Incredible and Inspiring

I've been enjoying watching the Pyeongchang Olympics. It's been such a treat.
Ever since "my" Olympics, in Sarajevo, I've been closely following the Winter Olympics events.
And inevitably each Olympics had stories that have become part of history.

Pyeongchang Olympics hasn't been different - there have been already a couple of amazing achievements, but I will focus here on women's alpine skiing.

Yesterday, during women's Super G race, things were going almost in a routine fashion. The best in the world were holding the first three spots (except that the best out of best ones was sharing the fifth place. And she would've been leading if she didn't make that error at the very end).

And then something happened that has never happened before. The girl who wasn't supposed to be on the top, or in the top twenty, started her run as the 26th skier. Her run was bumpy, wild, maybe shaky too, but throughout the run, she was leading and when she crossed the finish line, her time was in "green".
That meant that she was leading, that she posted the fastest time. She was 0.01 seconds, faster than the current leader, the defending Olympic champion from the skiing nation, Austria.

TV camera focused on her upper body, so we were able to see her face. Her face looked puzzled. She was standing there, almost confused, I guess looking at that green colour, and not believing that she was indeed on the top. That was something so pure and amazing.

This was more incredible because she is not a skier, she is a snowboarder, that's what you'll find on the internet, and even more importantly, that's who she considered herself to be - a snowboarder.

An even more amazing reaction, excitement, and emotions came from commentators. Our Canadian commentators were freaking out - they let out their emotions too, it was pure happiness. Like kids.

It felt so good to watch and to listen to all of that.

Another crazy thing is that she borrowed Super-G skis before the race, and her lender was another equally amazing athlete.

The good thing for us, for viewers and audience, is that there still might be more. Ester Ledecká will compete in her snowboarding events, in the sport that she's dominated. That means that she has a chance to win gold in snowboarding. If that happens, it will be the first time ever that anyone won a gold medal (or medals) in different sports in the winter Olympics.
What a treat to watch that.

What she did is comparable to someone who is really good at badminton but decides to play tennis as well, and then goes to Wimbledon and wins it.
How incredible that would be.

The Olympics have been always been inspirational from so many angles. This was the ultimate one. Perhaps the most descriptive and humble comment came from the best female skier ever - she said:
"All I can say is I wish I had so much athleticism as she does to be able to win at two sports in the same Olympics, because I'm only good at one sport, and that's ski racing. So the fact that she was able to beat all of us and be a snowboarder is pretty darn impressive".

There are no limits.

Twofers

There are days when I am inspired to do more. On those days I feel lighter than usual, but there are days when I feel tired. However, I still do more.

It is not that I don't do enough, I am quite productive (well, I still have slacker days) - it's when I feel the absence of physical pain that I obtain when doing my sports. Obviously, things are not same as they were 15 years ago - I need more time for recovery, and I need more time to warm up.

I learned to warm up properly. I remember, some 11-12 years ago while playing tennis with my mentor Jack, I was quite impatient - as he would take his time to warm up and get going. I was eager and ready to hit hard from the very start but Jack wasn't. He took his time, and I was annoyed by that. At that time I didn't know that I would be applying the same "technique" in the future.

So, yes - I do take my time now, and I do warm up properly  :)

But, I still do more, when I am inspired. There are days when I do two things - I go running and then I go to the yoga class. Or I go running and then I play tennis. Or I run, I cycle, and I play tennis.
I often do more than one activity during the day. And I really do it, I push hard. That means that if you see me during or after my activity I will be sweaty and my heart rate will be elevated. When I have fun, I really have fun. Even when fun is running or cycling uphill.

Of course, in many instances "less is more", and I apply that too.

