers never make it to the top - more to do with physical and mental stamina. That is where my main man comes into picture. Paul has been my personal trainer for the last three months ( and actually sometime before that) and will be so for the next three months until climbing day. He works at the Harvard Club in mid-town Manhattan and has been not only been whipping me into shape but also providing inspirational support as well. "You can do this!" "You may be old but your tough!" Endurance, strength, core body elements, muscle memory for climbing, pull ups, push ups, sit ups, squats, lunges, aerobic, anaerobic are done on a nearly daily basis. Ran six miles in 48 minutes one day last week. Eighty pushups without stopping on the next day after that. This week I will see Paul the usual three times per week and try to get through the always new and surprising "routine".

I say three are down and three more to go because that's the deal. Alpine Ascents, Inc are constantly reminding me that my training should be going as expected. Their web sites as well as other training sites for climbing provide a six month regimen in preparation for summit day. Each of the ensuing months are more intense than the last and finally culminate in a day of rest before the summit. Thanks alot! Many times I have been tempted to drop the whole thing. The personal trainer deal for three of the seven days, however, makes it much easier and ensures that new and more demanding challenges are met. I meet with him today at the usual Monday at 4 PM and then return to the hospital to finish business.