Out Of My Cave

Several weeks ago, my dad took me out for dinner while he was up in Denver. During the course of the conversation, he basically told me I lived a hermit's life. Now, I know I tend to hang out at my apartment with my cat more than I do with actual human beings, but a hermit? Me? I'm not a social butterfly, but I definitely didn't think I was a hermit. Well, enter in a few sleepless nights, a couple of stressful weeks, and I did what I usually do when I'm really stressed: crawl into my little cave and hide from the world. Hence the reason I have not been blogging lately. But, I can only be anti-social and anti-blogging for so long...especially beings I've officially received a challenge from my dear husband...drum roll.......

So, if you are from the Denver area, you have most likely heard of the Incline in Manitou Springs. Several years ago (and quite a few pounds lighter) my youngest sister and I climbed the Incline. In one word, it was brutal. As I was dramatically telling Jason about how hard and brutal the climb is, I let it slip that it's only a mile. Yes, only a mile. Even Jason said, "It's only a mile?" Ok, so maybe it really is "only a mile," but it's the suckiest mile you'll ever experience in your life!

As you can see from the diagram, the mile is straight up the side of a mountain. And trust me, you definitely hit that 68% grade. And see the lovely photograph? Yeah, that's only at halfway. Well, back to my little incline rant. So, Jason decided that this will be "excellent training" to do once or twice a week. Yeah, right on honey. Knock yourself out. If you want to drive 110 miles round trip every week to submit yourself to elevation torture, you just go ahead and do that! Me, on the other hand, I'll settle for continuing to get myself into shape just I can survive Jason's suicidal pace that he'll attempt to climb this beast in! Even though Jason and I have known eachother for 5 years, he has only seen my competitive streak once (I believe this involved a nerf bullet to the head and getting his butt royally kicked at air hockey, but I'll save that story for another time). However, he hasn't seen my competitive streak out in full force. I am not a graceful loser. I'm even ultra competitive when I play monopoly, just ask a former roommate and my sisters & mother who now refuse to play with me. The point is, after hearing Jason say, "It's only a mile" I am determined to make him suffer during every step of that mile! hahaha I don't care if I have to body check him, sprint up the last incline and nose dive across the last railroad tie, I will beat him to the top...boy do I have my work cut out for me!