“Because it is there.”

The alleged famous last words of the British climber George Mallory when he was asked why he was so determined to climb Mount Everest. In many ways, the logic is absurd, especially now that we know he died on his third attempt to summit. And yet, I totally get it. Of course he wanted to do it, simply because it was there. The challenge invites a response.

When a couple friends told me there was a new race happening called Climbing for Change, I was all in: challenge accepted. My own version of Everest.

I was immediately in love with the event and knew I wanted to be a part of its inaugural year . . . the race was free to enter, and offered a fundraising platform where you could raise money for the charity of your choice. Since the event was right on the heels of Run On in support of Amy’s House, that was an easy pick for me to keep the fundraising momentum going to help families going through cancer treatments.

. . . Even though I felt great for most of the day, the reality is, this is a really tough challenge and I was getting tired. I had a few moments where I felt pretty sorry for myself, but I practiced something I work on with clients all the time: when you feel that big emotion coming, don’t be afraid of it, sit with it, turn towards it, allow it to move on, and get back to doing whatever it is that will get you where you want to go. When the thought of how many laps I had left to complete felt overwhelming, I leaned into that fear. I recognized that of course something this big was going to feel scary, and got back to doing it anyway.

. . . It was down to four of us, quietly gaining precious meters on the climbs, grimacing at our trashed quads on the descents. Sometimes chatting, mostly nodding, as we passed each other under the glow of the ski hill lights. This is my favorite part of a race. When things get quiet. Gritty. Just the sound of your breath. A quiet mind . . . I was ready to be done.

With a very underwhelming finale, I stopped halfway up the hill, and stopped my watch when it finally read 8857 meters. Yes, I did a few extra meters just to be sure I had reached the full height of Mount Everest. Luke clapped. His friends cheered. Kirk showed up just as I descended that hill for the last time. Drove me home after nearly 20 hours of hill repeats.

So what was all that for? I dunno. But I love that thanks to the support of our friends, Brad and I raised a couple thousand more for Amy’s House, and now I can say I climbed the equivalent of sea level to the highest point on earth, and back down, just because it’s there, (and because I can).