Wife and mother. Teacher and musician. Marathoner and rock climber. At 66, Dierdre Wolownick became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite--and in The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story, she shares her intimate journey, revealing how her climbing achievement reflects a broader story of courage and persistence.
Dierdre grew up under the watchful eyes of a domineering mother and realized early on that her parents’ plans for her future weren’t what she wanted for herself. Later, what seemed like a storybook romance brought escape, with new experiences and eye-opening travel, but she quickly discovered that her husband was not the happy-go-lucky man he had first appeared. Adapting as best she could, Dierdre juggled work and raising two young children, encouraging them to be fearlessly confident. She noted with delight how her “little lady” Stasia took it upon herself to look out for her baby brother, and watched in amazement as Alex (Honnold of "Free Solo" fame) started climbing practically before he could crawl.
After years of struggle in her marriage and her ultimate divorce, Dierdre found inspiration in her now-adult children’s passions, as well as new depths within herself. At Stasia’s urging, she took up running at age 54 and soon completed several marathons. Then at age 58, Alex led her on her first rock climbs. A world of friendship and support suddenly opened up to her within the climbing “tribe,” culminating in her record-setting ascent of El Cap with her son.
From confused young wife and busy but lonely mother to confident middle-aged athlete, Dierdre brings the reader along as she finds new strength, happiness, and community in the outdoors--and a life of learning, acceptance, and spirit.
She can be found on facebook and Instagram and upcoming Blog on La Sportiva
Stasia
www.carfreerambles.org
Weathered Athlete Update
Mile #31 - Tamieka Howell - 46 year old Physician and Women‘s Tackle Football Player
Mile#30 - Jack Welber - 80- 84 y/o Age Group Sprint National Triathlete and Co Author of "Not Dead Yet..."
Mile #29-Coach Karen Buxton - 5:40 Finish at 70.3 Ohio and World’s Qualifier- Breast Cancer survivor and 3 years S/P Total Hip Replacement
Mile #28 - Bob Becker (Replay of Mile #10) Oldest person at age 70 to complete the Badwater Double (292 miles)
Mile #27- Joe Randene - Ultra Runner, Blogger
Mile #26- Dick Rosen 90 y/o 2021 Senior Games Participant (Replay of Mile #5)
Mile #25 - Jerry Guiliano- Surgical Steel to Ironman: A Collection of Perseverance Stories
Mile #24 - Walt Maxwell ( Replay of Mile #1 with new Intro David Goggins Challenge)
Mile #23- Cory Compton- Former Marine, Family Man - Taking on Life with Attitude and Gratitude
Mile#22 - Anne Marquis - Conquered Breast Cancer, divorce and depression to take on life as a Model and fitness trainer
Mile#21 -Tom Morris - Breathwork techniques related to Life and Performance
Goal Setting and Performance in Life and Athletics with Dierdre Wolownick and Beth Warren Audio Feed
Goal Setting and Performance - Livestream Promo (Audio Feed Only)
Goal Setting and Performance- Livestream Promo Video feed
Mile #20 - Tom Morris Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performance at Indiana University)
Sprint Interval Workout - Tom Morris - Audio feed only
Sprint Interval Workout - Tom Morris Video feed
Mile #19 - Sue Aquila ( Business owner, Running/Triathlon Coach, Ultra Runner, Triathlete and 3 x Kona Finisher)
Sprint Interval Workout- Sue Aquila
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