Not until a month ago did I know how to call such endeavors. I didn't have a name for the days when I was doing more than one activity.
And than, after reading a book by an iconic mountain climber Ed Viesturs "No Shortcuts to the Top", I learned a great way to call these activities.
As a high mountain climber, Ed Viesturs would sometimes climb two 8000 meter peaks during one expedition. The first climb would be used for acclimatization, and that enabled him to climb the second one easier. He called it a "Twofer", and he did quite a few of them. Climb two 8000 meter peaks during one trip to Himalayas.
That is indeed such an effort that I guess, only him and his partners (and few others who did it) can comprehend. I guess, it gets "easier" when you do it once, or twice :).
I recommend reading the book, and perhaps reading his other books. Even if you don't hike, scramble, climb, or even if you are not active. It will inspire you to become better.

So, let's get back to twofers.
Well, I am also tough :) as I do my twofers too. They are of course quite different than Ed Viesturs twofers (and much easier  :)), but as my friend Stephane says, all of us are at a different level, and each one of us has his/her own zone in which we operate..
So at my level, I do two and sometimes three activities in a day. For example, I will go running 10 km today, and in the evening I will go to do yoga.
When in the office, I will ride my bike to work, go running while there, ride my bike home, and then play tennis in the evening. Or will do yoga.
That means I would do almost a double twofer in a day. Or just a twofer.
It does feel good when I do it using only my power. When I am not stuck in traffic. When I run for 60 minutes and I don't see anyone.
When I don't have a smart phone.

Convincing Myself

The goal is to do it

I love running in winter. I even do the most of my running during winter months. And where I live, we get real winters, cold and long. Winters with a lot of snow but also winters with lots of sunshine and blue bird days.

Last winter I ran 15 times in November, 16 times in December, 15 times in January, 16 times in February, and 15 times in March. 77 times in total.

This winter so far I ran 10 times in November and 5 times in December. Well, I've been busy with mountain climbing for the last couple of months so I slowed down.

Running in winter is like a long game of convincing someone to do something that will hurt at first but it will definitely turn into something that feels great. But they don't know about the "pleasant" part. It is an exploration exercise, again connected with pain and pleasure. How cold is it outside? How much new snow did we get last night? How icy is it? How windy? Which hat should I wear? Which gloves should I wear? Do I need my shoes with spikes or my waterproof shoes?

There are so many parameters to a pleasant run.. But then, if I know everything, nothing is interesting anymore.

Therefore, many times I just get out of the house wearing only basics and I just go. I get exposed to elements. And that's beautiful.

Sometimes I change my route on the fly. If there was too much snow and my route is taking me uphill, especially if there is a long climb, I choose something easier. In the past I would plow my way through the deep snow but lately my hip flexors complain about it.

I also change my route if it gets too warm or when there is new snow during last seven days. Running on a little bit of new snow, on a warm day, when temparature is in range between -4 C and + 2 C is similar to running through quick sand. Two steps forward, one step back. Not even spikes help. I call it "suffering" (really, it is not, but it hurts, and I want less pain).

Cold world that is not cold, but just it is

When it is really cold in my world, and for me that is under -20 C, it is only hard before I get outside as I am procrastinating, and during first 10 minutes until I warm up. It is too hard to get out from warm house to this polar world. When I start running my face is cold as I never wear a face mask, and my eyes get wet. So I am struggling at the beginning. At the same time, when it is really cold there are no problems with sandy snow, cold wind - well, it is already too cold anyway - and the best part, there is nobody out there. The truth is that usually there is nobody out there anyway - but when it is - 25 C, then I could be on Mars and it would be same in terms of people.

During my winter runs I enjoy experiencing elements, cold, brisk air, falling snow, bright sunshine, cold wind - and also it is great to listen to my steps on the ice and snow, as I already mentioned. 

Crunchy sound produced by my feet's interaction with the ice and snow - so rhythmic and powerful, it gives me assurance about my own power.

By moving like this, using only my own power, I feel closer to beings that we were once before in the past. By being exposed to the elements, I feel again closer to our ancestors who were free of "progress", but rich with understanding and connection with nature.

Running during winter months makes me feel human again. It gives me assurance that the world is indeed beautiful, when not endangered by some humans. Running in the winter helps me understand myself and it makes me free and understood.

