According to Wiki, "The term sherpa refers to guides for mountaineering expeditions in the Himalayas, particularly Mt Everest. They are highly regarded as elite mountaineers and experts in their local terrain, as well as having good physical endurance and resilience to high altitude conditions." In the sport of running we use the same term to refer to support guides. They have many of the same characteristics of a mountain sherpa. Expert in the sport, possess physical endurance and resilience, and a great guide.
And I had an expert last week. Early on a Tuesday morning, 4am, Wendy Hazelwood met me for my 20 mile training run. Meeting up with someone at 4am to do a long run is really no big deal if both of you have to do the run. Maybe one of you has to go out of town and you will miss your weekend run with your group. So, one of your good friends volunteers to join you early on another day and do the whole run with you. Now this friend has the benefit of getting their weekend back to do something else. It's mutually beneficial.
That is not the case here. I had to leave last Tuesday for Detroit and would be gone through the weekend. I knew the likelihood of me completing a 20 mile run there was very remote. When I told Wendy about my trip and that I would need to run 20 miles early on Tuesday morning, she said, "I'll run some of it with you". Great, I took that to mean that I would see her along my route at about 6am while she's out for her regular run and she would run along side for a while. That would have been nice, but that's not what she meant.
She meant that she would meet me at 4am, 4AM, and run her required 6 miles that day, then she would get on her bike and ride along side me for the remaining 14 miles (not one time did she ride too far ahead of me - how hard was that). It also meant that she would get on gmaps pedometer and vet out our 20 mile course, complete with multiple water stops. Further, it also meant that she would have a supply of Gatorade and hydration drinks for me. Now if that's not Sherpa I don't know what is.
She's done this for many other people, I'm not the special one. She is. It's just her character. And it is this kind of character that I see from many people everyday in this Dallas running community. That is what makes me just love this sport.
So, if you see Wendy Hazelwood over the next several days, do me a favor...walk up to her, pat her on the back and say, "Don says thanks".
Never, never, stop running!
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2 comments:
Good job with that 20 miler during the week!
Sherpas are the true heroes of Everest. Without their assistance, very few would reach the summit. To learn more about this amazing tribe, read Beyond the Summit by Linda LeBlanc. Details of Sherpa culture and religion are interwoven in a tale of romance and high adventure. The story has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges centuries of tradition, an expedition from the porter’s point of view.
Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to www.beyondthesummit-novel.com
Beyond the Summit, is the rare gem that shows us the triumphs and challenges of a major climb from the porter’s point of view. The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers through harshly beautiful and highly dangerous territory to the roof of the world. Malcolm Campbell, book reviewer
Conflict and dialog keep this gripping story of destiny, romance and adventure moving from the first page to the last paragraph. LeBlanc has a genius for bonding her readers and her characters. I found I was empathizing in turn with each character as they faced their own personal crisis or trauma.
Richard Blake for Readers Views.
A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.com
A hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book Review
LeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily Camera
LeBlanc’s vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the Week
A rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.com
This is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended.”
– John (college professor)
Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialog. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CA
This superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novels
Such vividly depicted images of the Everest region and the Sherpa people are the perfect scenario for the romance and adventure feats narrated. It’s a page-turner, so engrossing you end up wanting to visit Nepal! Not just novel, but perfect for those seeking to get acquainted with the culture of this country.
By Claudia Fournier (América, Bs. As., Argentina)
Available through Barnes and Noble, Borders, amazon.com, Chesslerbooks.com, and the web site
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