New Year - Discovery and Adventure

Dreams and Ambitions

Aspirations - Looking forward, Living in the Present

Boxing Day - Caribbean and UK - No, not that kind of boxing

Merry Christmas

Winter Solstice

Suicide

Transformation

Tiger

World Intervention Day - Third Thursday of December

World Intervention Day (Annually, every 3rd Thursday in December) is dedicated to raising awareness of the very real physical, financial and emotional costs associated with behavioral crisis, no matter the source. Government and U.S. health officials estimate that addiction and the costs associated with treatment are the #1 source of preventable death in the US including chemical dependency and alcoholism to eating disorders, spending, gambling and more.

This day of recognition offers a way to rally support for family and friends to step in with hope, determination and a plan to help a loved one in their journey to recovery.

World Intervention Day helps raise awareness and serves as a call to action to: get assessed, get stabilized and most importantly, get the help you or a loved one desperately needs to get well.

The startling statistics show:

• 1 in 6 Americans report that they “drink too much,” while 1 in 20 say they have problems with extreme drinking

• 1 in 38 Americans has an eating disorder. One out of 10 are men; 9 out of 10 are women

• 1 in 43 Americans has a gambling problem

• 1 in 15 Americans regularly uses illicit drugs

• 1 in 20 Americans is currently dealing with depression

• 1 in 5 American adults smoke cigarettes

• 1 in 13 Americans suffer from an unhealthy Internet dependency

World Intervention Day is a chance to bust the myths of change. The support system around a struggling loved one often stands still, and even builds up a support system around the problem that enables chaos and crisis. Long after the red light goes off that help is needed, friends and family struggle to agree upon what to do, with an average of 24 months passing before anything is ever done. Behind a behavioral crisis and the refusal of help, the resounding “NO!” there’s a “YES” dying to come out.

Source: The Change Institute - www.changeinstitute.com

The face of God

Love & Service

Overcoming Adversity

One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity. - Albert Schweitzer.

Human Rights Day

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations pronounced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Human Rights are inalienable rights which belong to each person on this earth merely because he or she exists.  It is as follows:

Universal Declaration of Human RightsPlain Language Version 1 When children are born, they are free and each should be treated in the same way. They have reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a friendly manner. 2 Everyone can claim the following rights, despite - a different sex - a different skin colour - speaking a different language - thinking different things - believing in another religion - owning more or less - being born in another social group - coming from another country It also makes no difference whether the country you live in is independent or not. 3 You have the right to live, and to live in freedom and safety. 4 Nobody has the right to treat you as his or her slave and you should not make anyone your slave. 5 Nobody has the right to torture you. 6 You should be legally protected in the same way everywhere, and like everyone else. 7 The law is the same for everyone; it should be applied in the same way to all. 8 You should be able to ask for legal help when the rights your country grants you are not respected. 9 Nobody has the right to put you in prison, to keep you there, or to send you away from your country unjustly, or without good reason. 10 If you go on trial this should be done in public. The people who try you should not let themselves be influenced by others. 11 You should be considered innocent until it can be proved that you are guilty. If you are accused of a crime, you should always have the right to defend yourself. Nobody has the right to condemn you and punish you for something you have not done. 12 You have the right to ask to be protected if someone tries to harm your good name, enter your house, open your letters, or bother you or your family without a good reason. 13 You have the right to come and go as you wish within your country. You have the right to leave your country to go to another one; and you should be able to return to your country if you want. 14 If someone hurts you, you have the right to go to another country and ask it to protect you. You lose this right if you have killed someone and if you, yourself, do not respect what is written here. 15 You have the right to belong to a country and nobody can prevent you, without a good reason, from belonging to a country if you wish. 16 As soon as a person is legally entitled, he or she has the right to marry and have a family. In doing this, neither the colour of your skin, the country you come from nor your religion should be impediments. Men and women have the same rights when they are married and also when they are separated. Nobody should force a person to marry. The government of your country should protect you and the members of your family. 17 You have the right to own things and nobody has the right to take these from you without a good reason. 18 You have the right to profess your religion freely, to change it, and to practise it either on your own or with other people. 19 You have the right to think what you want, to say what you like, and nobody should forbid you from doing so. You should be able to share your ideas also—with people from any other country. 20 You have the right to organize peaceful meetings or to take part in meetings in a peaceful way. It is wrong to force someone to belong to a group. 21 You have the right to take part in your country's political affairs either by belonging to the government yourself or by choosing politicians who have the same ideas as you. Governments should be voted for regularly and voting should be secret. You should get a vote and all votes should be equal. You also have the same right to join the public service as anyone else. 22 The society in which you live should help you to develop and to make the most of all the advantages (culture, work, social welfare) which are offered to you and to all the men and women in your country. 23 You have the right to work, to be free to choose your work, to get a salary which allows you to support your family. If a man and a woman do the same work, they should get the same pay. All people who work have the right to join together to defend their interests. 24 Each work day should not be too long, since everyone has the right to rest and should be able to take regular paid holidays. 25 You have the right to have whatever you need so that you and your family: do not fall ill or go hungry; have clothes and a house; and are helped if you are out of work, if you are ill, if you are old, if your wife or husband is dead, or if you do not earn a living for any other reason you cannot help. Mothers and their children are entitled to special care. All children have the same rights to be protected, whether or not their mother was married when they were born. 26 You have the right to go to school and everyone should go to school. Primary schooling should be free. You should be able to learn a profession or continue your studies as far as wish. At school, you should be able to develop all your talents and you should be taught to get on with others, whatever their race, religion or the country they come from. Your parents have the right to choose how and what you will be taught at school. 27 You have the right to share in your community's arts and sciences, and any good they do. Your works as an artist, writer, or a scientist should be protected, and you should be able to benefit from them. 28 So that your rights will be respected, there must be an 'order' which can protect them. This ‘order’ should be local and worldwide. 29 You have duties towards the community within which your personality can only fully develop. The law should guarantee human rights. It should allow everyone to respect others and to be respected. 30 In all parts of the world, no society, no human being, should take it upon her or himself to act in such a way as to destroy the rights which you have just been reading about.

