False Summit

I have been climbing this trail for 2 hours and I was wishing I knew how much further I had to go. My mountain bike started out climbing like a “goat” is now feeling like a boat anchor.  I didn’t look at the map this morning careful enough to gauge how long it would take me and now my water bottles are dry. My lips are starting to stick together and the sun is making me feel like a piece of jerky. I cant stop. My goal is the top, the summit. My eyes are now focused on the front wheel and beyond that the ground. It is to painful to look up. I started the day like a giddy little tourists, taking pictures and so excited for today’s journey. Where is that damn top?

Suddenly there seems to be more light seeping through the trees. I look up to study signs that I may be reaching the top. The terrain seems to be leveling and I am about to break out into a meadow. Maybe the top of my climb. My heart rate races and my tempo quickens. This is the top and I have finally reached it. I stand and sprint into the meadow.

The meadow is full of wild flowers and a slight breeze is present to cool me a little. At the other end of the meadow my trail continues on. I look beyond to see that the top of the mountain is a couple miles and another thousand feet of climbing away. I dream of stopping and slumping over the bars. If I turn around now I can make it back in time for a slice of pizza. I haven’t reached my goal but this is way longer then I expected.

I continue on … I cant turn around now. Sometimes in life things stall but one must keep to the path and have confidence it will all work out. That is what I am going to do.