Today marks the first hike of the year for me. Work and weather and father commitments have delayed getting back outside. So today, my brother took me on my first time up to Turtlehead Peak in Red Rock Canyon. After the last hike we did in December, he thought I was ready for this. It was not easy. I find that my wind is simply not developing and I need to do something about that. Now.

I live to hike another day!

The hike itself is really nice. At least the part that I did. I went up the first two sections. At one point, I was going up a sort of steep part and heard footsteps behind me. I knew that I would need to step aside so they could pass. But as fast as they were moving feet, they were not catching me. I then realized, it was not feet I was hearing, but my own heart beating in my chest.

I thought a lot about my youth. How good my breathing was. Years of playing trumpet had helped me develop my lung strength. I thought about how pushing and pushing to go harder felt good and seemed to amount to achievement. Now, only one month from turning 50, it is not as easy to see the gains, though clear to see the losses.

At times I get so angry that I “let” things get to this point. i wonder if I can ever get fit again. I rail at myself for poor choices and ignoring what is in front of my face. But in the end, none of that is worth any time. i just need to work to get back to as good a pace as I can and to keep putting one foot in front of the other.