Thursday, July 21, 2011

Trip to Asia!

It's officially confirmed...I'm going to Taiwan and Hong Kong in November!! This has been in the works for a few months, but I didn't want to say anything until the decision was made for sure and my flights were booked. Talk about going out of my normal realm and comfort zone; it took time for me to process the thought of going so far from home. I've wrapped my head around it now, and I'm really excited.

This came about because my best friend Deb invited me to take part in the Oxfam Trailwalker Hong Kong 100K race along with two other friends of hers, so I'll be celebrating the year of my 40th on and around her actual 40th birthday while doing this event! We go way back, Deb and I, and she's one of those miracle friends who know you more than you know yourself and likes you anyway. It will be a very memorable way to celebrate her birthday with her this year.

Deb and her husband Dan have been living in Taiwan for eight years now, and I will be spending the first part of my trip staying with them. It will be so cool to see the life they have there. They work for a little sporting goods company you may have heard of, or maybe you've even used their stuff at some point while you were Just Doing Something.

Then we will go to Hong Kong where the race is, and have an adventure as our team of four navigates the MacLehose Trail that winds along the coast and over mountains of Hong Kong for 100 km. I'm looking forward to meeting Deb's friends Kristina and Kim and spending some quality trail time as a team. (Get this: Kim is the world record holder for the 24-hour inline skate!) Obviously I'll be writing a lot more about everything in the months to come.

Earlier this year, feeling a bit of weight from just turning 40 I guess, I started experiencing a very deep desire to see more of this world, and was looking forward to a few years down the road when we would have more time and energy to put towards that. I guess life goes at its own schedule though, and within weeks of feeling that shift in myself I had won the entry to TransRockies from iRunFar, and then Deb asked me about this Hong Kong trip. I read somewhere recently that often we go right up to the edge of our comfort zone but then ultimately don't take that final committing step over the line. Was life maybe asking if I was serious?

Thank you D, for this incredible opportunity, and for helping me navigate that uncomfortable last step to committing to it. Travelling all over the world for you is normal, but you've been your ever patient and positive self in dealing with my less-adventurous self.

I'm lucky enough to have had another Debbie to talk it over with, my sister-in-law, who is also an extreme world traveler and equally patient and positive. I so appreciate your excitement and encouragement, Debbie. It helps me to see stuff through your eyes.

And Derrick, I cherish that we support each others dreams. Vote for Pedro.

20 comments:

Derrick said...

Vote for Pedro.

Sara Montgomery said...

That's code for everything I could write here (and get increasingly sappy), but get to tell you all the time in person. :)

William said...

How exciting! Something great to look forward to and you get to run while you are there!

Derrick said...

Yes, I got it. Just confirming from my end.

David said...

Amazing. I hope this is the start of a number of new adventures for you both.
My oldest friend, who was just visiting, is now living in Thailand is constantly on Kim and I to take the plunge and visit, it is a tough first step. It is a long way, and way out of our comfort environment. We will do it. (I won't say someday, because someday is code for never).
Can't wait to read more.

Kimberley said...

Oh Sara... I'm SO excited for you. Hey, if you're not livin' on the edge, you're taking up too much space. :O) You're gonna love it. What an exciting year for you.
Enjoy every day of anticipation.
Congrats Sara!

Sara Montgomery said...

William - yes, Deb has tried to get me to come before, but finally realized she just needed to make it running related to fully entice.

Thanks David & Kimberley!! :)

Derrick said...

Will be very interesting. Looking forward to hearing lots about it and hope they have good updates during the race.

...I'll be busy at home planning my trip to UTMB for 2012 ;)

Sara Montgomery said...

Can I come??? :)

Derrick said...

we'll talk.

Bruce Grant said...

Sara, what an awesome opportunity! I have certainly valued being able to race in foreign countries, I have learned so much about our peers in different places and become richer for it. I have heard nothing but good things about Trailwalker in the past from others who have been there...and training for humidity, hills and stairs

"And Derrick, I cherish that we support each others dreams. Vote for Pedro."

Trailwalker is OK, but this is the best part of your post (and not just because of the ND reference). :-)

Sara Montgomery said...

Thanks, Bruce. :)

Today is 44C humidex. Good training for November in Hong Kong. I think TW used to be earlier in the month, but now is later. Hope that helps out with the weather a wee bit.

There's a Trailwalker in Canada now that starts TOMORROW!!
http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.ca/

Ev said...

Hey there Sara...you should start thinking of a race now, to do when you turn 50! It will be hard to top this one....

Sara Montgomery said...

Hi Ev! Great idea & I've already picked it out. :)

Karen S-F said...

Sara, I am wildly excited for you!!!! Way to step out there and I can't wait to hear how your Asian adventure unfolds! This is way beyond cool!!!!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Sara congratulations I told you 40 is great everything good happens past 40 I am so excited for you.
I have a friend just like that, I think you know her well.
I can't wait for you to go so we will hear about it.
It is always a wonderful thing to step out of that comfort box and age makes you braver I am sure of that. Exciting. B

Sara Montgomery said...

Thanks so much, Karen and Buttons!

Jack and Rosemary said...

Congratulations Sara, that sounds like a terrific experience. We'll be anxious to hear all about it.

Sara Montgomery said...

Thanks, Jack and Rosemary.
See you tomorrow!

D said...

Jia you, S, jia you!!!!

That's local encouragement speak, go, go!!! Literally means 'add gas'. :)

To William- Thailand is super amazing and wonderful. Jia you!!!!