In the right place, at at right time, with the right people

Many times we search for something and it is said that we are on a journey. That being such an inevitable truth, "searching" has become a cliche. However, there are instances in which we were simply shown the way, we were directed towards something, we were helped to start our journey even when we never thought about it.

We were in the right place, at the right time, with the right people.

During one of charity events that Bob helped organizing

Five years ago I was exactly there. My good friend Bob Ascah came one day to my office at work looking for somebody on my floor. I don't recall who he was trying to find. But, haven't seen him since late September, I asked him how's he been and what he's been doing lately. Bob said that he was "attending this club" at Shaw Conference Centre. He also asked me if I wanted to join him the following Thursday, as the club was meeting on Thursdays.
I simply said "yes".
Oh, he also said that these meetings were early in the morning, at 7 AM (I must say that 7 AM was a bit of turn-off, awfully early for me :)).

So, I went with him to the meeting I didn't know anything about, except that it was "structured". While we were walking towards the meeting salon, Bob asked me how I wanted to be introduced. I said: "Bob, you know a lot about me - so you can improvise".

Bob in action

When we arrived, there were already ~15 people, half of them in suits, with no hair, with gray hair, and somehow it felt serious during the first contact. But then, everyone approached me and greeted me, so I immediately felt better.
Bob helped me to sit down by his seat and explained that we were at Toastmasters meeting. Until then I haven't heard about Toastmasters. I didn't know it existed, even though, this organization just turned 85.

That was a start of my Toastmasters journey.

Five years after that cold and significant December morning I am still on that journey. It has never ended. There was Boris before that day and there is Boris after that day.

I could write a book about this excursion, but perhaps I am not a writer. I can only say that I am more complete thanks to this extraordinary journey that started quite accidentally and quite impromptu.
I am happy to think that I was open minded to accept Bob invite in December 2008.

I have completed 34 speeches so far

I will write about it in the future as I believe that everyone should try it out, to gain knowledge that is not that easy to gain. I can share that knowledge.
It is a great way to become more complete and to become a real player, someone with credibility and someone who will be taken seriously.
And best of all, by having fun and by meeting extraordinary people.

Boris

Real freedom on Mt.Temple

While skiing thousand of times at Lake Louise I was looking at Mt.Temple with an awe, and always wondered how would feel to step on the summit of this magnificent mountain.

This is how tourists see Mt.Temple from Lake Louise ski resort

Finally, I decided to do it this summer and after climbing a couple of smaller mountains in June and July, the D-day was set - July 27th.
This time, our little team was comprised of 4 members - beside Mike, Gennady and me, we had my friend Gyula join us for this little climbing adventure.

Gyula, Gennady, Mike, BB

For those who don't know mountains and for those who do, Mt.Temple has been climbed many times, using different routes. So called "tourist" route is the easiest one, but it would be foolish to underestimate it. It is a tough scramble, emphasized by 1700 m elevation gain in only 8 km, and couple of exposed sections that require some climbing skills. The climb requires a helmet, an ice axe, and crampons, depending on the time of climbing. It is also prudent to carry some rope as it could be very helpful on exposed sections.

"Tourist" route (click on the picture to see bigger size)

Bottom line is, don't underestimate the mountain. Don't underestimate any mountain.

Mt.Temple is the 6th highest mountain in Alberta, only 204 m "shorter" then the highest Alberta peak, Mount Columbia.

We left Banff early so that we can start our climb early - again one of basic rules for mountain climbing. Give yourself an extra time as you never know when you'll need it. We left Moraine lake parking lot at 6:50 AM, and there were already 2 bigger groups of climbers in front of us.

"Boring" phase of the climb

We were quickly advancing trough forest towards the Larch Valley, and this was quite boring part of the climb. It is always boring to climb through forest, as you don't see anything. However, the morning was so fresh and air was tasty, and when we reached the Larch Valley, and when the view towards 10 peaks above the Valley of Ten Peaks opened up, we immediately increased usage of our photo cameras.

Continuing our trek, we were now able to see the west side of Mt.Temple that we'll be climbing soon. It still looked so little, from distance, but it was becoming bigger and bigger as we were getting closer to the steep switchback section towards the Sentinel Pass.