This plain language version is only given as a guide. For an exact rendering of each principle, refer students to the original. This version is based in part on the translation of a text, prepared in 1978, for the World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace, by a Research Groyp of the University of Geneva, under the responsibility of Prof. L. Massarenti. In preparing the translation, the Group used a basic vocabulary of 2,500 words in use in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Teachers may adopt this methodology by translating the text of the Universal Declaration in the language in use in their region.

Fitness Inspiration - Ramel Feliz

I have trained with a personal trainer when I was in my late 20s and my late 30s and understood the value of a trainer.  Now that I am in my late 40s, I have a trainer focusing on my total fitness, longevity and optimal health.  Despite 10 to 15 years of physical abuse self-inflicted and 5 years of sobriety and recovery, I look and feel younger than I did in my 20s and 30s.  I owe a great part of this to Ramel Feliz, my trainer.  yeah Buddy!! www.rameltdown.com.

The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor - 70th Anniversary

Today is the 70th year since the Sunday attacks on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by the Empire of Japan.  This action caused the United States to declare war on Japan and led to the USA's entrance into World War II.  Japan was destroyed and had to rebuild from the ashes.  Rebuild it did and I had the opportunity to live in Japan for one year from 1984-1985.  I fell in love with Japan and it became one of the most transformational years of my life.  I love so much of Japanese life, language, culture and people.  I cannot imagine being at war with these people, but then I cannot imagine being at war with any people.  I have friends in almost every country of the world and have no enemies, except for those people who do not know me yet. 

Many people hate former adversaries in war.  I can't imagine such hatred. I honor all who died in this attack - all who died.

The most wonderful time of the year...

Palm Beach Marathon

Africa - land of Adventure

Africa is a place of imagination. A place of great beauty and great horror.  A place of great courage and great tragedy. A land of such injustice and such redemption.  It has been called by Richard Dowden "Altered States; Ordinary Miracles."

For me, Africa is the birthplace of mankind and the source of my dreams of adventure. 

World AIDS Day

Today, I honor all of my friends who have left this world because of AIDS.  This terrible disease has claimed the lives of more friends than any other disease or event.  Here in Florida, we have the third largest population of those infected with HIV in the nation. One in every 205 white men, one in ever 113 Latino, and one in every 42 African American men in Florida is living with HIV in Florida.  Nationally, AIDS is the leading cuase of death among young African American women.   But we can make a difference; I can make a difference one on one and together because We are GREATER than AIDS and HIV.

Wisdom

Space Coast Marathon - Lose to win, Never give up, Never give in.

Thanksgiving - Day of Gratitude

May
every day
be
Thanksgiving.




Thanksgiving is a time when many families gather in gratitude, and sometimes in prayer.  Composed around the turn of the twentieth century, Walter Rauschenbusch, the theologian and Baptist social reformer’s words remain as beautiful and poignant today as they did a hundred years ago.

