Help me achieve my dream!

The time has come, once again, for me to attempt to climb another of the world's tallest mountains.  This time I am aiming for Mt. Elbrus, the tallest mountain in Europe, at over 18,500 feet.  I am planning on climbing with Rainier Mountaineering again.  My hopeful trip is scheduled for July 5th, 2013.  Here is where YOU come in.  This time around, I am trying to fund-raise a lot of the trip cost.  My goal is to raise $6000 from friends and family to cover a lot of the climb's expenses.  My theory is this:  if I can get 600 people in the world to just donate at least $10, I'll have the money I need.  I don't mean to sound sad or pathetic, but I am looking for the support and kindness of good people to help me achieve my dream of touching the highest point of all 7 continents.  I am a simple cook, husband, and father.  None of those things lead to me being a wealthy man.  But, this passion I have is an expensive one, and it dawned on me a long time ago that if I plan on continuing this quest, I'm going to need help.....

Here is my time frame:  I need to have $1,500 as a deposit 1 year in advance (July 5th, 2012).  Then, the balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the climb, which is also when I need to purchase my flight.  Please find it in your heart to find $10 to donate to this climb.  You have the opportunity to help someone's dream come true.  There is no charity involved, no funny business, and no false claims.  I just want to climb.  I will be continuing to post, beg, and plead until I have the funds I need.

Chef Wilson, my boss at Arizona Culinary Institute, has agreed to allow me to use the school as "home base" for my fund-raising efforts.  More official information will be coming soon, but in the mean time, if you think you can help, please email me or contact me on facebook for details.  Thank you in advance for your love and compassion.

Happy New Year

     Hello out there.  2012 has arrived.  With each passing year, the time to reflect on last year comes to mind, and then it's time to plan/scheme for the new year.  First on the block:  the annual Rock and Roll Arizona half-marathon and marathon.  This year I switched back to the half.  My goal is to set a new personal record.  My previous record is about 1 hour and 43 minutes, so I'd like to come in under 1 hour and 40 minutes.  This year there is a pretty good sized group of us running:  myself, my brother, my wife, my father in law, a student, and a few friends.  Each one of us has a different personal goal, but we all share one thing in common:  On January 15th we'll be running a half marathon!  For some of the group it will be their first, and others of us are enduring again.  Either way, it's a very rewarding experience once you cross that finish line.  We'll all be rocking our new "team ACI" running jersey's to represent the marriage of food and fitness!  It's a wonderful event every year, and if you've ever considered trying a half-marathon, I absolutely recommend this one.   Updates soon.

Amica Sprint Triathlon and Cave Creek Bello Fondo

I just finished up my last two events of the season:

The first was the Amica Series Sprint Triathlon.  It was a great experience, and I did a lot better than I expected.  It certainly made me excited for next year.  It was a half mile swim, 16 mile bike, and a 3 mile run.  My time was around 1 hour and 35 minutes.

The second was the Cave Creek Cycling Festival Bello Fondo.  It was a 50-mile casual road ride.  The course was nice, but it was raining a lot.  My overall time was about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The rest of the year is pretty much holidays, catering, and survival mode.  Next year starts off with the annual Rock and Roll Arizona half-marathon.  Until then, happy holidays!

31 years old

Today is my birthday.  I am 31 years old today.  I'm a pretty lucky guy.  I am married to a wonderful woman.  We have a beautiful son together.  We live in a great condo, in a great location.  I have a job that I absolutely love...I get paid to teach people how to cook.  Every day of my life, I wake up in beautiful Arizona and I hike, climb, run, bike, swim, and explore the limits of what my body can do.  I have great parents, and awesome siblings.  I love music, particularly heavy metal.  I have two cats that I love.  My life is good.  I feel fortunate to know who I am, and what I want.  I am proud to say that I've achieved it all without the help of any religion.  I do not drink, smoke, or use illegal drugs, all by personal choice.  It has been a great 31 years.  I am looking forward to a few more.....

Something big.....my birthday treat!

This weekend, Saturday, October 15th to be exact, I was able to accomplish a major personal challenge.  This is an event that some call "Hole-to-Hump", which basically involves linking the deepest canyon in Arizona (Grand Canyon), and the tallest mountain in Arizona (Humphreys Peak) together for a very long day.  There are many manifestations of how to do this, but here is mine:  start in the early morning with a hike on Humphreys Peak, then ride my bike from the Humphreys trailhead to the Grand Canyon, then hike the South Kaibab trail in the canyon to the river and back, all in one day.
The journey started around 3:30am in Phoenix.  All of the people involved in the event started our drive up to Flagstaff.  We arrived at the Humpheys trailhead and began our hike at 6am.  Myself, my sister, and my friend James all participated in the hike.  The hike is 9 miles round trip, with 3,600 feet of elevation gain.  By 10:45 we had reached the summit and made it safely back to the car.  It took me about 45 minutes to change and "gear-up" for the bike.  My wife, sister, and son hopped in the car with the plan to meet me at the half-way point for a safety check.  Then, I headed off on my solo bike journey.
About 70 miles, 2 flat tires, and a few meetings with my "support crew" later, I arrived at our hotel at the Grand Canyon.  I started the ride around 11:30am, and finished around 4:00pm.  The ride was long, but my speed averaged around 18.5 miles per hour.  After arriving, I changed again, refueled myself and got ready for the third, and final, leg of the journey.
My wife dropped me and my sister at the South Kaibab trailhead, and we began our hike around 6pm.  The hike is 13 miles round trip, with 4,500 feet of elevation gain.  We only had about 30 minutes of day-light, and the rest of the hike was by headlamp.  As always, it was tough going, and the Canyon was relentless.  But 5 short hours later, at 11pm, we emerged from the Canyon victorious.  Lacie picked us up, then it was back to the hotel for showers and sleep.
The mission is accomplished.  My version of "Hole-to-Hump" is over.  It was a great adventure, and another great entry in my proud book of accomplishments.  It was only possible with the help and support of my wonderful wife, and my talented sister.  I owe them both so much.  Now, what's next?.....

Tour de Scottsdale, 2011

On Saturday, October 2, 2011, I participated in the Tour de Scottsdale!  It was a 70-mile road-bike ride around Scottsdale and Fountain Hills.  My finishing time was 3 hours and 45 minutes.  My overall place was 472 out of 1126.  I averaged 18.5 mph for the ride, and my top speed was about 42 mph.  It was a great event.  Other than my half-ironman, this was the first organized road race I've ever participated in.  It was also the longest bike ride I've ever been on.  I loved the atmosphere and the experience.  I hope to do many more in the future!