Advancing surely - Pinnacle mountain in front of us

Towards switchbacks to Sentinel Pass

View to the Valley of 10 Peaks

Lots of smiles

We passed between two little lakes, the bigger one being just below Mt.Pinnacle and at that moment I let my fellow climbers go in front of me, so that I could take some pictures of them - they looked so small comparing to Mt.Pinnacle on the left and Mt.Temple on the right. The switchbacks towards Sentinel Pass were (again) boring, but psychologically, we knew that very soon we'll start the 'real' climb, and that was somehow liberating.

We reached Sentinel Pass exactly 2 hrs since leaving Moraine Lake. We caught one group of climbers who started before us, but they were going to Paradise Valley - the other group was already far up, and I couldn't see them anymore.
There are amazing views from here, and especially at this early hour, when light played game of shadows. Nature is the only real owner of the Earth.

Paradise Valley

Gyula taking photos of Paradise Valley

This was in front of us

One side of Pinnacle mountain

Valley of 10 Peaks, lakes and Pinnacle

Gyula and I had to constantly wait for Mike and Gennady as their pace was much slower. We had to pay attention to this as demanding sections were in front of us.

From Sentinel Pass we advanced quickly over very steep and rocky section. At this point we put our helmets on, as we entered treacherous sections. Gyula was climbing very quickly, but at one point he missed a route, climbed too high and got stuck in this steep, scree covered gully. He even started a solid rock slide that fortunately missed me. At that moment, I quickly traversed that section, and then waited for Gyula to climb down and join me at this point.

You can see Gyula at the top right, in a "scree" river

Some posing - Pinnacle mountain

Scrambling towards the crucifix section

Mike

Mike was very strong

When we reached "first grey rock band", we stopped and waited for Mike and Gennady as at this point climbers could be lured by the long traverse, that would result with much tougher cliff bands to climb.

It was not only them to arrive to this point - a young couple also showed up, and that was nothing surprising, except that the girl was pregnant! We chatted a bit, and we learned that she was due in 3 months - I thought, "This is quite amazing". I am not sure that I would take Ada to climb such a tough mountain if she were 6 months pregnant.
Nevertheless, we continued our climb - I was now a sweeper, and I had to "push" the pregnant girl at the next very steep section. Good thing was that she knew what she was doing.

Very soon, after we passed snow covered gully, we encountered the "crucifix" of this route. Again, for real climbers, this is very little annoyance. However, for everyone else, it could be life endangering.
It is called "5 and 3 steps", as you have to vertically climb two rocks - this is not much at any standard, but it is very exposed. If you crash here, you could end up flying hundreds of meters towards the bottom.

Mike, climbing the "5 step"

Advancing on "easy" section

Gyula and Mike on the toughest part

It is not too tough, but....

Gyula went first, and then Mike, using the same route. Gennady went through a "chimney" section, but he had to remove his backpack, as it was too narrow. He also left his trekking polls, so I climbed with them.

After this 'dangerous' section, we continued the grind. It was getting colder and colder. This mountain also requires good finding route skills. You also have to memorize the route for descend, and this is of paramount importance in a bad weather.

We followed the cairned trail to the ridge crest, by ascending the rock steps. We stayed to the side of the gully, as we wanted to play safe, just in case if anyone were in front of, in case of rock slides.

The ridge. Still long way to the top.

Paradise Valley

Gyula on the Ridge

Gyula conquering the ridge

Mt.Pinnacle looks so little from this point

Finally, the summit ridge came into view. There were 2 guys there, resting - they were on their way back.
I must say that I wished we were going back, as when looking to the ridge above me, I was thinking how we are going to climb it.
It looked brutally steep and long.
When Gyula and I started climbing it, it proved to be even harder, as loose scree didn't give us any footing. It was as we were climbing in quick sand. At this point we didn't wait for Mike and Gennady as it was taking too much time for them to climb. They were way below, but they were climbing together, and at their pace.

