Nepal Earthquake

Most of you are aware of the tragedy in Nepal over the weekend. At this time I do not know how this will impact my climb in November, certainly things have changed. My guide service Alpenglow Expeditons is currently on the North side of Everest opposite of the avalanche zone on the South side. They and their Sherpa are safe. However, many of their Sherpa guide's home villages were badly damaged.

I still plan on climbing this year to raise money for Make-A-Wish. I will keep you updated as the status becomes more clear. Meanwhile, here is a link to an article regarding charities helping in Nepal:

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-04-25/how-help-nepal-7-vetted-charities-doing-relief-work-following-earthquake

Wish Facts

While doctors provide the medicine, Make-A-Wish Michigan supplies the magical experience that provides a positive and life-changing experience. In fact, a recent Make-A-Wish^® America survey found that 97 percent of parents said the wish experience strengthened their families.

VO2 Test

VO2 max refers to the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense or maximal exercise. It is measured as "milliliters of oxygen used in one minute per kilogram of body weight."  (ml/kg/minute) This is considered a good measure of an athletes cardiovascular fitness.

Yesterday I took this test and scored 51.1. For my age group (50-55 yrs old) an excellent score is >45 ml/kg/minute. This also puts me in the "superior" category for the (much younger!) 30-39 age group. So I was very pleased! My goal is to get this number to 53-54 ml/kg/min.

I still have some work to do in the lower heart rate zones to improve "cardiovascular endurance", but I will achieve this in the next 90 days. I take the test again in July, I'll let you know the results. So far ...on track.

If the Wish Children can fight to get better .... so can we!

I NEED YOUR HELP TO GRANT WISHES, DONATE HERE: http://friends.wish.org/022-000/page/Steven-Cook/Steve's-Wish-Climb.htm

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO GRANT WISHES!

Test

Vo2 submax test today to judge my current level of fitness. This test measures the volume of oxygen the body can use and is a good test for an endurance athlete. Once I get the results I'll be able to tweak my workouts for the next 90-day training period.

2ND Wish Granted!!!

Thank you for granting Wish #2 to Donnivan, age 7 from Redford, Michigan. Donnivan suffers from a Hematological Disorder and his Wish was to go to Disneyland. Thank you so much for helping me grant this Wish to Donnivan and his family.

 

According to the results of a 2011 Wish Impact Study that surveyed wish parents, health professionals, and Make-A-Wish^® volunteers, a wish come true empowers children with life-threatening medical conditions to fight harder against their illnesses. When wish kids are granted a wish, they get more than just a great experience for a day, two days, or a week. That experience improves the quality of life for them and their entire family.

I need your help to grant Wishes for kids like Donnivan. We still have a ways to go to get to $30,000: http://friends.wish.org/022-000/page/Steven-Cook/Steve's-Wish-Climb.htm

At Home Too

Sometimes it's better to find a workout at home, in many ways it's easier ... and less exposure to the sickness' that float around the gym. I've got a "home gym" set up in the basement and my bike on a trainer. Riding indoors right now will get me ready to hit the road when the weather changes. (Thanks to the resident photographer and designer for making me look reasonable.)

BE A WISH GRANTER TOO: http://friends.wish.org/022-000/page/Steven-Cook/Steve's-Wish-Climb.htm

Thanks Joe Spurgeon

Joined a new CrossFit box today, just down the road from work. With our busy season starting, this will allow me the opportunity to leave work and get my workouts in during the day. I'll still be at CrossFit Justice in Milford too.

The next 90 days goals: increase hours per week from 8 to 10, with most of the additional workload coming on the weekends through long hikes and bike rides.

I want to thank Joe and Jane Spurgeon for donating AGAIN! to Make-A-Wish. Joe works on our Turf team and has a nice tradition of bringing in donuts every Friday for the entire crew. Thanks Joe!

BE A WISH GRANTER TOO: http://friends.wish.org/022-000/page/Steven-Cook/Steve's-Wish-Climb.htm

Your Impact

According to the results of a 2011 Wish Impact Study that surveyed wish parents, health professionals, and Make-A-Wish^® volunteers, a wish come true empowers children with life-threatening medical conditions to fight harder against their illnesses. When wish kids are granted a wish, they get more than just a great experience for a day, two days, or a week. That experience improves the quality of life for them and their entire family.


Health professionals treating them say the wish experience is an important adjunct to medical treatment, and they observe their patients feel better and comply more readily with treatment protocols when they experience their wish come true. And the community volunteers who grant wishes say the wish granting process heightens both their ability to see the best in others, and their commitment to actively help more people in need.

DONATE HERE: http://friends.wish.org/022-000/page/Steven-Cook/Steve's-Wish-Climb.htm