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Colleen Rue

The Voice of The Mountain

By 29029 Everesting

February 12^th, 2021

What's this 29029 thing?

Some of my friends and colleagues had gone off to work at this "29029 thing" in 2018. I saw their Instagram posts and thought, 'wow, this is the coolest thing I've ever seen.' They shared incredible images of the mountains, the tents, the people. I was intrigued. My friends spoke so highly of the community and the experience. I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. I asked if they had a race announcer. The reaction was not promising, but I now get why… "Well, it's different, it's not really a race, so there's no announcer, per se." I wasn't prepared to take that for an answer, so I emailed the 29209 team, and nothing… Later in the spring, I thought, 'I've got to give it one more shot,' so I tried again, this time, I got an immediate response, and with that, I was headed to 29029 Utah!

Colleen Rue

It's Special

I remember standing at the base of the mountain and thinking, 'Wow, this will be an interesting experience.' It was so intimidating, and I was nervous for the participants. I was equally as nervous for myself! It's such a unique challenge that I was concerned that I wouldn't bring what they needed me to bring. Those feelings went away as I stood next to Jesse on the first morning as he gave his infamous kick-off speech.

It's an unbelievable feeling to look into the eyes of 250 strangers who were ready to take on something monumental. I can close my eyes and take myself back there. Jesse is doing his thing, Eminem's Lose Yourself is playing in the background, and the collective vibe and energy are something you can't replicate. It truly is unique to 29029.

Watching everyone take those first few footsteps up the mountain is my absolute favorite moment on the mountain. To watch that journey begin for someone, knowing that the next time I see them, it's going to be different, they're going to be different. It's special.

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

My North Star

I know that I bring an interesting perspective to my role as an announcer. I have been an athlete for most of my life, so I can connect with the participants in an authentic way. I've been through what they're going through, and I feel a deep connection to them and their struggles. I can look at somebody, and I know where they are. I know the dark spot they're in. I know the joy they're experiencing. I know that emotion, and I just let that flow into my announcing.

I'm also able to get so much back from them in those moments, so I try to use that energy and funnel it right back to them in a way that helps foster that connection. I think that my job is more about that connection than anything else. It's not about reading names and making announcements. It's all about connection. My north star is, how can I connect this individual to the event, the moment in time, to help cement this experience in their memory once they leave the mountain. I take that responsibility very seriously.

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

I didn't think it was possible

2020 was an interesting year for us all. Personally, I had to figure out how to translate my job into a virtual world. Usually, I am focused on how many hugs and high-fives I can give, and then all of a sudden, I had to find a way to have an impact from behind a screen.

When we decided to host 29029 Idaho as a virtual event, the plan was to host zoom rooms throughout the weekend and create a WhatsApp channel - solely focused on recreating the community feeling of 29029. While we had a plan, it also had to evolve organically, as it was something that had never been done before. The result was a level of connection that I didn't think was possible.

As we pulled people into these zoom rooms, we were able to look at each other's eyes, and we were able to see little peeks into their lives and the mountains that they had created for themselves, whether it was in their living room or whether it was on an actual mountain. It was certainly different from the mountain, but I know it was very impactful for many people. As that weekend evolved, I saw the power of what has been created, and I was proud to continue to foster that, even though we couldn't come together physically. It was a fantastic experience, and It really helped me figure out how I can overcome other mountains in my own life.

However, I am excited about the potential for us to come back and have an incredible reunion and bring back all the hugs, bring back all the high fives, and have those moments together in real life, on a real mountain, in 2021

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

I needed a shift

Fitness and sport have been a part of my life forever. I was a dancer on a drill team when I was in high school, and after school, I started teaching group exercise classes. I became a spinning instructor in the late nineties, and it's been something I have always loved. I was introduced to Triathlon, and over time started doing long-distance training and events until I took on my first Ironman in 2012. I loved competing until it got to the point where I needed a shift in my athletic journey where it wasn't just about going faster or winning races anymore.

I got into doing more long-distance running and more ultra marathons. I felt like I just found myself there and a community that I felt comfortable in, and of course, I loved being outside in the mountains and on the trails. It felt like home! That's what I loved about 29029 when I first experienced it. It wasn't about the competition. Some people come to the mountain as Olympic athletes. Some have been in the triathlon world or the endurance world. Some people didn't know they were athletes yet, and yet we all come together on the same mountain.

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

I know it helps!

I love the beginning of 29029 when we send people off on their journey. I also love watching them fundamentally change throughout the weekend. I have a unique viewpoint of watching everyone decide what to do once they get off the gondola. Are they going to turn right and come and see me again? Or are they going to turn left and head into the lodge? It's such an interesting process. As you get deeper into Friday and you get deeper into Saturday, over and over, people have to make that choice. They don't HAVE to go back up that mountain again, and there are distinct moments in time when the lodge, or sleep or the NormaTec boots, are much more appealing.

I have the privilege to look into everyone's eyes and to connect with them and even say to them, "Hey, Nancy. You come this way. What you need to do is to come back up the mountain." To give them a dose of encouragement and support is something I know helps.

Colleen Rue

It's an amazing experience

After we finish on the mountain, we always have dinner and a celebration to recognize people for what they've been able to achieve. We have medals, and I get the privilege of putting them on fresh faces who have showered, and smell so much better than they did for the past 36 hours!

Those moments are incredible, too, because the participants are sitting in the afterglow of what they've accomplished. And, while not everybody reaches 29029 feet, that doesn't matter at that moment. What matters is we were on a collective journey together, and we can celebrate that. I find myself with tears in my eyes for these incredible human beings. It's an amazing experience.

Colleen Rue

Colleen Rue

Don't forget to turn right!

My final advice for anyone preparing to join us at 29029? Give yourself over to the mountain, give yourself over to the moments waiting for you on the mountain. Sometimes in our training, we can get so laser-focused on the little things, and we forget to look around.

So when you get to the mountain, let the mountain have a piece of you. Because it's going to give you so much back. Don't forget to connect with the other people on the mountain, listen to those quiet moments, and don't be too quick to unplug from the experience. Sit in the discomfort. And just submit to the mountain and to the occasion. It will change you. And don't forget to turn right and come see me again!

Colleen Rue

Catch the full interview on the 29029 Podcast

Colleen Rue

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Footnotes

Written and Published by Travis McKenzie, Photos by Matt Clark and Mitch Meyer

FootNotes

Written and Published by Travis McKenzie, Photos by Matt Clark and Mitch Meyer

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