Okay I’m signed up to hike Kilimanjaro. I’ve paid the expedition deposit, purchased overseas insurance including $250,000 emergency medical evacuation, repatriation and $500,000 medical expenses. I’ve personalized my fundraising page; now what do I do? I’ve committed to climbing a 19,000+ ft mountain. I’ve set a goal of fundraising $10,000.00. What have I gotten myself into? I can’t climb a hill let alone a mountain. I’ve been quite sick for 12 of the last 16 months. I’ve only now starting to recover some of my strength and stamina. I’ve got a long uphill climb ahead of me figuratively and literally.
The best way I can think of to strengthen my legs is ride my bike. So I start by going around the block. Not as easy as it sounds, I live in a hilly neighborhood. Next I ride to the rail trail and go up and down that 5 mile track. It takes me 1 hr 45 min. Every time I ride I stay on the bike a little longer until I feel like I can actually go hiking. October 29th is a scheduled training hike with my team in training group. I hope I can keep up.
Fundraising is another hurdle although I feel that I can start slow. I have to concentrate on training right now so a few emails to family and friends will get the fundraising ball rolling. The results from the initial email are surprising. People that you expect to be responsive do nothing while donations come in from unlikely sources. I don’t even recognize one of the donors. There are many more people I can send emails to I just need to customize the solicitation message. I’ll make time for that soon. Next month I’ll do a Facebook campaign. If I have time I’ll make bracelets and sell them for a fundraiser. I’ll finish strong with my fundraising. I truly would like to raise the 10K.
In addition to training and fundraising I’m seriously considering approaching outdoor sports companies to sponsor me. The list of equipment I need for the expedition is lengthy and expensive. I’m hard pressed to pay for the trip, not completely sure how to acquire the equipment. Especially the things that I may never use again like a 10* mummy style sleeping bag. I’m not into roughing it so the chance that I’ll ever use the bag again are slim. I try not to worry how much I have to do. I can only do as much as I can today. One day at a time. Right now it’s time to hop on the treadmill and do some cardio.