A Lovely Life

I've been wanting to give Kebler its own post because it deserves it. And so do I, for that matter. Some of you may have heard me reference Kebler. Some of you KNOW what Kebler was like because you were there. Some of you have no idea what I'm talking about, so let me elaborate. Kebler Pass is a mountain pass outside of Crested Butte here in Colorado. It summits at 10,007 feet and passes through the Gunnison National Forest and is a mixture of paved road and gravel. It's known for one of the largest Aspen forests in the United States. It's part of my Big Bike Adventure course and has been scheduled on the third (of four) day of my ride. It's big and bold and stunning. It's also the place I've learned (twice now) how to dig deeper than I have considered impossible.  I went into my ride with Noah in 2018 woefully underprepared. I hadn't looked at an elevation map, or any map for that matter, before taking this on. I knew it was gravel and I...

This will be a long one.  Mostly, for me. I want to savor every moment of what was the biggest physical (and emotional) challenge I've taken on. I want to relish this great accomplishment. If you're into small novels, sit back, grab a cup of coffee (or wine depending on the time of day) and come with me back through Helen & Noah's BIG Adventure. First, I have to say that our team of people was INCREDIBLE. I couldn't have asked for a better, more perfect group of humans. They played every "role" perfectly. I'll name them and give a general description of what they were around to do. However, I cannot possibly describe them or what they gave me any further. Simply put: I wouldn't have gotten through this without each of them. Naomi - Noah's Mom Stacy - my coach Peter - mechanic/sherpa/human compass Josh & Nic - our film crew Day 1: The Intro We got Noah into the trailer and learned quickly that zip ties would be our friends during...

Lots of things have started to happen as we are staring down our Big Adventure , so I figured I share and update here for those of you following along. Training I've officially moved over to 6 days of riding a week. I do a mix of trainer rides to target specific goals and rides outside. Up mountains. My coach takes exactly ZERO shit, which I need and am grateful for. Trailer We took our maiden voyage (sans Noah) up Lookout Mountain last Friday. For reference, Lookout is a 4.3 mile climb at an average grade of 6% with 1,700 feet of climbing. Remember that one time when I said I didn't climb? I do now. The following day I tried to add a measly 10 pounds to the trailer at an attempt to do a different route. I'm not sure if it was my body that felt beat down, my bike not having enough gears or just being exhausted or some combo of all of those, but it DID NOT GO WELL. I gave up, turned around and was pissed at myself. I got up the next day, put that trailer (appropri...

T-Minus 90 Days until we set on this adventure we've taken on. Time on the bike has amped up. I've been conquering mountain passes and roads I never thought were doable for a "non-climber" like me. I've been picking the brains of some inspirational people who have given me some invaluable advice. I'm coming up with an event "Bible". Figuring out how to raise $10,000. Making lists. Planning. Getting equally as nervous as I am excited. I've started to tell people about what we're doing in an attempt to spread the word because this is so important. Often, I get reactions of indifference. And sometimes I get asked, "Why? What does Noah, a kid who is so different than us 'normal' folk, get out of this?" That's been a really hard question to answer up until now. People don't get it. They don't get WHY.  This experience with Noah is teaching me that differences aren't road blocks. They're small speed bu...

Yesterday, I completed my 5th Half Marathon. It was the Colfax Half and it's been on the calendar for awhile. My plan was to push an assisted athlete solo with a local organization out here in Colorado. I'd like to say that yesterday was a PR. That I accomplished another big feat, checking some goal off my list. I can't say those things. What I can say is that it sucked. That it was my worst half marathon to date and that, by the time I finished, I had nothing left. I was dizzy and shaking and completely out of it.  BUT. We finished. I was the only single pusher to a disabled athlete. And it was my first time pushing solo. It was also the first time I had met my athlete, Isaac, not knowing much about him until race morning. We met in the parking lot. His mom got him out of his regular chair and into his race chair and we chatted a bit. She was awesome. Kind and happy and willing to let a perfect stranger take her kid on a jaunt around Denver for a couple of hours....

This photo has some rather inexpensive (re: CHEAP) race medals from races with the cutest (re:dorkiest) names, but they represent something BIG. They represent a few months of hard work, dedication, commitment and reaching a goal. FINALLY. I've mentioned before my inability the last few years to be able to set a goal and maintain it. That inability had left me feeling unaccomplished and down right lazy. I've done things, but with no real dedication or thought or training. Late last year, I decided to finally do something about that. To commit to something. And I was scared. Scared I'd do what I've done for years - give up. Quit. Make excuses for why I can't. So I decided that 2018 will be the year that changes. This year holds some big goals, the first being a small running race series in Littleton. Yesterday I finished my first solo half marathon. I hit some big milestones yesterday outside of just doing 13.1 miles. I surprised myself in the best possib...

A year ago today, I arrived in a snow storm at 9,000 feet after dark to my temporary living space in on Shadow Mountain in Colorado. I was tired and sick and hangry and incredibly emotional. We made it. Now what? This past year has gone by like a blur, but there are so many incredible moments that I was able to truly savor that it also feels like this place has always been my home. Home. Everything that I expected to experience I did: Loneliness - 9,000 feet up a mountain with just a dog is LONELY Sadness - missing my network of people, my go to's Excitement - new places to see and experience Fear - stepping outside of my comfort zone daily to get used to this new life Awe - this place, well, it's stunning Confidence - finding my place here and doing it solo has been everything I needed I am thankful for every tear and every smile and every "AH HA!" moment. For the times I sat on my floor with my arms around Brucey's neck in tears. For every time I...

It's New Year's Eve. I always find myself a little emotional (shocking) and a lot reflective when it's time to say goodbye to one year and welcome in a new one. This year, like last, though, there is a profound feeling of excitement. 2017. January. Goodbye to Georgia. Hello to #coloRADo. Snow. Tears. COLD. New job. Celebrating having Brucey for 1 year. ADJUSTMENT. February. Intro to hiking. Brewery visits. Cristy visits from Georgia! Fat biking. Snow shoeing. Pam visits from Alabama! My attempt to date again.. March. The Publix Half Marathon (marathon #2) with #TEAMNOAH. Visits with my Georgia family...lots of hugs. So much more snow (and stuck cars) April.  Snow. AGAIN. Chase visits from Georgia! Moved into my first, big girl apartment. Meet the Malloys and become fast friends. Sarah and Mike visit from California! First trip to Boston. The best visit with Uncle Paul and Aunt Irena. May. Starting to feel settled into my job. Summer! Hikes...

In 2015, I met Noah Williams and his mom, Naomi, in a hotel in Washington, D.C. while helping out with The Kyle Pease Foundation at Marine Corps Marathon. My life's perspective has changed since meeting them. <--BIG understatement Noah has some significant disabilities, but as he and Naomi prove every. single. day. he is not defined by them. In fact, Noah is redefining what success looks like for everyone who has the pleasure of knowing him. He's a full time student, an accomplished athlete (more races that I can count) and artist. That kid is pure magic and that toothy grin of his is simply the best.  His mama isn't so bad, either. She allows me to take her kid at any time and literally run without question or hesitation. A great "happenstance" to all of this is that she has become one of my closest friends. To date, I've completed 2 half marathons with these two and announced my retirement in the middle of each one because running is not my fa...