Thanksgiving Day Prayer
by Walter Rauschenbusch (1861–1918)

For the wide sky and the blessed sun,
For the salt sea and the running water,
For the everlasting hills
And the never-resting winds,
For trees and the common grass underfoot.
We thank you for our senses
By which we hear the songs of birds,
And see the splendor of the summer fields,
And taste of the autumn fruits,
And rejoice in the feel of the snow,
And smell the breath of the spring.
Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;
And save our souls from being so blind
That we pass unseeing
When even the common thorn bush
Is aflame with your glory,
O God our creator,
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

The following is from a segment on one of my favorite radio programs called “On Being”, hosted by Krista Tippett.  She is an angel.  Check it out at http://being.publicradio.org/

Our greatest failures become our greatest assets

Road blocks in our minds.

TIME = Things I Must Earn.

When I was in active alcoholism, I would count the days until the weekend or I would wish for fall or winter not to come.  I was always against time - counting it, distorting it. Hating it.  When I got sober, I counted sober days.  Everyone in prison, including the staff, count backwards until freedom.  In many ways, we are all doing time.  Today, Time equals things I must earn...it means I do not count time my way, but let time unfold.  I read the following meditation and love it:

Time

I recognize that there are two concepts of time. There is earth time, by which I structure my day and by which society operates, that is tied to three dimensions of space, time and circumstance and there is timeless time, or that state beyond time of simple beingness. Though I operate by earth time, I need not get stuck there. I always have access to another level of time through the quiet and stillness within me. Each day I will allow myself to be with timeless time.

I will spend time in eternity.

Physicists themselves are not consistent in how they employ these concepts. They may use one set of definitions in the laboratory but lapse back into the ideas of common sense when they leave the job. In spite of these uncertainties, I will refer... to two types of time: (1) the time of common sense (linear, flowing, external time; the time of progress, development, and history). and (2) the time that is alluded to in modern physics (nonflowing, nonlinear time; the "time of eternity"; the time in which things do not happen, but simply "are").
Larry Dossey, M.D.

Running for Reasons

World Championship Beach Marathon

 Tomorrow I will run the World Championship Beach Half Marathon in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  It will be my first long distance race on sand.  I plan to run in my barefoot shoes.  The most I have ever run in those shoes is 5 miles.  The Half Marathon will be 13.1 miles.  It will be my 9th marathon, half and full of the year.  Miami Marathon, Melbourne Marathon Relay, A1A Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon, Gasparilla Half Marathon, Miami Beach 13.1, Gulf Coast Half Marathon, Chicago Half Marathon, Atlanta 13.1, Halloweenathon, Beach Half Marathon, Space Coast Half Marathon and end with Palm Beaches Full Marathon - all to raise $11,000 for GUA Africa's Emma Academy - www.runfogguaafrica.com .

11-11-11

Yoga - Prayer and Meditation

An article from Fox News Latino, November 15, 2011:

YOGA PROGRAM IN MEXICAN PRISON HELPS BREAK CYCLE OF ADDICTION, VIOLENCE

Mexico City, Mexico – David Arellano Lara was sentenced to 11 years for car theft and kidnapping. In his Mexican prison, he dealt drugs and smoked pot and crack. But an innovative yoga program in prison designed to treat addicts proved to be his way out of addiction, out of jail and into a new life. He remembers being locked in a cell too small for the 20 men inside—some of the prison’s worst offenders—and teaching yoga to them all from the confines of his bunk.

If you train them and if you give them the tools, and you give them jobs in which they can give back to society, you actually close the energetic circle and what used to be the problem is now the solution. - Ann Moxey, a yoga instructor and psychologist

He remembers sharing what he knew from the yoga classes he had taken in jail before he was transferred to that crowded wing as a punishment for beating up more than a dozen guards in a crack-fueled rampage. He taught the other men simple asanas, meditation and pranayama breathing techniques to keep everyone calm.

“It was bit by bit,” he says about learning yoga and quitting drugs. “It’s a process in which you start to gain consciousness of yourself.”  In 2003, Ann Moxey, a yoga instructor and psychologist specializing in addictions, founded the yoga program in the Atlacholoaya federal prison in Cuernavaca, Morelos, south of Mexico City, where Arellano served seven years before getting out early on good behavior.

The program is called Parinaama Yoga.

The yoga programs have since spread. Today, yoga is taught in three juvenile jails and one adult prison in Mexico City and in adult detention facilities in the cities of San Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara and Puebla.

