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Sylvia Saw McKaige

One Foot In Front Of The Other

By 29029 Everesting

October 23^rd, 2020

A World of Possibilites

I've really enjoyed listening to the 29029 Podcast recently. It takes me back to my first conversation with Marc Hodulich. It was New Year's Eve, and I was planning on setting myself a big goal for 2018. So here I was, a world away from Vermont, talking with the owner of the company.

He did a great job describing the energy and answering all of the questions I had about the event and acknowledging my fears and concerns. He was really good - so good that I signed up by the end of the call!

I was first introduced to 29029 after reading Jesse Itzler's book - Living With a Seal. I started following him on Instagram, and I watched from afar the first 29029 as it took place in October 2017. I was intrigued. I couldn't believe that anybody could possibly do that. Climbing a mountain over and over again. There was something about the event that drew me in. What are my chances, a Singaporean living in Singapore, finding out about this event!

So I did my research, submitted my inquiry, and ended up on the phone with Marc. And I am so glad it happened this way. I committed and said I'd figure out the rest later. That moment opened me up to a world of possibilities and memorable experiences.

Sylvia Saw McKaige

I'll Figure out the rest

And figuring out the rest was no small feat! There were so many details that needed to be taken care of. The event's cost was a challenge, the cost of the flight, getting to the other side of the world, the accommodation. And that's not to mention the preparation! Singapore is flat. There are no mountains in my backyard.

I was encouraged to know that there was a training plan that I could follow. I really had no experience as an endurance athlete in my adult life. I swam competitively when I was younger, but the old adage of swimmers can't run, and runners can't swim, stayed with me. So, when I committed to 29029, I had never even run a half-marathon, but I figured that there was no better way to go about it, if I wanted to become a runner.

When I first started the training program, it was hard. Fitness and training were not a part of my lifestyle as they are today. Balancing work, family, and friends was a challenge. There were definitely lapses in my motivation, days where I would wake up and say, "I'm not doing this today." But over time, those days became less frequent, and it's been an incredible journey for me, one that continues to this day.

My life has changed for the better since that first phone call on New Year's Eve in 2017.

Sylvia Saw McKaige

The excitement won

I landed in San Fransisco on my way to Vermont, and I remember receiving an email from the 29029 team. The subject line was - Weather Update. I opened the email and couldn't believe what I read. Snow is expected… This was not the beautiful, sunny, blue-sky, autumn days that I had seen from the previous year's event. I wondered at that moment, 'what am I getting myself into?'

I arrived at Stratton Mountain. It was cold, windy, and raining. I looked up from the foot of the mountain, and all I could see was mist and clouds.

And did I mention it was cold!

I was filled with a mix of misery and excitement. I guess the excitement outweighed the misery enough for me to stay. I remember stepping into the lodge and feeling an incredible energy, which helped calm my nerves a little.

Sylvia Saw McKaige

One Foot in front of the other

I vividly recall the first climb. The ra-ra energy created at the start line by Jesse's speech was well and truly gone by the time I reached the top. There are two distinct parts of the climb in Vermont. The first part is relatively easy, and the second part - oh my goodness! It's so steep, and when I got to that point, I recall thinking, 'there's no way I can do this, this is only the first climb, and I have 16 more to do.'

I decided after the first climb, I'd take the gondola down, head to lodge, and chill. I must have been crazy to sign up for this.

Then something changed - it was like a switch. All of a sudden, on the way down, my mindset shifted. I thought, 'you know what, let's do this. Let's give it another go. Let's go for the second one.' So I just kept going. While I came intending to reach 29029 and get my red bib. It quickly became, let's finish the next climb or the next quarter of the climb, and then step-by-step. I learned a lot about breaking the goal into bite-size chunks. It was a brilliant lesson and one of my biggest takeaways from 29029. It's ok to approach the challenge and life, one foot in front of the other.

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Amazing energy

What was interesting to me was that throughout the entire 36 hours, I experienced a lot of extremes. I went through a lot of ups and downs.

There were times when I felt really good and really strong. And there were times I would be almost in tears, standing in the middle of the mountain where I just had to rest. I remember looking around, and it was so beautiful - the leaves and colors were spectacular.

Even in those moments where I was utterly exhausted, there was such amazing energy. The people that go past, or that you talk to as you're climbing by. Even when they're not speaking, there's still an air of possibility and positivity that you have to experience.

I remember Marq Brown was so determined. He passed me so many times, but he had a focus that gave me so much energy. Just seeing him in the zone and dialed into his state of mind helped me keep moving forward and take a few extra steps towards my goal. I've met so many wonderful people in this community. It's such a positive community to be a part of. A group of like-minded people who are all striving to be the best versions of themselves and wanting to give back in any way possible.

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Sylvia Saw McKaige

The Community

My decision to come back to Utah was made very quickly. I didn't get to my goal in Vermont. I didn't reach 29029, and I didn't get my Red Bib - so for me, there was unfinished work to be done. So there was a hunger to finish what I had started. Secondly - there was something about the misery that I loved. A recognition that when we face challenges and do hard stuff, you become stronger and tougher. That feeling, coupled with the atmosphere and the energy, meant I had no choice. So once again, I made the commitment, and I'd figure out the rest along the way.

I came into Utah in 2019 a lot more prepared. Physically I was fitter, and mentally I knew what I was in for. I was mentally ready to face the challenging moments that I would face. I was ready, and I was determined. I wanted to do well to get my red bib and finish, but I also wanted to enjoy the journey, and for me, that meant being present and being a part of the community. Offering a kind and encouraging word. When things get difficult, I revert to being happy, which gives me internal energy to keep going. And if a smile and some good cheer help people around me, then that's even better.

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Sylvia Saw McKaige

My journey continues

3 years after first learning about 29029, I can proudly say my life has changed. I can now say that I'm an endurance athlete. And that is so empowering. To push through 36-hours is mind-boggling to me, and to know that I have been through that journey multiple times is so rewarding. Now training and fitness are non-negotiable for me. It's a part of my lifestyle.

I know that my personal journey has also had a positive impact on those around me. My husband, David, and my sons, Christopher and Dylan, see what I'm doing, and I know they draw energy and strength from that. I am so grateful for my husband. He's so supportive and gives me the space to find myself and continue striving to be the best version of myself. I am so grateful for that first call with Marc, that unlocked something in me. I am so thankful for even finding this event and pulling together the resources to make it a reality.

I am not sure if my words actually convey how much this experience has given to me. I love 29029. The whole experience and the feelings I take from this journey, coupled with the community, it's intangible. It's impossible to put a price on how life-changing this has been for me. I didn't achieve my goal of getting the red bib in Utah, but I gave it my very best and left it all on the mountain. And I can't wait to come back to Idaho in 2021 and continue this unbelievable journey.

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Sylvia Saw McKaige

Footnotes

Words by Sylvia Saw McKaige, Photos by Matt Clark & Mitch Meyer. Written and published by Travis McKenzie

FootNotes

Words by Sylvia Saw McKaige, Photos by Matt Clark & Mitch Meyer. Written and published by Travis McKenzie

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