It was getting even colder, so I put my jacket on, but I was lazy to put long pants on. It will turn out later that I shouldn't have been that lazy.

"Baby" couple and Gyula

Gyula advancing despite cramps

It is damn steep!

Another fake smile  :)

I was climbing the ridge using my "100 steps and rest" technique. I stayed close to the ridge as the footing was better there. Gyula and I climbed together for next 250 vertical meters, and then he had to slow down as he was getting cramps. I guess my friend didn't drink enough water. He told me to go without him, and that he would catch up.

I thought I would wait for him at the false summit so that we "attack" the summit together. My legs were heavy, and my heart rate was in a red zone. I had to lower down number of my steps to 50. I kept looking high up and I was able to see the amazing "baby" couple. They were advancing slowly but surely. I was almost catching them, but on the false summit I waited for Gyula. We did a little "interview" there, and continued conquering the ridge. From this point we still had around 150 vertical meters.
This certainly doesn't sound too much, but we already did 1550 m in some 5 hrs, so it was evident that this last section was a giant grind. It was not that steep as the long false summit ridge section, but it was nevertheless long.

Bravo Gyula!!

Time of arrival

Bravo me!  :) (And fake smile)

Wandering around, on the top

Gyula - self portrait, on the top of Mt.Temple

Gyula had to slow down, but we were almost on the top. Once I reached it, I was free, happy, tired, cold, and I wasn't king of the world. Ah, I wished I had my long pants on, as wind was punishing my exposed skin on my legs. I also haven't used my gloves until this point so my hands were freezing - so much that it was hard to hold my photo camera.

The baby couple congratulated me, and vice-versa, and I was totally amazed by this girl. It was something I will remember for a long time.

Then Gyula arrived - my friend conquered this big mountain despite nasty cramps that he had to battle on the ridge. I knew he would make it, as I don't know anyone that strong.

We photographed each other, did some other photo shots and videos, and very soon we started our descent. It was too cold to hang out on the top of Mt.Temple. The wind was too strong. I (finally) put gaiters on (not long pants), and my gloves - thinking why I didn't do it earlier. Well, I learned my lesson, again.

We knew that Mike and Gennady will have to turn back, as it was getting too late, and they were probably at least 1.5 hrs behind us. It would be too long for us to wait for them at the crucifix section. We would be freezing.

We met them some 300 vertical meters from the summit. They were progressing slowly, and they left their backpacks at the start of the ridge. At that moment they made the right decision - they joined us in descent.

I am not going to write about the descent. It was long and tough, and our knees and joints were in lots of pain. It was also interesting at the crucifix section as we had to use ropes to lower Mike and Gennady. Good thing was that nobody got hurt and that we executed everything properly.

This is what Mt.Temple can do to you :)

Mt.Temple is not technically difficult mountain, but it will drain you. It will show you who is the boss. It will give you a different view to nature, and power of nature. It will also give you a joy of real freedom, and a real connection with the nature. It will seduce you and lure you to come again.

My friend's success

It's been more than 7 years since I started practicing Bikram yoga. I remember vividly when I went first time to the yoga studio on December 13th, 2005. I expected half naked sweaty people and environment full of sexual energy. I thought that I would "check out all attractive women" in the class.
Hahaha!
What was I thinking about?? Well, it didn't take long time for other thoughts to kick in. Actually, a real survival mode was triggered, and after less then 5 minutes I didn't see all these attractive women, I didn't care about these women, it didn't matter that they were in front me, stretching and showing amazing form of their bodies. I wanted to survive and my body was surviving. I lost count of poses, and it didn't matter anymore if there were 15, 20 or 26 of them. I was wondering if the hell was as hot as the practice room.

Well, I did survive it, and I actually stayed inside of the room for whole 90 minutes. I even didn't miss any of 26 poses that comprise Bikram yoga practice. I even came back 4 times in next 6 days and after that, I was "officially" hooked up to Bikram yoga. Ever since that cold December day I haven't looked back and I continued to practice it. I must express my big thanks to two wonderful girls who took me to yoga on that December 13th, Elisabeth and Kamila.

