This past week I was in Seattle for a conference and decided to add on an extra day to practice for my Rainier climb.  I sync'd up with one of the guys who helps organize the Rainier climb and we went to Mt. PilChuck (about 1.5 hours outside of Seattle).

It was a bit hard getting up at 6am after a week of late nights and busy days, but I was able to do it.  We got to the mountain at 9am.  We started at about 3,000 ft.  Then, proceeded to trek up the mountain for the next 2.45 hours where we then summitted at 5,400 feet.

The climb was very steep and it was all ice.  We carried ice axes in case we fell (we didn't) and also to help leverage ourselves up the mountain.

This was a gut check for me to see how well in shape I am.  I did good.  I kept up and had plenty of energy.  Towards the top I was just about out if it, but I think that was due to hunger.  The biggest takeaway for me was to eat - once we got on the summit I had 4 power bars and a thing of cheese and could have eaten a porterhouse.  I was so hungry from using up all the energy.  I had also downed about 60 oz of water.

I got to the summitt first and when i finally landed at the top you could see over the mountain on to the North Cascades mountain range, I started walking right towards is, assuming the other side of the mountain was like the side I just climbed up - I WAS WRONG... I quickly realized I was standing on an overhanged chuck of ice that had a cliff of about 1,000 feet.  I jumped back to safety there and then kept near the Rocky ridge of the summit the whole time.

It was a great time, but boy did I crash after the 4 hours.  It probably didn't help that I hadn't had much sleep or rest the whole week.

Anyway, that was the 1st Mt. train - I'll look to do at least 1 per month until I hit Rainier. (Which by the way, looking on it from Seattle last week it seems to have gotten much bigger -yikes).

So far, I have raised $1,420 towards my $2,500 goal.  I am incredibly greatful to those who have donated and really appreciate their support and friendship. 

As for training, I am now working out/exercising 6 days a week for at least an hour and am also starting to hike 3 hours each Sat. or Sun.  My buddies Boug and Jon are joining in.  My training right now is 4 times a week of cardio (45 to 60 minutes on Eliptical or Treadmill wearing a 20 pound backpack and with an average of 7 to 8 in incline or a 3 to 6 mile jog), 3 times a week doing weight training, stretching after each workout and doing yoga with Renee a few times a week, climbing the stairs to my office (20 floors) instead of the elevator, and the hike.

 

I am scheduled to hike half way up Rainier on May 9th & 10th with a guy who works in Seattle for Microsoft.  That will be the big test!

1. Renee's knee doctor has advised her not to climb.  SHe has some cartiledge issues that with as hard of a climb as Rainier, it could cause permanent damage.  So, she is not going to risk it.  I wll be doing it solo now

 

2. I am half way to my fundraiser goal - thank you to all who have donated - I greatly appreciate it.

 

3. Training is HELL.  I definately would have quit by now if I didn't already have people behind me and supporting me. Thank you all very much

Hello family and friends,

I am writing to make you aware of a fundraiser in which Renee and I are participating.  I appreciate you taking the time to read through the details below.

What we are doing: Renee and I plan to climb Mt. Rainier in Washington State on Aug. 17^th – 19^th.  We will spend three days/nights climbing and camping on the mountain and its glaciers.  This is an extremely difficult challenge and will require six months of intense endurance training in order to accomplish the climb.  Mt. Rainier is one of the largest peaks in North America, nearly 15,000 ft. of elevation, and is known as a training ground for attempting other climbs like Mt. Everest due to the large glaciers that reside on the mountain. 

Why we are doing it: the two C’s: 

1)       Challenge: it is an incredible life challenge that will push us to make healthy changes.  It requires tremendous dedication, energy, commitment, and discipline to train and accomplish the climb.

2)       Charity: This is where it gets complicated and cool.  This is a charity climb organized by Microsoft and Rainier Mountaineering Inc Guide Service, and requires that Renee and I each raise $2,500 ($5,000 total) that goes towards the funding of National Parks.  Our buddy, Bill Gates then matches our $2500 each.  Understanding that some people may not feel as passionate about National Parks as we do, we decided we also wanted to dedicate our climb as well as make a contribution to “Detroit Institute for Children”, a charity I participate in that provides specialized medical care to children with disabilities www.detroitchildren.org.  Renee and I will be personally matching a portion of each donation to help this organization.  Our contribution to Detroit Institute for Children will also be matched by Microsoft.  To clarify the above, here is a breakdown of how your donation will help and how your dollar equates to much more:

a.       For every dollar you donate, we will personally donate $.30 to Detroit Children.  Bill Gates, then will match every cent donated, thus doubling the impact.

