My Bad-Ass Family

So I got a phone call from my mom today.  I was at work, so it went to voicemail.  She left me a message telling me that she had hiked the highest peak in Colorado yesterday and she couldn't wait to tell me about her adventure.  She and my dad are vacationing in Vail and my uncle, who is an experienced mountaineer, is visiting them and took my mom for a hike.  She gave me the name of the mountain, "Mt. Elbert," and even spelled it for me. 

Now, I know my mom is a tough cookie, but I will be honest, I was a little skeptical.  (Did I mention my mom is 63?)  So I pulled up a website on Colorado's 14ers.  Sure enough, Mt. Elbert is listed as the highest peak.  So I shot off a quick text message telling her she was bad-ass and I'd call her as soon as I got a break.  I also posted on Facebook that my mom hiked her bad-ass self up a 14er in Colorado, honey badger style, to which I got numerous replies affirming that, in fact, my mom is bad-ass.

But that's not the end of the story.  On her way back down the mountain, the weather was a little sketch and she mis-placed her hiking poles onto a rock instead of solidly on the ground.  She slipped and landed bruising her shoulder and gashing her forehead on said rock.  Honey badger style, she jumps back up and continues her hike down the mountain.  She was convinced she was fine and she'd just wash her wounds back at the condo, but at the urging of her brother, she went to the emergency room and had 6 stitches and a tetanus shot.  Nice job, Mom! 

(And for anyone who is not yet familiar with the honey badger... well get with the program!!  Check out the most hilarious video you may ever watch... you need volume though, because without narration, well, it's just missing a little something extra:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg)

And you've already read about the multiple adventures of lil sis.  Tackling the Rocky Mountain Double Marathon just cuz someone dangled the "belt buckle" in front of her nose, and rocking Ironman on no training.  3 times.  I'm still waiting to find her kryptonite. 

And big sis, training for her marathons whilst raising 3 rambunctious kids.  Getting ready for the San Antonio Marathon in November, with the possibility of a (gulp) Boston Qualifier?!!?

But there's someone I've not yet mentioned.  The original family bad-ass.  My dad.  Dad was the original adventurer.  In his day there was no triathlon.  (OK, maybe it had just been invented but hadn't gone mainstream yet.)  So he played racquetball.  And then he took up race walking.  He walked a marathon and an ultramarathon before I even thought of taking my first stride running.  He has more bicycles in his garage than I do.  He's biked across Austria, and down Haleakala.  And when I was in college he took up roller blading.  He came to visit me and we went out around campus and I couldn't keep up.  (Very reminiscent of when I was little and we'd go for a walk around the neighborhood after dinner.  I would have to run to keep up with Dad walking.)

So I guess what I'm saying is, bad-assness runs in my family.  You should no longer be shocked at some of the crazy ideas that pop into my head.  In reality?  My mother made me do it.  I'm proud to be from hardy stock with an adventurous spirit.  In fact, a month from now, 31 days to be exact, my uncle and I will be leading my mom on her first Grand Canyon expedition.  North Rim to South Rim via North Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails.  Yes, that's right, my mom is going R2R.  (In whiny teenage voice:) My mom is sooo much cooler than yours.