Carpe Diem: Live Your Dream

Your Host's Ironman Results

Did I make it through the 2.4 mile swim, the 112 mile bike, and the 26.2 mile marathon? And if I did, how long did it take and what was it like? This episode is Part 2 of my Ironman journey and is the post-race debrief with my coach shortly after my first Ironman. 

Your Host's Ironman Journey

As your host, I feel compelled to practice what I preach. Together with my coach, we tell the story of the nearly half-year journey to my first Ironman triathlon - actually, to my first triathlon of any kind. This is part 1 of a 2-part series, with this episode focused on the joys and travails of training leading up to race day, both from my perspective and my coach's. The experience wasn’t exactly what I expected. The second part - coming soon - will be a post-race debrief, assuming I get to the starting line!!  

Svalbard Arctic Ski Expedition

Less well known, but arguably more beautiful and challenging than crossing the Greenland Icecap or skiing to the South Pole, this Norwegian guide describes what the month-long expedition across Svalbard is like. This remote arctic archipelago in the Barents Sea is out-of-this-world gorgeous.  Check out some beautiful photos on my website at gocarpediemnow.com or at rostilleguiding.com. And don’t worry, there’s some good winter camping perspective for those who just want to dip a toe in the snow for a day or two.

It's "Not Too Late" to be a Spartan Racer

Here’s a beautiful story of a person going from zero to one hundred on the athletic spectrum, transforming herself from a non-athletic desk jockey in front of a screen to a champion-level Spartan obstacle course racer. She captures her 8-year journey in a beautifully written book, and relates the essence of it in this episode.

Sharing a Dream on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route

Bike touring what might be the longest and most beautiful mountain bike route in the world was not in the plans for this guest – she really had no interest. But when her husband said he was going regardless, she decided to tag along. And what happened? She had the most gratifying experience of her life. This episode is a great example of the try-it,-you-just-might-like-it advice. And the description of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is wonderful.

The Ultra Ultra Runner

To run a marathon is a great accomplishment. If you do that, then it’s just 5 more miles to complete a 50k race. Then a mere 19 more to knock out a 50-miler. Now it sounds really hard, but double that and you have a 100-miler. Well, this guy has shaped his life around doing these 50- and 100-milers, a couple dozen of them. Hear how (and why) one does that, and what it feels like. And he might even convince you that it's not as difficult as most people think!

Skiing the Swiss Haute Route

Finally, for you skiers out their, our first episode about the sport. But this isn’t just your typical downhill or cross-country skiing. This is a ski touring adventure done by throwing a big pack on your back and forging a trail deep into the Swiss Alps to travel for a week from hut to hut. There's the famous Haute Route and other destinations, and plenty of descriptions of what you can expect if you give hut-to-hut ski touring a try. An adventure with a mix of most everything.

Frog Mom Swims the English Channel

This middle-aged mother of two found open-water swimming to bring solace to life’s challenges. Listen to how one thing led to another until – much to her own great surprise – she ended up swimming the English Channel. It took over 19 hours, but proved a world of confidence for her and set the path for more great dreams to pursue.

Winter Racing the Arrowhead 135

A middle-age working mother who does ultra-distance winter racing by foot, bike and ski in the depth of winter in the coldest parts of North America. There's the Arrowhead 135 that she has completed nearly a dozen times, and the Iditarod Trail Invitational where she's pushing her bicycle for days through the snowy Alaskan trail used by the Iditarod dog sled race. Her grit is admirable, and her explanation of how these challenges benefit her everyday life is noteworthy. It might make you want to bundle up and try a winter adventure race!

Ironman Racing in Your 70's

As we age, it becomes easier and easier to fall into a sedentary lifestyle as the body gradually atrophies. But it doesn’t have to be that way – at least not as soon and fast as we tend to allow. Listen to this man in his 70’s, how he went about qualifying for the Ironman World Championships, and how he deals with the challenges of aging. He's quite inspiring.