                                                               i.      Example: you donate $20 - we match $6 – Bill Gates then matches $26 – thus, equating to $52 towards charities (Your $20 = $40 to National Parks, $12 to Detroit Institute for Children).

b.      In total, $5,000 will equate to $13,000 towards charity ($10,000 to National Parks, $3,000 to Detroit Children)

What we ask of you: simply consider donating towards our cause and help motivate us through the endurance training and climb.  You can email or call us with any questions.

Payment Instructions:  email me or go online at https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=10549 and make the donation.  For that, you’ll have to put it on behalf of Scott Pawloski (very important) and please put in my email as acknowledgement, so we know to thank you and to help track our pledge.

Thank you very much for considering helping.
Sincerely,

Scott and Renee

Over the past few months I have started to pick up the restaurant tab for any service men and woman.  I have done this 3 times now. In the first two instances I paid and left before they knew it, so I didn't want it to be uncomfortable for them.  But, the third time, last Saturday - I picked up the breakfast for 11 from  Selfridge.  I couldn't get out before the waitress went over and told them.  By the time I turned around after signing the bill, all of them were standing there behind me shaking my hand and thanking me.  Then, when I got in my car, one of the guys came and knocked on my window asking for my address and wanted to send something from the base.

 

I mention this because 1) it appears that they really do appreciate it which is great, and 2) it would be great if this happened to them more often.  So, maybe someone who may read this may take on the trend and make some service men and woman feel appreciated.

 

For the past 3 or 4 years, Renee and I during the holidays would send a ton of stuff over to the troops in Iraq and we would get letters back thanking us which made us feel good, but it is really nice to make sure to show appreciation to those here as well.

 

Just an idea of others can take on the trend

 

 

We thought of vactioning in January (Renee and I), but we decided not to leave the baby for six days.  So, we are now thinking a 3 day weekend.  Please post your thoughts on what is good in January.  Some ideas we are considering:

 

1) Lake Tahoe

2) LA

3) Miami

4) Aspen

5) Toledo???

Troy passed his six month of age mark and is now seeming like an old man.  He's up to 23 pounds and 28 inches long/tall.  His thieghs look like a large pack of uncooked sausage.  He can't crawl yet, but has figured out how to scott backwards and can travel through the house.  He now actually plays w/ his toys, but mainly tries to eat them.

He is a stud who sleeps from 8pm to 8am and barley cries at all (knock on screen).  He eats well and is near ready to start learning the guitar and how to throw a curve ball.

Thanks to my friend Suzanne... you must read this: http://4q.cc/index.php?pid=top100&person=chuck 

 

Top 100 Facts for Chuck Norris

Fact	# of Votes	Rating
Fact	# of Votes	Rating
Chuck Norris' calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd; no one fools Chuck Norris.	832	8.222
Chuck Norris once visited the Virgin Islands. They are now The Islands.	476	8.206
Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.	412	8.201
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.	768	8.193
Chuck Norris can speak braille.	448	8.181
Once, while having sex in a tractor-trailer, part of Chuck Norris' sperm escaped and got into the engine. We now know this truck as Optimus Prime.	308	8.166
Leading hand sanitizers claim they can kill 99.9 percent of germs. Chuck Norris can kill 100 percent of whatever the fuck he wants.	378	8.153
Chuck Norris was originally cast as the main character in 24, but was replaced by the producers when he managed to kill every terrorist and save the day in 12 minutes and 37 seconds.	466	8.137
Chuck Norris died ten years ago, but the Grim Reaper can't get up the courage to tell him.	296	8.068
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.	326	8.064
Superman owns a pair of Chuck Norris pajamas.	283	8.042
Chuck Norris owns the greatest Poker Face of all-time. It helped him win the 1983 World Series of Poker despite him holding just a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game Uno.	371	8.016
Chuck Norris does not hunt because the word hunting implies the possibility of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.	383	7.969
Once a cobra bit Chuck Norris' leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.	214	7.930
Chuck Norris puts the "laughter" in "manslaughter".	327	7.905
Chuck Norris can slam revolving doors.	286	7.832

Just like our terrible Tigers, I am heading to NYC to see them beat up on the Yankees. 

 

I'm very hurt, and offended (quote from Anchor Man) by their 5 loss streak, but maybe the Tiger's are ready to win.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BwllhIKf4w

The Raft up was killer this year.  Not sure the amount of boats but certainly should be the new record.  Here are some aerial pics:

 

 

Just got home today around 1:30 from the hospital.  Having now 10 days of struggles behind me things must be getting better or at least I'm going to hope.

 

My plan is to take it easy at home and relax and get through the week.

 

Thanks for all the support.