I've gained amazing benefits from the practice. It helped me both, physically and mentally. It helped me maintain my flexibility, strength and enabled me to become tougher. So many times I hit the wall, but then, I would still prevail by staying in the room and continuing practice, and usually, there would be a second wind and I would be triumphant at the end.

It taught me to hang on 20 seconds longer, 30 seconds longer, even when pain was unbearable. There were moments when I wasn't able to decrease my heart beat, and there were moments as I was in a death zone on Shishapangma, when I was grasping for air. But I would still continue doing it. I learned that I can do anything that lasts 20 seconds, even 30, 40, or 60 seconds. Why wouldn't I be able to do it? It taught me not to quit, not to resign. It eliminated the "give up" switch from my brain, and I didn't have choice anymore - only choice was to be there and do it.
This helped me so much in running and free style skiing. Every time when I was hitting the wall, during fast cross-country races during big hill climbs, when my heart was almost exploding, I would still continue, and I never quit any race, and I never stopped running in any race, not for even 3 seconds, since 2005. It somehow refreshed my internal toughness routines, and it seemed that I didn't recognize pain.
It helped me stop that burning sensation in my thighs and quads while competing in Mountain Smoker ski race. My legs were certainly complaining about it, but I was not quitting and I was not slowing down.

It brought awareness about my own power and how much I can do with my own body. It helped me understand myself better.

Through the years I invited some of my friends to the practice, and majority of them came couple of times but they were not persistent and they never reaped the benefits of Bikram yoga. I was happy that they would come, at least once, as I was sharing something new and different with them. I also knew that they knew what was working best for them. I still wish that they continued it.

Gyula and yoga

For years I was trying to convince my friend Gyula, to join me in practicing Bikram yoga. We've shared a long history of unprecedented adventures, and I was craving to see him sweat and "suffer" during yoga practice, and actually conquer it at the end.
I talked lot about it. I demonstrated some of the poses. I challenged him by questioning his toughness:" My friend, you say that you are tough. Well, if you are so tough, you'll come with me. Let's find out how tough you are".  :)
Gyula didn't listen anything I was telling him. He wouldn't go with me to Bikram yoga. In my mind that was OK, as I was old enough now to know that people were different and that all of us had our own ways of finding our "green azure".
And then some events that occurred in late 2010 and early 2011 practically made my friend Gyula to start experiencing Bikram yoga. He started going to practices!! I didn't go with him as I was injured at the time, but we would talk about it on a daily basis, and he was sharing with me his "awesome" experiences. It seemed that Gyula was now hooked up to yoga. He wouldn't miss a practice and he was one of few who was doing so called "doubles" (two practices in a row). He even did a "challenge", but not the normal challenge of 30 days, he did 90 days in a row!!! That was totally amazing. I was happy for him that he was able to find new avenues for himself and that he was able to unleash his powers that were buried for many years. Gyula was certainly  inspirational before his yoga immersion, but now he's been ueber inspirational.

This is the point where I am going to state why I am writing this post. Perhaps my "introduction" was a bit too long :)

Just last week Ada and I attended 3rd Alberta Bikram Yoga Championship in which Gyula participated. He actually competed on a provincial level with so many young guns. That was something that I didn't expect, and if someone told me in 2010 that Gyula would be competing in yoga, I would say that they were crazy.

As a picture is worth thousands of words, you can see some of action during the championships. Of course you can see my friend Gyula.

Getting ready for the competition

The stage

There were around 250 people in audience

Mr.Gyula and participants

MC and participants

Starting his presentation

Standing head to knee pose

Standing bow pulling pose

Bow pose

Rabbit pose

Head to knee with stretching pose

Spider pose

I don't know what is the name of this pose

Gyula is done - Bravo!

Everything is ready for winner's ceremony

Winners in junior category

Winners in senior category

Very well deserved Diploma!

Leaving Alberta Royal Museum

In front of Deluxe Burger Bar

Oh ya!! Finally meat  :)