Three years out of prison and two years drug-free, Arellano works a yoga instructor at one of the Mexico City juvenile jails. Moxey, meanwhile, has begun a teacher training program inside Atlacholoaya, and about 20 men have joined. “I wasn’t hopeful that he would make it, but he did,” she said, recalling that Arellano was “an extremely violent prisoner.”  She added: “If you train them and if you give them the tools, and you give them jobs in which they can give back to society, you actually close the energetic circle and what used to be the problem is now the solution.”

Substance abuse is a problem in Mexican prisons, where corrupt guards let drugs pass into the hands of gangs inside. That makes rehabilitation especially hard. Arellano says Moxey’s yoga classes helped him break his addictions and separate himself from a gang. “I started to see that there were other things in life—that not everything was violence, smoking and doing drugs,” he said.  Another former inmate and Moxey student, Fredy Díaz Arista, also teaches yoga in a juvenile detention center in Mexico’s capital. He said he feels “compelled to give back what was given to me.”  Both Arellano and Díaz say they often see themselves in the young men they teach, some of whom as teenagers are already addicts, dealers, thieves or assassins; some already have children of their own. Many, as Arellano says he was, are initially resistant to the idea of practicing yoga.

“Sometimes I see them, and I understand them,” Arellano said. “Hell, there is no problem, I tell them. Take it easy. Everything is going to be okay.”

Lauren Villagran is a freelance writer based in Mexico.
Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino
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Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2011/11/14/yoga-program-in-mexican-prison-helps-break-cycle-addiction-violence/#ixzz1dpC2ziOQ

Sunset Prayer.

November is the month of spirituality, of prayer and meditation.  This photo I took at sunset on St. Pete Beach as I concluded a meditation.  It was so beautiful.  Ten years ago, I would go to this location for a few cocktails and watch the sun go down.  Today, I pray for clarity. I ask God to show me truth - to see His vision for my life.  I pray that I will be illuminated by His light so that I may illuminate those around me.  I thank God for this world.  I thank God for this life and pray for peace and joy.  I pray that I may see God's hand in all aspects of my life and I pray for a grateful heart.

11-11-11 Test of My Resolve - Run 11 Miles, Cycle 11 Miles, and Run 11 Miles

Adventure - Big Goals!!!

This morning I rode the length of Gulf Boulevard from Passe-a-grille, St. Pete Beach, Florida to Clearwater, Florida - 24 miles north and back south again - 48 miles total.  It was something I always wanted to do.  Tomorrow for 11-11-11 I got the idea to run 11 miles and then cycle 11 miles and then run another 11 miles.  Why?  So that I can run for GUA Africa and so that I will never forget this day. Have big goals - "The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure. - Joseph Campbell.

Fatih = Finding Answer in the Heart / Fear Ain't in this House

Adventure!

River CIty 10k Race

On November 1, 2008, I ran my very first race, the River City 5K race.  It was a Rotary Club sponsored event and I had never run any races before.  Less than a month from that race, I had been released from home confinement and was free.  A few days before I ran around Lake Eola four (4) times which I think was approximately 3 miles or 5 kilometers.  On the day of the 5K race, I started out as hard as I could and I do not remember if I walked at all, but I do remember being so hot and so tired that I swore I would "never do this again".  Once I finished, I was standing around with my parents and learned that I had come in 2nd in my age division - there were only 2 people in my age division.  I won a plaque! My first race and I won something.  It did not matter that I was really slow. I had won at something when I felt like a loser at everything. 

After that race, I ran the Turkey Trot 5k for Thanksgiving in downtown Orlando, Florida and then I ran the OUC 5k the first weekend of December and was given my first medal.  Some other people were going to run a half marathon which seemed incomprehensibly difficult for me.  I thought "Wow, I wonder if I could ever run so far."  The next year I did that OUC Half Marathon and it was my first half marathon.  One month later I ran the Disney Marathon, my first marathon. 

Yesterday, I ran the River City 10K for the 4th time and this is the first year that I did not win a plaque.  I was disappointed, but keeping things in perspective...this year alone, I earned the Miami Marathon medal, 7 half marathon medals, the Mount Everest Challenge medal, and the Miracle Miles 15k medal...it is about the race.  And I loved this run, perfect weather and I had energy for the whole race.  I lose to win.

