Just a little bit farther....

So yesterday my day took a different direction than I expected, so the list of 1,000 things I was going to get done this weekend now has 997 things on it. So, after I jump out of bed this morning to get things done, how did I start my day? Went for a hike, of course. A long hike. One that took pretty much all morning. And now I'm blogging about it...oh wait, posting on my blog was on my list, so only 996 things left to do! Woohoo!

I actually have a blog draft on an entirely different topic that I was going to finish and post today, but during my hike a new story was starting to write itself. 

I typically hike the same sections of trails at Cave Creek Regional Park, in differing combinations. After building up to it over the past year, I usually do a loop that's about 3 miles. Parts of it are on the Go John Trail, labeled as Moderate/Difficult, and it's 5.9 miles long.  Occasionally it has crossed my mind that I'd like to try to do the whole trail, but that's as far as it goes. Don't have enough time, it's too hot, I'm not ready, etc., etc.

Today I get to the park, my car goes to the Go John trail head parking lot. OK. I start up the trail. It's a beautiful day, nice breeze, only gonna be 75 degrees today, and I'm thinking, you know what? I can do this! Of course, then I stop every 10 feet to take a picture, and then realize at this pace it will be dark by the time I finish...if I finish. So, not sure what came over me, but I said to myself "let's do this!"  and only stopped every 50 feet to take a picture....

Let's just say it was an interesting challenge. Apparently the parts of the trail I had been on previously were the "moderate" parts. However, as I started up the trail (up is the operative word here), coming down are those finishing the trail who had started the loop in the other direction:  families with kids, people with their dogs, basically people of all ages, shapes and sizes. OK, confidence is building. No problem!

Let's just say I found out I'm in better shape than I used to be, but, good grief, I guess I have a ways to go. I did find the "difficult" parts of the trail difficult, and I was being passed by people who should not have been passing me - in the "difficult" sections. Sheesh!  (Oh, go ahead and go around me, I'm just stopping to take photos, yeah that's it, I'm stopping to take photos...)

But here's the thing. I did it. I stretched my comfort zone a little more, I went twice the distance I usually do, and completed my self imposed challenge.  Personal victory!!

Did I save the world? Nope. Did I cure diseases? Nope. Did I impact anyone else in any significant way? Nope. But you know what? It felt good. And small personal victories are something we need to do for ourselves, recognize them and celebrate. 

Have you tried something new? Did you get out of your box? Did you do it with a light heart and with an attitude of fun? Did you get the results you expected? Maybe, maybe not, but who cares?? You did it! Small victories add up. 

Photos of the morning's journey:

The start of the trail....starts off innocent enough.....

Had to stop a couple of times for traffic crossing the trail....

(the lizards, grasshoppers, dragonflies, birds and butterflies elected not to pose for photos today)

Where I would normally go right....left turn!

Ahhhh... a nice level section....

Hmmmm.... when you can see that you have a lengthy incline coming your way

Keep going left....

OK, this is a little more "incline" than I was thinking, should have taken a rest at that bench I just passed...

Follow the yellow brick  desert rock road....

Keep going left.....

Crap! Sigh....keep going up....

SERIOUSLY??? Keep going up....

Woohoo! made it! look at the view....

OK, can I just say that I'm more that a little glad to see that the parking lot is mentioned?

Parking lot in sight!!! Only about a mile to go....

And, lest you think I didn't enjoy this journey, photos of the beauty along the way...

 

Oh, and a word about reading labels...when you run into the store on your way to the park to get batteries for your camera and sunscreen, and you decide to pick up an extra water and a snack bar, do not be fooled by the products around the one you picked up - READ THE LABEL:

After it had been bouncing around in my backpack for two hours, I opened this  bottle of SmartWater - and quickly found out that it was LIGHTLY CARBONATED.  I needed a quick cool down anyway...

And when you reach into the Cliff bar box marked Blueberry Crunch, also READ THE LABEL... I wonder if the caffeine is organic too

 And when you get home, take off your shoes and socks, you see just how much of the desert trail you brought home with you...

Have a fabulous day my friends, have fun challenging yourself, and celebrate yourself when you do!!