On May 18th, a group of 20 Team Fox members will traverse the Grand Canyon in one day- travelling 24 miles and scaling over 6,000 vertical feet- in support of Parkinson's research. Dubbed the RIM2RIM Grand Canyon Challenge, this adventure aims to collectively raise $100,000 for Team Fox. With less than on week to go, we checked in with RIM2RIM team member Anne Anderson to see how things have been coming along!

Name: Anne Anderson
Age: 39
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Team Fox: Hiking 24 miles in one day while scaling over 6,000 vertical feet is no small task! What was your inspiration for deciding to take on the RIM2RIM Grand Canyon Challenge?

Anne Anderson: From the time I was a child, my family has always loved outdoor adventures!  We regularly camped and hiked for our summer vacations.  For me, doing a hike through the Grand Canyon is a great way to honor those memories!  My dad doesn’t get to hike as much as I imagined he would at this point in his life with his Parkinson’s.  I decided that I wanted to join Team Fox to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.  I wanted to acknowledge how Parkinson’s has changed my parent’s life and their plans for the future.  I wanted to hike for those that can’t.  I also wanted be an example to my own kids to love nature, to love each other and to always work for what you believe in.  I’d love for them to be impressed by my RIM2RIM hike, but alas, I have a teenager...

We bet you’ve had to get a bit creative to physically prepare for this trip. Share your training regimen with us! 

Training has certainly been a large part of my week these last couple of months!  I started training back when the “polar vortex” was still in full force in the Midwest.  I encountered many an ice covered trail.  Fortunately, spring has arrived and with that I’ve hiked pretty much every trail, in every state park and state forest, within a two hour drive!  I am very lucky to have a great friend that is always willing to do a 6+ hour, 20 mile hike with me!  I’ve also been know to sneak on my kid’s trampoline for a killer cardio workout (when the neighbors are gone and can’t see me!)  And, I could never give up my regular yoga and pilates practice.  

Is this your first visit to the Grand Canyon?  What are you most looking forward to about seeing it from this unique vantage point?     

I have been to the Grand Canyon one other time!  It was about 12 years ago and I was pregnant with our second child.  The upper trails were ice covered and slippery.  Therefore, we chose not to do any hiking! This will be my first time on those beautiful trails and I can’t wait!  I can’t wait for the view, the desert heat and the physical challenge!  

 RIM2RIM is your first Team Fox event! Any ideas for your next fundraising adventure?!

 This is not only my first Team Fox event, but also my first time ever doing a fundraising/physical challenge event!   And, although, I’ve never been quite so inspired to do something before, I will admit that I was a bit nervous about my fundraising goal in the beginning!  As far as my next adventure?  The sky is the limit!  I’ve always had my eye on those Team Fox Mt Kilimanjaro hikers--that would be incredible!    I do believe that if you are willing and open, the right event and the right people fall into place and everything works out just as it should!  

Favorite snack you’ll be carrying in your pack to get you through the long hike? 

 I will of course be packing all the healthy stuff--granola bars, fruits, electrolytes!  However, if you dig to the bottom of my pack, I’m sure you’ll also find some peanutbutter M&Ms, some sugary candy like Sweet Tarts and of course something salty to balance it all out!  Whatever it takes to make 25 miles and from RIM2RIM, right?

Thanks for your insights, Anne! (And for the record, we'd be right there with you on the Sweet Tarts treats.) Interested in taking on your own adventure in support of Team Fox? Join us today.