2011 Run for GUA Africa - 11 Marathons - Lose to Win! Never Give Up! Never Give In!!

My goal for 2011 was run run 11 marathons to raise $11,000 for GUA Africa's Emma Academy in South Sudan by asking 1000 to donate $11 to the cause. Thirty days from today I will run the Palm Beaches Marathon and will complete my goal. From today until December 4, 2011, I will run the Beaches World Championships Half Marathon -11/19/11, the Space Coast Half Marathon - 11/27/11 and the Palm Beaches Full Marathon - 12/4/11.  So far I have gained 57 donors and $1,718.  I feel like I am failing again, but I need to remember that I never give up!  Emma Jal taught me to try, just try and try and never give up.  Today, I was training and wanted to quit so many times.  I ran 10 miles and just wanted to quit at each mile, but I did not.  The goal was met - it did not change my life or anyone else's, but had I quit, I would have felt terrible.  Today, I did what I said I was going to do.  That is good enough today.

The Roaring Lion Kills No Prey

The roaring lion kills no prey. - Nigerian proverb. Today, I don't waste my time roaring, whinning, or crying for that which I wish I had or wish were different. In my alcoholism, I would sit for hours and days and weeks wishing things were different. Today, I take action to make changes, always asking for divine guidance. Today, action means Any Change Toward Improving One's Nature. Today, I will do 12 things that improve my nature. 



Prayer is the answer to every problem

PRAYER - Prayer is the answer to every problem in Life. It puts us in tune with the divine wisdom which knows how to adjust everything perfectly.  So often we do not pray in certain situations because form our standpoint the outlook is hopeless.  But nothing is impossible with God. Nothing is so entangles that it cannot be remedied.  No human relation is too strained for God to bring reconciliation and understanding.  No habit is so deeply rooted that it cannot be overcome.  No one is so weak that they cannot be strong.  No one is so ill that they cannot be healed.  No mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant.  Whatever we need or desire, if we trust God, He will supply it.  If anything is causing worry or anxiety, let us stop rehearing the difficulty and trust God for healing, love and power.

Florida Halloweenathon

National Geographic Adventure

One of the greatest magazines of all time is National Geographic and I loved when National Geographic Adventure was published.  I have not seen it on the newstands, but its website is one of my homepages on my computer.  I dream of being involved in all kinds of adventure.  We need adventure to remind us that sobriety is a journey and a fantastic adventure. 



http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/trips/americas-best-adventures/photo-gallery/

Problems do not exist today...only opportunities.

This morning I was overwhelmed with all the challenges and problems I need to deal with in the next few weeks and just got started.  I had a friend drive me to the library so that I could get some work done while my Jeep was being repaired.  Then, I realized that I had left my mobile phone at her house.  I had no phone, no numbers, no way to go anywhere and needed to be available for many people.  So, I decided to run back to her house.  It was no further than any other run I had made.  I ran.  Now, I did not want to, but it was the best part of my day.

Acceptance...but racism too?

I am told in recovery that I simply had to stop fighting everyone and everything - but even racism, and with racism, I include homosexuality, misogyny and all other forms of hate.  But then I understood that, yes, even hate I had to stop fighting...The Power of Peace and Love conquers all.  When I am disturbed, I lose.  When I accept, I can move forward and change.

Athletics

I am not a great athlete.  I am not even a good athlete.  However, I am an athlete.  I work out and train every day and take my training seriously.  This year I am running 11 full and half marathons, several other 5k, 10k and 15k races and regularly surf, cycle, kayak and other activities.  I am now learning to do kiteboarding.  last week I am went windsurfing.  I may not be a great athlete or even a good athlete, but I am an athlete and I am proud of my effort and focus to do the best I can.  That is why sobriety is an adventure for me.

Perseverance and Gratitude.

We say that a grateful alcoholic or addict will not drink or drug; he would never even consider it.  I am so grateful that I am grateful.  If I look at my life objectively or comparatively, I would hate so much of it.  Nothing is really as I would have planned it or even wanted it.  Yet, I have learned that whatever it is sober, it is good and I am free to choose my attitude under any and all circumstances.  October, being the month of perseverance, I welcome the feeling of persevering and overcoming great odds.  Yet, God has a great sense of humor and great sense of timing. When I pray for perseverance, I actually receive more events, more challenges and more obstacles to overcome. 

This morning I ran 9 miles and did 1 hour of weight training - then abs workout.  I am emotionally and physically drained.  I am so tired.  I laughed and cried.  These are conditions of my endorphins off the charts.  I am so grateful that I have the ability to see the good in all things and to see suffering as optional.

