Kelly loves fitness adventures
Here is a quote from my new friend Kelly Cohen:
What do you want to do this year?? Climb mountains? Swim long distances? Triathlons? Sail? Dive? Archery? Run? Ride? Dance? Race kayaks? Whatever it is, the only difference between YOU and me is that I dream it, train for it, and then go do it!!! Decide what you want to do in 2020-2021, leave all fears and excuses behind, and make it happen!!!…..Kelly Cohen
I first heard of Kelly from my friend Frank Cohen who generously tries to help me hit a golf ball better. He is a scratch golfer here at Tapatio Springs near Boerne, Texas and can often be found after a round of golf helping me and others who are ‘challenged’ by various aspects of the game from putting to hitting their drivers. Kelly Cohen is a fitness instructor who loves the outdoors and puts together fitness related activities ranging from hiking the Texas Hill Country trails and state parks to mountain and trail biking, kayaking, horseback riding, Iron Man training and competition coaching. Just about everything fitness or outdoor adventure related.
Oh, and don’t think your adventure outing has to be something spectacularly hard and difficult. In the middle of October, she emphasized that “Fitness can be FUN!!” She and her client participated in a 13.1 masquerade mask half marathon in San Antonio at JW Marriot Resort; a 2.5 hour kayaking adventure at Medina Lake, and a 25 mile hilly bike ride to Camp Verde, between Kerrville and Bandera. Her comment on all that activity? “My kinda weekend!”
I scheduled a short (for her) trail hike on the upper trail here at Tapatio Springs and right away knew it would be a favorite activity for anyone staying at the fabulous Tapatio Hill Country Resort. Being new to this area and a flatlander from West Texas, I wanted to know more about where I live now. Our group was four ladies…..and me, a 70 something would-be golfer with two knee replacements and a wife who loves to cook. Make your own connections on that one….
The hiking group met at the Tapatio Springs golf pro shop and walked briskly past the driving range where I hoped none of my golf buddies noticed I was already lagging behind with 3.999 miles to go. We followed a golf cart path that leads to The Ridge subdivision at Tapatio and then cut through some brush to the upper trail. I kept up fairly well and the ladies were nice enough to take it easy and not completely run off and leave me alone with the snakes and coyotes who were probably laying in wait for me.
It’s not like I am totally inexperienced. I had hiked through mountains in the past…..like 40 years ago…..and have actually climbed Wheeler Peak in New Mexico just outside Red River. It’s the tallest peak in New Mexico. But did I tell you earlier it was 40 years ago?
Kelly casually mentioned she reached a very high point on Mount Everest at a well known base camp before terrible weather forced her group off the world’s tallest mountain. Then she told of her desire to conquer Wheeler Peak….in the winter. She has climbed it several times in the past. It was July when I climbed and there were still quite a few large, long, and deep snowdrifts along the wilderness trail leading to the peak. I mean hundreds of yards long and wide snow accumulations in the middle of summer. Winter must be a continuous snow storm higher on the mountain near the popular ski resort. Mount Everest has to be several higher notches than that at a minimum.
After watching Kelly for just a while, I have no doubt she could climb that or any other mountain summer or winter probably doing flip-flops along the way. She led our little group carefully through some the rougher areas on the Upper Tapatio Trail, stopped at appropriate times for ‘some’ of us to catch our breath, and pointed out areas of interest and possible shortcuts should we need to get off the trail in a hurry and go back down. The hike was a little less than 4 miles and there are other trails in the area including a Lower Tapatio Trail. It was fun and you should try it some time.
Fitness and adventure related activities can be booked online by contacting her at her Facebook page ‘ Kelly Loves Fitness ‘. I mentioned my age and alluded to my fitness level so be advised Kelly can lead your group no matter what your definition of adventure.
On her Facebook page you can get the sense that Kelly really loves fitness and she loves providing a safe experience for everyone who wants to enjoy an outdoor adventure. Here is what she had to say about a weekend in October last year:
It’s true.. I love fitness.. just about any kind of movement makes me happy… this weekend golf, running, Yoga, cycling and swimming… whatever you choose, do it with gratitude and a smile.
Kelly never saw me as I was huffing and puffing trying to keep up with those ladies on Tapatio Springs Upper Trail, and it’s a good thing she didn’t turn around ’cause there were times I was grimacing and not exactly smiling……but I was grateful to be out there with such a fun group.
She takes clients from the flatlands out in West Texas to the DFW Metroplex, and from Houston to Connecticut and points in between. She even coaches Iron Man Competitors in some serious racing circles. Get your friends and have an adventure with Kelly. You will enjoy it bigly.
I’m David out in Real Texas
…..Grateful and smiling at knowing people like Kelly
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