I am so much better for the pain that I endure than the pleasure that I enjoy

Abundance

I am grateful for everything. If I am not grateful for what I have, why would I expect the Universe to give me more.

Adventure

Adventure...My goal is to do something outrageous every day.

The Climber - Alex Honnold

The Climber

Alex Honnold aced a record-breaking, climb-till-you-drop week in Yosemite.

Perhaps the most impressive detail buried in 25-year-old Alex Honnold's ridiculously large adventure in Yosemite this July was the eight-hour drive the Californian made to Los Angeles at the very end. At that point, he’d been up for 36 hours straight—spending a day first doing interviews and shooting a climbing video. And then, at 8 p.m., he and partner Shawn Leary climbed 3,000-foot El Capitan for 24 hours straight, summitting three times and breaking the speed record for consecutive ascents.
All told, Honnold and Leary had scaled more than 8,000 vertical feet, and hiked down another 9,000 for trips back to the valley. Honnold then scarfed dinner, took a shower, and hit the road, driving south to see his girlfriend. He’d been up 42 hours all told. “I didn’t even know I could do something like that,” he says of that two-day stretch. “I really pushed some limits that time.” That time.
Just a week earlier, Honnold had managed to scale the walls of both iconic Half Dome and El Cap, solo, in just over 11 hours, crushing the speed records for El Cap and the two routes consecutively—what’s known as the solo linkup. That outing, which left the climbing world slack-jawed with its audacity, was, as Honnold puts it, “just kind of fun.” Which begs the question: What can this kid climb if he really works at something? Probably anything.

—By Ryan Bradley

IN MY OWN WORDS

By Alex Honnold

“Oh, I Could Do That”
I was out climbing with a friend of mine and we got to talking about this old film we both love, Masters of Stone V. In it, there's footage of Dean Potter doing the solo linkup, and it was, like, the coolest thing I'd ever seen when I was 15. I got to thinking, Oh, I could probably do that this season. I didn't exactly know how, but I figured it couldn't be that bad.
Early Start
I hiked up to Half Dome the night before, slept at the base, chatted with these two Swedish dudes who'd done it that day, then went to sleep. I woke up at 4:45 a.m., got up ten minutes before light and just started climbing. I was up there romping. I don't know how quickly I did it. Two hours and nine minutes? Yeah. Pretty fast.
“Nothing About This Was Super Extreme”
By the time I hiked down Half Dome, my friends were just getting out of bed. It was maybe 8 a.m. I had stashed a mountain bike at Muir Lake, which saved me a little bit of effort. I biked back to my van, made myself breakfast, and drove to El Cap. Nothing about this was super extreme. I took a pack and food and headlamp and jacket because I really had no idea how long it would take. I'd never soloed El Cap before.
Some Final Cramming
It's 3,000 feet. In my life I'd done three or four pitches, but this is 30. I'd read in books how to rope solo, but I wasn't totally sure what I'd be getting into.
Unintentional Speed
I sort of realized an hour into it that I was just going to crush the speed record. I checked my timer and was like, Oh man, that is pretty quick. So I stopped to eat. I wasn't really gunning for speed, I was just hoping to do the linkup because I thought it would be so cool.
Heroism
The Pancake Flake above the Great Roof was this long involved process. At the end I was like, Man, that's enough of that. It’s super exposed, 2,300 feet off the ground, and a really clean, sheer part of the wall. Up there I was like, This is crazy. You get through it with a layback, where, with counter-pressure, you’re pulling back against the side of the crack and your body is open—it's a very exposed style of climbing. If your foot slips you could fall off the wall. I’m up there, facing outward, the Valley 2,300 feet below and thinking, This is heroic.
A Quick Snack and Chat
In the last couple hundred feet I ran into some climbing parties. I'm sure they were like, What the f***!? They'd been up there for four or five days. I stopped and chatted with them for a bit. Also, honestly, my arms were getting a little tired. So I shared some of my Goldfish with this chick on belay.
A Bigger ClimbThe solo linkup I came up with spur the moment, but the triple was monumental. Three times. Twenty-three hours. We were going speed route—actually moving continuously for a full 16 hours, which is kind of tiring, you know? That actually kind of pushed us. And having to hike down El Cap three times is sort of a lot of work.

Step Aside, Dean
I rewatched Masters of Stone recently and, I don't know. Some of the magic is gone.

The foregoing is an excerpt from National Geographic Adventure - http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/alex-honnold-2010/ 

We are either a miracle or a tragedy